This week the world was gifted with not one but two rising social media stars who dragged a couple of lucky retailers into the online limelight. Both Kohl’s and Australian office supplies retailer Officeworks received shout-outs on viral Facebook posts, which then dovetailed into endless press coverage, TV appearances and (for one of them) a meeting with some Hollywood big shots.
This, and more, in Retail Therapy below.
On a roll
What’s the obvious thing to do when you find an abandoned shopping cart? For Australia's Andrew Mitchell, it was to alert the store… and then have a little fun.
After discovering an Officeworks shopping cart in his front yard, Huffington Post reports that Mitchell posted a “send help” message on the Officeworks Facebook page, saying: “I've named him Trevor the Trolley. He's really cool and can go quite fast before I fall off. I won't do that again as I bruised my arm. Next time I'll try it on grass and wear a crash helmet so the impact won't hurt as much.”
Mitchell then went on a few adventures with Trevor, teaching him to walk his dog and mow his lawn, and even fitting him with some shoes after he complained of “sore wheels.” Check out the full post below.
Sadly (happily?), the cart was reunited with its other metal cohorts when Officeworks picked it up soon after.
Work perks
Condé Nast announced an unusual perk for its employees this week that's far more stylish and sophisticated than the free food, booze, massages, and ping pong tournaments popularized by techy startups. The publisher of Vogue, Glamour, Allure and more is offering employees a discounted membership to Rent the Runway’s Unlimted program, where members can rent out three pieces of designer clothing and accessories, and return them for three new items when finished. Think "Netflix for couture."
While odd at first glance, the partnership makes sense: Fashion magazine employees are known to sport all the in-the-moment looks (or else, as we learned from Miranda Priestley, a la "The Devil Wears Prada"), and, perhaps most importantly, Condé Nast is an investor in Rent the Runway, leading a $20 million round in 2012.
I’m not a regular mom, I’m a Chewbacca Mom
Many news outlets, including Retail Dive, have covered the viral force that is “Chewbacca Mom,” where a Texas mom, Chewbacca mask and her infectious laugh stole the nation’s heart in Facebook Live’s most watched video ever. The original video was a huge win for Kohl’s, where she bought the mask, and scored “Chewbacca Mom” an appearance on James Corden’s "The Late Late Show," where she was joined by "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams.
Movin' on up
If you’re looking to channel Don Draper without all the sexism/alcoholism/overall depressive tendencies that come with it, you’re in luck. In honor of the one-year anniversary of the "Mad Men" series finale, ScreenBid will be auctioning off an array of props from the show's set, according to Racked. Offerings include Roger Sterling’s Ray-Ban sunglasses, Don Draper’s 1964 Chrysler Imperial and Peggy Olson’s moving box. Yep, that moving box.
