The Indicator | September 19th, 2025

Kirkland‘s $30 sneakers, known for their plain black and white design, went viral last year. Now, Kirkland is collaborating with Nike SB on a Dunk Low, maintaining its commitment to affordability. This unexpected collaboration is expected to arrive later this year. Leaked images of the Kirkland x Nike SB Dunk Low show a design inspired by a Kirkland sweatshirt, with a heather gray cotton exterior and a fuzzy lining. (WWD) 

Condé Nast is launching Vette, a new e-commerce platform designed to serve as a hub for creator storefronts and offer brands an alternative sales channel to traditional wholesale. Currently, social media creators typically direct their followers to brand and retailer websites via affiliate links. Vette will empower creators to build their own direct-to-consumer e-commerce sites, operating on a marketplace model. Customers will purchase directly from the creators’ sites, with brands handling drop shipping of orders. Vette will manage all checkout processes. (Vogue Business) 

Shein is now offering other fashion brands access to its Chinese manufacturing network, aiming for new revenue streams amid US tariff pressure. Brands can utilize Shein’s fast supply chain, which turns designs around in 5-7 days, if they open a store on its online marketplace. This initiative, formally launched recently after two years of preparation, already includes about 20 brands like Pimkie. (Business of Fashion) 

Suave, after a successful February relaunch, is using product safety apps like Yuka to boost in-store sales at major retailers. As today’s value shoppers are becoming highly ingredient-conscious the brand is aligning new product development with results from product safety scanning apps and search returns. Yuka, launched in France in 2017, initially focused on packaged food and has since expanded to personal care ratings. (Glossy) 

The number of larger brands joining TikTok Shop grew 95% year-over-year in the first half of 2025. Sales from big brands also rose 84% year-over-year in the first half of 2025. TikTok now accounts for 10% of Pacsun’s e-commerce business. While TikTok has heavily promoted livestream shopping, which drove over $100 million in U.S. sales on Black Friday, its revenue share from livestreams has fluctuated (from 14% in Sep 2023 to 18% in July 2025). In contrast, pre-recorded creator videos now account for two-thirds of TikTok Shop’s revenue, indicating live sales lag behind pre-recorded content in the U.S. (Modern Retail) 

Hydrow launched the Hydrow Arc Rower, its most advanced connected rowing machine, featuring upgraded hardware with patent-pending AI technology and HydroMetrics for data-driven workouts and functional strength building. (Business Wire)