The retail world looks different now and there's a lot of uncertainty. Instead of highlighting the absurd products we normally do, we're looking instead at some of the things in the industry that made us smile.
This week, Nike collaborated with Ben & Jerry's for a new sneaker drop, Burger King got creative with its social distancing efforts and Dunkin decided to play up the election year in its Doughnut Day campaign.
This, and more, in this week's retail therapy.
Ben and Jerry's goes to the moon
The warmer weather has one thing on our minds: ice cream. But if you're not like us and weren't already plotting what flavor your next scoop will be, Ben & Jerry's is here to help change that.
The Vermont-based ice cream brand this week introduced a new flavor, Boots on the Moooo'n, to coincide with the release of the latest Netflix comedy drop, "Space Force," co-created by Steve Carell and Greg Daniels. The flavor features "a universe of milk chocolate ice cream with fudge cows and toffee meteor clusters orbiting a sugar cookie dough core." That flavor combo alone would be enough to send us to the moon.
Ben & Jerry's took it one step further though and sent a pint 20 miles into the atmosphere to help promote its release.
But that's not the only news the ice cream maker made this week. Nike SB collaborated with Ben & Jerry's to release a sneaker inspired by the ice cream brand. Dubbed "Chunky Dunky," the Nike Dunk Lows feature cow print, pale blue and quirky details like drip marks on the logo, reminiscent of a Ben & Jerry's pint.
"If it's not fun, why do it?" The Nike SB x Ben & Jerry's Chunky Dunky drops today. Find a store near you: https://t.co/FmE8mazj82 #chunkydunky pic.twitter.com/ORdCMgjyEB
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) May 23, 2020
The shoes, which were sold at select Nike SB stores and on the SNEAKRS app for $100, have since sold out since their weekend debut. Now, resellers are asking as much as $1,700 for a pair — more than 10 times its original ticket.
While the shoes are definitely unique, nothing beats the real deal when it comes to ice cream.
Burger King gets creative with promoting social distancing
As restaurants begin reopening across the world, many are taking steps to ensure safety among staff and guests: wearing masks, requiring reservations and reducing capacity. But some restaurants have taken it one step further.
Burger King Italy launched an ad for a "Social Distancing Whopper," which features triple the amount of raw onions as a regular Whopper to help deter individuals from getting too close, Fast Company reports. The ad was created by Wunderman Thompson Italia.
But that's not the only thing the fast-food joint rolled out to promote safe distancing. Burger King Germany created larger-than-life versions of its famous crowns, which the chain pushed out on its social media.
distancing, but make it fashion pic.twitter.com/lVn1No5Jwq
— Burger King (@BurgerKing) May 22, 2020
It's an idea that another German restaurant, Cafe Rothe, also pursued. Upon reopening, the cafe handed out hats with pool noodles attached to the top to help remind customers to keep a distance from one another while dining. We're on board for whatever works to create a safe experience for all.
Dunkin launches the Donut Party
We're here with the news everyone could use: National Doughnut Day is on June 5 this year. Is it a semi-made up holiday? For sure. Will we be participating? 100%. While some have been fine tuning their baking skills during this stay-at-home period essentially preparing for this very day, others weren't as blessed in the kitchen. Fear not, Dunkin is here to supply the sweet treats we know and love.
The chain is offering guests a free doughnut with any beverage purchase next Friday while supplies last. But the fun doesn't stop there. Dunkin is playing up that it's an election year by launching The Donut Party. The restaurant is asking guests to join the party and cast their vote for their favorite flavor.
"Will you cast your vote for Jelly 2020? Are you amazed with Glazed? Do you dream of Boston Kreme? Or, is your candidate Old Fashioned?" Dunkin said in a press release.
The chain is rolling out GIPHY stickers, Zoom backgrounds and Instagram polls to allow customers to show their support for their favorite "canDOUGHdates." The campaign will also feature a television commercial where the different flavors will go head-to-head in a debate to convince voters to choose them.
Guests also have the chance to win a year's worth of doughnuts through a competition for the most creative slogan for The Donut Party. Three hundred and sixty-five doughnuts is the sweetest dream there is.
