Julia Waldow
@juliawaldow.bsky.social
Cross-platform journalist ✍🏻📺 Now: Digiday Media’s Modern Retail. Past: CNNI, CNN, KCET. Searching for the world’s best chocolate chip cookie 🍪 She/her
🏈 Happy almost #SuperBowl day! Wrote about the many brands doing pop-ups on the ground in the Bay Area, from BÉIS to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. to while on earth™ 🏆 www.modernretail.co/marketing/th...
The Super Bowl pop-up playbook: How brands are showing up on the ground in San Francisco
Brands like Béis and Abercrombie & Fitch are showing up at the Super Bowl with pop-ups offering everything from bingo to bar snacks.
www.modernretail.co
February 6, 2026 at 3:56 PM
🏈 Happy almost #SuperBowl day! Wrote about the many brands doing pop-ups on the ground in the Bay Area, from BÉIS to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. to while on earth™ 🏆 www.modernretail.co/marketing/th...
New: Wrote about the brands speaking out against ICE raids in Minneapolis and the broader U.S. for @modernretail.bsky.social: www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
Brands take to social media to speak out against ICE's presence in Minnesota
As ICE agents occupy Minneapolis, consumer brands are taking to social media to call for action, raise money and spread information.
www.modernretail.co
January 30, 2026 at 10:33 PM
New: Wrote about the brands speaking out against ICE raids in Minneapolis and the broader U.S. for @modernretail.bsky.social: www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
NEW: Saks Global's bankruptcy filing was a turning point for the struggling retail giant. But for its smaller vendors, the fallout is still playing out. I spoke to 3, who told me they're out up to 6 figures & aren't sure if they'll work with Saks again. www.modernretail.co/operations/s...
Smaller vendors, still waiting on payments, debate their futures with Saks after bankruptcy
Saks Global’s bankruptcy marked a turning point for the struggling retail giant. For smaller vendors, the fallout is still unfolding.
www.modernretail.co
January 26, 2026 at 3:14 PM
NEW: Saks Global's bankruptcy filing was a turning point for the struggling retail giant. But for its smaller vendors, the fallout is still playing out. I spoke to 3, who told me they're out up to 6 figures & aren't sure if they'll work with Saks again. www.modernretail.co/operations/s...
#JournoRequest: Looking to speak to Saks vendors for an upcoming article. (Can be anonymous.) Please get in touch via DM or [email protected] — thanks! 🙌
January 21, 2026 at 5:09 PM
#JournoRequest: Looking to speak to Saks vendors for an upcoming article. (Can be anonymous.) Please get in touch via DM or [email protected] — thanks! 🙌
ICYMI: Walmart has launched or relaunched 10 private apparel brands since 2020. Now, 40% of Walmart Fashion customers belong to a $100K-plus household. More on how Walmart's fashion push is paying off with higher-income shoppers: www.modernretail.co/operations/w...
Walmart’s fashion push is resonating with more six-figure households
Walmart is focusing on fashion as it competes with Amazon and department stores. Its strategy is paying off with higher-income households.
www.modernretail.co
January 20, 2026 at 4:33 PM
ICYMI: Walmart has launched or relaunched 10 private apparel brands since 2020. Now, 40% of Walmart Fashion customers belong to a $100K-plus household. More on how Walmart's fashion push is paying off with higher-income shoppers: www.modernretail.co/operations/w...
Today's members-only Brands Briefing is straight from the halls of the NRF Big Show. 👀
Here's how leaders at Fabletics, PayPal, PACSUN, and more are thinking about the agentic #AI opportunity, as explained in sessions and one-on-one interviews:
www.modernretail.co/technology/b...
Here's how leaders at Fabletics, PayPal, PACSUN, and more are thinking about the agentic #AI opportunity, as explained in sessions and one-on-one interviews:
www.modernretail.co/technology/b...
Brands Briefing: How leaders at Fabletics, PayPal and more are thinking about the agentic AI opportunity
Leaders at companies like PayPal and Fabletics acknowledged there's still a ways to go before more people trust AI to complete a transaction.
www.modernretail.co
January 13, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Today's members-only Brands Briefing is straight from the halls of the NRF Big Show. 👀
Here's how leaders at Fabletics, PayPal, PACSUN, and more are thinking about the agentic #AI opportunity, as explained in sessions and one-on-one interviews:
www.modernretail.co/technology/b...
Here's how leaders at Fabletics, PayPal, PACSUN, and more are thinking about the agentic #AI opportunity, as explained in sessions and one-on-one interviews:
www.modernretail.co/technology/b...
⛷️ 🏂 ❄️ We're less than a month out from Milan-Cortina 2026, and apparel and footwear brands are looking to nab a win in the fashion capital, too. My latest: www.modernretail.co/marketing/in...
