Through our extensive strategic research within the alcohol industry, we’ve had the pleasure of working with renowned brands such as Ciroc, Havana Club, Chivas Regal, Budweiser, and more. One notable trend we’re observing, both in our alcohol sector work and broader research, is the increasing competition between cannabis and alcohol. This shift is largely driven by the younger generation's perception of cannabis as less harmful than alcohol and its associations with health and wellness.
Additionally, cannabis often allows individuals to maintain better control compared to alcohol, addressing a key concern among young people – control and maintaining a specific public image. As attitudes and preferences continue to evolve, brands must recognize that cannabis culture has become mainstream globally, significantly impacting their identity.
It's fantastic to see former WNBA star Candace Parker appointed as President of Adidas Women's Basketball. Whether it's Candace at Adidas or Pharrell at Louis Vuitton, I recognize the necessity of integrating community leaders into their strategic framework. Gone are the days of organisations operating as isolated ivory towers. They now understand the importance of lowering the drawbridge and handing over the reins to the cultural engineers who drive their brand relevance. Instead of being closed entities, these organisations need permeable exteriors, adopting a tech-industry-like mindset of open-source collaboration.
I'm amazed to see how much Stormzy gives back to his community. He has just opened MerkyFC HQ with adidas, featuring a new football pitch, a music studio, changing rooms, multi-purpose rooms, and a gaming room in partnership with Electronic Arts (EA).
Here are some key insights based on our observations:
🌍 Embracing Inclusivity: Today's youth crave more than mere entertainment; they prioritize inclusivity and diversity. Sports organizations are now seen not just as entertainment hubs but as catalysts for societal progress, making it imperative for them to embody these principles more than ever before.
🔄 Advocating for Representation: Young fans and athletes are advocating for a sports culture that honors and represents diverse identities and backgrounds. This movement isn't just about visibility; it's about amplifying voices and effecting change.
💬 Beyond Sports: There's a rising expectation for sports entities to treat athletes as individuals with distinct narratives and obstacles, not merely as assets for financial gain. Personal anecdotes from athletes, especially those intertwined with their identities and social challenges, resonate deeply with younger audiences.
📈 Sports as Activism: Gen Z is unapologetic about leveraging their influence for societal change. Sports arenas have become platforms for activism, where personal values and calls for social justice are as vital as the games themselves.
🌟 Prioritizing Mental Health: Young individuals applaud athletes who openly discuss their mental health struggles, viewing vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness. This paradigm shift is fostering broader conversations about mental well-being in sports, promoting more supportive environments.
This evolving landscape presents a distinctive opportunity for the sports industry to align with the ethos of a new generation, cultivating a culture of inclusivity, empathy, and reverence. As we gaze toward the future, it's evident that sports can be a potent force for positive transformation.
Superdry, once a dominant force on the high street, is embarking on a bold restructuring under the leadership of co-founder Julian Dunkerton. But is it enough to turn the tide? 🛍️
📉 Faced with plummeting shares and a halt in trading, Superdry plans to exit the London Stock Exchange. The strategy includes significant changes like rent reductions for 39 UK stores and a crucial fundraising initiative aimed to raise up to £10m.
🔍 This move is part of a three-year plan designed to stave off administration, reflecting a strategic shift to tackle financial challenges away from the public eye. By delisting, the company anticipates substantial operational savings and a reshaping of its financial commitments.
🌟 Dunkerton’s personal investment and leadership in the fundraising highlight his commitment to revitalising Superdry. His goal is clear: to restore Superdry to its former prestige by adapting to a rapidly evolving retail landscape and focusing on a sustainable future.
📢 Yet, questions linger: Can this high street premium brand find its place in the new aspiration economy? Does the British 'contemporary' fashion brand, known for its Japanese graphics, stand a chance in today's high street? The current proposition feels outdated, and a reboot is desperately needed to reflect today's premium wear consumer's desire code. Often associated with a 40+, late majority demographic—where brands and trends tend to die—does 'Britishness' still hold global appeal? Superdry was Nerds' first client – I would love a shot at reorientating this brand.
👕 Secondhand Chic: Gen Z’s enthusiasm for secondhand fashion goes beyond environmental awareness. It’s about unearthing one-of-a-kind finds and embracing culturally rich, diverse trends. Thrift and charity shopping aren’t just eco-friendly choices—they’re key to defining identities within various groups.
🌊 Cultural Integration: This generation is redefining identity, effortlessly merging fashion, gender, and cultural lines to create a world that thrives on self-expression and inclusivity.
