Every year there are thousands of product launches. Some are expected successes (Apple’s iPhone 14) and some are surprises (Swatch’s MoonSwatch watch), but given the sheer volume, you might expect a few duds and head scratchers.
Here are a few product launches from this year that caused a few people to question what they have seen on retail shelves:
Beet Jerky -- Beef jerky is an established category, but what about a vegan alternative? That’s what restaurateur Theo Mourad thought while amusing himself during lockdown. His brand, Theo’s Plant-Based, is expected to hit Whole Foods next year.
Balenciaga’s Lay’s Potato Chips Leather Handbags -- In an update of sorts of Andy Warhol’s 1960s appropriation of the Campbell Soup can as art, luxury fashion label Balenciaga put a facsimile of a Lay’s potato chip bag on a leather bag and charged $1,800 for it. The bag comes in four different colors: green, red, blue and yellow, representing the four different flavors of the chip brand: flamin’ hot, original, Limon and salt & vinegar.
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M&M Lil Nas X candies -- This line of chocolate candies “pays tribute” to Lil Nas X with a custom color blend of blue, pink and purple M&M's. According to the company, “each bite-size chocolate features images curated by Lil Nas X, including a butterfly, hearts and a photo of the musician himself. “
SHEGLAM x Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride -- SHEGLAM has prepared for Halloween with Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride makeup. Items include a Moonlight Eyeshadow Palette, Ghostly Glitter Gel and Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick. The line is based on Burton’s 2005 stop-motion movie “Corpse Bride.”
Velveeta’s Cheese-Scented Nail Polish -- Velveeta partnered with Nails.INC to make limited-edition Velveeta Pinkies Out Nail Polish, which is cheese-scented. It comes in two colors: Finger Food (red) and La Dolce Velveeta (yellow).