It's been another weird week in retail. Vita Coco teamed up with Postmates to bring New Year's Eve celebrators back to life, designers released collections to transport consumers back to a simpler time and Target hopped straight into spring holidays.
This, and more, in this week's retail therapy.
Vita Coco nurses party-goers back to health
For many, New Year's Eve is a time spent with loved ones reminiscing on the past year. That, and consuming copious amounts of champagne. But for those looking to kick the horrendous headache that's sure to ensue the morning after, Vita Coco's got you covered.
The coconut water brand and Postmates teamed up to offer New York City consumers free Hangover Recovery Kits on Jan. 1, which it dubbed "National Hangover Day." The free kits were made exclusively available in Postmates' app and included everything from coconut water to ibuprofen to a Vita Coco-branded eye sleep mask. Basically all the essentials to be a functioning human after a night of drinking. The company also had "Bachelor in Paradise" stars Hannah Godwin and Dylan Barbour deliver a select few kits to consumers. You know what they say, nothing cures a raging hangover quite like reality TV.
But for consumers who opted to not order the kits, the company offered fans another option to help with recovery. Vita Coco opened a temporary food truck in New York's SoHo neighborhood to hand out free egg and cheese sandwiches.
"We're excited to deliver this exclusive and unique offering alongside Postmates to help take on the first hangover of a new decade," Allison Finazzo, brand director for Vita Coco, said in a statement. "Not only does Vita Coco have the essential electrolytes you need to stay hydrated, but it's also packed with potassium and magnesium to replenish your body after a night out celebrating the New Year."
Honestly, we don't see why the gift of free stuff delivered to our doorsteps is limited to just one day. We all know those New Year's resolutions are going out the window, so if companies could just keep helping us achieve our laziest selves, that would be great.
Heineken goes dry for January
For some people who indulged a bit too much over the holiday season on eggnog, mulled wine and other festive cocktails, and suffered from one too many hangovers, they're looking to "Dry January" to help reset them for the rest of the year. And surprisingly, beer maker Heineken is here to help make the period when people abstain from drinking alcohol for a month a bit easier.
The January Dry Pack, which consists of 31 cans of the brand's non-alcoholic Heineken 0.0 product, is set up like an Advent calendar where consumers push through the box to reveal the day's prize (spoiler alert: it's always beer).
Dry January has gained popularity over the years, but the sobriety trend has begun to extend to other months of the year as well. According to research cited by Forbes, people who gave up drinking for the month of January drank less frequently eight months later (3.3 days per week from 4.3 days per week) and drank smaller quantities.
Unfortunately, Heineken's website indicates the January Dry Packs are no longer available. But don't fret. Those looking to jump on the Dry January trend can still purchase 6-packs of the brand's Heineken 0.0 beer online and in select retail stores.
Designers bring out the kid in us
A lot of things happened in 2019 that reminded us how truly terrible it is to be an adult. But instead of wallowing in self pity (new year, new perspective, people!), designers are hoping we channel our energy into something more socially acceptable.
Gucci on Friday debuted its latest collection, which puts everyone's favorite mouse at the forefront. Arriving just in time for Chinese New Year, the fashion house released a Mickey Mouse-inspired collection in honor of the year of the mouse (or, to others, the year of the rat). Pieces include apparel, handbags, shoes and more, and are covered in prints ranging from the iconic "G" pattern to images of Mickey himself.
The line is available for purchase online and in stores beginning Friday. And if you're wondering why a luxury fashion house would release a collection that may be better suited in the children's department at Target, the retailer has a track record of drops like this one. Last year for Lunar New Year, Gucci released a collection in homage to the Chinese Year of the Pig, which included tote bags, socks and more with images of "The Three Little Pigs."
And luxury labels aren't the only ones getting on the cartoon apparel for adults. Reebok teamed up with Warner Brothers Consumers Products to release a capsule collection inspired by "Tom and Jerry." The collection features three Reebok styles: Club C, Club C Revenge and Instapump Fury, according to Footwear News. The pieces range from $100 to $200 for adult shoes and $50 to $70 for kids shoes. But interested fans will have to wait; the collection will be available online and at select retailers on Feb. 15.
Target hops right into Easter
While most of us probably haven't taken our holiday decorations down and are still trying to get the glitter out of our hair from New Year's celebrations, Target already has its sights set on Easter. You know, the holiday that's 100 days away.
Some consumers took to Twitter to express their disbelief, and, in some cases, frustration with the mass merchant for stocking end caps with Easter-themed merchandise just days after Christmas.
So happy to see @target has out Easter candy. I was beginning to worry I might not be able to get any this year.
— Janelle Holsing (@janellekh) January 2, 2020
In case you need help picking candy out .@Target has you covered. They have Christmas, Valentines, and Easter candy all out on December 31st. Take your pick. ????????????????❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/whMF77h3vd
— Jordan Carter (@MrJordanCarter) January 1, 2020
So, I went to @Target.
— Unicorn Librarian (@katlikespie) December 27, 2019
They have Easter candy up.
It is December 26. pic.twitter.com/EyyreaEIfa
Who needs all the cheesy, heart-shaped nonsense anyway? Give us all the chocolate bunnies and creme-filled eggs to help remind us that warmer, spring days are a quick three and a half months away. Sigh.