🔄 Circular Fashion: Depop’s popularity with Gen Z isn’t coincidental. The platform skillfully blends commerce, community, and creativity, embodying the modern youth's view of fashion as something circular, interconnected, and endlessly creative.
🌐 Integrated Realities: For Gen Z, the distinction between digital and physical realms is fading. They crave experiences that merge online discoveries with tangible interactions, like pop-up events. 💼 Youth Entrepreneurship: Gen Z isn't just participating; they're actively shaping their futures through resale. Depop acts as a catalyst, transforming side hustles into significant incomes.
Engaging this critical demographic means aligning with their fundamental values: sustainability, inclusivity, and authenticity. Gen Z’s approach to fashion via platforms like Depop offers insights into modern consumer behaviour.
I just read about JD Sports Fashion's recent strategy and performance insights from CEO Régis Schultz, which reveal a mix of challenges and strategic moves. Here are my takeaways:
✨ Steady Growth: I noted that JD Sports clocked a commendable 4.2% like-for-like sales growth for the year ending February 3, 2024, with strategic expansions notably in Europe and North America.
📈 Expansion and Innovation: I observed that acquisitions like the Iberian Sports Retail Group (ISRG) and Marketing Investment Group (MIG) fuel European growth, aligning with JD's strategy to elevate store presence.
🔍 The Innovation Imperative: Schultz highlights the need for constant innovation, citing Adidas's success with Terrex and pointing out Nike's slower pace in introducing new products, something I've written a lot about. This is crucial as consumers constantly demand newness. From my perspective, Nike's downturn has had a significant knock-on effect for JD sales, as they have a symbiotic relationship and a similar playbook.
🌟 Looking Ahead: Despite anticipating a quieter Q1, Schultz is optimistic about leveraging innovation and major sporting events in the latter half of the year to drive growth, which makes sense as sports culture increasingly becomes a source of style inspiration. However, it will be interesting to understand what innovation looks like through the lens of JD.
Full article: https://lnkd.in/ez-nNhnJ
Champion, a storied brand established in 1919, is celebrated for its sweatshirts, hoodies, and sport-inspired clothing. However, it experienced a 23% sales drop in the fourth quarter due to strategic realignments and mounting market competition. With this acquisition, ABG, which owns esteemed labels such as DC Shoes, our client Reebok, and Vision Streetwear, ushers in a new era for Champion, aiming for its rejuvenation and expansion.
I believe Champion is an undiscovered titan brimming with potential. It’s intriguing to anticipate the innovations ABG will introduce.
In the dynamic landscape of youth marketing, "community" often emerges as a catchphrase. However, the essence of a true community is richly complex. Here are pivotal elements that define a genuine community, providing a framework for impactful community marketing tactics:
🏠 Safety & Inclusivity: Communities act as safe havens where individuals can authentically express themselves without fear.
🙋♂️ Engagement: Thriving communities rely on active participation, ensuring every voice finds its place.
👪 Familiarity & Comfort: They foster a sense of belonging and warmth, reminiscent of the familial and homely comfort.
🎯 Vision & Values: Guided by collective goals and shared values, communities are bound by a unified purpose.
🔍 Self-Reflection: Communities offer a mirror to our societal role, bolstering our identity through a shared sense of belonging.
💡 Common Ground: Shared interests and values form the cornerstone, fueling engagement and dialogue.
💞 Empathetic Support: Beyond mere networks, communities are supportive ecosystems that provide assistance and motivation.
🤝 Cooperative Sharing: The exchange of resources, ideas, and energy in a culture of kindness and mutual gain is vital for community vitality.
Grasping these facets is essential for marketers striving to establish authentic connections. True community engagement is about designing campaigns that resonate profoundly, creating spaces where the youth feel acknowledged, listened to, and appreciated. It's about moving beyond superficial interactions to nurture significant, enduring relationships.
In the competitive fast-fashion arena, where brands like Shein and Temu lead the race to the bottom with aggressive pricing, Zara charts a distinctive course. It sets itself apart by marrying superior quality with a vision of high-street elegance, aligning with the upscale aspirations of high-street consumers.
Zara's transformation of fast fashion includes:
Aspirational and Attainable: Zara demonstrates that high aspirations and accessibility can coexist, appealing to a demographic that seeks more than mere affordability.
Zara's commitment to premium quality amidst intense market competition showcases its innovative spirit, positioning it as a frontrunner in the rapidly evolving fashion industry. It sends a strong message that Zara chooses to lead by prioritizing quality and aspiration in the fast-fashion race.
