Daily LInks
1. The furious effort behind effortless cool – unraveling the myth of Levi’s. “Levi’s figured out brand identity before everyone else did. You’re telling a story by choosing to wear a pair of Levi’s.” – Read More on SF Standard
2. The FTC’s trustbusting is getting ridiculous. Having lost against tech giants, now the agency is going after Tapestry and Capri in an effort to rescue affluent consumers from the threat to “affordable luxury” or “accessible luxury” in the market for women’s high-end handbags. – Read More on the Washington Post
3. RELATED READ: Can the FTC Really Block Capri, Tapestry’s $8.5 Billion Mega-Deal? Tapestry and Capri will argue in their defense that competition in the fashion/luxury segment is robust, especially in light of the current size of the market and an influx of new luxury goods purveyors. – Read More on TFL
4. Gen Z sneaker brand with $740 ‘dirty’ shoes is eyeing a $3.3 billion valuation. Luxury sneaker brand Golden Goose is preparing for an initial public listing in Milan as early as this week. Its stock will reportedly begin trading in July. – Read More on Yahoo
5. Off-price retailers like TJX and Ross won’t be slowing down any time soon. The parent companies behind TJ Maxx and Ross Dress for Less are continuing to grow sales as inflation-weary consumers hunt for deals and become more comfortable with shopping at discounters. – Read More on CNBC
6. Shein Promised to Have a Big U.S. IPO. Its China Roots Got in the Way. Lawmakers are suspicious of Shein’s China ties, while Beijing wants Shein and other companies with substantial operations in China to stay in line with its own messaging. – Read More on the WSJ