Axios
Once-iconic brands like Oscar Mayer, Campbell's and CoverGirl are losing market share as consumers' tastes change.”The challenges facing well-loved brands reflect shifts that aren't likely to swing back in their favor,” according to Axios. “As older companies scramble to keep up with upstart competitors, they are introducing more modern product lines, like ones with plant-based ingredients.”
USA Today
President Donald Trump is supporting Home Depot via tweets after social media calls to boycott the home improvement retailer following news that co-founder Bernie Marcus plans to back Trump's re-election bid. "A truly great, patriotic & charitable man, Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of Home Depot who, at the age of 90, is coming under attack by the Radical Left Democrats with one of their often used weapons," Trump said in a two-part tweet. "They don’t want people to shop at those GREAT stores," Trump continues, because Marcus contributed "to your favorite President, me!"
Patch.com
PepsiCo plans to release a special bottle design after mistakenly placing Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in Wisconsin in its "Dew United” marketing campaign. The campaign features state names on all bottles. In a graphic the company posted on Twitter and also used in video spots, the Upper Peninsula shares the same green-and-white design as Wisconsin, as opposed to the red-and-white design of Michigan.
The Verge
Ikea has released a free font inspired by the memes related to its online “Design your own sofa” planner. The retailer worked with digital agency Proximity London to create the Soffa Sans font. “Calling itself the ‘the world’s comfiest font,’ Soffa Sans creates a typeface out of the Vallentuna couch in both isometric and bird’s-eye view versions," according to
The Verge. The font is
downloadable, and is available in white, blue, and gray.
CNBC.com
American Eagle is jumping on the CBD bandwagon. The retailer is partnering with Green Growth Brands and will begin selling its CBD-infused body-care products — including muscle balms and lotions — in nearly 500 stores and online, with sales expected to begin in October. Abercrombie and DSW have already announced plans to sell GGB’s products. The CBD industry has the potential to become a $22 billion business by 2022, according to cannabis-focused research firm Brightfield Group.
Business Insider
Starbucks employees are dealing with a rush of orders for the Tie-Dye Frappuccino. On Wednesday, Starbucks said it will be available for just five days, or as supplies last. According to Starbucks employees, the drink tastes like banana candy, reports Business Insider. The drink follows in the footsteps of other Instagram-friendly Starbucks drinks such as the Unicorn Frappuccino and the Witch's Brew Frappuccino. Baristas are irritated because the drink takes longer to make, as employees must add different powders to achieve the tie-dye effect.
Ward's Automotive
The last Volkswagen Beetle built for the U.S. market has rolled off the assembly line. “It’s impossible to imagine where Volkswagen would be without the Beetle,” states Scott Keogh, president-CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “From its first import in 1949 to today’s retro-inspired design, it has showcased our company’s ability to fit round pegs into square holes of the automotive industry. While its time has come, the role it has played in the evolution of our brand will be forever cherished.” The current Beetle was the third generation of the car, which went on sale in 2011. More than 500,000 …
Supermarket News
Target will open three small-format stores on or near university campuses this fall. The new locations, which are about 20,000 square feet and will offer food and daily essentials, are coming to the University of Kentucky campus, the Michigan State University campus and a location near the University of Washington. Currently, the retailer operates 23 small-format stores on or near college campuses in 13 states, including 10 locations opened last year.
Washington Post
New versions feature a standup inverted pouch that rolls down like a toothpaste tube, uses gravity as an assist and minimizes the introduction of oxygen, thus slowing spoilage. Daisy brand sour cream debuted the Daisy Squeeze in 2015. Next up is Chobani whole-milk plain yogurt and Original Uncle Dougie’s organic barbecue sauces. “A major player in the guacamole business will debut its version Aug. 1,” according to the Washington Post.
Supermarket News
Amazon’s Prime program members who make a Whole Foods in-store transaction of $10 or more between July 3 and July 16 will get a $10 credit to their Amazon account they can use to spend on Amazon.com during Prime Day. Last year, the companies offered the spend $10/get $10 deal over seven days, compared with 14 days this year. Whole Foods will feature deals on fresh produce and meat, snacks and ice cream for Prime members from July 10 to 16.