The Indicator | November 22nd, 2024

● H&M is enhancing its loyalty program with exclusive, non-transactional perks — like a surprise Charli XCX concert in Times Square this week, to which select members got a weekend getaway and VIP access. These high-profile experiences, enhanced by influencer collaborations and curated collections, aim to drive engagement and excitement for its over 200M members globally and nearly 40M in the U.S. (Glossy)

● Prada and Miu Miu launched a handbag category for Snapchat’s Bitmoji with digital versions of real products now available for the 2.7B avatars in Snapchat. For these luxury brands, the collaboration increases engagement with younger consumers with the ultimate goal of bringing people in-store to try the products IRL. (WWD)

● Amazon Ads introduced shoppable ads for Prime Video, allowing viewers to add items to carts, receive product alerts, or book appointments directly from ads. The move aligns with the growing trend of shoppable TV streaming services like Netflix, Roku, and Peacock have rolled out. (Marketing Brew)

● TikTok is testing a new feature allowing select creators to add third-party affiliate links from Amazon, Walmart, and Target and others directly to their posts, bypassing the need for link-in-bio tools. The feature aims to streamline the shopping experience and solidify TikTok as a key player in social commerce, despite uncertainties around its future in the U.S. market. (Modern Retail)

● Ahead of Wicked’s release, brands like Gap, Rebecca Minkoff, H&M, Forever 21, and Crocs are embracing the “Barbie” effect with themed collaborations. Bloomingdale’s and Ulta Beauty are also tapping into the film’s release with prominent displays and in-store events. (Business of Fashion)

● Walmart‘s ad business now contributes nearly a third of its profit, driven by its rapidly growing retail media network, Walmart Connect. This success is fueled by its expanding e-commerce services, including its third-party marketplace, positioning Walmart as a formidable player in retail media. (Modern Retail)

● Ulta Beauty is seeing tremendous success from its loyalty program, which has 44 million members and drives over 96% of its sales. To grow the program, Ulta prioritized member feedback on perks, products, and more. Looking ahead, a key focus is “hyper-personalization” to further enhance the customer experience for its most loyal shoppers. (Glossy)