D2C Digest | Levi's focus on D2C, Amazon and Temu copy each other, and more

Hey there, great people of the D2C community who are building fantastic things! This is your host Berkay writing.

Take a 5-minute break and dive into D2C Digest for a quick overview of what’s happening in the D2C market worldwide!

🔍 Levi’s is focusing on D2C

Big changes are happening at Levi’s.

They’re considering selling their Dockers brand as they shift gears toward becoming more D2C-focused.

If you’ve had a pair of Dockers in your closet, you know they were once the go-to for khakis. But times have changed—athleisure and denim are taking center stage now.

Levi’s CEO, Michelle Gass, said Dockers still has a great reputation, but it’s struggled to keep up with what today’s shoppers want. By exploring a sale, Levi’s is hoping to hone in on their strengths, like their iconic denim line, and invest in new areas that are growing fast, like women’s wear and performance apparel.

Levi’s recent earnings show this shift in action: their denim sales are up, but Dockers has seen a decline.

As they focus more on D2C—whether through a sleek website or a better in-store experience—they’re betting on a future where they connect directly with us, the consumers.

If Dockers finds a new owner, it could be a win-win. Levi’s can zero in on innovation and sustainability, while Dockers could get a fresh start with someone who can give it the attention it deserves.

We’ll be keeping an eye on how this story unfolds, and what it means for two of America’s most well-known brands!

I’m a huge Levi’s geek myself - with a few 501s in my closet -so happy to see the company moving forward with a more D2C-focused approach!

🛒 Holiday 2024 trends: What you need to know

Adobe’s latest holiday predictions are giving us a peek into what we can expect this shopping season —and it’s looking promising!

After analyzing over 1 trillion retail site visits and 100 million SKUs, Adobe expects U.S. online sales to reach $240.8 billion this year—an 8.4% jump compared to last year.

What’s driving this? Shoppers are bouncing back from months of inflation and are ready to splurge on more expensive items, thanks to some pretty steep discounts coming our way.

Here’s what else you can expect this holiday season:

🛍️ Big Discounts: Discounts of up to 30% will hit during the Cyber 5 (Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday), so keep your eyes peeled for deals.

📅 Early Deals: Some retailers are kicking off holiday sales as early as October, hoping to compete with Amazon’s Fall Prime Day event.

💳 Buy Now, Pay Later: Adobe predicts that Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options will bring in nearly $1 billion in sales, especially on mobile.

🏷️ Best Discounts: Electronics and sporting goods will see the biggest price cuts, so if those are on your wish list, you’re in luck!

🤖 AI on the Rise: More shoppers are turning to AI chatbots to find the best deals. 7 out of 10 shoppers said AI enhances their shopping experience.

The takeaway?

If you’re selling higher-end products, now’s the time to make some noise. Start your campaigns early, offer competitive discounts, and make sure BNPL options are front and center. And don’t forget—AI can be your secret weapon as more customers rely on it for their holiday shopping decisions.

🥊 Amazon and Temu copy each other

Temu is going head-to-head with Amazon, and it’s changing the game for both shoppers and sellers.

You know Temu is famous for its super cheap items from China. But now they are stepping up their delivery game by storing products in the U.S. and partnering with American brands.

Meanwhile, Amazon is responding with a new section of its site dedicated to budget-friendly finds, much like what you see on Temu.

Why does this matter?

Temu is now the second-most-visited shopping site in the world, right behind Amazon. And while Amazon still holds a big chunk of the market, Temu’s rapid growth is making waves. Sellers are taking notice too, with many excited to expand onto new platforms.

As one retail expert put it, “Sellers will jump at the chance to diversify.”

Both Amazon and Walmart are also improving how we shop, rolling out new features like AI-powered search to help us find what we need faster and easier. It’s clear that these platforms know we want simple, user-friendly shopping experiences.

So, what’s in it for you? If you’re a seller, now is the perfect time to explore your options.

D2C DIGEST

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