The Week in Retail: July 12, 2024 edition

Welcome to The Week in Retail, a weekly roundup for marketers from Quad Insights that covers the latest must-know news surrounding the retail space.

With 40% of U.S. households planning to shop Amazon Prime Day (taking place July 16-17), according to a new survey from Numerator, it’s no wonder other retailers have been announcing their own summer sales events and promotions to compete with the e-commerce giant. Among them:

• Kohl’s hosted its four-day Summer Cyber Deals event this week (July 8-11), which included discounts on brand-name goods across categories, one-day deals and double rewards points and free shipping for loyalty members, as well as a 25% off coupon to be used in-store or online at Kohls.com July 16-17.
• Also kicking off this week, Kroger’s member-exclusive Boost Bonus Days event runs July 10-23 and features discounts and free private label products, per Store Brands’ Emily Crowe. During that time, new and renewing Boost by Kroger Plus members will receive half off their annual membership.
• Target just announced back-to-school deals ranging from 20 school supplies for under $20 to $5 backpacks, as well as a new monthly Target Circle 360 subscription costing $4.99 a month for students and $10.99 a month for all other customers.
• Walmart is offering a 50% discount on its Walmart+ membership through July 18.
• Macy’s announced a new summer sales event this week, called All-Star Week, which will run July 16-23, both in-store and online. It will include thousands of deals, as well as exclusive offers and the potential to earn extra loyalty points for Macy’s Star Rewards members.
• On Thursday, JCPenney launched its first Members-Only Savings Season event for members of its JCPenney Rewards and Credit Program, per Chain Store Age’s Dan Berthiaume. Through Aug. 29, members can take advantage of a range of back-to-school deals, including 2,500 items under $10 and thousands more for under $20, a free back-to-school photo session and more.

See also: “Bookshop.org Plans Promo to Fight Prime Day Pandemonium” (Retail TouchPoints)

Dollar General just announced a new collaboration with country music icon Dolly Parton on “a multi-category kitchen and housewares collection,” per a brand statement. Inspired by Parton’s upbringing in the Smoky Mountains, the nearly 50-item collection includes a variety of home décor, kitchen and tableware items that reflect the singer’s unique style. The collection will be available at Dollar General stores nationwide beginning in mid-July at prices ranging from $1 to $10.

Previously: “Conagra Brands to launch expanded line of retail food items with Dolly Parton,” from the Jan. 26 edition of The Week in Consumer Packaged Goods.

See also: “Private Label Sales Hit Record Highs in First Half” (Progressive Grocer)

Bath & Body Works and Crocs just announced a collaboration on a shoe collection that includes scented Jibbitz charms, Footwear News’ Claire Sullivan reports. Crocs x Bath & Body Works includes both sandals and clogs in blue gingham — a nod to the retailer’s Gingham fragrance, which combines freesia, clementine and white peach. Much like traditional Crocs, the Classic Clogs (available only to Bath & Body Works members for $69.99) feature a waterproof, breathable design, while the Cozzzy Sandals (available at Crocs.com for $70) come with a fuzzy lining. Each pair comes with eight Jibbitz charms — “with Bath & Body Works-inspired motifs like candles and perfumes,” Sullivan writes — in addition to a clog-shaped hand sanitizer holder.

Previously: “Bath & Body Works partners with Netflix on ‘Bridgerton’-inspired collection,” from the March 15 edition of this column.

Etsy just announced a series of updates to its policies to ensure that Etsy continues to be “the marketplace for original items from real people,” CEO Josh Silverman wrote in a blog post on Tuesday. With a focus on addressing the proliferation of “automation and generic goods,” Etsy’s updates include what it calls new “Creativity Standards” meant to highlight a seller’s relationship to their products; designations now include: “made by a seller,” “designed by a seller,” “sourced by a seller” and “handpicked by a seller.” Etsy is also adding options to its listing form that allow sellers to share additional details about their process for creating products.

To create awareness of the update and reinforce its mission, Etsy also launched a new campaign this week meant to celebrate “the human connection and creativity that comes to life every day” on its platform, per a separate Etsy blog post. “Brand Mission Campaign,” as it’s called, spotlights the humans behind Etsy shops and products, highlighting the need to “Keep Commerce Human in a world of increasingly commoditized, soulless manufacturing.” The campaign includes out-of-home placements, social media content and a TV ad in the U.S. and the U.K.

See also: “Sellers are cautiously optimistic about Etsy’s new labeling policy” (Modern Retail)

Retail trends:

• ICYMI: “Parents to spend nearly 22% more on back-to-school shopping this year: report” (Retail Dive)
• “Kids brands are targeting young parents with collaborations and influencer campaigns” (Modern Retail)
• “Brands embrace 0% APR loans as marketing lever” (Retail Brew)
• “Gen Z, millennials are driving membership growth at Sam’s Club” (Grocery Dive)
• “Luxury brands become landlords to take control in coveted retail destinations” (Modern Retail)

Retail operations and expansions:

• “Ikea Buys Real Estate on Fifth Avenue for Small-Format Store” (Commercial Observer)
• “Best Buy Canada to open 167 small-format stores” (Retail Dive)
• “Lowe’s Expands Retail Media Offerings to Include In-Store Audio” (Retail TouchPoints)
• “Johnston & Murphy Wants to Attract Younger Consumers With Revamped Mall Stores” (Footwear News)
• “Costco hikes membership fee for the first time since 2017” (CNBC)
• “Ikea tailors new e-commerce site for Spanish-speaking customers” (Chain Store Age)
• “ALDI to Open 7 New Stores in July” (Progressive Grocer)
• “Walmart is opening five automated distribution centers as it tries to keep its grocery dominance” (CNBC)
• “EBay’s Enhanced Advertising Dashboard Aims to Boost Seller Growth” (Sourcing Journal)
• “Ace Hardware expands handyman service as customers embrace ‘do-it-for-me’ over DIY” (Retail Brew)

Retail launches and partnerships:

• “Amazon goes for luxury in department store tie-up” (Morning Brew)
• “Hibbett taps Walmart GoLocal for fast delivery” (Supply Chain Dive)
• “Ahold Delhaize USA’s retail media arm links with ad sales platform” (Grocery Dive)
• “DTLR to Release Summer-Ready ‘Gelato’ New Balance Collab This Week” (Footwear News)
• ICYMI: “David’s Bridal Adds Shapewear” (MediaPost)
• ICYMI: “Target Aims to Make Auden, Its Quality Intimates and Sleepwear Line, the Next Big Hit” (Women’s Wear Daily)

Retail campaigns and promotions:

• “Sleep Stars In Ikea’s New U.S. Campaign” (MediaPost)
• “Urban Outfitters launches ‘Shift Happens,’ a 3-phase campaign promoting its dorm-room décor” (Glossy)
• “Toys ‘R’ Us Launches Worldwide Holiday ‘Play Day’” (The Toy Book)
• ICYMI: “Joann launches Gen Z-focused brand campaign” (Marketing Dive)

Retail tech and innovation:

• “Aldi launches AI-based digital transformation initiative in U.S.” (Chain Store Age)
• “Self checkout boasts ‘record’ year: report” (Grocery Dive)
• “New dunnhumby tech uses AI for product selection” (Supermarket News)
• “Hy-Vee adds digital payment options for pickup and delivery orders” (Chain Store Age)
• ICYMI: “Harps Food Stores Enables Real-Time Personalization at Checkout” (Retail TouchPoints)