News 18.12.2023

Need to Know

Bombay Sapphire and designer Christian Siriano launch holiday collection, Starbucks opens EV charging stations in the US with Volvo, and why women’s elite sports are set to hit revenue milestone in 2024.

Bombay Sapphire and Christian Siriano unveil holiday collection

Bombay Sapphire and Christian Siriano, Bermuda
Bombay Sapphire and Christian Siriano, Bermuda
Bombay Sapphire and Christian Siriano, Bermuda

Global – Gin brand Bombay Sapphire has partnered once again with fashion designer Christian Siriano to launch a capsule collection inspired by gin cocktails in December 2023. Following the success of Siriano’s Bombay Sapphire French 75-inspired haute couture gown at New York Fashion Week, the holiday capsule includes the Martini Clutch, the Bombay Sapphire and Tonic Blouse, and the Ultimate Collins Blazer.

All proceeds from the limited-edition capsule collection will be donated by the fashion designer to GLAAD, a non-profit LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation. As part of the gin specialist’s Saw This, Made This campaign, the collection illustrates how visual inspiration transforms into unique creations, embodying Siriano’s distinctive aesthetic.

‘What’s kind of interesting is I think pretty cocktails have become decor,’ said Siriano. ‘It didn’t used to be that way, I think people were just drinking to drink, but now you have a cocktail to be part of your look.’ To read more about what’s next for cocktails and spirits in 2024, Bacardi, in collaboration with The Future Laboratory, released its fifth annual Cocktail Trends Report earlier this month.

Strategic opportunity

Consider incorporating philanthropy into your business model by supporting social causes. Cause marketing, as seen with Siriano donating proceeds to GLAAD, enhances brand reputation and customer loyalty

Volvo joins forces with Starbucks to set up EV charging stations

Starbucks and Volvo, US Starbucks and Volvo, US
Starbucks and Volvo, US Starbucks and Volvo, US

US – Global coffee giant Starbucks has rolled out 50 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at 15 locations along the Denver to Seattle route in collaboration with Swedish car-maker Volvo. The charging stations, strategically positioned in Starbucks stores across Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, cater for electric cars equipped with CCS1 or CHAdeMO connectors.

Starbucks and Volvo initiated the project to tackle the shortage of EV charging infrastructure in North America, where only 32,000 DC fast chargers are available for the country’s 2.3m electric cars. A Starbucks spokesperson noted: ‘Seattle and Denver are two fast-growing EV markets, but importantly, the corridor that connects the cities is underserved when it comes to existing infrastructure, so we saw an opportunity to connect them.’

Starbucks aims to introduce charging stations compatible with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors and explore further partnerships with car-makers. Other major brands, including Taco Bell, Whole Foods Market, 7-Eleven and Subway, are also joining the trend by incorporating EV chargers outside their establishments. For more insights on the rising interest in electric vehicles, visit our Mobility topic.

Strategic opportunity

Hospitality professionals should consider identifying key routes or corridors with underserved EV infrastructure to strategically position themselves as venues and charging stations, enhancing accessibility and convenience for EV users

Twitch updates guidelines to allow artistic nudity and twerking

Twitch Twitch

Global – Interactive live-streaming service Twitch has published an updated set of Sexual Content and Content Classification guidelines, following an increase in sexually explicit content on the platform.

The new guidelines restrict the prominent surfacing of more sexually explicit streams through re-enforced Content Classification Labels, meaning that if a stream is flagged with a Sexual Themes Label viewers must provide explicit permission to view the video and it won’t show up as a thumbnail on the Twitch homepage.

The guidelines also introduce a range of ‘previously prohibited but now allowed with label’ content, that in many ways loosens restrictions more than ever. Explicitly permitted content now includes the deliberate highlighting of breasts, buttocks or pelvic regions, fictionalised (drawn, animated, sculpted) genitals and breasts, erotic dancing and body painting.

The new guidelines aim to classify sexually explicit content in a way that prevents it from being seen by the wrong audience such as children, while avoiding the censorship of erotic art forms and aligning Twitch with other more progressive Provocation Platforms. Some users, however, are concerned about giving Twitch the power to define what counts as art and what is porn.

