All articles tagged with #merchandising
Target posted its second straight quarter of comparable-sales gains as a merchandising overhaul under new CEO Michael Fiddelke draws more customers, aided by price reductions and store remodels; tariff refunds boosted earnings, and the company raised its full-year outlook as both in-store and digital sales improve.
A viral moment where Sophie Cunningham pointed at DeWanna Bonner sparked talk that the WNBA and its players association won’t monetize the gesture in licensed merchandise, deeming it potentially derogatory. The stance, echoed in reporting, keeps the moment from becoming commercial merchandise despite fans and brands showing interest, illustrating a tension between marketability and protecting player conduct. The episode also highlights how a catchy moment can boost a player’s profile while remaining off-limits for revenue-sharing.
THR’s Julian Sancton spends a day in A24’s New York orbit, touring the Cherry Lane Theatre and Wild Cherry, browsing the studio’s merch at Barnes & Noble, and attending pop‑ups and events that fuse film branding with live culture. The piece argues that A24 is turning its indie cool into an IRL ecosystem—restaurants, theaters, exclusive experiences, and hype‑driven merch—to deepen fan engagement and sustain growth, while grappling with the tension between maintaining edge and broadening appeal.
IndyCar removed a $50 'One Nation, One Race' T-shirt from its online store after criticism that the design around the Freedom 250 race—depicting the Lincoln Memorial with a helmeted Abraham Lincoln and the slogan 'One Nation' / 'One Race'—was tone-deaf and potentially racist. The item was pulled within hours of its debut. The Freedom 250, a 1.7-mile race around the National Mall part of the U.S. 250th birthday celebrations, is slated for August 23 and was announced Jan. 30 following a presidential executive order.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is embracing the popcorn-bucket trend with a red, purse-shaped bucket sold by Regal Cinemas (complete with a gold heel keychain and a Runway magazine promo; AMC also teased sunglasses), with no price yet announced as the movie launches this May.
WWE officials are reportedly pleasantly surprised by Danhausen’s merch sales since his Elimination Chamber debut, led by a top-selling t-shirt on WWE Shop; insiders question whether the strong numbers reflect projections or indicate WWE’s signing decisions, while Danhausen amplifies the hype on social media.
Target’s new CEO Michael Fiddelke outlines a four-pronged strategy—merchandising authority, elevated guest experience, accelerated technology, and stronger teams and communities—calling for clear, urgent action and a focus on listening, to earn guests’ trust and drive the company’s next chapter.
Taylor Swift's new album 'The Life of a Showgirl' exemplifies her strategic use of fan engagement, exclusive merchandise, and multimedia releases to maximize revenue and maintain her status as a top artist, with her business acumen highlighted by her innovative marketing and connection with fans.
Nintendo has restructured Warpstar Inc. into Nintendo Stars Inc. to support films based on their IPs and expand into other media, including merchandising and live events, with upcoming projects like The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. movies.
Trader Joe's new insulated mini cooler bags quickly appeared on resale sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, with prices reaching up to $89.99. Despite the high demand and reselling frenzy, Trader Joe's plans to restock the bags throughout the summer and discourages third-party reselling. The company emphasizes its commitment to providing quality products directly to customers in their stores.
Actress Bonnie Aarons, known for her role as the demon entity in Warner Bros.' horror film "The Nun," is suing the studio for allegedly hiding the true amount of profits made from merchandising her likeness. Aarons claims that the studio has not properly compensated her according to her contract, which entitled her to a share of the gross receipts from merchandise. The lawsuit accuses Warner Bros. of exploiting Aarons' talent and creativity while obscuring her rightful share of merchandising revenues. "The Nun" was a box office success, earning $365 million worldwide, and a sequel is set to be released in September.
Target plans to make adjustments to its merchandising approach for heritage months like Pride Month after facing consumer backlash that impacted sales in the second quarter. The company will have a more focused assortment, evolve its store and digital presentations, and reconsider the mix of its own national brands with external partners. Target CEO Brian Cornell emphasized the importance of meeting customer expectations and maintaining Target as a "happy place." The controversy surrounding the Pride Month assortment, which led to threats against staff and damage to merchandise, negatively affected second quarter sales. Despite a course correction, Target reported a 5.4% decline in comparable sales for the quarter and lowered its full-year profit outlook.
The release of the movie "Barbie" has not only been a box office success, but it has also sparked a merchandising frenzy with numerous brand partnerships. From gaming consoles to candles, retailers and marketers have seized the opportunity to capitalize on the popularity of the iconic doll. The appeal of the Barbie brand to multiple generations has allowed retailers to target both adults and children, creating a potential boost in sales. Despite the risks associated with the movie's reception and controversial perceptions of Barbie, companies have joined the bandwagon to avoid missing out on the Barbie wave. However, with the saturation of Barbie-themed products, it becomes increasingly challenging for brands to stand out.
Charles Redfield, Walmart's chief merchandising officer, is leaving the company after 32 years, with his resignation effective May 1. Walmart U.S. president and CEO John Furner announced Redfield's departure in an internal memo to employees, stating that Redfield will "begin a new chapter in June spending more time with family." Redfield will stay on as an adviser, and a new merchandising chief will be named at a later date. The leadership shakeup comes as Walmart faces pressure from inflation and struggles with lower-margin grocery sales.
Walmart is reorganizing its merchandising leadership ranks as the largest retailer in the US navigates an unpredictable consumer landscape. Charles Redfield, the current chief merchandising officer, will step down from his role on May 1 and remain as an adviser. The move comes as Walmart works to adapt to changing consumer behavior and competition from e-commerce giants like Amazon.