STARS Network (Swedish Trans-Atlantic Researchers and Scholars Network)’s Post

🌍 D2C eCommerce Community: Responsibility Lessons from Pattern Beauty 🌍 According to McKinsey & Company, while Black consumers represent 11.1% of the U.S. beauty market, there's a significant gap in representation within the leadership and ownership of beauty brands. Companies that embrace community responsibility help fill that gap by empowering underrepresented voices and supporting diverse initiatives. Tracee Ellis Ross launched Pattern Beauty in 2019 to offer a product line to nourish all kinds of textured hair, from curly to coily to tight-textured. The PATTERN Beauty community is setting the standard for how brands can make a real-world impact, and this should be a core strategy for every D2C business. Through their initiative, 1% of every purchase goes to a nonprofit customers choose. The funds benefit essential causes: ✅ Funds non-partisan voter education for 4,600 voters of color 🛫 Provides a stipend for 2 Black women to attend a 1-month business incubator ⚕ Enables breast cancer screenings for 85 Black women 🌱 Supports a 1-week environmentalism workshop for 100 low-income Californians This is more than just giving back. It’s about building trust and lasting customer relationships by aligning with important causes. 🤝 It's also notable that Ross also serves as the diversity and inclusion adviser to retailer Ulta Beauty. https://lnkd.in/ehv9MA5n 💡 Why this matters for eCommerce: - 77% of consumers are motivated to purchase from companies committed to improving the world. - Community-focused initiatives improve brand loyalty and customer lifetime value. - It strengthens brand reputation, especially with younger, socially-conscious shoppers. It’s time for D2C brands to integrate community responsibility into their strategy—doing good can, and should be, woven into the business fabric. #ecommerce #D2C #communityimpact #socialresponsibility #BlackOwnedBusiness #BrandLoyalty #Diversity #RepresentationMatters #Empowerment #McKinseyInsights Angela Melero Tiffany Burns Kristi Weaver Ammanuel Zegeye #shopify #DEI WBENC BEACH HOUSE GROUP Kimber Bowman Tiffani D. Carter Christiane Pendarvis

PSA: Black hair is NOT a niche! 🔊 Black women spend 4x more on hair than any other race. Yet, mainstream retailers still fall short. ↳ Offering limited range of products for Black hair. This leaves consumers with little to no choice ↳ But to rely on specialised or niche stores. This affects BILLIONS of black people (men and women). And the solution is pretty simple… 1) Expand product offerings. 2) Cater to the diverse needs of Black hair. 3) Create an inclusive shopping experience. It's time for change. That's not too much to ask. Who agrees? Photo credit 📸: Shedid & Parrish Ltd photo shoot (P.S. check them out, they're an amazing brand creating products for all curly and textured hair types)

🎄 Last-Minute Christmas Shoppers in the UK: Who Are They? 🎄 Did you know that about 44% of shoppers in the UK wait until the last week to buy their Christmas gifts? ⏰ Interestingly, men are often more likely to procrastinate, with around 47% admitting to last-minute shopping compared to 28% of women. Knowing this audience helps brands connect during the festive season. With the right messaging and special offers, businesses can turn the last-minute rush into a joyful experience! 🎉 Let’s make the most of the festive shopping buzz in the UK! 🌟 #ChristmasShopping #LastMinuteShoppers #RetailTrends #Conexance #MarketingInsights

🌷 Celebrating Mother's Day with Insights from Recent Research 🌷 We're thrilled to share some intriguing findings from the latest research on Mother's Day. According to the study, the UK Mother's Day market is projected to grow by 11% in 2024, reaching £1.4 billion in retail sales. While inflation may be a contributing factor, our analysis suggests that the demand for cards, drinks, and flowers is on the rise this year, highlighting the enduring tradition of expressing love and appreciation. Notably, consumer behavior is evolving, with 67% of Mother's Day shoppers seeking something unique, and many opting for online shopping. Additionally, 56% express a preference for personalized gifts, reflecting a growing trend of adding a personal touch to their expressions of love. It's also heartening to see that 65% of consumers prefer to support local or independent retailers, emphasizing the importance of community and small businesses. 💐 As we celebrate mothers and mother figures, let's take this opportunity to express our gratitude to them. Wishing all the incredible women a happy Mother's Day! 🎊 #MothersDay #ResearchInsights #Gratitude #Retail *Savvy's Research: https://lnkd.in/dnp_p_pM

