It’s been another week with far more retail news than there is time in the day. Below, we break down some things you may have missed during the week and what we’re still thinking about.
From a cheese advent calendar to Bark’s revenue decline, here’s our closeout for the week.
What you may have missed
The Spirit of Christmas present
Spirit Christmas, a new venture from Spirit Halloween, has officially opened the 30 stores it plans to run this holiday season across the Northeast and Great Lakes regions. The locations will feature a new in-store experience dubbed “Peppermint Lane,” which features seasonal decor, gifts, apparel and interactive displays.
Shoppers can mail a letter to Santa at the “Peppermint Village Post Office,” take selfies by festive photo ops and, at some stores, snap a photo with St. Nick himself. Locations this year also feature an expanded assortment of ornaments, animatronics, inflatables and entertaining products.
"Spirit Christmas is more than a store, it's a destination where guests can rediscover the magic of the holiday season," Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Christmas, said in a statement. "Every detail, from the product assortment to the immersive design to the expanded assortment of apparel, gifts, accessories, and decor was created to capture that unmistakable feeling of joy and nostalgia that makes this time of the year so special."
Revlon to develop Champion’s first fragrance
Revlon Consumer Products announced a global fragrance licensing agreement with Authentic Brands Group's sportswear brand Champion, per a Wednesday press release. Champion's first-ever signature fragrance collection will debut in 2027 and “channel Champion's heritage and modern aesthetic” with options marketed towards men and women.
"Champion's strong heritage and cultural relevance make it a powerful partner for Revlon,” Revlon CEO Michelle Peluso said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome Champion into our portfolio of brands at this crucial time for both Champion and Revlon. As we focus on appealing to the next generation, we're thrilled to bring Champion's energy into the world of fragrance, another step forward in Revlon's resurgence."
Retail therapy
Cheese advent calendar? Sure, why not.
Kraft Natural Cheese debuted its first holiday advent calendar, per a Wednesday press release. The company says the 12-day calendar has “a retail value of $250,” though it is unclear how much it costs.
The limited-edition product will be featured at an immersive pop-up at Chicago’s Christkindlmarket in December.
“The holiday season is about bringing family and friends together through unique celebrations, traditions and meals, and we’re thrilled to join in on the festivities this year with our new Holiday Advent Calendar,” Ken Padgett, marketing director at Lactalis Heritage Dairy, said in a statement. “Whether it’s gifted or enjoyed at home, our hope is that it spreads a bit of holiday cheer — and for those in Chicago, we can’t wait to celebrate with you at Christkindlmarket.”
What we’re thinking about
15.2%
That’s how much Bark’s total revenue declined during the second quarter, reaching $107 million. Still, that beat the company’s guidance of $102 million to $105 million. The revenue decline was primarily due to fewer subscriptions resulting in fewer orders.
DTC revenue fell nearly 20% year over year to $82.1 million, while wholesale revenue grew 5.6% to $24.8 million. Bark Air, which launched last year, grew 138% from the year-ago period to $3.6 million, representing 26.5% of total revenue for the quarter.
The retailer’s net loss widened during the quarter to $10.7 million from $5.3 million last year.
For the third quarter, Bark is projecting revenues between $101 million and $104 million.
What we’re watching
How will Americans spend over the holidays?
The National Retail Federation recently forecast that retail sales will reach $1 trillion for the first time during November and December, up between 3.7% and 4.2% year over year. However, a temporary back-and-forth over SNAP funding, which was restored on Wednesday through next September, along with inflation, tariffs and unemployment, may take a toll on shoppers.
Twenty-eight percent of Americans are pulling back on their decorating budgets this year, and 26% are spending less on gifts, according to a new survey from Rocket Mortgage and Redfin.
“The pullback isn’t due to a lack of holiday spirit. It’s a sign of the times, with many people choosing to spend cautiously amid economic uncertainty,” per the report.
