Fast Company
The "top seller of yogurt in America," Chobani, in January will premiere "an entirely new product category, called Chobani Oat," with "four oat drinks—plain, vanilla, chocolate, and plain extra creamy—that approximate milk," reports Fast Company. The company is betting it can leverage its resources "to do for oat-based products what [it] once did for Greek yogurt: Take them mainstream."
Chain Store Age
The 75-year-old brand opened a holiday pop-up in downtown Manhattan. "Called TuppSoho and open through December, the space features a curated selection of signature Tupperware products in a modern, minimalist setting," reports Chain Store Age. The shop's launch coincides with the rollout of the brand's redesigned website.
The New York Times
"For decades, fast-food toys have operated as marketing tools designed to get children eating French fries and Chicken McNuggets" -- but now Burger King, for one, "plans to eliminate non-biodegradable toys from all its restaurants worldwide by 2025," reports The New York Times. And "McDonald’s has moved to scale back the distribution of plastic toys in Britain and other markets outside the United States, although it has stopped short of pledging to discontinue them."
The Wall Street Journal
Who knew? Democrats are more likely to buy Levi's jeans, while Republicans are wearing Wranglers, even though both "got their start as the go-to jeans" for those "who pioneered the American West," according to MRI-Simmons data analyzed by The Wall Street Journal. The rise in consumers' shopping partisanship "can be seen from cars and food to sports and news," continues the article, which includes charts (no surprise, CNN is on one end, Fox News on the other) and interviews with consumers.
Chain Store Age
Studs -- "dedicated to a very niche segment of the jewelry market: ear piercing" -- launched online and opened its first retail location, in downtown NYC, according to Chain Store Age. "Studs prioritizes healthy and safe needle piercing in a fun and bold space, and [also] offers a trend-driven jewelry selection." More retail stores are set to open next year.
Time
California just sued e-e-cigarette maker Juul, alleging that it "deliberately marketed and sold its flavored nicotine products to teenagers, according to Time magazine. "The lawsuit from California’s attorney general is the latest legal action against Juul, the multibillion-dollar vaping startup that has been widely blamed for helping spark the teen vaping craze."
Fortune
American Outdoor Brands is splitting into two companies, one focused on firearms (Smith & Wesson) and the other on outdoor products. The move may have been triggered by pressure for gun reforms that have resulted in weak profits and earnings. “Gunmakers are finding more resistance from retailers as mass shootings in the U.S. make it politically sensitive to sell firearms and ammunition,” according to Fortune.
CNN.com
Chick-fil-A is ending donations to two organizations that have been criticized for being anti-LGBTQ as part of a restructuring of its foundation efforts. Beginning next year, it will only donate to a certain group of charities, and the list no longer includes the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes — two organizations that have taken controversial stands on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
Boston Globe
Diehard Dunkin’ fans are up in arms over the end of “double cupping": placing a plastic iced-coffee cup inside a foam cup. Dunkin’ Brands is launching an ad campaign to help them cope. “Citing environmental concerns, the company said last year that it would stop using its signature foam coffee cups, and it has been slowly introducing new reinforced paper cups nationwide,” according to the Boston Globe.
NBC Sports
Nike denies a New York Times report stating the brand planned to make a TV spot with footage from Colin Kaepernick’s Saturday workout. The NFL added fuel to the speculation with a statement that contradicted Nike’s. “Despite the vocal minority that despises Kaepernick and huff and puffs whenever his name comes up, Kaepernick’s return to the NFL would result in a spike in jersey and apparel sales, with his supporters buying the merchandise in droves,” per NBC Sports.