The retail world looks different now and there's a lot of uncertainty. Instead of highlighting the absurd products we normally do, we're looking instead at some of the things in the industry that made us smile.
This week, Burger King brewed up a nonalcoholic beer for its Denmark and Sweden locations, Popeyes crashed pizza parties and Hershey's released its new Halloween lineup.
This, and more, in this week's retail therapy.
Burger King brews up the perfect combo
Few things pair together as well as a burger and a beer. Sure, sodas have been there to fill the void at our favorite fast-food chains for years, but deep down we all know a greasy patty's one true love is an ice-cold brewsky.
So it only made sense for Burger King to partner with Danish craft brewery Mikkeller to create a non-alcoholic beer dubbed The King's Cup. The drink, as the company described, is a full-bodied, fresh summer beer, which pairs perfectly with the fast-food chain's new burger items from the Burger King's World Gourmet Series menu.
"It is really exciting and completely new in the fast food world to be able to offer both tasty burgers and real craft beer to a wide audience. The collaboration with Mikkeller falls naturally, and burgers and beer is an obvious match," Daniel Schröder, marketing manager for Burger King in Denmark, said in a statement. "And since the beer is non-alcoholic, it is a fun and non-committal pleasure – corresponding well with our spirit."
Nonalcoholic beverages have grown in popularity in recent years in order to attract more consumers who may be abstaining from alcohol. Players like Athletic Brewing have entered the space, but more legacy brands like Heineken and Coors have released no-alcohol brews of their own.
"Since the beginning of Mikkeller it has been my aim to democratize high quality craft beer and to raise the overall standard of beer," Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, CEO and founder of Mikkeller, said in a statement. "With this collaboration, which I think is fun and inclusive, we reach a different audience than the people who normally go to our bars or visit fine dining restaurants."
But unfortunately, in order to get their hands on The King's Cup, consumers will need to be in Denmark or Sweden.
Popeyes urges consumers to trade in pizza for chicken
Fast-food companies in recent years have had no shame in poking a little fun at their competitors publicly.
Burger King last year had a promotion for a free Whopper if its customers in Brazil virtually set its competitors ads on fire. Wendy's trolled McDonald's on National Frozen Food Day.
And now Popeyes is having a little fun of its own by crashing consumers' pizza parties.
The fast-food chicken chain raised eyebrows with a tweet on Wednesday.
pizza
— Get Popeyes instead of (@PopeyesChicken) July 8, 2020
Several users speculated that Popeyes might be expanding into a new food category and start selling pizzas. With the wild success of its chicken sandwich, why not?
But the chain put those rumors to rest and followed up with a video where a Popeyes employee is seen stalking pizza delivery drivers to ask the people they deliver to if they'd like to swap their pizza for a Popeyes Family Meal. Not creepy at all.
The spot came from agency Gut, Adweek reports. The agency also created the "Open Sunday" Popeyes ad, which trolled Chick-fil-A and the Popeyes apparel line, which appeared to take inspiration from Beyoncé's Ivy Park line.
Hershey's is counting down the days until Oct. 31
We're well into July, which for some brands means Halloween is right around the corner. So in an attempt to get consumers amped up about a holiday that's still a good three months away, Hershey's teased its new lineup.
The Pennsylvania-based chocolate brand created new sweet treats inspired by popular Halloween characters: Reese's Franken-Cups, Kit Kat Witch's Brew, Hershey's Kisses Vampire chocolates and Hershey's Cookies 'N' Crème Fangs.
"Halloween isn't complete without a Reese's, Kit Kat or Hershey's candy bar, but this year we have something brewing that will take the season to the next level," Eric Bowers, senior manager of Halloween season, said in a statement.
But if your heart is set on getting the classic pumpkin-shaped Reese's, don't fret. Fan-favorites are set to make their return this year again too. The products, as expected, will be available for a limited time only.
