The Week in Commerce Marketing — Retail, E-commerce and DTC: February 14, 2025 edition

Welcome to The Week in Commerce Marketing — Retail, E-commerce and DTC, a weekly roundup for marketers from Quad Insights.

Amazon just announced that it’s testing a new shopping option that will help customers find other brands’ products even if they’re not sold on Amazon. When customers search for a brand or product on Amazon’s app, it will show relevant products sold by Amazon, as usual — but it may now also show other items not carried by the retailer that are available on other brands’ sites; these will be accompanied by links to those non-Amazon sites where shoppers can view and directly purchase products. The new feature is currently live for a subset of U.S. customers via the Amazon’s app (both iOS and Android).

Previously:

• “Amazon debuts ‘Amazon Haul’ shopping experience featuring products $20 and under,” from the Nov. 15, 2024 edition of this column
• “Amazon debuts new private-label brand, Amazon Saver, in value push,” from the Sept. 13, 2024 edition of this column

See also: “How Amazon Is Tapping Influencers to Highlight Love for Galentine’s Day” (Women’s Wear Daily)

More on commerce operations, expansions and innovations:

• “Skechers to open 180 to 200 stores worldwide in 2025” (Chain Store Age)
• “Aldi’s Biggest U.S. Expansion Yet: Opening 225+ Stores in 2025” (Retail TouchPoints)
• “Fabletics transforming supply chain to support global expansion” (Chain Store Age)
• “Wayfair wants AI images to stoke IRL purchases” (Retail Dive)
• “Party City intellectual property, wholesale business sold for $20 million” (Chain Store Age)
• ICYMI: “Simon adds 3D holograph ad experience to malls” (Retail Dive)

Bath & Body Works just announced a collaboration with Disney on a collection inspired by Disney Princess characters. The Disney Princess collection is centered around six new fragrances meant to embody the distinct personality of each princess — Cinderella, Tiana, Belle, Ariel, Moana and Jasmine — so fans can “embrace their own inner princess,” per a brand announcement. With 85 products including body mists and washes, hand soaps and sanitizers, the line is Bath & Body Works’ biggest collaborative collection to date. The Disney Princess collection will be available in-store and online starting on Sunday (Feb. 16), with prices ranging from $1.95 to $99.95.

Previously:

• “Bath & Body Works partners with Netflix on ‘Bridgerton’-inspired collection,” from the March 15, 2024 edition of The Week in Retail.
• “Bath & Body Works to launch AI-powered digital Fragrance Finder,” from the June 14, 2024 edition of The Week in Generative AI.

More brand collaborations:

• “Kiehl’s checks into ‘The White Lotus’ with limited-edition collaboration” (Glossy)
• “Luke Combs, Columbia Partner on Special Turkey Hunting Collection” (Women’s Wear Daily)
• “Lee celebrates 100 years of Jelt Denim with Blue Blue” (Rivet)
• “Mark & Graham Teams Up with Sanderson for a Floral-Inspired Accessories Collection” (License Global)
• “ELEMIS x Aston Martin Aramco Team Up for Formula One” (Trend Hunter)

In response to “growing demand for authentic, first-person social content,” Dick’s Sporting Goods just expanded its internal influencer program, the Dick’s Varsity Team, per a brand announcement. Previously only available to the retailer’s employees, the program now allows members of the public “with a passion for sports and social media” to apply. Those selected to join Dick’s Varsity Team will work with the retailer and athletes Tara Davis-Woodhall, Hunter Woodhall, and Haley and Hanna Cavinder, to create social media content to share across Dick’s platforms and their own. Team members will receive paid contracts, Dick’s gift cards to purchase products to feature in their content, early access to select products and events, access to learning sessions and more. Applications for the Dick’s Varsity Team are open now through Feb. 27 at dicksvarsityteam.com.

More brand content and campaigns:

• “Adidas tackles sports sideline pressures with ‘You Got This’ campaign” (Marketing Dive)
• “Spanx turns 25 with awards season campaign” (Brand Innovators)
• “Move Over Adidas: Travis Hunter Stars in HEYDUDE Campaign” (Sports Illustrated)
• “DoorDash Suggests Ordering ‘Threesome’ For Valentine’s Day” (MediaPost)
• “Ketel One, Tanqueray & Patrick Schwarzenegger Bring HBO’s ‘The White Lotus’ Glamor to Life” (DesignRush)
• ICYMI: “Express Introduces Dress to Express Campaign Featuring Actors Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse” (Women’s Wear Daily)

That’s the percentage by which visits to U.S. indoor malls increased year-over-year in January, according to data from Placer.ai, per Chain Store Age. Visits to open-air shopping centers (+2.9%) and outlet malls (+2.7%) also increased compared to January 2024. (See more industry and marketing stats in the latest edition of The Weekly 10. from Quad Insights.)

More commerce insights:

• “NRF: Retail sales fall in January, but show strong year-over-year gains” (Chain Store Age)
• “Health and Wellness Market Size To Grow By 2029” (Happi)
• “Discounted loyalty programs continue to drive online sales” (Supermarket News)
• “Circana Reveals US Beauty Industry Sales Grow for the Fourth Consecutive Year” (Happi)
• “Delivery propels online grocery sales to 16% increase in January” (Chain Store Age)
• “Shopify Profit Doubles After Revenue Surges During Holidays” (The Wall Street Journal)

Timed to NBA All-Star Weekend (today through Sunday) in San Francisco, Gap just announced a collaboration with the league — the first in a multiyear licensing agreement — License Global reports. The new 118-piece collection features all 30 NBA teams, with newly interpreted team logos, as well as special-edition items tied to All-Star Weekend, such as an NBA varsity jacket and NBA All-Star ’90s loose jeans. Pieces span apparel and accessories, including hoodies, T-shirts, outerwear, hats and totes, with matching styles for kids and adults. Gap’s NBA collection is available online at Gap.com and at the retailer’s Folsom location in San Francisco for a limited time.

See also: “Gap, Harlem’s Fashion Row Release 16-piece Limited-edition Collection” (Women’s Wear Daily)

More brand launches and partnerships:

• “Authentic inks partnership with Unified for Izod accessories” (Fashion Network)
• “Fossil Group extends licensing agreement with Michael Kors through 2027” (Fashion Network)
• “Nike Presents the KD 4 Sneaker Model in a Gold Metal Colorway” (Trend Hunter)
• “Warner Bros. Discovery Plans Tom & Jerry’s 85th Anniversary Celebration” (License Global)
• “Dillard’s Launches Exclusive Children’s Apparel Line” (Store Brands)
• “Pharrell Williams Designs the New Tiffany Titan Pieces” (Trend Hunter)
• ICYMI: “Billie Eilish enters next phase of fragrance growth with Your Turn” (Drug Store News)