Startups

Sara Blakely, who founded the billion-dollar company Spanx over two decades ago, announced Tuesday the launch of Sneex, a hybrid luxury sneaker and high heel that goes for $395 to $595. Multiple news outlets reported that Blakely designed a shoe that "blends the style of a traditional high heel with the performance and comfort of…

Investment firm Consortium Brand Partners announced on Monday that it acquired athleisure brand Outdoor Voices on May 15 for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition comes three months after Sourcing Journal reported that the 10-year-old activewear startup was planning to file for bankruptcy. Once a hit among millennials for its colorful athleisure in its signature geometric patterns,…

Macy’s has chosen 26 entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities for its 2024 vendor accelerator program, known as “The Workshop at Macy’s,” reports Yahoo Finance. Each participant completing the program receives a $5,000 business grant, and the winner of a pitch contest will get a $100,000 grant, per a Macy’s press release. In addition to getting access…

In episode 431 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Anna Harman, co-founder and CEO, and Lisa Bubbers, co-founder and chief brand officer, of Studs, a new ear piercing experience that enables consumers to express themselves through "earscaping." Listen in as Harman and Bubbers provide an overview of the company (0:55), their inspiration for…

Diana Ganz is co-founder of SuitShop, a destination for affordable, size- and gender-inclusive, and yours-to-keep suiting. Ganz recently spoke on a panel discussing emerging technology trends at Total Retail Tech in Denver. In this video interview from the event, she provides a overview of the SuitShop business, identifies what she attributes the growth of the business to, and…

In episode 39 of Total Retail Tech Insights, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Chelsie Hall, founder of ViralMoment, a startup AI social intelligence tool. Hall was the winner of the Startup Challenge at this year's Total Retail Tech event. Listen in as Hall provides an overview of ViralMoment (1:05), how brands can implement and access insights using the…

This video features the startup challenge session from Total Retail Tech 2023 in Denver. Startup presenters include Chelsie Hall, CEO, ViralMoment and Madisen Dewey, head of product marketing, TYB (Try Your Best). Judges include Jessica Coogan, vice president of digital commerce, James Avery Artisan Jewelry; and Jeff Haddox, chief digital officer, RuffleButts; Alexandra Mason, vice president, portfolio…

As the dust settles on the direct-to-consumer (DTC) boom, a new era of fashion entrepreneurship emerges, characterized by an innovative approach to company building within a transformed industry landscape. There are many remarkable journeys of these visionary founders exploring the uncharted avenues they tread upon to achieve growth, while also seeking insights from agencies deeply entrenched…

Swedish fintech Klarna changed how consumers — particularly younger consumers — buy and pay for goods. Its model, which countless other rivals have since replicated, is simple. Rather than pay the entire sum upfront, the consumer pays a portion, and Klarna fronts the rest, which the consumer repays in manageable bi-monthly or monthly installments. At…

Maurice Contreras is founder and CEO of Volcanica Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster that imports 150-plus exotic coffees from volcanic regions around the world. While at the National Retail Federation Big Show in New York City earlier this week, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan spoke with Contreras about the company and his career background, the online shopping…