USA Today
Harley-Davidson is branching out. The longtime producer of iconic motorcycles unveiled a brand that will focus exclusively on the electric, or e-bicycle, market. “Known as Serial 1 Cycle Co., the brand takes its name from Serial Number One, the nickname for Harley-Davidson’s first motorcycle,” per USA Today. “The e-bicycle market is going gangbusters right now, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Aaron Frank, brand director for Serial 1.”
Supermarket News
More than half of U.S. consumers surveyed by Inmar are deciding whether to replenish their stock of goods gathered at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Inmar Intelligence. Another 54% of respondents said they aim to be prepared by always having a stockpile of key items going forward, in case of safety issues and supply outages at stores. “Of those polled, 27% said they’re considering a winter stockpile because certain products might not be in stock when needed,” according to Supermarket News. “The same percentage expressed concern that another wave of the pandemic would make in-store …
New York Sports Journalism
Jersey Mike’s Subs has signed a deal with the Atlanta Tipoff Club, administrators of the Naismith Awards, to become title sponsor for the collegiate Naismith Trophy. The award, presented since 1969 and named after Dr. James Naismith, the creator of the game of basketball, honors college basketball's top men's and women's player each year. The deal expands Jersey Mike’s multiyear pact, which also includes title sponsor for the Naismith High School Trophy for Boys’ and Girls’ Player of the Year, title sponsor of the Naismith High School Boys’ and Girls’ Coach of the Year and the Naismith High School All-America Teams.
Chain Store Age
Nordstrom plans to open two more Nordstrom Local stores in the Los Angeles area before the end of the year. The stores do not carry inventory and instead focus on online order pickup (with contactless curbside pickup), easy returns, styling advice and complimentary gift-wrapping for all Nordstrom purchases. Stores also offer alterations, including same-day hems, sleeve shortening and sizing adjustments. Customers can also bring in their empty beauty packaging to be recycled and drop off their gently used fashions, which will be distributed to a local nonprofit.
BusinessTravel News
>Hilton Hotels is following the lead of other travel marketers and tweaking its Hilton Honors Loyalty program rules in light of the ongoing pandemic. No Hilton Honors points will expire until Dec. 31, 2021. Previously, points could expire if members did not show activity in their account for at least 15 months, according to the program's terms and conditions. Silver, gold and diamond members who were set to downgrade in 2020 or 2021 will have their status extended to March 31, 2022.
USA Today
Basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal and his foundation have partnered with Pepsi for its “Pepsi Stronger Together” initiative, a nationwide project that will take place in various NBA markets that will involve local charities and law enforcement. Pepsi launched “Pepsi Stronger Together” in May, which entailed providing supplies to front-line workers and donating meals. The company, which had an endorsement deal with O’Neal, approached him about participating in the initiative earlier this month.
Fathom
Allbirds is launching its debut apparel collection with a line of T-shirts, sweaters, cardigans, and a puffer jacket for men and women. In keeping with the four-year-old company’s commitment to sustainability, all of these garments are made with eco-friendly materials that have a low carbon footprint. The company is launching an entirely new material for The t-shirts, which are made from discarded crab shells.
Sports Illustrated
The bowl formerly known as the Cactus Bowl has a new sponsor. Guaranteed Rate, one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the U.S., based in Chicago, takes over the naming rights from Cheez-It, which ended its deal in March. “While much of the economy has slowed to a halt during the pandemic, the housing market is roaring, and so are lending companies like Guaranteed Rate,” according to Sports Illustrated. The company is on pace to double its loan amounts in 2020 (from $37 billion in 2019) and triple its gross revenue ($1 billion to $3 billion).
Sourcing Journal
Amazon’s influencer-focused offshoot The Drop unveiled an exclusive fashion collection designed in collaboration with Kendall + Kylie, the Jenner sisters’ five-year-old joint apparel brand. Landing them “marks a giant leap forward for The Drop, which in May of last year bowed its inaugural collection of trend-led clothing created with a niche influencer on the premise of turning curators into creators,” per Sourcing Journal.
Sportico
Anheuser-Busch InBev has decided not to host the 600 people it usually brings to the Super Bowl each year. “While it will still advertise—and serve beer—throughout weeklong Super Bowl festivities in Tampa, Fla., leadership concluded that there’s too much uncertainty surrounding fan attendance and COVID-19 precautions to invest the millions it typically costs to fully prepare for the game,” according to Sportico.