The Indicator | November 14th, 2025

Advent calendars, capitalizing on “little treat culture,” now contain diverse items from wine to skincare and pet treats, becoming status symbols from luxury brands like Diptyque and Dior Beauty. Despite new entrants like Red Bull and Kraft Natural Cheese, shopper fatigue is absent. Customers and retailers are ordering early, and brands are increasing production, viewing Advent calendars not only as a sales driver but also as a significant source of social media buzz and customer engagement. (Modern Retail)

Men are moving beyond basic grooming to actively purchasing and gifting skincare, signaling a shift from function to lifestyle, which is evident in the over $1.08 billion revenues of brands like Dove Men+Care and Axe. Gen Z men are the biggest spenders in male beauty ahead of millennials according to a 2025 Barclays study. The market is growing, with Pinterest searches for male facial treatments up 230%, and retailers like Target and Walmart adding men’s skincare brands. (Glossy)

Inditex’s Oysho transformed from a lingerie brand into a stylish, technical activewear label, offering premium quality at accessible prices. Its community-focused strategy—free workouts, fitness ambassadors, and grassroots engagement—drives loyalty and awareness. Backed by Inditex’s scale, Oysho is achieving double-digit growth and expanding across Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, intentionally avoiding the saturated US market. (Business of Fashion) 

Apple and Issey Miyake unveiled the iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted pouch for iPhones and small items. The tube-like accessory features ribbed pleats, drawing inspiration from Issey Miyake’s “a piece of cloth” concept of continuous, seamless fabric. (Business of Fashion) 

The burgeoning secondhand luxury market, defying economic headwinds, is expanding three times faster than the primary luxury market, growing 10% annually. The market is projected to reach $360 billion by 2030, according to the Boston Consulting Group and Vestiaire Collective. Price hikes in the primary market, averaging 33% between 2019 and 2023, are a primary driver. (Revenue Brew)

Fashion designer Michael Schmidt, known for collaborating with divas like Cher, was shocked by the plight of “gay sheep,” or “male-oriented” rams who decline to mate. These non-mating rams, about one in 12, are typically sent to slaughterhouses because they don’t fulfill their procreative duty within large flocks. Schmidt saw an opportunity for fashion to intervene. He partnered with Rainbow Wool, a German nonprofit that rescues these rams for their wool, and Grindr, the LGBTQ dating app, to create a 37-piece knitwear collection. (NY Times)