| GLP-1s’ impact on retail. |
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It’s Wednesday, and as you’re workin’ 9 to 5 today, the wise words of the late Dolly Parton could serve as sage business advice: “It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.” In today’s edition: —Andrew Adam Newman, Katie Hicks, Erin Cabrey |
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CONSUMER BEHAVIOR & TRENDS Weight and see  Michael Siluk/Getty Images | As GLP-1 users shed pounds, their wallets may be getting lighter too, at least when it comes to clothing purchases. Among those who’ve lost weight on drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, 40% plan to increase their apparel spending over the next year, compared to 25% of all respondents, according to a new report from Tinuiti. Those losing weight also expect to offload some clothing that no longer fits in the next year, with GLP-1 users more likely to resell clothing online (24% compared to 19% of respondents overall) or in physical secondhand stores (33% compared to 20%). The cohort is also more likely to rent clothing through companies such as Rent the Runway, with 25% expecting to do so in the next year, compared to 12% of respondents overall. Ditto for apparel-trial services like Stitch Fix, with 26% of weight-loss drug users planning to partake, compared to 13% of respondents overall, according to Tinuiti, whose findings are based on a July survey of 1,000 US shoppers who purchase apparel regularly. “Given that they may still be in flux and not necessarily know where their ultimate weight might land, those types of options are probably going to be pretty appealing,” Andy Taylor, VP of research at Tinuiti, told Retail Brew. Keep reading here.—AAN |
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Sponsored By Parloa Sink or scale  | When AI initiatives stall between pilot and production, it’s rarely due to a tech failure. More often than not, it’s because the conditions changed and the framework was not built to adapt at scale. That’s why Parloa put together their latest guide for retail CIOs. It includes the business case, technical blueprint, and vendor framework for crossing the divide between pilot purgatory and value-driving AI. This guide helps you: - Build the foundation for AI that scales.
- Get the technical requirements right.
- Select the right AI partner that benefits both your internal teams and your customers.
- Future-proof your AI tool to iterate with new innovations.
Download it for free here. |
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MARKETING Poppi’s star  Poppi | “Do you want to build the next billion-dollar brand with us?” Poppi founder Allison Ellsworth first posed that question on her social media accounts late last month in posts about her new CPG brand, of which details are still largely under wraps. Ellsworth’s team currently sits at 10 people, and she told us that since posting, the new brand has received more than 2,000 resumes for five open roles ranging from digital communications to influencer manager. Multiple applicants are now in the interview process ahead of the November launch date, she said. “I just posted on social media not fully realizing how viral it would go,” Ellsworth told Marketing Brew. “I just think it was a fun, modern way to recruit.” Part of the posts’ success comes from the following Ellsworth has built from more than six years of sharing her journey at Poppi, from when it began as a startup to its evolution into a large-scale soda brand acquired by PepsiCo for an eye-watering $1.95 billion. Keep reading here on Marketing Brew.—KH |
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Sponsored By Storyblok  | The big leagues. This research—produced in collaboration with FT Longitude, part of the Financial Times—surveyed 550 senior executives of billion-dollar-plus companies. That’s right, the big leagues. It’s designed to help retail and e-commerce leads understand how to fix their costs. For example, 5.9% global average revenue is at risk from content debt. Read more on Storyblok. |
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COMMUNITY Coworking with Molly Hjelm  Molly Hjelm | On Wednesdays, we wear pink spotlight Retail Brew’s readers. Want to be featured in an upcoming edition? Click here to introduce yourself. Molly Hjelm is corporate VP of Ace Hardware’s RedVest Media, the retailer’s retail media network that debuted last year. How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? If I sit next to someone on a plane and they ask what I do, I usually start with the short version: “I help brands advertise where you shop.” But of course, it’s so much more than that. It’s easy for me to geek out on all the nuances and complexities of retail media. The longer version I usually share is that retail media provides the opportunity for brands to connect with shoppers via a retailer’s website, apps, and loyalty programs to see the sales impact of their efforts. It results in more effective and efficient marketing and more personalized experiences for customers. The funny thing is, most people don’t know what retail media is when I start explaining it, but by the end of the conversation, they’re usually pointing out examples they see on their favorite retailer’s app. One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? A big part of my job is being a “translator.” Retail media sits at the crossroads of advertising, retail, technology, and merchandising—each with their own language, priorities, and perspectives. Part of my day is spent helping those worlds connect and rally around a shared goal. It’s one of the reasons I love my job. There’s always something new to learn and no two days are the same. What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Without question, the launch of Ace Hardware’s Media Network, RedVest Media. Keep reading here.—EC |
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Sponsored By Fastbreak AI  | Foot traffic now wears cleats. Everyone’s fighting for the same crowded feeds and stadium deals. Meanwhile, youth sports puts 7,000+ affluent families in one place every weekend, ready to engage and buy. Only 4–8 sponsors per event (not 80). Fastbreak Connect turns 10,000+ events into one measurable activation channel. |
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swapping skus | Today’s top retail reads. Crisis of faith: Consumer confidence fell to a seven-month low in August, according to the Conference Board. (Reuters) Dead weight: PepsiCo informed employees this week that it’ll no longer cover weight loss drugs as part of the company’s health insurance. (Bloomberg) At a price: The US-Canada trade war could be escalating prices for products ranging from dairy and honey to bedsheets and motorcycles. (ABC News) *A message from our sponsor. |
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Claire's Piercing Overhaul  Claire’s | After 131 million ear piercings, Claire’s is giving the experience a Gen Alpha makeover — think interactive “inspiration bars” and selfie-ready setups across ~900 stores. One of the brand’s biggest operational bets in decades. Check it out |
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