It's been another weird week in retail. Miller Lite and New Balance teamed up to create a dad-inspired product, beer makers brewed up unique flavors in time for summer and DiGiorno introduced a new take on pizza.
This, and more, in this week's retail therapy.
Miller Lite taps New Balance to create the ultimate dad product
Father's Day is just around the corner, so to help celebrate the occasion Miller Lite and New Balance teamed up to produce the ultimate dad item.
The brands created the "first-ever shoe-meets-koozie" in what it calls the Shoezie, a shoe that can hold your beer.
It's happening. The Original Light Beer + The Originators of the Dad Shoe. The Shoezie. A shoe for your beer. Coming Father's Day. https://t.co/fz9yCPJds0 pic.twitter.com/iDbqN9GEtb
— Miller Lite (@MillerLite) June 1, 2021
The product is reminiscent of the 624 Trainer — a shoe basically synonymous with dads hanging out around the grill drinking a cold one — and uses New Balance's own materials.
"As The Original Light Beer, we are proud to celebrate all things beer and all things dad, and the Shoezie does just that," Sofia Colucci, vice president of marketing at Miller Family of Brands, said in a statement. "When we dreamed up the Shoezie, there was only one brand to bring it to life and that was the maker of the classic 'Dad Shoe,' New Balance. Together we want to thank all dads out there for keeping the grass cut, grilling those perfect meats, agreeing to the family dog, and of course raising a Miller Lite, one can at a time."
Miller Lite selected real-life dads to model the product within "relatable dad settings," which Ben Wolan, executive creative director of DDB San Francisco, said could be cleaning the garage, watching the TV standing up or searing a steak.
Those who are interested can try to get a Shoezie at www.TheShoezie.com on Father's Day, beginning at 9 a.m. CT.
Something odd is brewing this summer
Nothing quite says summer like kicking back on the patio and opening an ice-cold beer. But this year, brewers have something unique up their sleeves.
Convenience store Sheetz recently announced the rollout of its largest scale limited-edition beer, the Project I Scream, Brew Scream. The beer combines two of summer's greatest beverages: milkshakes and IPAs. Separate? Delicious. Together? We're not so sure.
Sheetz teamed up with Goose Island Beer Company to create the brew, which is available in over 400 stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. Four packs are available for purchase for $7.99.
"These last 14 months have been tough for all of us and as things start to improve in our communities, we're hopeful this beer can lift the spirits of our customers as we embark on an exciting summer season," Ryan Sheetz, vice president of marketing and brand at Sheetz, said in a statement.
This isn't Goose Island's first eyebrow-raising beer, though. Earlier this year, the company crafted a brew inspired by Cadbury Creme Eggs just in time for Easter.
But Sheetz and Goose Island weren't the only ones to get in on the summer beer fun. Flying Dog Brewery teamed up with another classic Maryland establishment, Dolle's Candyland, to create a one-of-a-kind beer. The beer company and Ocean City candy maker brewed up a Saltwater Taffy IPA, which features flavors of freshly squeezed lemons and citrus hops with notes of vanilla.
To coincide with the launch, Dolle's produced a beer-flavored taffy to go along with it.
"Just in time for the sounds, smells, and tastes of summer, Dolle's is extremely excited to pair with Flying Dog Brewery in Dolles' first brand collaboration," Anna Dolle Bushnell, president of Dolle's Candyland, said in a statement. "Taste tests were enjoyed thoroughly between both Maryland businesses as we developed an IPA that invokes fun and summer with inspired flavors of Dolle's lemon saltwater taffy."
Maryland pride runs deep with Flying Dog: Earlier this year the company collaborated with Old Bay to make a gose inspired by the seafood seasoning.
DiGiorno tries to get in on the National Doughnut Day fun
Friday is National Doughnut Day, which may have consumers seeking out the usual suspects to fulfill their sugar craving: Krispy Kreme, Dunkin and Tim Hortons. But this year, a new player wants to get on consumers' radars — DiGiorno.
The brand known for its frozen pizzas this week teased a new creation that combines pizza and doughnuts. For those interested in this unique item, DiGiorno is hosting a sweepstake on Twitter to give away the "DiGiornut."
Want to be one of the lucky few to try a DiGiornut?
— DiGiorno (@DiGiorno) June 4, 2021
Reply with #Sweepstakes to enter for a chance to win!
No Purchase Nec., Entrant must be 18+ in US and DC, ends 11:59 PM EST 6/4/2021. Limit 1 entry.
Rules: https://t.co/TgEYzitTAP pic.twitter.com/3IF4pqp01Q
Before we totally shut down this idea, the brand may be on to something. We mean, the creator of a famous bagel-pizza combo may have been met with similiar skepticism at some point as well.
And DiGiorno hasn't been one to shy away from pushing the boundaries when it comes to pizza. Last year, the brand introduced a croissant crust that "combines multiple layers of light, flaky, buttery crust with the savory, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of pizza."
This past year DiGiorno expanded its love of pizza beyond the kitchen with the launch of a merch shop on its website, which includes an $80 pizza-shaped floor pillow and a pair of cheesy pizza slice socks for $15.