How apparel brands aim to win the spotlight at the Winter Olympics
Fashionable designs and technical fabrics are front and center at the Winter Olympics, thanks to apparel and footwear partners like J.Crew, Nike and Ralph Lauren.
www.modernretail.co
January 12, 2026 at 3:22 PM
⛷️ 🏂 ❄️ We're less than a month out from Milan-Cortina 2026, and apparel and footwear brands are looking to nab a win in the fashion capital, too. My latest: www.modernretail.co/marketing/in...
Reposted by Julia Waldow
Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to memory-hole Jan. 6, thousands of videos from the riot live on ProPublica’s website and other places.
Additionally, much of the deleted DOJ database can be found on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.
(Published Jan. 2025)
Additionally, much of the deleted DOJ database can be found on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.
(Published Jan. 2025)
Memory-Holing Jan. 6: What Happens When You Try to Make History Vanish?
The Trump administration’s decision to delete a DOJ database of cases against Capitol riot defendants places those who seek to preserve the historical record in direct opposition to their own governme...
www.propublica.org
January 7, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to memory-hole Jan. 6, thousands of videos from the riot live on ProPublica’s website and other places.
Additionally, much of the deleted DOJ database can be found on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.
(Published Jan. 2025)
Additionally, much of the deleted DOJ database can be found on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.
(Published Jan. 2025)
IYCMI: BAGGU is planning price hikes of $2-$8 on "select styles" as soon as next month. The brand alluded to supply chain challenges, saying that "rising production costs" are a factor. On its website, Baggu says it manufactures in Cambodia, Vietnam and China.
January 6, 2026 at 10:54 PM
IYCMI: BAGGU is planning price hikes of $2-$8 on "select styles" as soon as next month. The brand alluded to supply chain challenges, saying that "rising production costs" are a factor. On its website, Baggu says it manufactures in Cambodia, Vietnam and China.
Reposted by Julia Waldow
"It’s not a completely new challenge, sources said. When it comes to AI-enabled checkout, retail brands are now finding themselves in a situation familiar to other industries, like air travel and dining, where more customers have started buying from middleman platforms like DoorDash or Expedia."
Happy New Year! My first story of 2026 is now up 👉 Why 2026 will prove whether #AI checkout is here to stay. Featuring Forum3, Bain, Brooklinen, Everlane and Winx Health. www.modernretail.co/technology/2...
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2026 will prove whether AI checkout is here to stay
2026 will be the year that proves whether people have gotten comfortable enough with AI shopping to click "buy" within ChatGPT or Perplexity
www.modernretail.co
January 5, 2026 at 5:15 PM
"It’s not a completely new challenge, sources said. When it comes to AI-enabled checkout, retail brands are now finding themselves in a situation familiar to other industries, like air travel and dining, where more customers have started buying from middleman platforms like DoorDash or Expedia."
Happy New Year! My first story of 2026 is now up 👉 Why 2026 will prove whether #AI checkout is here to stay. Featuring Forum3, Bain, Brooklinen, Everlane and Winx Health. www.modernretail.co/technology/2...
.
.
2026 will prove whether AI checkout is here to stay
2026 will be the year that proves whether people have gotten comfortable enough with AI shopping to click "buy" within ChatGPT or Perplexity
www.modernretail.co
January 5, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Happy New Year! My first story of 2026 is now up 👉 Why 2026 will prove whether #AI checkout is here to stay. Featuring Forum3, Bain, Brooklinen, Everlane and Winx Health. www.modernretail.co/technology/2...
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Reposted by Julia Waldow
Consumers don’t know if their medications came from factories that used dirty water, were infested by insects or birds, or were outright banned from shipping drugs to the U.S.
Our new app provides answers that the FDA won’t.
Our new app provides answers that the FDA won’t.
Rx Inspector: ProPublica’s New Tool Provides Drug Info the FDA Won’t
We’ve launched a first-of-its-kind app to help you find out where your generic drugs come from and see the track records of the factories that made them.
www.propublica.org
December 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Consumers don’t know if their medications came from factories that used dirty water, were infested by insects or birds, or were outright banned from shipping drugs to the U.S.
Our new app provides answers that the FDA won’t.
Our new app provides answers that the FDA won’t.
👖🏄 2025 marks a major milestone for the Y2K-favorite brand
Pacsun: It’s the first time in 18 years that it’s increasing its store count, rather than decreasing it, the company told me. For @modernretail.bsky.social 👇 www.modernretail.co/operations/f...
Pacsun: It’s the first time in 18 years that it’s increasing its store count, rather than decreasing it, the company told me. For @modernretail.bsky.social 👇 www.modernretail.co/operations/f...
