The Indicator | December 19th, 2025

By Kim Fox
Senior Marketing Manager at The Lead

In this week’s news, pop-ups and in-store experiences continue to be popular with Calvin Klein’s new SoHo store mirroring an NYC loft apartment and T.J. Maxx and Kendra Scott leaning into holiday experiences. Meanwhile, Elliott has built a $1 billion stake in Lululemon.

Enjoy the holidays and have a Happy New Year! We’ll be back in early January.

'INNOVATION MOVES'

  • Social media star Alix Earle has invested in Gorgie, a clean energy drink founded in 2022 (and now a part of The Foremost 50 of 2026). This follows Earle’s investments in Poppi soda and SipMargs. Earle, who used the sugar-free, sparkling beverage while training for “Dancing With the Stars,” lauded Gorgie for its “sustained energy without the crash.” Gorgie founder Michelle Cordeiro Grant, whose women-led brand is sold at Target, anticipates Earle’s partnership will boost retail and online expansion. (WWD)

  • Calvin Klein opened a 3,000-square-foot flagship store in SoHo, following recent launches in Paris and Tokyo. The store currently features a limited-edition capsule with custom SoHo logos, along with core men’s and women’s denim, underwear, apparel, and accessories. The flagship’s design mirrors a New York loft apartment. (Retail Dive)

  • Gen Z-popular UK digital fashion retailer Asos is shifting focus toward physical retail, particularly pop-ups. Since 2023, Asos has increased pop-up events in New York, the Hamptons, and England, with more planned for 2026 (LA & Miami), driven by customer demand for in-person experiences and feedback/merchandise showcasing. (Modern Retail

  • Clarks opened its first U.S. Cloudsteppers store in Texas, expanding the line beyond footwear to include apparel and accessories (T-shirts, hoodies, socks, caps, bags), with leggings and windbreakers coming next year. Cloudsteppers is also launching a men’s category with clothing/accessories this month and footwear in January. (Retail Dive)

  • T.J. Maxx launched “Maxxinista Express,” a holiday tour on a double-decker bus for superfans, with stops in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami. The retailer tapped actor Janel Parrish, former NFL cheerleader Kelcey Wetterberg, and content creator Vale Genta to host the respective city stops. Each full-day event includes shopping at three T.J. Maxx stores, bingo, trivia, and contests. (Retail Dive)

  • Kendra Scott‘s “You Make The Season” holiday campaign successfully drove digital growth and exceeded goals for the “Together for the Holidays” contest. Experiential retail, featuring a Los Angeles pop-up and a Jones Road balm bar, capitalized on Gen Z’s preference for in-person experiences. Kendra Scott utilized the in-store Color Bar for personalized gifts, especially for customers buying for a daughter or granddaughter, resulting in one of its most engaging holiday periods. (Glossy

'Financial Moves'

  • Elliott Investment Management has built a more than $1 billion stake in Lululemon.
  • Rachel Zoe (fashion brand) sold a majority stake to Gordon Brothers.
  • YSE Beauty (Molly Sims’ beauty brand) raised a $15M Series A from Silas Capital and L Catterton.
  • Matches was acquired by Mario Maher and Joe Wilkinson’s newly formed group Hulcan.
  • A record-high ~158.9M consumers plan to shop on December 20 (the last Saturday before Christmas), per National Retail Federation.
  • The U.S. business of Paul Stuart (apparel brand) was acquired by Middle West Partners in partnership with Peerless Clothing.
  • MadaLuxe has acquired a majority stake in Ippolita (Jewelry Brand).
  • Signifeye (Belgian eyewear brand) was acquired by EssilorLuxottica.
  • California Pizza Kitchen (restaurant chain) was acquired by a syndicate led by Consortium Brand Partners.
  • Hugo Boss (lifestyle brand) raised a €600M revolving credit facility to support its ‘Claim 5 Touchdown’ growth plan.
  • WHP Global (licensing group) announced a new partnership with Pure Cotton Global Group to distribute the LOTTO lifestyle apparel line across the U.S. and Canada.
 

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