News Briefs

10/30/2023

Shein acquires UK fast-fashion brand Missguided

Image

Shein continues to expand its global reach.

In its second big deal in a week, the Singapore-based online retailer of value-priced fashions has acquired British fast-fashion brand Missguided from the Frasers Group. Missguided items will be made available to Shein’s 150 million global users as an independent brand via Shein sites, as well as on missguided.com, according to Shein.

The deal, whose terms were not disclosed, comes on the heels of Shein’s new agreement with Authentic Brands Group under which it will design, manufacture and distribute a line of Forever 21 apparel and accessories for men and women.  

As part of the Missguided deal, Shein has entered into an agreement to license the British brand’s intellectual property to Sumwon Studios, a joint venture between Shein and Missguided founder Nitin Passi.  The brand’s products and collections will be manufactured through Shein’s on-demand production model and sold on Shein sites.

"The joint venture we have entered ushers in a new format of partnerships for Shein as part of our unwavering commitment to meet customer demand" said Donald Tang, executive chairman, Shein. "Shein aims to reignite the Missguided brand, capitalising on its unique brand personality, and fuelling its global growth through Shein's on-demand production model, unparalleled e-commerce expertise and global reach."

According to its release, Shein has reimagined the fashion industry's traditional production model, by building an agile and responsive ecosystem that leverages real-time insights for on-demand production. 

“This enables the reduction of production waste at the source and a much lower level of excess inventory, by responding with increased production only when there is actual market demand,” the company said.

Advertisement
10/30/2023

Disney to open holiday pop-up — in-person and online

Image
Miniature Christmas Tree

Disney is kicking off the holiday season with an experiential pop-up village.

The company will open an immersive pop-up marketplace, called Mickey & Friends Holiday Village, in Los Angeles on Nov. 4 and 5. The shoppable experience will feature products from over 70 collections, including from such brands as Forever 21 and Baublebar.  It will be open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. (PT).  

The holiday village is designed to  transport guests into a wonderland full of Mickey & Friends-inspired gifts, treats and photo-ready backdrops. 

 The attractions will include:

•Mickey's Magic Post Office, a seasonal interactive experience that will come to life with light and sound, alerting guests of a holiday mail delivery;

•Mickey & Friends' Holiday House, where visitors can stop and pose for a shareable Disney Holiday themed-postcard with friends; 

 •A hands-on demo of the 2D platform adventure game featuring Mickey & Friends, Disney Illusion Island; and

• Mickey & Friends wintery chalets, which will showcase the latest collections from select brands including Baublebar, Forever21, Loungefly, shopDisney and more.

Disney's Mickey & Friends Holiday Village is a limited-capacity event located at 606 Venice Boulevard, Venice, Calif.  Registration for the experience, which is free, is strongly encouraged at DisneyHoliday.com/Village.  A stand-by line will be available open during operating hours on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Guests that can't attend in person can visit the village online, where they can shop hundreds of holiday products. The digital shopping experience is inspired by the in-person Disney's Mickey & Friends Holiday Village.  

10/27/2023

Poshmark to focus on U.S. and Canada; exits international markets

Image
Poshmark

The Poshmark platform is going dark overseas.

The California-based secondhand fashion marketplace said it has made the “tough decision” to end operations in Australia, India and the UK, effective Oct. 26. Beginning November 2, buyers and sellers for India, Australia, and the UK will no longer have access to the marketplace via the app or web.

“This move, while difficult, will allow us to focus our energy and increase our investments in our core markets, the U.S. and Canada,” wrote Manish Chandra, founder and CEO, in a blog on the company’s website.

Poshmark entered the UK less than a year ago, in January, after launching in India and Australia in 2021.  Its exit from the markets markets comes approximately one year after the company agreed to be acquired by South Korean internet giant Naver Corp in a deal valued at approximately $1.2 billion.