For the first time in years, Pacsun is opening more stores than closing stores
2025 marks the first time in 18 years that Pacsun is increasing its store count, rather than decreasing it.
www.modernretail.co
December 17, 2025 at 8:38 PM
👖🏄 2025 marks a major milestone for the Y2K-favorite brand
Pacsun: It’s the first time in 18 years that it’s increasing its store count, rather than decreasing it, the company told me. For @modernretail.bsky.social 👇 www.modernretail.co/operations/f...
Pacsun: It’s the first time in 18 years that it’s increasing its store count, rather than decreasing it, the company told me. For @modernretail.bsky.social 👇 www.modernretail.co/operations/f...
Reposted by Julia Waldow
Lol, love reading @juliawaldow.bsky.social on the tired fake apologies trend @modernretail.bsky.social
www.modernretail.co/marketing/fa...
www.modernretail.co/marketing/fa...
Fake apologies from brands are all over Instagram
The fake apology is the latest social media trend that brands are glomming onto — but some are growing tired of the bit.
www.modernretail.co
November 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Lol, love reading @juliawaldow.bsky.social on the tired fake apologies trend @modernretail.bsky.social
www.modernretail.co/marketing/fa...
www.modernretail.co/marketing/fa...
New: While some companies are touting “bigger than ever” discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, others are dialing back deals from the year before. ⬇️
www.modernretail.co/marketing/yo...
www.modernretail.co/marketing/yo...
'You want to play defense': Amid economic pressure, brands usher in Black Friday by trimming deals
Turmoil from tariffs and pressure on margins are forcing some brands to play it safer this Cyber Week, offering less steep discounts.
www.modernretail.co
November 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
New: While some companies are touting “bigger than ever” discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, others are dialing back deals from the year before. ⬇️
www.modernretail.co/marketing/yo...
www.modernretail.co/marketing/yo...
👗👚 First on @modernretail.bsky.social: Urban Outfitters stores will now accept Nuuly returns. More on the program here: www.modernretail.co/operations/u...
Urban Outfitters stores will now accept Nuuly returns
In a closer tie between the sister brands, Urban Outfitters will now accept Nuuly rental returns at its U.S. stores.
www.modernretail.co
November 14, 2025 at 6:22 AM
👗👚 First on @modernretail.bsky.social: Urban Outfitters stores will now accept Nuuly returns. More on the program here: www.modernretail.co/operations/u...
Deck the halls with ... #Substack newsletters! 🎄
Brands including Rare Beauty, M.M.LaFleur and Loftie are making Substack an important part of their marketing mix during the busiest — and, for many, the most lucrative — time of the year: the holidays.
www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
Brands including Rare Beauty, M.M.LaFleur and Loftie are making Substack an important part of their marketing mix during the busiest — and, for many, the most lucrative — time of the year: the holidays.
www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
Brands Briefing: Substack will play a bigger role in brands' holiday plans this year
Brands including Rare Beauty and M.M.LaFleur are making Substack an important part of their marketing mix during the busiest — and, for many, the most lucrative — time of the year.
www.modernretail.co
November 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Deck the halls with ... #Substack newsletters! 🎄
Brands including Rare Beauty, M.M.LaFleur and Loftie are making Substack an important part of their marketing mix during the busiest — and, for many, the most lucrative — time of the year: the holidays.
www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
Brands including Rare Beauty, M.M.LaFleur and Loftie are making Substack an important part of their marketing mix during the busiest — and, for many, the most lucrative — time of the year: the holidays.
www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
⚽ With 48 participating nations, 104 matches & 16 host cities, the 2026 #FIFA #WorldCup will be the biggest one yet.
From official products to soccer-forward marketing campaigns, here's how Adidas, Nike, Soccer.com, Coca-Cola & more are getting in on the hype: www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
From official products to soccer-forward marketing campaigns, here's how Adidas, Nike, Soccer.com, Coca-Cola & more are getting in on the hype: www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
Brands and retailers are already rushing to capitalize on World Cup fever
With 48 participating nations, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest one yet -- and brands and retailers want in on the hype.
www.modernretail.co
November 6, 2025 at 5:41 PM
⚽ With 48 participating nations, 104 matches & 16 host cities, the 2026 #FIFA #WorldCup will be the biggest one yet.
From official products to soccer-forward marketing campaigns, here's how Adidas, Nike, Soccer.com, Coca-Cola & more are getting in on the hype: www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
From official products to soccer-forward marketing campaigns, here's how Adidas, Nike, Soccer.com, Coca-Cola & more are getting in on the hype: www.modernretail.co/marketing/br...
🎁 #JournoRequest: Are you a brand that's adjusting your BF/CM promotions from last year, particularly in terms of percent off? I'd love to talk to you! Please DM me here or email me at [email protected]. Thanks! ❄️
November 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
🎁 #JournoRequest: Are you a brand that's adjusting your BF/CM promotions from last year, particularly in terms of percent off? I'd love to talk to you! Please DM me here or email me at [email protected]. Thanks! ❄️
Could big font and bold colors be the key to upping product sales on TikTok Shop?
