News 01.05.2024

Need to Know

Universal Standard wants to alleviate size-related anxiety in fashion retail, Jack Daniel’s enters the hard tea category and the surprising surge in EV charging infrastructure in America.

Universal Standard is expanding its size-inclusive Fit Liberty initiative

Universal Standard, US
Universal Standard, US
Universal Standard, US

US – American fashion brand Universal Standard is enhancing its commitment to inclusive fashion with an upgraded clothing exchange initiative named Fit Liberty. Originally launched as a pilot programme in 2017, Fit Liberty allows customers to exchange items like tops, denim and athleisure for the same item in a different size within a year of purchase, at no additional cost.

The programme, which initially featured fewer than 40 styles, has now expanded to include 400 items, among which are best-selling products. While the Fit Liberty programme may not immediately drive revenue growth or encourage repeat purchases, Universal Standard sees it as a strategic move to enhance customer retention and increase sales in the long run. Co-founder and CEO Polina Veksler views the initiative as a way to empower customers through size inclusivity, while fostering loyalty and satisfaction. With a repeat customer rate increasing from 70% in 2022 to 80% in 2024, the company boasts over 1m lifetime customers.

In line with our findings in Inclusive Fashion Market, Fit Liberty answers customers’ concerns about investing in clothing due to potential size changes, aiming to ensure customers can confidently purchase premium garments that fit impeccably.

Strategic opportunity

Developing inclusive lines without sufficient data can be risky and inefficient. Instead, harness the power of AI to understand consumers’ needs and behaviours to create a more precise and diverse range of products that fulfil consumer requirements

Introducing a camera translating pictures into AI poetry

Poetry Camera, US Poetry Camera, US
Poetry Camera, US Poetry Camera, US

US – The Poetry Camera, a ground-breaking fusion of AI technology and poetry, is redefining the boundaries of creativity and innovation. The brainchild of designers Kelin Carolyn Zhang and Ryan Mather, this open-source device takes the concept of photography to new heights by generating thought-provoking poetry based on visual input.

Powered by a Raspberry Pi and OpenAI’s GPT-4, the Poetry Camera analyses images, identifies key elements and crafts poetic verses that reflect the captured scene. Initially conceived as a personal passion project, the Poetry Camera has garnered attention and struck a chord with audiences, sparking curiosity and delight. As a result, Zhang and Mather are considering the possibility of making it commercially available.

In a society dominated by screens and digital distractions, the Poetry Camera offers a refreshing departure, inviting users to engage with art and technology in a more tactile and immersive manner. As Zhang told TechCrunch: ‘It’s about making something entirely new with this new technology and bringing out that inner child again.’

For more insights on AI, head to our Artificial Intelligence topic.

Strategic opportunity

Explore opportunities to develop AI-powered creativity tools that use machine learning algorithms to generate unique content, such as poetry, artwork or music. These tools can cater for a wide range of industries, including marketing, content creation and entertainment

Jack Daniel’s introduces hard tea to Country Cocktails line-up

Jack Daniel's, US Jack Daniel's, US

US – Jack Daniel’s has expanded its line of Country Cocktails with the introduction of hard tea, featuring original, peach, raspberry and blackberry flavours. The move follows hard tea’s emergence as a rapidly growing segment in the ready-to-drink cocktail market, with a consumption surge of over 104% in the two years to August 2023, according to NIQ.

The new product is initially available in 13 states, strategically chosen based on research showing a strong overlap between Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails fans and consumers of non-alcoholic tea. Unlike other brands on the market, Jack Daniel’s is targeting Millennial and Gen X shoppers instead of Gen Z, recognising their dominant influence in this market and their alignment with the brand.

This expansion reflects the proactive approachof Jack Daniel’s to evolving consumer preferences, which aims to capture a broader audience seeking innovative drinking experiences. With its sights set on key demographics and strategically selected markets, Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails Hard Tea aims to carve out a significant share in the competitive ready-to-drink cocktail landscape, innovating new flavours we revealed in No-lo Taste Lifts.

