The Week in Retail: June 7, 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.

Lowe’s just announced the launch of Lowe’s Style Studio, an in-store, Apple Vision Pro–powered experience that allows customers “to visualize and design their dream kitchens using spatial computing,” per a company statement. During one-on-one appointments with a Lowe’s associate, customers can immerse themselves in a 3D kitchen environment using Apple Vision Pro’s input system, which is controlled by a user’s hands and eyes. Through Lowe’s Style Studio, customers can explore countless design combinations — including materials, fixtures and appliances (available at Lowes.com or in-store) — to create and save their custom kitchen designs, which can be shared with friends, family, designers or contractors. Lowe’s is launching a pilot in three test markets this month, beginning with its hometown Central Charlotte, North Carolina, store June 8-12, followed by locations in North Bergen, New Jersey, and Sunnyvale, California, June 22-25. Customers will be able to use an online booking tool to schedule appointments.

Previously: “Lowe’s debuts DIY-U to teach homeowners how to tackle basic home repair projects” from an earlier edition of The Week in Retail.

Walmart has launched a new crowdsourcing program designed to help the company discover and test new sustainable packaging, per Packaging Dive’s Katie Pyzyk. Through the Finding Actionable Solutions for Trial (FAST) program, packaging and materials producers can submit ideas via Walmart’s Circular Connector portal by June 28 to be considered for a pilot program. The retailer’s sustainability and private-brand packaging teams will then review submissions, inviting those with the most promising solutions to pitch their ideas, Pyzyk notes. Walmart outlined seven focus areas for the FAST program focused on plastic reduction, recyclability and compostability for packaging across categories — from snack bags to frozen food trays.

See also: “Sam’s Club Recruits Its Customers to Drive Private-Label Innovation” (PYMNTS)

For the sixth year in a row, Macy’s has partnered with The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, to celebrate Pride Month this June, per Brand Innovators’ Aaron Baar. Part of the retailer’s Mission Every One program focused on creating a “more equitable and sustainable future,” per Macy’s website, the partnership centers on a campaign that includes a video PSA, titled “Styles of Pride,” featuring LGBTQ+ youth sharing their stories of self-acceptance and self-expression, as well as online shopping events “spotlighting the stories behind LGBTQ+ brands,” Baar notes.

See also: “Macy’s, Grindr, MLS and More Pride Month Campaigns Share the Love” (Muse)

As part of its “Opt Outside” marketing platform, outdoor retailer REI will offer REI Co-op members a range of free outdoor-related opportunities on June 15 to celebrate the coming of summer (which officially starts on June 20 in the U.S.), per Chain Store Age’s Zachary Russell. The promotion will include more than 300 complimentary classes and adventures — a collection of REI’s in-store workshops and local guided hiking and paddling tours. Partner organizations include Adaptive Adventures, Black Girls Do Bike and Latino Outdoors. Taking place at select stores, the event is designed “to highlight how the Co-op supports its members and broader outdoor community with ‘resources, expertise and inspiration,’” Russell notes.

See also: “REI Co-op to open first Kentucky store in Louisville this fall. Here’s where” (Courier Journal)

Retail trends:

• “Retailers are continuing to pull back on self-checkout” (Modern Retail)
• “Even high-income Americans are shopping more at discount retailers” (CNN Business)
• “Retailers double down on private labels as shoppers seek more value” (Retail Brew)
• “Fashion Briefing: Demand for vintage fashion is at a high” (Glossy)
• “After Months of High Inflation, Seeking Deals Is Ingrained in Consumer Behavior” (Sourcing Journal)
• “NRF: Consumers still spending despite inflation” (Chain Store Age)
• “Private Label Beauty Sales Stay Hot” (Store Brands)

Retail launches and partnerships:

• “5 ShopRite Stores Launch Recycling Kiosk” (Progressive Grocer)
• “Anthropologie taps influencers and the wider disability community to launch its first adaptive collection” (Glossy)
• “Dollar General picks Criteo to boost retail media offering” (Marketing Dive)
• “Loro Piana Introduces High-Performance Outdoors Collection” (Women’s Wear Daily)
• “True Religion launches butt-enhancing jeans” (Rivet)
• “Publix Debuts Limited-Edition Summer Specials” (Store Brands)

Retail campaigns and promotions:

• “Sephora Airs New Ads For Rare Beauty Brand” (MediaPost)
• “Claire’s Celebrates 50 Years of Hello Kitty With New Collection, CGI Campaign and Celebrations” (Women’s Wear Daily)
• “Ace Demonstrates Its Softer Side With Heartware Series” (Muse)
• “Saks Off 5th Turns Pride Focus Inward, Celebrates Associates” (MediaPost)

Retail operations and expansions:

• “Tractor Supply opens 500th Garden Center; more to come” (Chain Store Age)
• “Trader Joe’s to add 24 stores nationwide” (Supermarket news)
• “Ebay Expands Consignment Service to Jewelry, Watches and Footwear” (Retail TouchPoints)
• “Walmart boosts InHome delivery reach by nearly 30%” (Retail Dive)
• “Sam’s Club to Start Selling Local Goods Like Hot Sauce and Ghee” (Bloomberg)
• “Prada Group offers mobile in-store payment, unifies sales channels” (Chain Store Age)
• “Kroger Health to host Nourishing Change conference on future of health, wellbeing” (Drug Store News)
• “Walmart Expands InHome Delivery Option to 10 Million More Households” (Retail TouchPoints)

Retail tech and innovation:

• ICYMI: “From soap refills to shopping bags, Bath & Body Works freshens up its packaging” (Packaging Dive)

Retail performance:

• “Gap surges as apparel maker’s turnaround strategy pays off” (Reuters)
• “A&F among retail brands making a comeback” (Axios)