News Briefs

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A global natural beauty and skincare products retailer is open for business once again in the U.S.

The Body Shop, which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and ceased operations in the U.S. in March 2024, is relaunching in the U.S. with a digital-first approach, offering customers access to its product portfolio through a dedicated online store and a digital storefront on Amazon.

U.S. customers will be able to shop a curated range of The Body Shop’s collections, including bath & body, skincare and haircare. The relaunch follows overwhelming customer demand, according to The Body Shop. It also follows the company putting its British business into administration, a U.K. process that is similar to Chapter 11 in the U.S., in February 2024.

[READ MORE: New owners put The Body Shop’s U.K. business on the selling block]

"The return of The Body Shop to the U.S. marks a pivotal moment in our global expansion strategy," said Mike Jatania, executive chairman & CEO, The Body Shop. "By combining a robust e-commerce presence with a leading marketplace offering, we are meeting customers where they are while delivering on our promise of ethical, high-quality products. This launch will enable us to rebuild connections with loyal U.S. consumers and drive sustainable, long-term growth for our business." 

The Body Shop was founded in 1976 in Brighton, England, by Dame Anita Roddick. 

A seasoned supply chain and operations executive is joining the C-suite at PVH Corp.  

The parent company of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein named Patricia Gabriel as chief supply chain officer and global head of operations, effective in the fourth quarter. She will succeed David Savman, who was named global band president, Calvin Klein, in the spring and will now be fully dedicated to the role. 

Gabriel joins PVH from Capri Holdings, where she has served as chief supply chain officer for Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo and Versace since August 2022. A veteran in supply chain and operations management, she has worked for more than 25 years leading supply, manufacturing and logistics organizations at leading global consumer goods companies such as Mondelez International and AB InBev. 

“Patricia is a consumer-focused supply chain and operations leader with a strong track record of fueling growth through consumer-centric operational excellence,” said Stefan Larsson, CEO of PVH Corp. “As we execute our multi-year journey to build Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger into the most desirable lifestyle brands in the world, Patricia’s deep expertise and proven ability to unlock value through demand- and data-driven solutions will create new opportunities to further accelerate our PVH+ Plan progress.”

In her role at PVH, Gabriel will oversee global operations with an end-to-end responsibility from “product to consumer.”

“In Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, PVH has two of the most iconic and globally beloved brands, and I’m incredibly excited to join at this important moment in the company’s growth journey," she stated. "Operational excellence and supply chain optimization will be true competitive advantages that fuel growth and innovation."

Love’s Travel Stops is launching what it says is the first retail media network designed specifically for travel stops.

Known as Love's Media Group, the network leverages Love’s 662 locations across 42 states to connect its brand partners with professional drivers as well as everyday travelers.

"Love's Media Group represents an exciting evolution of our commitment to enhancing the customer experience while creating new value for our brand partners," said Patrick McLean, chief marketing officer of Love's. "We're uniquely positioned at the intersection of mobility, loyalty and commerce. With our nationwide footprint and deep relationships with both professional drivers and travelers on the road, we can offer advertisers something no one else can – direct access to a high-volume, high-intent audience in motion."

Love's Media Group offers a unified advertising platform spanning its entire customer experience from fuel pump screens and in-store digital signage to the Love's Connect mobile app and My Love Rewards loyalty program.

To lead the initiative, Love's has appointed Tommy Greenberg as senior director, Love's Media Group. Greenberg previously built the client services team and operational infrastructure for Lowe's Media Network and Target’s Roundel retail media network, where he led retail media sales efforts that achieved growth and created partnership structures.

Love’s Media Group is currently working with select brand partners to further develop and refine the platform, focusing on creating measurable results and industry-leading capabilities.

[READ MORE: Love's to upgrade 50 stores, open 20 new locations in 2025]

Gap Inc. is launching a new program for creators as part of an effort to ensure its brands remain at the forefront of cultural conversation.  

The apparel giant is debuting a creator affiliate and social media advocacy platform designed to serve as a centralized hub for creators to engage across its Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta banners. The new platform marks “the next step in Gap's "digital-first strategy and brand reinvigoration journey,” the company said.

The new program will offer creators early access to new releases, product seeding and exclusive promotions, as well as content collaboration opportunities and the ability for creators and their content to be amplified across paid, social, and brand-owned channels.  To stay connected, it will also include newsletters and creator spotlights.

The program will initially accept applications from U.S.-based creators who are at least 18 years old and have at least 1,000 followers on a single platform. The company plans to expand internationally in future phases. Creators and influencers accepted into the program will be able to immediately engage with commission-earning affiliate programs and product gifting campaigns across Gap’s brands.

Gap said the creator affilate program extends the reach of its "Fashiontainment" effort, which blends fashion and entertainment to connect with both creators and consumers.  It noted that its recent social media campaign, "Better in Denim,” was its most successful to date, driving a record 600-plus-million views and eight-plus-billion impressions in one month. Its success 

"Gap Inc.'s affiliate program model emphasizes scaled community advocacy and authentic brand engagement," said Damon Berger, head of digital engagement at Gap Inc. "By balancing creator convenience and empowerment with rich brand storytelling, this new program will position us to build closer relationships with creators, amplify their content across all our channels, and leverage data-driven insights to deliver greater impact at scale." 

[READ MORE: Gap Inc. entering beauty — starting with Old Navy; expanding accessories business]

Nordstrom has opened the seventh location of its service-only store format.

Nordstrom Local has opened its first Northern California location, in San Francisco. Designed as a service hub, the 1,750-sq.-ft. outpost offers online order pickup and returns processing for Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack orders, and complimentary gift wrapping and gift boxes for all Nordstrom purchases.

It also offers alteration services on purchases from Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack and other retailers. Customers can also get advice from fashion stylists, with the complimentary service available by appointment.  

In addition, customers can drop off their gently used clothing and shoes at Nordstrom Local, with all donations going to St. Anthony Foundation, where the items will be distributed to individuals and families in need. They can also bring in empty beauty packaging to be recycled.

"We’re excited to open our first Nordstrom Local in Northern California. We’ve heard from our customers in the area that they want services such as online order pickup, returns and alterations closer to where they live and work,” said Fanya Chandler, president of Nordstrom stores. “We hope our new Nordstrom Local will make accessing these services easier and look forward to serving customers at this location.”

Earlier this year, in July, Nordstrom Local opened its third location in New York City, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn (see photo).