Welcome to The Week in Retail, a weekly roundup for marketers from Quad Insights that covers the latest must-know news surrounding the retail space.
Electronics and apparel categories drive e-commerce spending, report shows
E-commerce spending is seeing robust growth in 2024, according to new Adobe Analytics data, per Chain Store Age’s Dan Berthiaume. The first four months of 2024 showed a 7% year-over-year (YoY) increase in U.S. online consumer spending, for a total of $331.6 billion. This growth was driven in part by spending on electronics (up 3.1% YoY) and apparel (up 2.6% YoY).
See also: “U.S. online retail spending up 7% Jan-April, driven by demand for cheaper products, report says” (Reuters)
Amazon debuts new shoppable ad formats with direct checkout capabilities
Ahead of its upfront presentation slated for May 14, Amazon this week unveiled an expanded suite of interactive and shoppable ad formats for Prime Video featuring “remote-enabled capabilities for living-room devices,” per an Amazon Ads statement. New Prime Video advertising formats include shoppable carousel ads that allow viewers to browse and add products to their Amazon carts during ad breaks, interactive pause ads that feature translucent promotions with the option to “Add to Cart” or “Learn More,” and interactive brand trivia ads designed to entertain and educate customers about advertisers’ brands, as well as shop their products and earn rewards. Some of Amazon’s new interactive features are similar to other media companies’ offerings, Ad Age’s Parker Herren reports; however, with the introduction of its living-room remote features, “Amazon will offer direct checkout capabilities few others can enable at the same scale as the retail giant,” Herren notes.
See also: “Disney, Walmart Team Up for Enhanced Targeting, Measurement Across Streaming” (Adweek)
Shein to host wedding-focused pop-up and wedding ceremonies in Las Vegas
Global online fashion retailer Shein will host its first-ever wedding-focused pop-up experience in Las Vegas, where 30 couples will have the opportunity to get “Vegas-hitched,” per a company statement. The Memorial Day weekend activation will include faux wedding ceremonies (i.e., not legally binding) for the couples — who will be dressed in complimentary Shein wedding attire — at “the Shein Love Chapel,” officiated by “Love Is Blind” stars Lauren Speed-Hamilton and Cameron Hamilton. Taking place at Fashion Show Mall on the Vegas Strip May 25-26, the event will also feature the Shein Love Chapel Pop-Up Shop, where guests can “shop the look” with outfits for both the wedding party and guests — from bridesmaid dresses to sleepwear. Interested couples must register for consideration by 2 p.m. PST on May 26.
Previously: “Shein launches partnered collection with U.S. Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross,” from the March 15 edition of The Week in Direct-to-Consumer.
Dick’s Sporting Goods and Nike host fourth annual “It’s Her Shot” tour
Dick’s Sporting Goods and Nike this week announced the launch of their fourth annual “It’s Her Shot” tour, which will feature past and present WNBA players and other notable basketball figures, per a Dick’s statement. With stops in New Haven, New York City, Indianapolis, Chicago, Phoenix and Los Angeles between May and October, the tour will include events — including pick-up games, pro-led practice drills and courtside chats with pro players and coaches — that are open to athletes ages 8-18 on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested in participating can sign up at ItsHerShot.com. “It’s Her Shot” was created to “empower young female athletes to take their place on the court with confidence,” per a Dick’s statement.
See also: “Dick’s Sporting Goods Inks Deal with Boston’s Celtics and Red Sox Teams” (Footwear News)
Further reading
Retail performance:
- “Retail sales inch up in April led by building supply/garden supply stores” (Chain Store Age)
- “Sprouts records another robust quarter as it eyes further growth” (Grocery Dive)
Retail operations and expansions:
- “Southeastern Grocers Expands Private Label Dessert Offerings” (Store Brands)
- “Figs launches a line of premium scrubs and plans to open a second store” (Retail Brew)
- “Aldi urges suppliers to cut costs and go green amid U.S. expansion” (Reuters)
- “Ace Retail Holdings to expand Midwest footprint” (Chain Store Age)
- “Macy’s Inc. to open its fourth Bloomie’s location in New Jersey this fall” (Modern Retail)
- “Food Lion expands delivery service across 7 states” (Food Dive)
- “How Online Shopping Is Saving the Bricks-and-Mortar Store” (The Wall Street Journal)
- “Outdoor retailer REI bets on running to reach profitability” (Glossy)
- “Miniso Opens Doors to IP Store at American Dream Mall” (The Toy Book)
- “eBay provides sellers mobile access to sales data” (Chain Store Age)
Retail trends:
- “Aldi Lowered the Prices of More Than 250 Food Items to Save Customers Money This Summer” (People)
- “Why item repair is a customer loyalty tool for Neiman Marcus & Filson” (Modern Retail)
Retail tech and innovation:
Retail launches and partnerships:
- “Saks and Stella McCartney Partner for Exclusive Eveningwear Line” (Women’s Wear Daily)
- “Getting up in Your Grill: Ace Hardware Debuts Private Label BBQ Sauce and Apparel Lines” (Retail TouchPoints)
- “Macy’s Latest Collection Honors The Divine Nine Fraternities” (Essence)
- “Grocery Outlet’s New Private Label Assortment Launching In Q3” (Store Brands)
- “1 year after its Roblox debut, PacSun invests in advertising on the platform” (Glossy)
- “Seeking Growth, Target Is Now Wholesaling Its Private Label Lines” (Women’s Wear Daily)
- “Kohl’s Picks Instacart as Exclusive Same-Day Delivery Partner” (Retail TouchPoints)
