As one of the editors of Retail Dive, it’s my job to keep tabs on every piece of retail-related news—the good, the bad, and the silly. From Target’s sporty new partnership with SoulCycle to a luxury hanger (yes, really), here are some of the most interesting retail stories from around the Web.
It’s all about the parka, darling
Racked’s Chavie Lieber tracks how two brands, Moncler (recently featured in Drake's "Hotline Bling" music video, below) and Canada Goose, have turned the puffy, Michelin-man-like look of the winter parka into a major fashion statement.
"In terms of luxury, the category that used to be a popular splurge was handbags," Roseanne Cumella, an analyst with the Doneger Group, told Racked. "Right now, that category is outerwear."
Target’s gym buddy
Target’s goal to bring the hip back is taking a sweaty step into health and wellness. Partnering with the extremely popular (and often-parodied) cycling studio chain SoulCycle, the retailer will sell branded SoulCycle gear in its stores and host SoulCycle pop-up classes in 10 cities across the country.
The power of a #like
The Guardian takes a look at how Instagram is changing the way retailers do business, from their merchandising decisions to marketing campaigns—for better or for worse:
“What is trending on the social media platform has the potential to have more of an effect on what fashion will look like going forward than anything on the catwalk.”
Nike’s futuristic sneaks
Quartz has procured two documents from Nike that suggest that the sportswear retailer is working to engineer a “smart sneaker,” apparently with a built-in activity tracker or a 3D-printed sneaker.
High-end hangers
The lowly wire hanger is taking a backseat to some more sophisticated (and pricier) models, the Wall Street Journal reports. Touting solutions to slipping straps and unintentional creasing, luxury hangers, which can go for up to $29.95 a pop, are seeing some popularity as consumers revamp their wardrobe and closet for the New Year.