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 Perfect Corp. adding a frizzy hair analysis tool to Walmart Canada’s investment in stores and supply chain, here’s our closeout for the week.
What you may have missed
Arc'teryx names 17-year Nike vet as chief merchant
Outdoor performance brand Arc’teryx made a handful of executive hires Wednesday, including the appointment of 35-year retail veteran Matt Bolte as chief merchandising officer. Most recently, Bolte was a partner focused on brand consulting and launching apparel brands at ThenWhat, Inc. Prior to that, the executive spent 17 years at Nike in various product and merchandising roles, including in men’s performance and sportswear.
At Arc’teryx, Bolte will head up merchandising, planning, programming and business development across all categories, according to a company press release.
“Matt’s deep expertise in executing complex, global merchandising strategies and extensive industry experience will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our leadership position in both our technical outdoor and premium apparel businesses,” Arc’teryx CEO Stuart Haselden said in a statement, noting that the merchandising team has “undergone a transformative journey” over the past year.
At the same time, Arc’teryx also named new leaders for its Veilance brand. Marissa Pardini, Vans’ former chief product and merchandising officer, will become general manager of Veilance, overseeing global strategy. Ben Stubbington, Lululemon’s former senior vice president of design, will be the creative director for the Veilance brand.
Athleta adds WNBA players Kate Martin and Lexie Hull to Power of She Collective
Athleta this week signed two more WNBA players to its brand ambassador roster. Lexie Hull and Kate Martin will join Monique Billings on Athleta’s Power of She Collective, per a company press release.
The Gap Inc.-owned brand will look to Hull and Martin to weigh in on product innovation and participate in its impact programs and mentorship opportunities. In addition to Billings, they’ll work alongside the activewear brand’s other athletes, including Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky.
"At Athleta, we're committed not only to delivering innovative products for women but also to fostering a community built on the belief that powerful women move women forward," Chris Blakeslee, CEO of Athleta, said in a statement. "Lexie and Kate are not only exceptional athletes but also remarkable women, and as a brand that champions the whole athlete, we're proud to welcome them to our Power of She Collective.”
Perfect Corp. adds frizzy hair analysis to its tech suite
Beauty tech company Perfect Corp. on Wednesday launched a frizzy hair analysis tool powered by AI. The frizzy hair component joins the company’s suite of AI hair analysis tools including hair texture, hair length, hair color try-on and hairstyles try-on. The tool can be implemented across platforms such as websites, mobile apps and other digital marketing channels.
Users upload photos of their hair from three different angles and the tool offers results ranging from smooth or slightly frizzy to extremely frizzy hair. Retailers can use the tool by Perfect Corp. to give customers personalized hair care recommendations based on the results.
Retail Therapy
Home Depot will help kick around a good cause
The U.S. Soccer Federation and The Home Depot announced a strategic partnership on Tuesday covering the organization’s 27 national teams.
Through this partnership, U.S. Soccer and Home Depot plan to highlight local people who are creating a positive impact in their communities and use them as gameday ambassadors at U.S.-based soccer matches. The company is also now a supporting level partner of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center. The center, located in Atlanta, is named for one of The Home Depot’s co-founders.
Home Depot also recently announced a deal with FIFA in which the company will serve as North America’s official home improvement retailer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That event will take place throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
What makes a true Nutella ‘superfan,’ really?
Nutella traces its origins to a post-World War II work-around — a paste made of hazelnuts, sugar and barely any cocoa at a time when chocolate was scarce. Decades on, the spread is a phenomenon, with an expanding range of products, a Chicago cafe and fans worldwide. Since 2007, the brand has marked “World Nutella Day” on Feb. 5
To celebrate this year, Nutella is in search of “superfans,” which would be anyone who adds "Nutella" to their social media bio. Tagging the brand with a screenshot of that earns a chance to win a mini backpack from Loungefly, and a “custom social bio” can be provided by request.
But would a “superfan” need that? A true Nutella superfan hides their supply where no one can find it, in order to devour it, alone and unbothered, straight from the jar. Right?
What we're still thinking about
10%
That’s how much Kohl’s downsized its corporate workforce. The cuts affect fewer than 200 employees and more than half of the reduction comes from eliminating open roles.
The news comes just weeks after the department store decided to close 27 stores and one fulfillment center.
CA$6.5B
That’s how much Walmart Canada plans to invest in its stores and supply chain, in Canadian dollars (about $4.5 billion at the time of the announcement).
Through the initiative, the retailer plans to open dozens of stores across Canada, beginning with five supercenters set to open by 2027; two of those stores will open this year. The retailer will also open a distribution center in Ontario in the spring.
What we're watching
Lush drops a few bath bombs on DEI controversy
In its first two weeks, the Trump administration has elevated the fight against diversity, equity and inclusion. This has come via executive orders and heated rhetoric: Trump without evidence Thursday floated DEI as a factor in Wednesday’s fatal plane crash into the Potomac River.
The private sector, where DEI has proven to be good for business, is grappling with how to proceed in this environment, and retailers have taken different approaches. Tractor Supply eliminated its DEI teams; Target had a middle-of-the-road response; and Costco offered a full-throated defense of its efforts.
While Costco’s board of directors dropped truth bombs about the conservative group that tried, and failed, to make the company revisit its DEI practices, Lush decided to drop bath bombs.
The personal care brand this week temporarily changed the names of three of its most popular ones to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, calling those concepts “essential in building justice and belonging in the workplace — and beyond.” The retailer, which has renamed products for political reasons in the past, said by email that in recent years it has beefed up its own DEI efforts, investing in more resources for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, with dedicated programs in the U.S. and Canada.
