Retail Diary: Retail Rundown 4.30.24 - the Fashion Business Section, podcast listens and trending items

Discover the latest Fashion & Beauty Business News: FTC shakes up fashion & TikTok Shop's considerations for retailers, retail podcasts, top trends, & fresh finds!

Sarah Shapiro

Apr 30, 2024

Images via all the sources linked below.

What I’m reading…📰

Business Section today - must read retail industry news

The Tapestry-Capri acquisition is heating up with FTC conversations.
- The FTC's challenge to Tapestry Inc.'s takeover of Capri Holdings signals increased scrutiny of mega-mergers in the fashion industry, akin to those seen in Europe (think LVMH.) Even the headline to this WWD article spells it out “The Dream of ‘an American LVMH’ Dims With FTC Challenge to Tapestry and Capri Merger” Regulators fear such mergers could stifle competition and harm consumers (not enough price competition), complicating the landscape for future deals and reshaping the industry's trajectory.
TikTok Shop - lean in to take advantage of a new-er channel with a ton of opportunity, or wait and see what plays out in Washington D.C.
- From Business of Fashion “What Ban? Brands Double Down on TikTok Shop” by Liz Flora, here are some highlights on the debate:
  - As President Biden signs legislation potentially leading to TikTok's ban, Rare Beauty launches a vibrant pop-up store in collaboration with TikTok Shop, showcasing its products amid the app's uncertain future. Despite impending regulatory challenges, brands like Rare Beauty continue to invest in TikTok marketing and e-commerce, recognizing its significance for social engagement and sales growth.
  - Despite the potential for a TikTok ban, brands like Beachwaver Co. and Tower 28 continue to leverage the platform's social commerce opportunities, anticipating its potential as a significant revenue stream alongside established channels like Amazon and Sephora.
  - TL;DR - brands are opportunistically leaning into TikTok Shopping because of the strength and growth it is currently delivering. Especially with brands that see this is where their customers are. BUT you can’t put all your eggs in this one basket. Also be flexible and explore other channels in case TikTok Shop doesn’t work out for a variety of reasons.
Frasers Group repurchases the Matches’ IP assets, led by Mike Ashley, just two months after the luxury retailer's administration. “Frasers Group Buys Back Matches’ Intellectual Property, but Not the Stock”
- The purchase allows Frasers to continue operating Matches' business until remaining stock in warehouses and stores is sold off.
- Independent brands and suppliers, facing potential losses from Matches' collapse, seek to recover outstanding payments and stock.
Will Americans Ever Get Sick of Cheap Junk by Amanda Mull at The Atlantic. Fueled by online shopping, social media marketing (see TikTok above), and the rise of ultra-cheap retailers like Temu and Shein, consumer culture seems to have no end. Despite concerns about sustainability, data shows that Americans, regardless of income, remain enthusiastic about high-volume, low-price shopping.
- Economic uncertainty and the allure of affordability have driven many consumers to prioritize price over quality, leading to the popularity of ultra-cheap retailers.
- Regulatory measures, such as closing tax loopholes for foreign retailers, may impact the competitiveness of ultra-cheap internet retailers in the American market.
- Indeed, there's a touch of irony in my linking to various items for purchase in this newsletter, given the discussion on consumerism. But hey, we're all adults here, right? So feel free to indulge in some shopping if you're so inclined—or don't. The choice is yours and no pressure. I’m just here to talk about industry news and trends.

What I’m listening to…🎧

Mara Roszack was interviewed on Second Life with
Hillary Kerr
and it is a great listen! She assisted in Chris McMillan’s Salon, has done 4 Academy Award Winner’s hair for the Oscar’s (including Emma Stone’s this year) and has her own line of products that are carried at amazing spots like Goop and soon at Credo (so you know they are good!)

Madeline Schulz did amazing job with the Vogue Business The Future of Shopping podcast series. I hope they continue with podcast projects like this (yes, I love my podcasts.)

“How Gen Z Really Feels About the Algorithm” with a favorite Instagram follow, Tariro Makoni (cannot wait for her Met Gala looks recap!) and Tora Northman from High Snobiety. They shared the idea that once you engage with a product you like, you see it over and over because of the algorithm, and then you think the trend is even more popular and you have to have it! (See below where I talk about the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. Don’t worry, we will keep this a fashion, beauty & retail space - I’ll just touch on science as relevant.)
In Inside the Rise and Fall of e-commerce Disruptors Vogue Business’s Kirsty McGregor and Elizabeth von der Goltz (who was also on Lauren Sherman’s Fashion People podcast last week) discuss what is going on with high-end online retail and why it is so challenging (hint, it involves $$.) von der Goltz has been a leader at Barney’s, Berdorf Goodman, Matches and Browns so she is incredibly experienced in this space.