Pure Daily Care thinks so. The skincare company developed packaging for its new Zap Patch specifically with TikTok scrollers and creators in mind. 👇
www.modernretail.co/marketing/ho...
Pure Daily Care thinks so. The skincare company developed packaging for its new Zap Patch specifically with TikTok scrollers and creators in mind. 👇
www.modernretail.co/marketing/ho...
How Pure Daily Care designed a new product with TikTok scrollers in mind
Skin-care brand Pure Daily Care took cues from TikTok Shop when developing packaging for its latest product, a liquid acne patch.
www.modernretail.co
October 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Could big font and bold colors be the key to upping product sales on TikTok Shop?
Pure Daily Care thinks so. The skincare company developed packaging for its new Zap Patch specifically with TikTok scrollers and creators in mind. 👇
www.modernretail.co/marketing/ho...
Pure Daily Care thinks so. The skincare company developed packaging for its new Zap Patch specifically with TikTok scrollers and creators in mind. 👇
www.modernretail.co/marketing/ho...
✈️ Exclusive: Set Active, a Los Angeles-based activewear brand, is picking a much-visited destination this holiday season for its biggest out-of-home campaign: the airport security line. 👜 #OOH www.modernretail.co/marketing/se...
Set Active is using TSA bins for its first big OOH push
Set Active, a Los Angeles-based activewear brand, is tapping the airport security line for its its first big out-of-home campaign.
www.modernretail.co
October 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
✈️ Exclusive: Set Active, a Los Angeles-based activewear brand, is picking a much-visited destination this holiday season for its biggest out-of-home campaign: the airport security line. 👜 #OOH www.modernretail.co/marketing/se...
SCOOP: Starbucks is quietly testing a "buy nine coffees, get one free" pilot for loyalty members. Details here: www.modernretail.co/marketing/st...
Starbucks takes a cue from local cafes as it quietly tests a new rewards pilot, 'Coffee Loop'
Starbucks is testing out a new reward program that might be familiar to anyone who has accumulated punch cards from their local coffee shop.
www.modernretail.co
October 17, 2025 at 5:18 PM
SCOOP: Starbucks is quietly testing a "buy nine coffees, get one free" pilot for loyalty members. Details here: www.modernretail.co/marketing/st...
New this a.m.: Kenneth Cole's new CEO, Jed Berger, told me he’s laser-focused on “differentiation” — namely, in terms of products and purpose — as he assumes the top job at the 43-year-old apparel and footwear company.
www.modernretail.co/operations/k...
www.modernretail.co/operations/k...
Kenneth Cole's new CEO lays out his vision for building women's, expanding into Europe and avoiding 'that sea of safeness'
Kenneth Cole Productions's new CEO, Jed Berger, told Modern Retail he's laser-focused on "differentiation," in terms of both product and purpose.
www.modernretail.co
October 17, 2025 at 10:54 AM
New this a.m.: Kenneth Cole's new CEO, Jed Berger, told me he’s laser-focused on “differentiation” — namely, in terms of products and purpose — as he assumes the top job at the 43-year-old apparel and footwear company.
www.modernretail.co/operations/k...
www.modernretail.co/operations/k...
New for @modernretail.bsky.social: I spoke with multiple #Etsy sellers about the platform's new partnership with #OpenAI, which allows shoppers to browse and buy products directly within #ChatGPT. Here's what they told me: www.modernretail.co/technology/h...
How Etsy sellers feel about the new ChatGPT checkout integration
Etsy sellers weigh in about the platform's new partnership with OpenAI, which marks a major development in how consumers are using AI engines.
www.modernretail.co
October 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
New for @modernretail.bsky.social: I spoke with multiple #Etsy sellers about the platform's new partnership with #OpenAI, which allows shoppers to browse and buy products directly within #ChatGPT. Here's what they told me: www.modernretail.co/technology/h...
🍁 Anthropologie is entering autumn with a focus on its burgeoning private label business. The company's owned brands -- which include Daily Practice & BHLDN -- made up a record 71% of sales last quarter. My convo with COO Candan Erenguc on what's next: www.modernretail.co/operations/a...
Anthropologie's Candan Erenguc on what's next for Maeve and other owned brands
Anthropologie is entering autumn with a focus on its burgeoning private label business, opening a store for its popular Maeve sub-brand.
www.modernretail.co
September 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
🍁 Anthropologie is entering autumn with a focus on its burgeoning private label business. The company's owned brands -- which include Daily Practice & BHLDN -- made up a record 71% of sales last quarter. My convo with COO Candan Erenguc on what's next: www.modernretail.co/operations/a...