News Briefs

Shein is hosting a seasonal livestream sale on Sunday, Sept. 22.

The Chinese-founded, Singapore-based global online fast-fashion giant will launch a 90-minute livestream, "Shein Live: Front Row," hosted by influencers Renee Ariel and Julissa Bermudez, at noon PT on Sunday, Sept. 22. The livestream will be streamed across the Shein Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram accounts, as well as via the Shein app.

The livestream will feature six real-life Shein customers modeling on the runway for the first time across five collections: Winter Edge, Effortlessly Casual, Keep Cool, Cozy Chic, and Modern Elegance. 

Customers can share outfits they purchase during the event on social media by tagging @sheinofficial and @shein_us and using the hashtag #SHEINtrendy and #SHEINfw24.

Shein – a primer

Headquartered in Singapore, Shein offers Shein-branded, affordable apparel and accessories from a global network of vendors. The company, which filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the U.S. stock market with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) in late 2023, is reportedly also trying to join the National Retail Federation in an attempt to boost its chances of receiving SEC approval. 

However, Shein has been publicly accused of unfair labor practices and having connections to the communist Chinese government, and in the past year, Shein and fellow leading Chinese shopping app Temu have filed lawsuits against each other alleging unfair trade practices.

The Biden-Harris administration is targeting Shein and Temu with a new executive action that makes shipments worth less than $800 from China (representing the majority of Shein imports) no longer eligible for a special U.S. customs exemption.

[READ MORE: Survey: Live shopping, video commerce on the rise]

One retailer dominates CPG spending in the United States. 

Across the total U.S., Walmart captures 21% of CPG spending, followed by Costco Wholesale Corp. (7.8%), according to Numerator’s Regional Retail Dashboard, which explores omnichannel purchase and promotional trends across the four U.S. census regions (Northeast, Midwest, South and West). Rounding out the top five are Kroger (7%), Amazon (5.6%) and Albertsons (4.2%). 

In other findings, Kroger is the top promoter of CPG products nationally, accounting for 13.2% of promotional voice. Albertsons accounts for 10.2%, followed by Allegiance (3.8%). 

Other regional insights from the Numerator report are below.

•For the entire U.S., 55% of CPG spend goes to food and mass retailers.

•While Walmart is the most popular retailer for CPG spending in three of the four regions, it falls to Costco (16.3% vs. 15.3% of CPG spending) in the Western U.S. 

•In the Western U.S., 19% of CPG spend goes to the club channel.

•Southerners over-index at dollar stores.

•Consumers in the Northwest spend 7% of their dollars at liquor stores, which is nearly twice that of all U.S. consumers.

•Regional grocers showcase distinct behaviors across regions – Publix is the #2 retailer in the South, and Ahold Delhaize is the #2 retailer in the Northeast.

That was quick.

Michael Conway, CEO of Starbucks North America, will retire on Nov. 30, according to a Securities & Exchange Commission filing. The company veteran was appointed to the newly created role in April. 

Prior to his new position, Conway, who joined Starbucks in 2013, served as group president, international and channel development. 

“His deep experience in strategic planning and operational excellence, as well as his efforts to support building our brand and culture around the world make him well positioned for this new role,” Starbucks stated in announcing Conway's appointment. 

HIs departure comes after Brian Niccol took the reins of Starbucks on Sept. 9. Niccol, the former CEO and chairman of Chipotle Mexican Grill, succeeded Laxman Narasimha, who had served as Starbucks since March 2023.

Starbucks will not fill the role of North America CEO upon Conway’s departure, reported Yahoo Finance, citing a Bloomberg report. Sara Trilling, who currently reports to Conway in her role overseeing North America store development and strategy, among other areas, will retain her role and will report to Niccol, according to the report.

The report also said that Starbucks is creating a new global chief brand officer position to oversee product, marketing, digital, customer insights, creative and store concepts.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is partnering with USPS Operation Santa and Toys"R"Us  for the 2024 holiday season to make it easier than ever for individuals to participate in the gift-giving program.

