Retail news that keeps industry pros in the know
Retail Brew delivers the latest retail industry news and insights surrounding marketing, DTC, and e-commerce to keep leaders and decision-makers up to date.
Happy spooky season, everyone. In that spirit, there’s some spooky news for those of you who use the Google Play Movies & TV App—it’s getting the ax on Thursday. It’s just further incentive to keep that last Blockbuster store alive.
Here’s what else is going on in retail this week:
In sales: Yes, the now twice-yearly cat and mouse game between Amazon and all its competitors is happening now, because Prime Day is coming next week. Yesterday marked the beginning of Target’s Circle Week, which is set to run through Saturday.
- Although it officially started on Sunday, Target had already put a number of items on sale to hype its big event.
- And markdowns include categories across the board—electronics, home, apparel, and toys, to name a few.
- Target recently also announced it would be closing nine stores, citing retail theft and violence.
In hirings: Today is Molly Liu’s first day as EVP and co-CEO of Starbucks’s China business. Liu will work with Belinda Wong, who is staying on as chairwoman and co-CEO.
- Liu has held a number of different roles with Starbucks dating back to 2012, including as VP of digital ventures.
- Now, after serving as COO since 2021, she will help lead the company’s efforts to establish 9,000 locations in China by 2025.
In openings: For some skaters in Brooklyn, Thursday will be one of the best days of their lives. Supreme is opening its first location in Williamsburg. The 3,000-square-foot space has an empty pool, and contains Supreme’s entire product collection.
- In August, Supreme opened its 16th brick and mortar location, in Seoul, South Korea, which was also its first store in Asia outside Japan.