Swedish clothing retailer H&M and fintech company Klarna have entered into a global partnership to further integrate H&M’s digital and physical stores to give customers a seamless, personalised shopping experience. With a less-than-1-percent stake in Klarna for $20 million, according to the Financial Times, Klarna’s single technological platform will power the H&M Club (all-digital loyalty program) payment process, provide an enhanced omni-channel customer payment offering, a streamlined post-purchase service in the H&M app and other services. Services will be available across 14 European countries in 2019.
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The National Retail Federation is projecting holiday retail sales growth of 4.3 percent to 4.8 percent over 2017 in November and December, or $717.45 billion to $720.89 billion, up from an average jump of 3.9 percent over the past five years.
According to the organization, a healthy economy and consumer confidence means the holiday season will continue to show the growth seen over the past year. Holiday sales in 2017 were $687.87 billion, a 5.3 percent increase over 2016 and the largest gain since a 5.2 percent increase in 2010 post-recession.
In an effort to remain relevant and compete for more readers, Barnes & Noble is introducing a new store concept to reinvigorate its appeal as a gathering place, starting with five prototypes. The big box bookstore chain launched its first 17,400 square-foot model store, down from the typical 26,000 square feet, in Hackensack, N.J., with more of a café feel than its existing stores, according to Publishers Weekly. The concept also includes “book theaters” displays, offering customers a 360-degree, browsing experience. The new store features oak bookshelves, a woodgrain floor, USB and electricity ports at tables in the café, as well as self-service kiosks for book searches.
Procter & Gamble’s hair-care brand Pantene launched a 14 Day Challenge social media campaign in October, encouraging consumers to transform a #BadHairDay into a #GreatHairDay by using its products and sharing photo results on Instagram and Twitter. Pantene found that Instagram users have posted 1.2 million photos with the #BadHairDay hashtag, 17 times more than #GreatHairDay, so for 14 straight days the brand made available a team of social responders to engage with each #BadHairDay post to offer advice to users.
With the rise in environmentally conscious users and increased concerns about hair-related problems, the global hair care market is showing continued signs of growth.
According to a new report by Zion Market Research, the global hair care market is expected to reach approximately $110.70 billion in 2024. The report stated the market was valued at around $89.08 billion in 2017 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of slightly above 3.15 percent between 2018 and 2024.
The U.S. Direct Selling Association (DSA) hosted its annual Direct Selling Day on Capitol Hill for independent sellers throughout the United States. More than 150 direct selling distributors and executives representing 14 DSA member companies and 28 states met with members of Congress during Capitol Hill Day to share personal accounts with their local representatives and staff of how direct selling has positively impacted their lives.
Cannabidiol (CBD), sourced through hemp, a variety of Cannabis sativa, is being integrated into numerous mainstream consumer wellness products around the world. According to a new report by CannabisNewsWire, the global cannabis market is expected to quadruple to over $63 billion by 2024 with the CBD oil market to grow at CAGR of 39.19 percent through 2021. Consumer demand for the potential therapeutic benefits of hemp extract has spurred the creation of a variety of products, ranging from oils and edibles to pet products and infused beverages. Also according to the report, diversified, sales-driven companies are expected to outpace standard growth curve.
The Mary Kay Foundation recently awarded $3 million in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. This year’s grant contribution, which includes shelters across the country as well as in Puerto Rico and Guam, brings the foundation’s total investment in its shelter grant program to $50 million. The annual shelter grant program has helped finance critical needs including emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling and legal aid.
eBay has filed a lawsuit in California claiming Amazon employees were using eBay’s messaging platform to poach third-party sellers. The suit seeks to ban Amazon employees from ever using the messaging platform, as well as asking for monetary damages for loss of sales. The complaint accuses Amazon of orchestrating the poaching effort from its headquarters with some Amazon reps sending out as many as 120 messages on a single eBay account without ever buying or selling any items in an attempt to lure the most successful sellers over to the Amazon platform.
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