USPS Operation Santa allows people from across the U.S. to help fulfill the holiday wishes of families in need by adopting their letters to Santa Claus. Since its inception more than a century ago, USPS Operation Santa has helped answer the thousands of letters addressed to Santa Claus through the USPS each year. Through the collaboration with Toys"R"Us, letter adopters can now easily select and purchase gifts from a specially curated e-commerce site.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with USPS Operation Santa to empower more letter adopters this holiday season,” said Gary Haas, VP, Toys"R"Us e-commerce. “By simplifying the adoption process and offering a curated selection of gifts, we are making it easier for individuals and families to spread joy to children in need and make their holiday dreams come true. Together, we're creating magical moments that will resonate for years to come."

Through USPS Operation Santa, children write their holiday wishes to Santa Claus and send their letters to his official address. The letters are then anonymized and made available for adoption on the program's website. Individuals, families and organizations can browse the letters, adopt one or more of them and fulfill the child's holiday wishes.

Big-box retailers are the most popular choice for Halloween shopping this year, but other retailers are closing the gap.

According to a new survey of 1,000 American consumers from Suzy and Vibenomics, the vast majority of Halloween shoppers (76%) plan to stock up on their holiday needs at big-box retailers this year, such as Walmart and Target. Grocery stores (38%), dollar/discount chains (34%) and online retailers (34%) are also popular choices for Halloween shopping. 

The retailer preferences in this year’s data from Suzy and Vibenomics have shifted since last year, when 82% of respondents said they planned to visit big-box stores for their needs, with online retailers next in line at 45%.

Price was the most important factor for choosing a Halloween retailer when asked, followed closely by variety and promotion/sale. When asked what influences them the most to buy a specific Halloween item, most consumers are focused on value, with in-store promotions (70%) and coupons (69%) ranking as the top factors, followed by family/friend recommendations (27%) and seeing the item in social media ads (18%) and TV ads (14%).

[READ MORE: Here’s how Walmart customers are shopping for Halloween]

More than half (57%) of Halloween shoppers surveyed by Suzy said they planned on shopping in-store this year, with 26% opting for a combination of both in-store and online shopping. These figures are roughly in line with last year’s data (53% in-store, 30% omnichannel shopping). Fifteen percent of respondents plan to shop online and have items delivered to their home, while only 3% plan to shop online for Halloween supplies and pick up the items curbside.

Halloween candy will be the most commonly purchased item at 73%, followed by Halloween-themed snacks/foods (42%), seasonally-themed decorations (42%), seasonally-themed beverages (33%) and Halloween costumes (29%).

Footwear and apparel retailer The Athlete’s Foot (TAF) has opened a new facility in Atlanta that will serve multiple functions.

The retailer has opened its new corporate headquarters, flagship location and community center in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, which aims to serve as a “cornerstone for retail excellence and community engagement.” TAF plans to implement community enrichment, sponsorship events and educational programming at the new facility.

The retailer partnered with Black-owned businesses to develop the flagship location, enlisting T. Dallas Smith & Co., the largest Black-owned commercial real estate firm in the country, to continue its standing collaboration with TAF on finding locations for new stores focused on underserved communities. J.M. Lee Construction Co., founded by Morehouse graduate Justin Lee, served as the general contractor, while Atlanta artist Aysha Pennerman will be contributing murals to the new facility that celebrate local culture. TAF says these partnerships speak to the brand’s commitment to diversity, community and supporting Black entrepreneurship.

"We are thrilled to unveil our new U.S. headquarters, flagship store, and community center in the heart of Midtown Atlanta," said Matt Lafone, president and general manager of Americas at The Athlete's Foot. "This location is the first of its kind on Atlanta's iconic Beltline and will serve as a cultural hub for community engagement and deeper connectivity. We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience what The Athlete's Foot has to offer, from the neighborhood, for the neighborhood."

Grand opening events and ribbon-cutting festivities took place from Sept. 12-14.

[READ MORE: The Athlete’s Foot launches neighborhood store concept]

With global headquarters in Atlanta and Stans, Switzerland, TAF operates 550 stores and e-commerce shops in more than 30 countries.