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 the new Pizza Hut Hat to L’Oréal acquiring Aesop, here’s our closeout for the week.

What you may have missed

Crocs commences customization

Crocs this week introduced a new service to customize bulk orders of its Classic Clogs and Jibbitz charms. Through the program, dubbed Customize Your Crocs, groups can order personalized colors, graphics and logos. 

"Our customization program allows teams, schools, and companies alike to design clogs and Jibbitz charms that are a unique representation of their organization," Adam Michaels, Crocs’ chief digital officer, said in a statement. "As a digital-first brand, we focused on making the Customize Your Crocs experience simple and engaging. We believe this type of footwear customization is truly unique and is an incredible opportunity for personalization."

Steph Curry nets $75M stock award from Under Armour

Under Armour and Steph Curry entered into another long-term partnership last week, with Curry taking on an additional role as president of the Curry Brand. Under Armour also announced that the NBA star would broaden his involvement with the company to include golf, women’s, youth and sportstyle categories.

As a result of the new deal, Curry also received $75 million worth of restricted stock units, according to an SEC filing. The stock award, which vests in two equal installments in September 2029 and September 2034, is tied to Curry’s decision to continue as a brand ambassador for Under Armour and take on his new position as president.

Walmart, Break the Love partner to provide pickleball perks

To capitalize on the growing popularity of pickleball, Walmart has partnered with racquet sports booking platform Break the Love to provide 125,000 comped reservations for employees, customers and Walmart+ subscribers.

“The collaboration aims to break down existing barriers with the sport and make it more approachable by creating new opportunities for customers to have fun, connect with friends and prioritize their wellness,” the company said in a Tuesday announcement.

Along with the comped reservations, the partnership will include 25 community events across the country, a curated shopping experience on Break the Love’s website, short-form videos featuring demos and tips, and exclusive perks for Walmart+ members like first access to popular reservation times and meet-and-greets with professional pickleball players.

Retail therapy

Pizza Hut? More like Pizza Hat

Pizza Hut announced Wenesday the released of a themed bucket hat through a collaboration with pop-up company Chain, according to press release.

"Pizza Hut and Chain are a perfect match," Lindsay Morgan, chief marketing officer at Pizza Hut, said in a statement. "We both love modern twists on icons whether its great tasting pizza or fashion and can't wait to see fans styling these new hats."

The Hut Hat, as it is so creatively called, is reversible with one side resembling the chain’s iconic red roofs and the other resembling checkered lamp shades within the restaurants. The hat is available in limited quantities for $35.

A beary good April Fools’ Day joke 

April Fools’ Day probably started out fun, but it has since developed into an annual apology round from companies that took things too far. But the occasional brand still manages to use the holiday for some (mostly) harmless fun.

Enter: Build-A-Bear. This year, the retailer released a fake “Cuddly Couture” collection, which included several plush bear-inspired designer jackets. The line “explored soft textures with smart, utilitarian styles and streamlined tailoring with each of the pieces in this BEARY special collection highlighting haute couture trends,” the retailer said in its release.

Though the collection ended up being an April Fools’ joke, it wasn’t far off from some actual fashion worn by celebrities in recent months. And given high fashion’s penchant for charging thousands of dollars for bizarre trends, Build-A-Bear may just have hit upon a promising new revenue stream.

What we’re still thinking about

2,300 

That’s the total number of warehouse workers Walmart plans to lay off by this summer, by Retail Dive’s count so far. The reductions will happen at facilities in Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey, according to the retailer and information released by state officials under federal labor laws. 

Walmart has confirmed it has “adjusted staffing levels” at some fulfillment centers but has declined to say how many people in total are affected by the recent round of cuts. An unspecified number of people may also lose their jobs at a California Walmart facility. The retailer did say, however, that anyone facing layoffs can apply for other positions within the company during a paid job search period. Affected employees will also receive support services and severance pay.

$2.5B

That’s how much French consumer products giant L’Oréal is spending to acquire luxury beauty brand Aesop. In a statement this week, L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus called the 36-year-old Australian brand “the epitome of avant-garde beauty.”

For Natura & Co., which acquired a majority stake in Aesop in 2012 for about 68 million Australian dollars, it was a money-maker. Last year the brand notched gross sales of $537 million, contributing about 7.5% of Natura’s revenue and nearly 25% of its EBITDA, according to ratings firm S&P Global. “Its performance was stronger than those of the group's business units in terms of margins and growth rates, but also required significant investments to continue expanding,” S&P Global analysts said in emailed comments. 

Once this deal closes, expanding the brand will be left to L’Oréal, which Hieronimus said “will contribute to unleash its massive growth potential, notably in China and Travel retail.” The brand’s chief executive, Michael O’Keeffe, will remain at the helm.

What we’re watching

Revlon exiting Chapter 11 as a private company

Revlon will drop $2.7 billion in debt and obtain $285 million in fresh liquidity, following the approval this week of its reorganization plan by the Southern District of New York. In late April the cosmetics company will exit Chapter 11 as a private company, owned mostly by its old lenders. 

After exiting bankruptcy the company will still face how to continue to keep up with rivals like L’Oréal and savvy DTC beauty brands.