Strategic opportunity

As platforms evolve and allow some explicit content, consider investing in or developing advanced community moderation tools that use AI and machine learning to detect and manage content that may violate guidelines, providing a safer and more controlled environment to your audience during live-streams

Stat: Women’s elite sports set to hit revenue milestone in 2024

Nike Women Spring 2023 campaign. Photography by Renell Medrano Nike Women Spring 2023 campaign. Photography by Renell Medrano

Global – Deloitte predicts a ground-breaking revenue increase in women’s elite sports to over £782.9m ($1bn, €911.7m) in 2024, a 300% surge since 2021. This growth will be driven by commercial (55%), broadcast (27%) and matchday (18%) revenues. North America and Europe are expected to be the leading markets, capturing a market share of 52% and 14%, respectively. Football and basketball are projected to be the most valuable sports, contributing significantly to this rise.

The increased investment in women’s sports is enhancing professionalisation and spectator interest, exemplified by the technical advancement seen in events like the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Deloitte also expects a rise in the valuations of women’s elite sports teams and leagues, and predicts some will surpass £78.3m ($100m, €91.2m) in 2024. As explored in our Sports Rebranded analysis, women’s sports present a lucrative opportunity for investors to enter a burgeoning market where Gen Z fans celebrate gender inclusivity and the joy of participation.

Strategic opportunity

Identify and collaborate with prominent women athletes as brand ambassadors, using their influence to connect with fans and enhance brand credibility

Previous News Articles
NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Community-centric strategies

News

NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Community-centric strategies

Day two of NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe continued the conference’s Retail Together theme, with business leaders spotlighting how community eng...
Retail : Community : Streetwear
Ralph Lauren launches AI styling companion with Microsoft

News

Ralph Lauren launches AI styling companion with Microsoft

Ralph Lauren has partnered with Microsoft to launch Ask Ralph, an AI-powered conversational styling tool designed to bring personalised fashion adv...
Technology : AI : Fashion
Stat: Preventative health, wellbeing and stress management drive consumer spending

News

Stat: Preventative health, wellbeing and stress management drive consumer spending

Life expectancy around the globe is set to rise by nearly five years between 2022 and 2050, yet the gap between lifespan and healthy lifespan remai...
Health & Wellness : Health Goods : Medical Services
NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Unified commerce and inspirational entertainment

News

NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Unified commerce and inspirational entertainment

On the opening day of NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Europe, the spotlight turned to unified commerce and the evolving role of physical stores in omni...
Retail : NRF : Pop Up Store
The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era macrotrend at Première Vision

News

The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era macrotrend at Première Vision

The Future Laboratory’s co-founder and chief creative officer Christopher Sanderson presented The Synthocene Era macrotrend at the fashion industry...
Global Events : Technology : The Synthocene Era
Gen Z in China are using AI to transform themselves into collectable merchandise

News

Gen Z in China are using AI to transform themselves into collectable merchandise

Gen Z in China are using AI art tools and 3D printing to transform themselves into ‘guzi’ – personalised collectable merchandise.
China : Kidults : Kidult Craze
Stat: Gen Z stay indoors for days as screen time replaces nature

News

Stat: Gen Z stay indoors for days as screen time replaces nature

Two-thirds of Gen Z in Britain confess they can go days without stepping outside, according to new research by Super, Natural British Columbia.
Gen Z : Nature : Health And Wellness
Big W embraces the beautiful chaos of parenting in new campaign

News

Big W embraces the beautiful chaos of parenting in new campaign

Department store chain Big W is shaking up family advertising with a bold new campaign celebrating the chaos, meltdowns and small wins of everyday ...
Advertising & Branding : Parenting : Retail
George at Asda unveils new adult adaptive clothing range

News

George at Asda unveils new adult adaptive clothing range

George at Asda has launched a 28-piece adult adaptive clothing collection, designed in collaboration with the late breast cancer campaigner Nicky N...
Retail : Fashion : George At Asda
Stat: Girls’ sport participation could unlock leadership potential at work

News

Stat: Girls’ sport participation could unlock leadership potential at work

Girls who play extracurricular sport in the UK are 50% more likely to go on to achieve senior professional roles at work, according to Game Changin...
Sport : Women's Sports : Teenage Girls
You have 1 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN