Today in retail, the maker of Jack Daniel’s and other liquor brands changes the leadership of its tech team in response to glass shortages and other supply chain issues. Plus, Vans sues art collective MSCHF over its new Wavy Baby shoe, Stripe begins supporting two popular payment methods in Japan, and the former CEO of Walmart.com launches a food delivery service.
Jack Daniel’s Maker Changes Leadership Amid Supply Chain Pressure
Supply chain pressures have caused Brown-Forman Corporation — which makes Jack Daniel’s whiskey along with numerous other liquor brands — to restructure its technology leadership. The change reportedly happened in March, fueled largely by supply chain disruption, particularly a glass supply shortage. In addition to glass supply, Brown-Forman is also facing pressures from increased commodity prices, including agave and grain.
Sneaker Maker Vans Sues MSCHF Over ‘Wavy Baby’ Shoe
The Vans sneaker company has filed a federal lawsuit against the Brooklyn art collective MSCHF, saying it “blatantly and unmistakably copied Vans’ trademarks and trade dress” when marketing, advertising and packaging MSCHF’s new Wavy Baby shoe. MSCHF began marketing the sneaker in March, with plans to launch it Monday (April 18). The shoe appears to be modeled on the Vans Old-Skool silhouette but changed so it features a wave-like decoration.
Stripe Now Supports Furikomi, Konbini Payments in Japan
Financial series and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company Stripe now supports two forms of payments in Japan via a single integration: Furikomi, a popular bank transfer method, and Konbini, a global convenience store payment option. “Stripe is providing technology solutions that help Japanese businesses digitally transform and save days of work each year,” said Daisuke Aranami, country lead for Stripe Japan, in a statement.
Ex-Walmart.com CEO Marc Lore Throws Entrepreneurial Skills Into Food Delivery Startup Wonder
Serial entrepreneur Marc Lore — the former CEO of Walmart.com, founder and former CEO of Jet, and former CEO of Quidsi — has put his expertise into the fast-growing, New Jersey-based delivery startup Wonder. Launched last year, Wonder has pilot operations in 20 New Jersey towns and lets customers order from 17 restaurants. Once they order, a mobile food truck cooks the food while parked outside their home.
Albertsons Taps Scent Marketing as Multi-Sensory Experiences Drive Retail Sales
Grocery giant Albertsons has begun expanding ad opportunities for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) brands to offer new sensory experiences. The grocer’s Chicago and New Jersey stores will pipe in the smell of freshly baked cheesecake near coolers selling Philadelphia Cream Cheese. The limited-time program lasts through the Easter season in an effort to attract home bakers.
