News 29.10.2020

Need to Know

Stormzy’s avatar performs in-game, Sinéad Burke champions accessible fashion with Juniper Unlimited, and live-streaming skyrockets in China.

Stormzy drops new music in Ubisoft’s latest game

Stormzy – Rainfall (feat.Tiana Major9) by Ubisoft for Watch Dogs: Legion

Global – British grime rapper Stormzy is introducing his latest single Rainfall inside Ubisoft’s video game, Watch Dogs: Legion.

Against a backdrop of dystopian versions of London hotspots, the motion-captured music video features an avatar of Stormzy. The rapper will also appear as part of a mission in the game, named after a lyric in the song – Fall on my Enemies – where players help him to broadcast the song throughout central London.

Stormzy is the latest in a series of artists turning to video games to promote music – in the spring, Travis Scott promoted his Astronomical tour on Fortnite to 12.3m players worldwide. For brands, performers and artists, video games have large and devout audiences, making them an appropriate alternative to touring during the pandemic.

Discover more on video games becoming a tool to reach the masses in our Gaming series.

eBay lures sneakerheads with authentication service

Sneaker verification by eBay, US Sneaker verification by eBay, US
Sneaker verification by eBay, US Sneaker verification by eBay, US

California – With the platform selling a sneaker every 1.5 seconds, eBay is turning its attention to sneaker authentication to bolster its Authenticity Guarantee service.

Now, new and pre-owned collectible sneakers selling for more than £77 ($100, €85) will be subject to a full check and verification process. To have their shoes verified, sellers ship the items directly to eBay’s independent state-of-the-art authentication facility led by Sneaker Con, where the box, shoes and accessories are ‘rigorously assessed’. Once approved, the sneakers are express shipped to the buyer. The same process is also offered for returns, to ensure sellers receive their sneakers in the same condition.

‘Authentication has become an expectation for today’s consumers in categories of high passion and high value, and this programme makes eBay the most attractive platform for enthusiasts in these categories,’ says Jordan Sweetnam, senior vice-president and general manager of eBay North America.

In Countering Counterfeits, we examine how technology is helping shoppers to feel more confident buying at a time when high-spec counterfeits and grey market selling are rife.

Juniper Unlimited offers disability-inclusive fashion

Adaptable clothing design by Juniper Unlimited. US Adaptable clothing design by Juniper Unlimited. US

US – Activist Sinéad Burke's adaptive clothing marketplace Juniper Unlimited offers fashion created for people with disabilities.

In a bid to inspire a wider conversation about adaptive clothing, the platform was launched with eight brands that sell products ranging from underwear with side fasteners for wheelchair users to clothes that incorporate magnets in place of buttons for easier use.

Seeking to future-proof and expand its roster of brands, Juniper Unlimited is also working with universities to develop new labels and innovations over the next six months, and will also act as an incubator for new and existing brands.

‘The fashion industry has always been the teacher, but this is one avenue where the fashion industry doesn’t have all the answers, so it’s an opportunity for collaboration and consultation with people with disabilities,’ explains Sinéad Burke, editor-at-large at Juniper Unlimited.

Beyond fashion, our Adaptive Beauty microtrend explores how technology and packaging solutions are supporting disabled consumers.

Stat: Live-streaming is redefining Chinese e-commerce

Virtual Super Land at Fred Segal, Los Angeles Virtual Super Land at Fred Segal, Los Angeles

The adoption of live-streaming by brands, retailers and consumers is continuing to accelerate e-commerce in China, according to data from Dao Insights.

The total scale of China’s live-streaming e-commerce industry is expected to reach a value of £121.6bn ($157.5bn, €134.3bn) in 2020, representing a 210% increase from 2019.

Additional data from China’s Ministry of Commerce reveals that the number of live-streams focusing on e-commerce exceeded 10m in the first half of the year, possibly driven by Covid-19 lockdowns. In the same period, there were over 50bn unique views of live-streams and 20m products were released via live-streaming channels.

China is now the largest e-commerce market in the world and is at the forefront of retail innovation. For more insights, read our China E-commerce Market.

Previous News Articles
NFL and Crocs launch fandom footwear as part of new multiyear licensing agreement

News

NFL and Crocs launch fandom footwear as part of new multiyear licensing agreement

The National Football League (NFL) and Crocs have teamed up to create NFL-themed shoes, available in the US and at select global retailers, as part...
Fashion : Sports : Collaborations
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, foresight analyst Seyi Od...
Foresight Friday : TikTok : Scottish
Stat: Record number of Americans consider even one or two drinks a day to be unhealthy

News

Stat: Record number of Americans consider even one or two drinks a day to be unhealthy

The belief that even moderate consumption (one or two drinks a day) is bad for health has risen to a high of 53%, compared with just 27% in the ear...
Alcohol : Health : Sobriety
Grind and Beauty Pie launch limited-edition morning ritual bundle

News

Grind and Beauty Pie launch limited-edition morning ritual bundle

Cult coffee brand Grind has teamed up with beauty subscription service Beauty Pie on a limited-edition collaboration designed to elevate the everyd...
Beauty : Beauty Pie : Grind
Stat: Gen Z and Millennials intentionally miss major social events due to cost

News

Stat: Gen Z and Millennials intentionally miss major social events due to cost

In a report entitled The Friendship Tab, research commissioned by Ally Bank found that young adults in the US frequently miss out on social events ...
Gen Z : Millenials : Finance
Byredo bottles up Brazilian culture with new Alto Astral scent

News

Byredo bottles up Brazilian culture with new Alto Astral scent

Fragrance house Byredo is tapping into the emotional power of place with its latest scent, Alto Astral.
Beauty : Fragrance : Culture
Canva’s Gampang di Canva campaign sees grandma drive small business success

News

Canva’s Gampang di Canva campaign sees grandma drive small business success

Canva has launched its Gampang di Canva (Easy on Canva) campaign in Indonesia to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Design : Humour : Technology
Nail bar offers free manicures and HIV advice

News

Nail bar offers free manicures and HIV advice

The London HIV Prevention Programme (LHPP) is teaming up with smart sexual health technology app Zults to host a pop-up nail bar offering free...
Nail Bar : HIV Awareness : Peckham
Stat: Soft clubbing signals the future of going out

News

Stat: Soft clubbing signals the future of going out

Eventbrite data shows a 92% rise in sober-curious gatherings, with formats such as coffee clubbing, morning dance parties and thermal gatherings ga...
Socialising : Soft Clubbing : Health And Wellness
Zara unveils new high tech concept store in Manchester

News

Zara unveils new high tech concept store in Manchester

Zara has revealed its new high tech concept store in Manchester Trafford Centre in August 2025.
Retail : Technology : Zara
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN