Welcome to The Week in Direct-to-Consumer, a weekly roundup for marketers from Quad Insights that sums up the latest news in the DTC space.
Caraway expands its partnership with The Container Store
Non-toxic, environmentally conscious DTC kitchenware brand Caraway just announced an expansion of its partnership with The Container Store, which is now offering its entire suite of products in all of its U.S. stores and online. The two companies have enjoyed a smaller scale partnership since 2022. “Caraway’s beloved kitchenware will resonate with our customers who gravitate towards design-forward, easy to use, eco-friendly, and ethically sourced products,” The Container Store Senior Director of Divisional Merchandise Jessica Diamond said as a part of the announcement.
With the move, Caraway continues its expansion strategy, which also includes a growing Target partnership and the recent launch of a new prep set and cutting boards, as we noted in an earlier installment of The Week in Direct-to-Consumer.
Related coverage:
Yeti enhances e-commerce sites as DTC sales continue to grow
As part of its Q3 2023 results, outdoor products company Yeti reported DTC sales growth of 14% year-over-year for a total of $259.5 million. In the announcement, Yeti President and CEO Matt Reintjes highlighted DTC as essential to the brand’s strategy. “We have extended a key customization capability across our global business with the debut of our first Ecommerce customization options outside of the U.S.,” he said as a part of the results announcement.
Upgrades are planned across all Yeti sites, Consumer Goods Technology’s Lisa Johnston reports, noting that the company’s evolving e-commerce strategy “not only intends to showcase product value but also simplify buying decisions.”
Related coverage:
- “Yeti: Q3 Earnings Snapshot” (AP via The Washington Post)
E.l.f. Cosmetics launches on Roblox
E.l.f. Cosmetics just debuted on Roblox with E.l.f. Up!, “a new experience allowing players to become start-up entrepreneurs in virtual areas themed to the company’s hero products,” Business of Fashion’s Liz Flora reports. Roblox creators such as Lana Rae and Its Funneh will promote E.l.f. Up! across social platforms and E.l.f. will give away 1 million user-generated virtual merchandise items such as in-game collectibles for players, Flora adds.
With the Roblox launch, E.l.f. continues to grow from its DTC roots and expand its marketing strategy. In August, E.l.f. dramatically increased its skincare presence by acquiring Naturium, and the company made a splash in September when it partnered with White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge for an exclusive lip kit, as we noted in an earlier installment of The Week in Direct-to-Consumer.
Related coverage:
Beyond Yoga expands its retail presence
DTC athleisure brand Beyond Yoga has opened its first store outside of California in Chicago’s Fulton Market District, Retail Dive’s Howard Ruben reports. The store marks the sixth location for the Levi Strauss–owned brand. “Customers can choose to schedule appointments via the brand’s website in order to have Beyond Yoga’s store team personalize a selection of products based on their preferences,” Ruben notes.
Beyond Yoga joins a growing list of DTC athleisure brands expanding their retail footprints. Vuori opened its 48th store this week, on track to achieve its goal of 100 stores by 2026, Ruben reports, and Lululemon recently announced plans to open 55 net new stores by the end of 2023, as we noted in an earlier installment of The Week in Direct-to-Consumer.
Related coverage:
- “First Look: Beyond Yoga opens first store beyond California” (Chain Store Age)
Further reading
- “McDonald’s and Crocs are releasing a line of $75 shoes inspired by Grimace and the Hamburglar” (CNBC)
- “LVMH, Puma, Patagonia, Nike, Adidas and More: Winners and Losers on ESG Sentiment” (Sourcing Journal)
- “What Gen Z’s podcast habits can teach brands about reaching the coveted demographic” (Ad Age)
- “The rise of the Stanley tumbler: How a 110-year-old brand achieved viral success” (Retail Dive)
- “Luxury Home Staging Firm Vesta Acquires Two Furniture Rental Startups” (Forbes)
- “Cider, a Gen Z Brand, Plans to Open First Pop-up In New York City at 33 Howard Street” (Women’s Wear Daily)
- “Kim Kardashian’s underwear brand Skims to open Georgetown store” (Washington Business Journal)
- “B2B, Marketplaces Become Core to Brooklinen’s Blossoming Omnichannel Strategy” (Retail Touch Points)
- “How Billie is plotting for its next phase of growth two years after being acquired by Edgewell” (Modern Retail)
- “Shoppers spent record $76.8B online in October: Adobe” (Retail Dive)
Thanks for reading. We’ll see you in December after the holiday.
If you’d like to catch up on prior installments of this column, start by heading to last week’s recap: “The Week in Direct-to-Consumer: November 10, 2023 edition”
