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It\u2019s been another week with far more retail news than there is time in the day. Below, we break down some things you may have missed during the week and what we\u2019re still thinking about.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From Panera fashion to Nordstrom\u2019s partnership with New Balance, here\u2019s our closeout for the week.<\/p>\n
What you may have missed<\/h3>\n
Nordstrom wants to meet you at The Corner with New Balance<\/em><\/p>\nNordstrom is launching a pop-up with New Balance at The Corner as part of an ongoing series of brand takeovers at its New York City flagship. The Corner is a dedicated space on the corner of 57th and Broadway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The shop will debut with \u201cGrey Days\u201d \u2014 a month-long celebration of the shoe brand\u2019s signature color \u2014\u00a0with new and classic products. Rounding out a three-month installation is the theme \u201cFound in New York\u201d for June and July.<\/p>\n
“We’re excited to connect our customers to the rich heritage of New Balance, while showcasing the vibrant culture of New York City through New Balance @ The Corner NYC,” Olivia Kim, senior vice president of creative at Nordstrom, said in a statement. “The collaboration celebrates craftsmanship and innovation through an experiential space for customers to explore exciting product and immersive experiences.”<\/p>\n
NYSE begins delisting Solo Brands<\/em><\/p>\nThe New York Stock Exchange announced that it has begun delisting Solo Brands due to its \u201cabnormally low selling price.\u201d Trading in the company\u2019s Class A common stock was suspended on April 22.<\/p>\n
Solo Brands has a right to review and appeal the NYSE regulation staff\u2019s decision. The company, which owns Chubbies and Solo Stove, received a noncompliance notice from the stock exchange in March.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shopsense AI adds product recommendations to Buzzfeed<\/em><\/p>\nBuzzFeed and Shopsense AI announced a partnership on Monday to integrate product recommendations into articles. This makes Buzzfeed the first editorial brand to partner with Shopsense. Shopsense\u2019s AI-powered tech continuously updates product recommendations in real time. The tool, geared toward conversion, considers inventory, promotions and payment options when updating recommended products.<\/p>\n
Buzzfeed will have two types of displays for product recommendations. One is an AI-driven product carousel with items based on an article or image content. Buzzfeed will also display a fully sponsored one with curated collections from one retailer or brand.<\/p>\n
Retail therapy<\/h3>\n
Panera gets its flake on with Croissant Clutch<\/em><\/p>\nIn a handbag trend all bread lovers can get behind, Panera this week announced the Croissant Clutch, a pastry-shaped bag that can fit one of its Croissant Toast Sandwiches inside.<\/p>\n
Dabbling in luxury fashion has become something of a pastime for Panera, which two years ago rolled out a Baguette Bag perfectly fitted to its baguette sandwiches. Similar to that product, the Croissant Clutch is available for $39.50 and teases a new menu item.\u00a0As with the Baguette Bag, the Croissant Clutch has also sold out of its limited run but, as of press time, the company\u2019s website indicates a restock is coming soon.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\nThe pastry-shaped bag can hold a Panera sandwich.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Panera<\/p>\n
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The brown purse emulates a croissant\u2019s flaky crust with a pleated design and has accordion sides to accommodate Panera\u2019s croissant sandwiches. A gold chain shoulder strap completes the design, which is \u201call about serving looks and savoring flavor,\u201d per a press release. The \u201ccarb couture,\u201d as Panera calls it, is meant to not only tease the chain\u2019s new food items but also connect with shoppers over a \u201cunique fusion of food, function and fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pastry fans that purchase the clutch will receive a $15 Panera gift card, as well as the admiration and respect of everyday bread lovers they pass on the street.<\/p>\n
A finger-lickin\u2019 good Mother\u2019s Day gift<\/em><\/p>\n\nWhat better gift for the mother in your life than fried chicken? For Mother\u2019s Day, KFC has partnered with Benchmark Resorts and Hotels to offer a chicken and waffles meal to select hotel room service menus for stays May 10 and May 11.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\nWhat better brunch for Mother\u2019s Day than KFC?<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Kentucky Fried Chicken<\/p>\n
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Benchmark Resorts and Hotels in Boston,\u00a0Seattle, and Phoenix, along with Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, and Portland, Oregon, are all offering the KFC \u201cMom Flies the Coop\u201d package. It includes nightly accommodations, a limited-edition KFC bathrobe, chicken and waffles and a KFC-branded dining tray. Rates begin at $159 per night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What we\u2019re still thinking about<\/h3>\n
$24.5M<\/em><\/p>\nThat\u2019s how much energy drink brand Gorgie secured in Series A funding, bringing the brand\u2019s total funding to $37 million. The round was led by existing investor Notable Capital, with additional participation from Coefficient Capital and individual investors and board members Jason Cohen and Yossi Nasser, according to a Tuesday press release.<\/p>\n
Gorgie, which launched in 2023, was founded by Michelle Cordeiro Grant, who also founded intimates brand Lively. The funding round comes ahead of a massive expansion for the energy drink brand as it prepares to launch in nearly 2,000 Target stores this summer.<\/p>\n
“Few brands reach this level of velocity and resonance this early,” Hans Tung, managing partner at Notable Capital and Gorgie board member, said in a statement. “Gorgie is executing with precision and intent in a category overdue for change.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
132<\/em><\/p>\nThat\u2019s how many Big Lots stores are set to reopen this month. The retailer\u2019s new owners, Variety Wholesalers, are leading the expansion efforts and come after stores initially started reopening in April.<\/p>\n\n\u201cThe customer response to the newly expanded assortment of fresh inventory and great deals has been overwhelmingly positive,\u201d Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, said in a statement. \u201cThe Big Lots stores opening in May show our continued commitment to providing the best value to our customers with apparel for the family, everyday needs for the home, kitchen, and pantry plus a huge selection of famous brands.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first phase of reopenings began Thursday and a second phase will occur on May 15. Stores are located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.<\/p>\n
What we\u2019re watching<\/h3>\n
NRF chief calls tariffs \u2018an extraordinarily important tool,\u2019 warns against uncertainty<\/em><\/p>\nNational Retail Federation CEO Matthew Shay this week struck a conciliatory note on tariffs. He didn\u2019t address a question about whether retailers expect price increases or shortages due to tariffs, especially on goods from China, saying that \u201cthe big issue here is the uncertainty,\u201d and pivoted when asked whether the NRF is pressing President Donald Trump on carve-outs for retailers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there’s a belief across America now that tariffs are an extraordinarily important tool for the president in trade relationships and in protecting certain industries in the United States for national security reasons, to make us more competitive,\u201d he said, speaking to Fox Business host Stuart Varney.<\/p>\n
The NRF is reserving its resources to advocate for \u201caffordability and availability for American consumers\u201d and other issues where it\u2019s aligned with the president, including tax reform, extending deregulation and \u201cAmerican energy dominance and independence,\u201d Shay said.<\/p>\n
The organization is tougher against tariffs throughout its website. In one primer, the group says \u201ctariffs threaten the American Dream\u201d and points out that they can be particularly devastating to small businesses. The NRF was also more forceful on April 2, the day President Trump announced a slate of baseline and other tariffs, in a statement from chief lobbyist David French.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore tariffs equal more anxiety and uncertainty for American businesses and consumers,\u201d he said. \u201cWhile leaders in Washington may not care about higher prices, hardworking American families do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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