If LVMH’s latest sales figures are any indication of the current state of consumer sentiment, it’s that a good product alone isn’t enough. Customers still want quality, but at a price that feels fair, something most luxury retailers haven’t really nailed.

That’s where Quince, the online DTC brand behind TikTok’s favorite $50 Mongolian cashmere sweater, steps in. Founded in 2018, the brand has quietly cracked a model that blends quality, affordability, and viral appeal—all without the luxury price tag. In fact, the retailer—which sells everything from apparel and home goods to beauty products—doesn’t claim to be a luxury brand at all.

What it has on offer in fact is quite the opposite: items that emulate luxury at bargain prices. Think European linen pants at ~$40 a piece.

“Premium apparel was often marked up 5–10x or more, making everyday luxury inaccessible to most people,” Antonieta Moreland, head of brand at Quince, told Retail Brew. “At the same time, fast fashion sacrificed quality, longevity, and values. We believed there was a better way; thus was born our model that offered high-quality, ethically made essentials at radically fair prices.”

That model has also resonated with millennials and, more recently, Gen Z audiences tuned into the thousands of influencer videos praising the brand’s quality and sustainability online.

Keep reading here.—JS

Shopify’s July shopping cart was ruled by parents, performers, and tennis enthusiasts, according to data shared first with Retail Brew.

Orders for items like umbrella strollers and baby bottles popped at a whopping 1,125% and 1,121%, respectively. Orders for related items for the little ones like bibs (up 518%), onesies (319%), sippy cups (278%), bottle warmers (167%), and nap mats (126%) also drew big numbers.

Hair bands experienced a staggering 906% surge in July orders, driven by performers upgrading their stage accessories. Form-fitting one-piece garments like leotards and unitards saw demand rise 394% and orders for specialized footwear for dancers rose 301%.

Keep reading here.—VC

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Jen Burke is chief revenue officer at Faire, a wholesale marketplace for independent brands.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? I help the small shops you love discover the products their customers will love. At Faire, we support independent retailers and emerging brands by making it easier for them to find each other and grow. My role is to lead the teams that build those relationships—whether it’s helping a local boutique discover their next best-selling product, or enabling an up-and-coming brand to break into hundreds of new markets. At the end of the day, we make sure our marketplace is driving real, tangible value for the businesses that count on us.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? How much of my day is spent listening. Whether it’s a conversation with a customer, a teammate, or a cross-functional partner, listening deeply is often the most important—and underrated—part of my role. Understanding the nuances of what people need, what’s working, and where the pain points are is what allows us to stay close to our customers and make smart decisions that scale.

Keep reading here.—EC

Retailers are harnessing customer data to personalize experiences, predict trends, and streamline operations—unlocking insights that drive loyalty, efficiency, and growth. Discover which data matters most, how to forecast seasonality, and ways to turn insights into smarter retail strategies.