The Indicator | June 27th, 2025

By Sonal Gandhi
Chief Content Officer at The Lead

Men’s personal care brands are in the news this week as Unilever pays $1.5B for Dr Squatch and Dude Wipes gets strategic investment from TSG Consumer. Meanwhile sports partnerships continue to remain the key to growth as New Balance launches into the basketball category with Cooper Flagg and Champion looks to stem decline through teamwear.

'INNOVATION MOVES'

New Balance Athletics is set to relaunch its basketball business early next year with new products and marketing. The brand has signed the game’s next young star, 18-year-old Cooper Flagg who is expected to be the top pick in the NBA Draft. The company is already selling “Flagg Day” apparel and featuring him in ads. (Business of Fashion)
Champion has also pursued several major sports league partnerships over the last year to stem revenue decline. It’s partnering with smaller leagues like Minor League Baseball and Premier Lacrosse League, as well as with so-called Big 4 leagues like the National Hockey League. Teamwear currently makes up about 15% of Champion’s revenue. (Glossy)
Jewelry brand Rocksbox is aiming to grow its brick-and-mortar presence this year as part of a plan to help parent company Signet Jewelers take more share of the fashion jewelry market. Inside the new stores, shoppers are encouraged to pick up and try on jewelry—unlike the locked glass cases of its older sister brands. And there’s a central table for shoppers to collect styles on a tray and try things on in front of mirrors. (Modern Retail)
Online vintage furniture marketplace Chairish is seeing a boost in customer engagement and sales thanks to a marketing campaign that leans into a growing consumer concern: tariffs. In early April, Chairish launched a campaign highlighting the fact that U.S.-sourced vintage furniture is exempt from import duties. Since then, the company has seen sales tied to the messaging are up 5% and click through up 71% compared to non-tariff-themed ads. (Modern Retail)
Ikea shoppers will see price cuts of up to 50% at many of the company’s restaurants globally, as the Swedish retail giant aims to attract cost-conscious consumers. The home and furniture retailer said it would also offer free meals for children. (CNBC)
H&M backed textile recycling firm, Syre, will provide recycled polyester to U.S. retailers Gap and Target. Syre plans to produce more than 3 million metric tons of polyester in 2032 by recycling used garments. Gap wanted to utilise 10,000 tons per year of its polyester chip, while Target would incorporate recycled polyester into a “selection” of the company’s products. (Reuters)
Walmart is testing dark stores, brick-and-mortar locations that fulfill online orders but are not open to the public. The retailer is currently piloting the concept in Dallas. (Retail Dive)

'Financial Moves'

Dr. Squatch (British deodorant brand) was acquired by Unilever.
DUDE Wipes secures private equity investment from TSG Consumer.
STAUD (women’s lifestyle brand) raised a “significant investment” from a consortium of family offices.

Financial Moves Powered by MMG Advisors

'Career Moves'

Product Approval Manager – New York City
Assistant Store Manager, Menswear – New York City
Marketing Manager, Skincare – New York City
CRM & Client Development Manager – New York City
Associate Technical Designer – Los Angeles, CA
Sr. Technical Designer – Los Angeles, CA
Financial Controller – Los Angeles, CA
Assistant Store Manager, Menswear – Boca Raton, FL

Career Moves Powered by JPSearch

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