In 1882, New Jersey inventor Samuel S. Applegate filed a patent for an alarm clock that would literally rain down wooden blocks to wake a person up, noting that “these cause pain.” Of course, Applegate could never have imagined the psychological pain the iPhone’s default alarm sound would one day cause.

In an age when innovation sets services and products apart, filing patents is a way companies try to preemptively get out ahead of their competition.

But sometimes patents can actually elevate an existing product. That’s at least how Lovesac looks to grow, CEO Shawn Nelson told Retail Brew. The home and furniture retailer also bills itself as a technology company because of the 40+ patents it holds for tech that is or will be integrated into its products, said Nelson.

• Lovesac introduced StealthTech Sound + Charging System in 2021 which integrates a surround-sound, home theater into the company’s flagship Sactionals couches.
• Sactionals were introduced in 2008 and are one of Lovesac’s most popular products, driving 90% of sales, Nelson said.

“These inventions that are patented…they’ll keep coming. We have decades of them to come,” Nelson said.

Keep reading here.—KM

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Between Web3, the metaverse, and artificial intelligence, the retail world is committed to experimenting with emerging technologies.

Here are some of the industry’s most interesting, surprising, and notable retail experiments with emerging technology from April 2023:

Starbucks released its second collection of NFTs to beta users of its Web3 loyalty program, Starbucks Odyssey, on April 19. The “Starbucks First Store Collection” included 5,000 “stamps” (what Odyssey calls NFTs) featuring images that commemorate the first Starbucks store: 1912 Pike Place. Also in April, Starbucks unveiled a tiered rewards system for Odyssey members, which parallels the chain’s original points system.

American Eagle announced its new resale site, RE/AE in partnership with ThredUp, alongside an augmented reality experience in Snapchat, powered by the social media platform’s updated business tools (also announced in April). RE/AE shoppers can use Snapchat to browse a virtual store and try on 200 items from a curated collection, all through an American Eagle “shopping lens” (augmented reality experiences that users can see in the Snapchat camera).

Keep reading here.—MA

Cue the Justin Timberlake meme; it’s gonna be May. In fact, it is May. Let’s dive into what’s going on in the retail world this week.

In sales: Amazon will host its second annual Pet Day event on Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s similar to Prime Day but strictly for pet products, in celebration of National Pet Month.

In earnings: On Thursday, Apple will release its earnings, and there will be much to discuss. Recently, the company announced its high-yield savings account with a 4.15% interest rate. That came shortly after Apple finally threw its hat into the buy now, pay later ring.

Also on Thursday, Anheuser-Busch will host its quarterly earnings call.

In holidays: Cinco de Mayo is this week, which means the avocado industry should see a boost in sales. And in the lead-up to Cinco de Mayo, shoppers spend 1.9x more on groceries when they also purchase avocados, according to a Numerator Basket Affinity Report.

Keep reading here.—KM

Today’s top retail reads.

Ripple effect: Fashion production hubs in Turkey are still reeling from the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in February. But with flexible contracts and consistent support, brands can slowly help keep things going. (Vogue Business)

Game plan: Adidas is looking to sports like soccer and basketball to boost its US business, as it recovers from its troubles with its Yeezy collaboration. (the Wall Street Journal)

Incoming: A looming shortage of white oak could create hurdles for the bourbon supply chain in the coming years. (Bloomberg)

Retail revamp: Manhattan Associates’ Unified Commerce Benchmark for Specialty Retail offers one-of-a-kind insights into retailers’ capabilities with search and discovery, cart and checkout, promising and fulfillment, and lots more. See how industry leaders leverage them.*

^{*This is sponsored advertising content.}

At the mall, it’s where band tees are the only tees. In Retail Brew, it’s where we invite readers to weigh in on a trending retail topic.

After Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy, it announced it would no longer accept the 20% off coupons for which it was so famous, prompting The Container Store and Big Lots to announce that they’d honor the coupons.

You tell us: What’s your history with Bed Bath & Beyond’s 20% off coupon? Cast your vote here.

Circling back: Last week, we noted a recent New York Times story that revealed more restaurants and cafes are allowing dogs inside and featuring menu items just for them. We asked whether or not you had a dog, and what you thought about going to restaurants that allow them. Among those of you who don’t have dogs, 39.2% said they don’t belong in restaurants and you wouldn’t go to one, and 8.3% said it sounds like fun and you’d go. Among dog owners, 32.9% of you said you’d go to a dog-friendly restaurant, and 19.2% said dogs don’t belong in restaurants and you wouldn’t go. Just 0.4% of you didn’t know or weren’t sure.

Catch up on the Retail Brew stories you may have missed.

• Why inventory management is so important for retailers
• Retail exec moves in April to know
• How air fryers got so hot