Axios
A new service from a company called Consumers' Research offers "Woke Alerts” to those who want to know which brands are accused of taking political positions that are offensive to the right. "The free service offers to notify you 'when companies cave to the woke mob — so you know the brands attacking your values,'"per Axios. "This marks an escalation by deep-pocketed conservatives to hit corporations where it hurts — the bottom line."
Newsweek
The maker of a beer that frames itself as being an alternative to Bud Light is being criticized for its high price. "Following conservative backlash against Bud Light's parent company Anheuser-Busch's partnership with a transgender influencer, Seth Weathers—a Georgia-based political consultant and apparel company CEO who led President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign in the state—announced he would begin selling a '100% woke-free beer' as a bulwark to 'woke corporations,'" per Newsweek.
Supermarket News
Although food sales are still strong, Costco's overall sales have declined the past two months. "An ongoing slump in ecommerce sales was just one of the factors behind a mixed second quarter financial report for Costco that came in slightly below expectations in terms of total revenue," per Supermarket News. "Market experts also are claiming consumers are cooling off their spending when it comes to discretionary items due to inflation."
Hypebeast
Fashion brand Lacoste is teaming up with Netflix for a collaboration that includes reworking the iconic crocodile to pay homage to the channel's best-known shows, including "Stranger Things" and "Bridgerton." "Uniting the worlds of fashion and entertainment, the collection elevates the 'Netflix & Chill' uniform for a genderless, everyday ready-to-wear range," per Hypebeast. "Bringing the heritage brand’s signature pieces to the forefront including polo shirts, sweatshirts, tracksuits, and accessories, the collaborative offering blends sports, style and fandom."
Retail Dive
Under Armour and Steph Curry have re-upped their 10-year partnership and expanded it to give the famous athlete a broader advisory role at the sports apparel company. "As part of the new deal Curry will become president of Under Armour’s Curry Brand, which was formed in 2020," per Retail Dive. "The NBA star will work on product development, as well as select business and marketing efforts. Curry will not only continue his involvement with Under Armour’s basketball efforts, but will also work with the brand in golf, women’s, youth and sportstyle categories."
The New York Times
The Red Cross is partnering with “Peanuts” and a T-shirt promoting the campaign has become highly sought after. "The prize shirt shows Snoopy, in the guise of his alter ego, Joe Cool, leaning nonchalantly against the distinctive Red Cross emblem above a caption that reads: 'Be cool. Give blood,'" per The New York Times. "A video posted Wednesday on TikTok about donating blood specifically to get the Snoopy shirt was viewed more than four million times."
Fast Company
LGBTQ+ executives have long dealt with a "glass ceiling" in the corporate world that has held back generations of professionals. That's changing "thanks in part to changing societal attitudes and mentorship from queer colleagues," per Fast Company. "But recent research highlights barriers that still exist to getting rid of that glass ceiling for good."
The New York Times
L’Oréal will acquire Aesop, an Australian luxury skin care brand with a devoted following. The $2.5 billion deal positions the French cosmetics giant to expand its footprint in China. It is L’Oréal’s largest-ever acquisition and will increase the brand's presence in the high-end, natural beauty product space, according to The New York Times.
Chain Store Age
Western wear brands like Boot Barn, which already ranks as one of the nation’s fastest-growing retail brands, could get another boost from Taylor Swift. "The pop star’s Eras Tour, which kicked off last month and will conclude in August, could result in increased sales at Western-focused footwear, apparel and accessories retailer Boot Barn as concertgoers outfit themselves for the shows, according to analysts at Jeffries," per Chain Store Age. "The analysts found that when looking at Google Trends for 'what to wear to Taylor Swift concert,' the popularity of the search rose after tickets for Swift’s tour went on sale, with many wardrobe ideas …
HBCU Buzz
Kate Spade New York is partnering with The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, founded by actress Taraji P. Henson, in an effort to reach over 25,000 Black women on HBCU campuses with frontline mental wellness care. "The ‘She Care Wellness Pods’ will feature physical structures that will offer a range of mental health resources, including free mental health virtual and in-person therapy sessions for women students experiencing an exacerbation of stress, anxiety and depression," according to HBUC Buzz.