Mintel Black Haircare category analyst, Courtney Rominiyi, MA lays out 3 things professionals in the segment should know. These data points are important for conceptualizing new product ideas, developing marketing strategies, and crafting messages. #blackhaircare #multiculturalmarketing #beautyindustry #beautybusiness #beautytrends #beautyprofessionals #mcbi #mintel #consumerinsights

Beauty brands that ignore inclusivity risk falling behind their competitors soon. A recent study (link in comment) found that Black consumers are 5.7 times more dissatisfied than non-black consumers with makeup products. This statistic is a wake-up call for brands still lagging in their inclusivity efforts. Failing to address this demand could result in losing market share to more progressive competitors. On the other hand, brands that invest in inclusive beauty not only enhance their product lines but also build stronger customer relationships. Just think about it — when customers feel represented and valued, they’re more likely to stay loyal and spread the word about your brand. Not so long ago when I used to tell a brand that their products were not inclusive, it sounded like a buzzword. When I bring it up today, a red alarm goes off. It's nice to see more and more brands becoming aware that inclusivity is no longer optional - it's a business imperative. What are your thoughts on the importance of inclusivity?

🚨 I recently had the opportunity to share insights with Sheena Butler-Young at The Business of Fashion about the challenges facing Black beauty entrepreneurs and the broader implications for the industry. Here’s what I emphasized: 🔑 Structural Inequities: Black beauty entrepreneurs face systemic hurdles in accessing funding and building retail partnerships. These barriers limit their ability to scale and innovate, keeping their businesses at a disadvantage in an industry where Black consumers contribute significantly to overall revenue. 💡 Unmet Consumer Needs: Black consumers often find their needs overlooked by mainstream brands, creating a gap between what the market offers and what diverse consumers truly need. This disconnect not only alienates a substantial customer base but perpetuates a cycle where Black-owned brands struggle to thrive. 🌍 A Threat to the Entire Industry: These challenges aren’t just about Black-owned businesses—they highlight a missed opportunity for the entire beauty sector. A lack of diversity and inclusivity creates a homogeneous market, stifling innovation and alienating diverse consumers. Supporting Black beauty brands isn’t just an equity issue; it’s essential for the industry’s growth and sustainability. Investing in Black-owned brands is not just for representation but for a future of true innovation and inclusivity. Let’s ensure that Black-owned beauty brands are not only visible but also viable. 💪🏾 https://lnkd.in/erzyyPRy #BlackBeauty #EquityInBeauty #Innovation #TheBlackBeautyClub #BusinessOfFashion

#GenderColors #FunFact #HolidayShopping #PinkAndBlue Think Outside the Pink (and Blue): A Fun Fact for Holiday Shoppers As the holiday season approaches and gift shopping ramps up, here’s a fun fact to consider before picking out those pink or blue presents: pink wasn’t always “for girls,” and blue wasn’t always “for boys.” Believe it or not, a few centuries ago, pink was actually considered a masculine color! Seen as a lighter version of red—symbolizing strength and power—pink was thought to be suited for boys. Meanwhile, blue was often linked to femininity, as it was associated with the Virgin Mary’s blue garments. Children of the past were mostly dressed in white for practicality, with tiny ribbons (pink for boys, blue for girls) as subtle gender markers. Fast forward to the late 19th century, and the color divide began to emerge, thanks in part to changing fashions and the rise of consumer culture. By the 1980s, ultrasounds enabled parents to know a baby’s sex before birth, sparking a marketing boom for gender-specific clothing, toys, and nursery decor. Toy makers saw an opportunity: instead of a red bike that could be handed down from sister to brother, why not offer a pink bike for girls and a blue bike for boys? With this color-coded marketing strategy, parents were encouraged to buy "new" for each child, boosting sales—and firmly establishing pink as "for girls" and blue as "for boys." So, as you shop for presents this season, remember that colors have no inherent gender. Choose a gift that celebrates individuality—no pink or blue boundaries required!

𝘼 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧. 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙, 𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 "𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧" 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙖 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙥𝙩, 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨. This exact scenario is used for a training video made for retail employees as part of a new antibias push by dozens of retailers across the country. This is a stark reminder that systemic bias continues to impact individuals' experiences based on race. As an advocate for justice and equality, I applaud the efforts of retailers taking steps to address this issue. Read more about this important initiative in the article linked below. https://lnkd.in/ghEgXWXc . . . #Antibias #Inclusion #Equality #RacialProfiling

Words of advice spoken within the article: Her advice for shopping less? “Take a half hour of your day and unsubscribe to as much as you possibly can." #resalefashion #sustainablefashion #secondhand #ethicalfashion #consumption #remake #remakeambassador