Need to Know

Global – Pharrell Williams wants you to dress better for your dog walks. In his latest venture as creative director of Louis Vuitton Mens, the singer, producer and fashion designer has unveiled DOG LVers, a collection for Dandy Dog Walkers.

The collection features menswear adorned with dog-related details such as footwear patterned with Dalmatian dots, a double-dog portrait silk souvenir jacket, dog portrait bandanas and best-in-show rosettes. As for pet accessories, items such as a bowl, harness, collar and monogrammed kennel are available for pampered pooches.

‘Rooted in the preppy codes observed in the dress of dog shows’, the collection embraces the cosmopolitan culture of dogs and owners living in cities for whom the traditional dog walking attire of wellies and raincoats will no longer suffice. DOG LVers is set to hit stores on 31 October 2024.

In Prestige Pets we previously analysed how fashion brands are getting serious about the once-novelty category of pet apparel, recognising that petwear is quickly becoming the new childrenswear category as Millennial and Gen Z consumers choose to procreate later or not at all.

US – Daily marijuana use in the US has overtaken daily alcohol consumption for the first time, according to a Carnegie Mellon University study published in the scientific journal Addiction. Researcher Jonathan Caulkins analysed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which surveyed over 1.6m participants from 1979 to 2022. Findings indicate that 17.7m respondents used marijuana daily or nearly every day in 2022, surpassing the 14.7m who consumed alcohol with the same frequency.

Caulkins noted significant increases in both the frequency of use and the potency of marijuana over the past 30 years. The average THC content in cannabis sold at state-licensed dispensaries now ranges from 20% to 25%, compared to less than 5% in the late 20th century. The study also highlighted a growing trend of marijuana use among older Americans, with those aged 35–49 using cannabis more frequently than younger adults. Given the rise in usage, Caulkins warned that regular marijuana use poses health risks, including lung damage, heart disease and increased rates of poisoning.

In our Cannabis Market Update report, we analysed how the much-hyped cannabis-derived food and beverage market continues to grow and diversify despite a lack of regulatory controls.