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 Playboy's new e-commerce venture to the extreme numbers behind the Victoria's Secret fashion show, here are some of the most interesting stories from around the Web.
For your Playboy-branded home
As part of its ongoing rebrand, Playboy has rolled out a new e-commerce site designed for an “elevated customer experience,” Fast Company reports. Products on the website include pillows, growlers, and clothing for both men and women.
Strangers (delivering sweet packages) in the night
Zappos decided to play Santa a little early this year, rewarding its loyal customers in Hanover, New Hampshire, with a box of goodies delivered to their door overnight. Surprising more than 1,800 homes (and some worried police dispatchers and officers) Zappos told Valley News that “these packages were delivered to show our appreciation” for customers in the area.
The numbers behind Victoria's Secret fashion show
Victoria’s Secret held its highly-publicized fashion show this week, which will air on TV on Dec. 8. Here are some behind-the-scenes factoids about the event:
- Number of models that walked the runway: 47
- Number of looks: 75
- Number of guests: 2,000
- Estimated number of viewers: 500 million
- Number of cans of spray tan used in past: 40
- Number of Swarvoski crystals used this year: 1 million
Selling clothes before it was cool
Ever heard of Revolve? Don’t worry, many haven’t: According to Fortune, the retailer is the “biggest, trendiest, most profitable e-commerce startup you’ve never heard of.”
Frozen dairy meal for one
BuzzFeed rounded up some of the funniest stocking mishaps that have happened at Target, including Guinness beer under the “Enhanced Water” section and ice cream in the “Meals for One” aisle. We think it’s all just a matter of perspective.