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1 day ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
Capezio, the legacy dancewear brand beloved by ballerinas and pop stars, is now owned by Argand Partners. The private equity firm has acquired the company, and plans to scale the niche company with new product lines, collaborations, and licensing deals -- moving beyond its theatrical roots into a broader lifestyle play. While the 140-year-old company may seem like a boutique blip in the retail landscape, Capezio has long punched above its weight in cultural relevance.
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2 days ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
As global trade tensions rise, Etsy is making it easier for shoppers to stay closer to home. The online marketplace is introducing new tools to highlight domestic sellers and help small businesses weather tariff disruptions. Separately, Etsy announced the sale of Reverb, the musical instrument marketplace it acquired in 2019, signaling a renewed focus on its core platform.
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2 days ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
Zales is trading tradition for trend. The retailer’s new "Own It" campaign targets Gen Z’s appetite for self-expression, hoping to spark loyalty at a time when jewelry sales -- and consumer confidence -- are both under pressure. For decades, the jewelry business has been driven by occasions: engagements, birthdays, graduations. With "Own It," Zales is urging younger consumers to buy jewelry simply because they want to, not because the calendar says it’s time.
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2 days ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
Been recycling the same “Have a great day!” note in your kid’s lunchbox since October? Welch’s Fruit Snacks wants to help parents level up their lunchbox love — with a little assist from AI. For a limited time, the brand is selling writable pouches with QR codes that link to Welch’s Fruit Snacks Lunchbox Notes Translator.
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3 days ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
Spring is bringing a fresh crop of lifestyle plays from mass retailers, with Walmart and Target each betting on new ways to reach women shoppers. Walmart is piloting Beauty Bars in 40 stores, offering curated assortments and a boutique-style experience. Target, meanwhile, is launching its first private-label floral brand, hoping to grow its share of seasonal gifting and home décor.
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6 days ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
Sleep Number is bringing in new marketing muscle, tapping Casper Sleep’s Amber Minson as CMO as it looks to reverse sinking sales and reignite growth. She joins Linda Findley, president and CEO, who took the reins last month. Times are tough for the entire mattress category, and the changes come as the company’s sales continue to decline. The Minneapolis-based company says Minson, who has also worked at Intuit, Blue Apron and the Home Shopping Network, will focus on reversing declines.
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6 days ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
This Easter weekend, activists are taking aim at TargetRetailers are bracing for Economic Blackout, 2.0. New data from Numerator finds that while just 12% of U.S. consumers say they plan to participate in this weekend’s Economic Blackout, down from 16% during the first event in February, the boycott's economic impact appears to be growing.
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1 week ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
Hermès, the French company best known for $12,000 handbags, posted solid first-quarter sales gains — up 7% in constant currency overall and 11% in the U.S. — even as most direct competitors reported declines. It also addressed tariffs head-on, announcing a 10% U.S. price hike beginning in May to “fully offset” the impact of new tariffs from the Trump administration. On the one hand, who cares? Hermès is a small brand in the $400 billion luxury sector.
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1 week ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
While other MediaPost newsletters and articles remain free to all ... our new Research Intelligencer service is reserved for paid subscribers ... Subscribe today to gain access to every Research Intelligencer article we publish as well as the exclusive daily newsletter, full access to The MediaPost Cases, first-look research and daily insights from Joe Mandese, Editor in Chief. Become a subscriber today!If you're already a paid subscriber, please sign-in. Username Password Forgot?
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1 week ago | 
mediapost.com | Sarah Mahoney
While other MediaPost newsletters and articles remain free to all ... our new Research Intelligencer service is reserved for paid subscribers ... Subscribe today to gain access to every Research Intelligencer article we publish as well as the exclusive daily newsletter, full access to The MediaPost Cases, first-look research and daily insights from Joe Mandese, Editor in Chief. Become a subscriber today!If you're already a paid subscriber, please sign-in. Username Password Forgot?
