It’s no secret that menswear has been having a moment or two over the past few years. The menswear industry was valued at $575.1 billion in 2023, according to Market Research Future and is projected to continue to grow.

Naturally, many retailers, including Macy's, want a bigger piece of that action. The mega retailer that already has multiple mens’ private brands in its portfolio, such as Sun + Stone and Club Room, is now introducing Mode of One, a modern streetwear brand for men.

With a variety of styles, the products launched this week are priced between $24.50 and $159.5 and available for purchase starting in October. The goal of the brand is but one: to “modernize” its assortment and meet the consumer’s desire for “stylish, affordable” clothing.

“We have a very strong position in our men’s fragrance business, and when you start to look into our apparel business, we weren’t really servicing our customer the way he wanted to be serviced,” Macy’s general business manager of apparel, Sam Archibald, told Retail Brew.

But Mode of One, although central to Macy’s strategy to strengthen its menswear business, is certainly not the only part.

Keep reading here.—JS

Retail is undergoing a lotta changes, including AI advancements, the rise of social platforms over search engines, the return of circularity, and Gen Alpha’s emergence as a key consumer force—just to name a few.

It takes a game changer to keep up. And from January 12–14, 2025, you’ll find all the game changers of retail in one place: NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. At NRF 2025, you’ll get to:

• Connect with industry leaders.
• Explore cutting-edge innovations.
• Gain insights that empower you to drive change in your businesses and the industry.

Retailers, register today for your free Expo Pass, or get an All-Access Pass by October 4 to save $300.

Be a game changer.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in August, the same bump as July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this week. The annual increase was 2.5%, the lowest rate since February 2021, down from July’s 2.9% rate.

Core CPI—which excludes food and energy prices—was higher than expected month-over-month, rising 0.2% monthly, but in line with forecasts at its 3.2% annual rise.

National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard said in a statement that August’s CPI indicates “we are turning the page on inflation,” nearing pre-pandemic levels.

Food away from home rose 0.3%, while food at home was flat. Among the major grocery indexes, inflation was down for cereals and bakery products (0.1%); fruits and vegetables (0.2%), and nonalcoholic beverages (0.7%). Meanwhile, inflation rose for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs (0.8%); and dairy and related products (0.5%). Other food at home, encompassing items like sugar and sweets, fats and oils, condiments and spices, soups, and snacks, dropped 0.3%.

Keep reading here.—EC

This week in fashion news: One major luxury conglomerate continues to report disappointing numbers, and another retailer votes against a workers’ rights proposal.

Zara continues to soar

Zara owner Inditex SA has once again reported high sales numbers at the beginning of Q3. Sales grew 11%, surpassing growth in the previous quarter thanks to consistent demand.

Why this matters: While other retailers like H&M have reported poorer sales numbers, Zara has somehow continued to maintain strong figures and a steady demand since the beginning of the year. In March, Inditex notched an 11% rise in sales and a 5.9% increase in share prices, reaching a record high at the time.

Keep reading here.—JS