Poshmark has about 8.1 million monthly active users on its phone apps, according to mobile intelligence firm Sensor Tower, reported TechCrunch. The app’s popularity has been slowing in its foreign markets, with fewer than 500,000 active users in the past month across the UK, India, and Australia, the report said.

Advertisement
10/24/2023

Spanx to pop up in NYC, Washington D.C. and Miami — here are the dates

Image
Rendering of Spanx pop-up

Spanx is set to launch its first-ever series of pop-up events.

The shapewear and activewear brand will open the first pop-up in New York City on Oct. 27, followed by Washington D.C. on Nov. 4 and Miami on Nov. 11. Each will be open only for one day.  (The times and locations, which are all outdoors,  are listed at end of article.)

“This is the first time we're bringing Spanx apparel to the public with a retail experience," said chief brand officer Misha Nonoo, chief brand officer, Spanx, which was purchased by Blackstone in 2021. "It's time. At Spanx, we are driven by our commitment to solving shared wardrobe problems and helping women juggle the many roles they take on every day.

The pop-ups will feature artwork by Nigerian-Australian artist Nkoski Ndlovu, whose piece celebrates the twists and turns that shape the female experience. Guests will have the chance to observe her work through an interactive art installation, while exploring the latest apparel collections from Spanx, the company said.

Here are the dates and times of the Spanx pop-ups.

New York City

Friday, Oct. 27
11:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens

 

Washington, D.C.

Saturday, Nov. 4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Wharf (Market Square)
760 Maine Ave SW

 
Miami

Saturday, Nov. 11
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Miami's Design District - Sweet Bird North
95 NE 40th Street

 

After the three stateside pop-ups, Spanx will travel to London,  opening a pop-up in Selfridges. It will be open  Nov. 20 to Dec. 22.

10/23/2023

West Elm launches new baby, kids product registry

Image
West Elm

Upscale home retailer West Elm, a Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brand, has launched a redesigned version of its registry for its baby and kids collections.

Customers looking to register for the West Elm Baby and West Elm Kids Collections will be able to easily discover and add items in every style to their registries. Registrants using the new West Elm Baby and Kids Registry will benefit from free registry tools, inspiration, nursery design services executed by West Elm’s Design Crew, and a completion discount for a limited time following the celebration. 

The new West Elm Baby and Kids Registry also offers customers the ability to add items from all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands, including Pottery Barn Kids, to their registries.

Founded in Brooklyn, New York in 2002, West Elm first launched its West Elm Baby and West Elm Kids Collections in 2021, which include items like furniture, bedding, bath, rugs, lighting, décor and gifts.

10/23/2023

Hibbett links rewards program to Nike

Image
Hibbett and Nike partnership

Hibbett Inc. is connecting its loyalty program with Nike’s rewards offering.

The newly integrated Hibbett Rewards X Nike Membership will provide Hibbett shoppers with new benefits and elevated retail experiences when they purchase Nike and Jordan products at a Hibbett store or the retailer’s website.

Nike launched a similar connected partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods in November 2021. The new collaboration with Hibbett includes access to member-only products, curated Nike and Jordan outfit bundles, community experiences and personalized content.

“We are excited about the launch of our connected partnership with Nike,” said Jared Briskin, executive VP, merchandising and supply chain, Hibbett. “Integrating the Hibbett Rewards X NIKE Membership will transform the ways in which we engage and delight our members across all omnichannel touchpoints. It will further solidify our leading differentiated retail experience in underserved communities.”

“The future of our marketplace is a connected one,” said Jason Kirrer, VP, Nike North America marketplace partners. “We are excited to team up with Hibbett to launch our next connected partnership, providing consumers with exclusive experiences, personalized content and early access to Nike and Jordan member products.”

To promote the l Hibbett Rewards X Nike Membership launch, the retailer is creating a new look for the Hibbett Rewards page online, in the app and in email marketing, and will also display in-store signage surrounding the program. 

Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala. Hibbett operates 1,148 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores, located in 36 states nationwide.