It's been another weird week in retail. Cheez-It aims to win the hearts of sommeliers everywhere, KFC wants to be the picnic hero and Smythson secures the bag (and consumers' water bottles) with this pricey product.
This, and more, in this week's retail therapy.
Cheez-It gets an adult makeover
Dreams come in all shapes and sizes, and for some, those dreams come in the form of a Cheez-It wine box (hey, no judgment here). This week, House Wine, which specializes in boxed and canned wines, announced it partnered with the cheesy cracker to form the ultimate dream team. The duo created a product that's one part Cheez-It crackers, one part red wine blend.
While cheese and wine is a duo as classic as Lucy and Ricky, Cheez-Its are a whole different story. While we realize this next comment may spark some controversy, we feel it needs to be said: If you're over the age of eight and consider the cheese-flavored crackers a legitimate snack, you may need to evaluate some things in your life.
But while we may not be the target consumer for this product, others certainly are. Some even wished the product, which became available on Thursday, came out sooner so it could be enjoyed while watching some events unfold in the nation's capitol.
If only this had come out before this hearing started https://t.co/xucTG2a5VG
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) July 24, 2019
cheez-it is releasing a WINE BOX i have never felt more seen in all 28 years of my life ???????????? pic.twitter.com/BHSntR6MKd
— emma lord (@dilemmalord) July 23, 2019
The Cheez-It and wine box rings up at $25 and is available on House Wine's website for a limited time.
KFC aims to be the designer of your next picnic
While you grab your box of Cheez-It wine and head to the park for a picnic, KFC wants to ensure you're well-equipped for a successful day. The fast-food company this week unveiled the Picnic Polo, which transforms a polo shirt into a picnic blanket right in front of your eyes.
In honor of National Drive-Thru Day on Wednesday, KFC said the first 15 fans to visit its Springfield, Missouri, restaurant on that day would win not only a Picnic Polo, but also a picnic kit valued at over $100. We're not sure if elbows were thrown to score this premium deal, but if they were, we know it was totally worth it.
And fans that weren't in the Springfield area for the special holiday had the chance to enter for a chance to win online.
I'm obsessed WELP
— Vikki ???????????? (@Vikki27296893) July 24, 2019
The product that can't bag any of the essentials
It seems as though fashion brands these days are playing a game called, "How much will people actually spend on this totally useless product?" Louis Vuitton submitted its bid through a $2,650 volleyball. Balenciaga threw its hat into the ring with its $850 platform Crocs, which it totally sold out of. But Smythson may have won with this product drop. A bag that can hold your water bottle, and only your water bottle.
The brand teamed up with S'well to unveil a $495 leather holder to carry a single water bottle. We've seen purses so small they can only hold a phone, but this is something else.
We wonder how those consumers will feel, though, when they realize this product is essentially a sleeker designed camping canteen. How crunchy granola of them.
Louis Vuitton's "Neverfull" bag is about to get a run for its money. But seriously, how many bags are we expected to haul around just to carry the essentials?? It's a no from us.
On this week's episode of tone-deaf retailers: Macy's and Forever 21
It appears retailers are struggling so badly financially that they're willing to try anything to lure customers in. However, for these two retailers, maybe doing nothing at all would have been more beneficial.
Macy's this week pulled plates outlining portion sizes labeled "Skinny Jeans," "Favorite Jeans" and "Mom Jeans" from its stores. The plates were initially called out on Twitter by Alie Ward, and have since garnered a lot of attention with people calling it a "toxic message" and that it was "promoting eating disorders and body shaming."
How can I get these plates from @Macys banned in all 50 states pic.twitter.com/1spntAluVl
— Alie Ward (@alieward) July 21, 2019
This is a toxic message, promoting even greater women beauty standards and dangerous health habits. These expectations can actually kill someone, and I know someone it has. @Macys, remove this from all of your stores and denounce the manufacturer.
— Anna L Puchkoff (@AnnaPuchkoff) July 21, 2019
Macy’s just casually promoting eating disorders and body shaming. MOM JEANS FOREVER. pic.twitter.com/ZwZaJVw91F
— Aubrey D ???? (@aubswashername) July 21, 2019
And the worst of it all? This isn't even the only tone-deaf thing a retailer has done this week. Forever 21 reportedly sent customers Atkins bars with some online orders, including plus-size orders.
I went from a size 24 to 18, still a plus size girl, so I ordered jeans from @Forever21 Opened the package, when I looked inside I see this Atkins bar. What are you trying to Tell me Forever 21, I'm FAT, LOSE WEIGHT? do you give these to NON-PLUS SIZE WOMEN as well? pic.twitter.com/ds8kUTs7T7
— MissGG????️???? (@MissGirlGames) July 19, 2019
While Forever 21 said the bars were sent in all orders "across all sizes and categories," according to a statement reported by NBC News, customers still took to Twitter to voice their disapproval of the move.
I really don't care if @Forever21 sent Atkins bars to every single human on earth and not just plus-sized women, it's disgusting and irresponsible for a clothing company to partner with a weight loss product. Period.
— Laid Back Betch (@LaidBackBetch) July 25, 2019
Two retailers that completely missed the mark.
#macys releases "mom jeans" sized plates and #forever21 sends atkins bars to their plus-size-ordering clients, then calls it an "oversight". Did their advertising brainstorm mtgs last 4 minutes in which they threw up their arms and said "why not?" to the first/only idea?
— Julianne (@recruiterjuju) July 25, 2019