September 21, 2026

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Let’s start the week with news that to promote its baked potato menu items in the UK and Ireland, Subway is giving away a limited number of “Subway Skins” shapewear. The fitted bodysuits, crop tops, and shorts have the spotted brownish appearance of potato skin but do not, happily, require a peeler to be removed.

In today’s edition:

—Erin Cabrey, Jeena Sharma, Alex Vuocolo

CONSUMER BEHAVIOR & TRENDS

Sweet smell of success

Hand picking a bottle of perfume off a shelf

Getty Images

Many categories in US retail have been challenged in recent years, but fragrance isn’t one of them.

The segment has continued to pass the smell test with consumers, seeing positive dollar and unit sales across both mass and luxury in the first half of 2026, according to Circana. Retailers and brands are taking note: Ulta Beauty CEO Kecia Steelman last month highlighted the category as a “growth driver,” while Gap and Victoria’s Secret and labels like Tommy Hilfiger and Valentino have doubled down on fragrance this year.

Fragrance giant Interparfums has seen this demand firsthand, particularly in the US. The company, which develops fragrances for fashion brands like Coach, Lacoste, DKNY, GUESS, and Kate Spade, and retailers like Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch, reported last month its US sales soared 18% in the second quarter. And it’s heading into a major year in 2027, with six of its largest brands, including Coach, Montblanc, and Jimmy Choo, planning “blockbuster” launches, along with its first launches from new licenses with Longchamp and Off-White, CEO and Chair Jean Madar told Retail Brew.

Madar, who co-founded Interparfums in 1992, has seen the segment evolve rapidly in the US in recent years: The company’s e-commerce business grew 30%–40% in the first half of the year, signaling a major shift in how consumers are shopping for scents. Madar shared how the company is adjusting to the changing landscape.

Keep reading here.—EC

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Ho-ho-how to win Black Friday

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Give it a read.

STORES

Kick start

Academy Sports/Ariat

Academy Sports + Outdoors is giving Ariat a lot more room to stretch its legs. The sporting goods retailer is rolling out 200 dedicated Ariat in-store shops this fall, expanding on a relationship between the two companies that dates back 20 years.

The spaces will bring together Ariat footwear, apparel, and accessories in branded environments customized to fit individual Academy stores. While Ariat has long been an important part of Academy’s work boot range, the same can’t be said for its apparel, per Matt McCabe, EVP and chief merchandising officer at Academy.

Keep reading here.—JS

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swapping skus

Today’s top retail reads.

Red pull: Kroger isn’t commenting on why it has removed Red Bull from shelves, but CEO Greg Foran said recently that the company would not accept vendors “using inflation” to justify higher prices. (USA Today)

Frozen chosen: During the cyclospora outbreak, grocery stores’ unit sales for fresh produce fell 6.7% in August YoY, while frozen fruit and vegetables rose 5.6%. (Grocery Dive)

Toy story: Toys “R” Us is opening 120 additional standalone stores in advance of the holiday shopping season, bringing its total to 160. (People)

Aaand action: Roku Ads Manager notes that action ads drive a 47% lift in purchase intent and carry 3x lower cost per acquisition. How to create shoppable streaming TV ads for the holidays from Roku Ads Manager has the full scoop.*

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Written by Erin Cabrey, Jeena Sharma, and Alex Vuocolo

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