Tim Hortons is making protein coffee. It's not a joke.
Plus: Oura Ring will soon have AI doctors, and in 2hrs you can cleanse your blood of microplastics.
Morning,
And welcome to a lot of you!
I pride myself on consistency, but this week, I’m making an exception to my own rules. I’ve been in NYC for Brands & Culture (so fun!) and our very first live version of the letter (truly incredible, more to come on that!). And when I wasn’t doing all that, I was using the time to meet some amazing people (many of them readers) and check out places that have been on my list.
All this to say, no letter this week. My first missed one of the year. We’ll be back to regular programming next Sunday. But not to leave you high and dry, I have a mega FUN FOR THE WEEK.
Finally, before we dive in, I’ll be at Salone Mobile early this week if anyone’s around and wants to meet for a drink or a coffee, let me know!
Let’s dive in!
FUN FOR THE WEEK
Such a fun swag idea if you have a photo booth at your pop-up (Collab. Don’t copy)
April Fools felt busy this year! Clearly, every brand is looking to misbehave, and this gave them permission? Ikea. BlackWeek. Fly By Jing.
An old JCPenney’s was turned into an enormous Korean food complex. People were very happy about it.
Dirt spoke about their ‘streetwear drops’ approach to limited edition Substacks on a panel with Casey Lewis at Brands & Culture. People were excited.
Target launched a collab with Kate Spade. The party supplies are nice.
People love a patch. These new ones are for vitamins. Their ‘passport’ collateral is cute.
Tim Hortons is making protein coffee—fascinating and odd.
Skims is opening a pop-up diner. This launch photography is great.
This nightgown trend seems very aligned with the trad wife vibes. Not for me.
Amazon is having a terrible week BUT it is testing an AI shopping agent that will find products it’s not stocking and buy them on your behalf. And you can now use a photo to find products. Snap your friend’s jacket and it will open a link to buy. This could be huge.
Oura Ring is growing beyond hardware and introducing AI health advisors. Apple is building the same.
On wants to own the triathlete space.
Lacoste is opening a summer cafe in Monte Carlo. Looks cute. Good location choice.
Starbucks is proving that people will always love free refills.
Charlotte Tilbury cast Silver, Kim Cattrall for the latest campaign.
This brand is making tampons specifically for sports.
NYC is building a pool in the river—very Swiss.
This Blank Street London pop-up has taken over my feed. London pop-ups are having a big moment.
So much merch lately. Loved Julie’s (the contraceptive brand) Spring Break collection—so clever. Jones, the smoking/vaping cessation brand (those words make the brand sound much more boring than it is) is making a $295 necklace for their lozenges so you can have one handy at an event. Romance novel swag is flying off the shelves. The Masters is selling drink merch and mix. Togethxr (the women’s sports media group) is continuing to rake in sales with their merch, this time in partnership with Nike.
If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve read ‘communal contrast therapy this month.
Miffy made a fun pop-up at Changi Airport.
Loewe‘s Tokyo exhibit looks lovely.
Belmond released a cookbook.
The process at the Olive Young pop-up is interesting. But even more exciting is that they are coming to the US.
Brooks Brothers has a vintage short shop for their 125yr anniversary
Bread (the haircare brand) was acquired by the holding company started by Topical’s founder.
Louis Vuitton opened a new Milan location in time for Salone Mobile, with a restaurant—of course.
A new London-based med space business, Clarify Clinics, will clean your blood of microplastics in 2hrs. Told you purity would be a big thing in 2025.
Fun Stanley pop-up in Seoul.
Branded toast is really in right now.
That’s all, folx.
-Chris
If you read this and liked it, that little heart is there for that. The algo and I appreciate it.