As an editor 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 a CVS-themed birthday party to some serious Star Wars fashion judgment, below are some of the most interesting reads from the past week.
Who needs Disney when you have CVS?
There’s brand loyalty, and then there’s "brand-themed birthday party" brand loyalty. Forgoing the traditional princess-themed birthday party, four-year-old Iris Fortune asked for a CVS theme for her most recent birthday party. CVS sent Iris snacks and supplies, but the icing on top of the (yes, CVS-themed) cake? Her name on a CVS billboard, wishing her a happy birthday.
It's a retail partnership
There’s the "CVS-themed birthday party" type of brand loyalty... and then there’s "I-think-I’m-in-a-relationship-with-Target" brand loyalty. Buzzfeed has written a nifty guide for the Target-obsessed consumer, detailing the signs that reveal your shopping obsession has become… something more.
Who wore it best?
Feeding the fervor unleashed by Star Wars fans with the debut of the new “The Force Awakens” trailer, Grantland has helpfully pulled together a list of the best jackets in the first three movies and the “Force Awakens” trailer. Noticeably, they excluded any wardrobe choices from the Episode I-III prequel films.
Suit up
We’ve all seen them—at college football games, Comic Con, and on Halloween. I’m talking about those head-to-toe, tight (and I mean TIGHT) spandex suits made famous by the TV show "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and its Green Man mascot. The BBC talks to the creators of the original head-to-toe suit, called Morphsuits, and how their idea grew from a laugh in a bar into a million dollar business.
Lost and found
There’s a giant store in Scottsboro, Alabama that houses many lost items from unclaimed luggage over the years (and has a surprisingly beautiful Instagram feed). Racked goes behind the scenes at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in a surprisingly emotional feature on “losing things, losing people, and finding God.”