What’s Trending…🚀

Revisit - Let’s recap recent trends as I discovered more goodness

Whether it is my algorithm that is serving me more of the same trend once I engage, or the phenomenon often called the "Baader-Meinhof phenomenon" also known as "frequency illusion" or "recency illusion." It occurs when something recently learned or noticed suddenly seems to appear with improbable frequency shortly afterward. It's like when you learn a new word and then start seeing it everywhere.

Bag Charm - added this cool one to my round-up. Love the multi-charm and nostalgic charm of it. Also added this sweet one for a great gift.
Belts - y’all are loving the belts and so am I. I found a few new ones like this very cool one (pre-order, arriving in June) which reminded me a lot of this jewelry I’ve been checking out. The price point on this belt is great and it has nice details and a range of colors. Bestselling belts so far have been this, this (love) and this (another jewelry like piece.) Full round-up here.
Sheer - this lovely skirt and the top for a full set. Or, break up the pieces to get more mileage out of both. (Plus this doubles up on another trend. I noticed both
Irene Kim (김애린)
and
laura reilly
wearing lilac in their instagram stories Monday…)
Almond toe shoes - all the high-end shoe brands have now. I expected by fall there will be many more at all price points. Loeffler Randall did a well priced, easy to wear one here (I’m loving the satin in a fun color) and a collab with Salter House in a gorgeous embroidered black. How about a denim almond toe from Le Monde Beryl? Gah! Loro Piana luxury - I saw these this weekend and they are perfection. Love them. Dress up, dress down. Really lovely.
Classic Jewelry - Maison Rogue offered Sarah’s Retail Diary readers a 15% off code SARAH15 and as I checked out their site I found a bunch of great jewelry pieces. Here is what I like for classic jewelry that is trending: graduated pearl necklace, if you like your classic pearls with edge - this is perfection to me, silver heart shaped signet ring, a tennis bracelet that is also an ID bracelet (doesn’t ID bracelet feel like it fits perfect with a signet ring?), love this tiny pearl stud from Maria Tash (perfect for an asymmetrical stack), mini oval signet will look delicate on a pinkie or go bold and colorful and how about Loren Stewart mini hoops that are under $50.
Newest trend I’m seeing are longer, fuller shorts. Often in denim or a heavier chino. Like this, this and this. (Of course, on the other end of the spectrum is the almost diaper like short shorts. Like this.) I plan to skip, but I would maybe wear a fuller, longer short over a bathing suit or with a t-shirt for a casual weekend look. I’m just personally not a huge shorts person.
This set reminds me so much of this hard-to-find, hot ticket, Miu Miu mini bag. Anyone else see it?

🛍️ This post is long (too much good stuff to share!) so you may need to hit “expand” or read it in your browser - I promise it will be worth it! 🛍️

New to me…🛍️

Queen Musia - I’m really loving the matte lips right now. I’m still glossing up, but mixing in a matte lipstick. Queen Musia sent me a lipstick to try and it is lovely. 5 hours and many Diet Cokes and glasses of H20 it was still on and not dry at all. I like the color ‘Ada’ and the packaging is gorgeous and so unique! All their products are made in Italy. The Mascara is also beautifully packaged (it has a nice weight and hand feel too) goes on great and stays put.
I’ve been using the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Overnight Eye Serum and I’m really liking it! The Jet Lag Mask didn’t really do it for me, but this Eye Serum has very quickly made everything smoother around my eyes and I can really tell a difference as I put on concealer in the morning and it just sits better when I used the SF Eye Serum the night before. It is a little thicker than other eye serums I’ve used so I need to use a bit more product but this is a strong recommend from me.
Thank you to reader
Christine Morrison
who suggested I check out this brand for a glossy bare manicure. I’ve wanted to try and love being influenced and validated. Bare nails summer!

Found via

Grace Atwood

and oh my did this make me laugh. Eulogizing Express (with humor) as they file Chapter 11 and close 100 stores.

What’s Next 🗓️

I’m realizing naming the Tuesday send “This Will Be Quick” no longer feels accurate. There is a lot here, thanks for sticking with me. What started as my quick reading, watching, listening and shopping recap has become more of a second deep dive (those are published on Thursdays.) Testing out “Retail Rundown” today.

For the Deep Dive Thursday we will dig into L’Occitane going private, bridal launches (‘tis the season), new collabs and beauty news. I also have a new series, Brand Crush, launching next week highlighting a brand I crush hard on. Any guesses? A reader requested a straw bags round-up and I have a fun Fashion 🌀 Spiral refresh for that too. We’ve got a busy May ahead of us. No slowing down here!