Strategic opportunity

Developing drinks with easy and nostalgic flavours, as in the case of hard teas, will not only help brands expand their product lines, but will also capture new audiences early in their brand discovery journey

Stat: EV charging infrastructure is surging in the US

BMW i Vision Dee, Germany BMW i Vision Dee, Germany

US – Despite a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) production by car-makers, the landscape of EV charging in the US is rapidly evolving, with nearly 600 public fast-charging stations activated in the first quarter of 2024. A Bloomberg Green analysis of data from the US Department of Energy revealed a 7.6% increase in these stations since the end of 2023. There are now almost 8,200 quick-turn EV stations across the US, or one for every 15 petrol stations.

Chris Ahn, head of electrification consulting at Deloitte, told Bloomberg: ‘EV demand has slowed, but it hasn’t stopped,’ emphasising the diminishing number of charging deserts. The surge in infrastructure deployment is partially attributed to the Biden administration’s £4bn ($5bn, €4.7bn) EV Infrastructure programme. As EV adoption continues, revenue from public charging is projected to soar. BloombergNEF estimates that annual worldwide public charging revenue will rise to £101.4bn ($127bn, €118.6bn) by 2030, with Tesla on track to account for £5.9bn ($7.4bn, €6.9bn) of that.

In Not Your Parents’ Car, we analysed how Gen Z’s interest in automotive and vehicle ownership is showing significant signs of growth as they age, especially in the US, where the automotive sector is using innovative design, EVs and technology to forge new connections with young people.

Strategic opportunity

From hospitality to marketing professionals, explore opportunities to collaborate with companies involved in the development and deployment of EV charging stations that could become a new revenue stream for your venue and a kind of billboard for advertisements

Previous News Articles
Spktrl’s AI diamond ring aims to cut screen time

News

Spktrl’s AI diamond ring aims to cut screen time

Parisian start-up Spktrl is reimagining wearable technology with the launch of its AI-powered Light Ring, a piece of high jewellery designed to cur...
Wellness : Augmented Human : The Synthocene Era
Represent launches in-person fitness competition 247 Mission Rivington

News

Represent launches in-person fitness competition 247 Mission Rivington

British fashion brand Represent has held its first-ever fitness event, 247 Mission Rivington, with 100 athletes competing in a 12‑hour endurance ch...
Sport : Fashion : Fitness
Stat: Technological innovation is driving the future of beauty

News

Stat: Technological innovation is driving the future of beauty

Wealth divides, digital tools and regional identity are reshaping the international beauty market, according to The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume...
Statistic : Stat : Beauty
AI-generated images of animals in plastic help WWF-Korea raise awareness about pollution

News

AI-generated images of animals in plastic help WWF-Korea raise awareness about pollution

WWF-Korea has launched Animal Trash Fashion, a powerful out-of-home campaign using AI to starkly illustrate the devastating impact of plastic pollu...
Sustainability : Design : Advertising
Rixo launches pre-loved resale platform

News

Rixo launches pre-loved resale platform

British fashion brand Rixo is expanding its circular ambitions with the launch of Rixo Pre-Loved, a resale platform where customers buy and sell it...
Retail : Fashion : Sutainability
Stat: Global business travel spending hits historic high

News

Stat: Global business travel spending hits historic high

Business travel is set to reach a record £1.18 trillion ($1.57 trillion, €1.36 trillion) by the end of 2025, according to ...
Stat : Statistic : Global Travel Market
Axe gamifies fragrance sampling with arcade-inspired bus stop activation

News

Axe gamifies fragrance sampling with arcade-inspired bus stop activation

Axe is making fragrance sampling fun again with a new campaign for its Cherry Fizz body spray.
Advertising : Fragrance : Retail
New wearable tracks hydration levels in real time

News

New wearable tracks hydration levels in real time

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a non-invasive wearable that continuously monitors hydration levels in real time.
Wearable Technology : Healthcare : Hydration
Stat: Online resale is booming in Britain

News

Stat: Online resale is booming in Britain

Online resale is booming in Britain, with pre-owned shopping now worth £4.3bn ($5.8bn, €5bn) annually and is set to rise to £4.8bn ($6.4bn, €5.5bn)...
Retail : Fashion : Technology
Prada’s 2025 Qixi campaign turns Shanghai’s bridges into a stage for love

News

Prada’s 2025 Qixi campaign turns Shanghai’s bridges into a stage for love

Prada’s campaign for the 2025 Qixi Festival – often referred to as Chinese Valentine’s Day – reimagines China’s legendary love tale through an...
Luxury : Fashion : Chinese Folklore
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