Sometimes you need a hook not just to catch fish but to sell them, too. And for tinned fish brands, last July, a major hook was cast—fittingly enough—by a TikToker named Ali Hooke (@alihooke).

Hooke, a chef who lives in San Francisco, posted a video in which she noted that she and her husband have a weekly “tinned fish date night,” while she peeled the lids off tins of spiced mackerel and sardines in a sauce.

TikTok took to it like a fish to water:

• Videos tagged #tinfishdatenight have been viewed 29.6 million times.
• Videos tagged #tinnedfish have been viewed 57.1 million times.

While tinned fish has traditionally been revered in southern Europe, particularly Spain and Portugal, where it’s known as conservas, the idea of getting a romantic evening started with a can of sardines in Cleveland is a more novel notion.

But the trend is the catch of the day:

• Sales of canned seafood in the US rose 9.7% to $2.7 billion in 2022, according to Euromonitor International data cited by the Wall Street Journal.
• Scout Canning, a Vancouver-based brand of tinned fish, told WSJ that its revenues jumped 82% in 2022.

How did tinned fish go from being something tucked between the canned beets and melba toast in your grandparents’ pantry to a foodie trend driven by Gen Z?

It’s not your typical fish story.

Keep reading here.—AAN

There’s good reason for that. In-store kiosks are on the rise due to their low-cost ability to deliver an enhanced customer experience in both retail and restaurant settings. They’ve even inspired a few hilarious memes—the universal sign that you’ve really arrived.

The pandemic and ensuing labor crunch sped up the adoption of a lot of consumer-facing tech, and kiosks rest near the top of the list. So how do businesses use kiosks most effectively? Square is glad you asked:

• ordering and payment
• product info
• store wayfinding
• loyalty check-in

These are just a few of the ways retailers and restaurateurs use kiosks. And if you wanna tap into any of these customer experience enhancements, Square has the tips and tools to get you started.

The nation’s first minimum-wage standard for app-based delivery workers was signed, sealed, and delivered this week as the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issued a final rule on the minimum pay rate for the city’s 60,000+ workers.

Effective July 12, workers who previously made an average of $7.09 an hour, will receive an hourly wage of $17.96, increasing to $18.96 on April 1, 2024, and $19.96 one year later. Apps that pay workers for the time waiting for a trip and trip time must pay $0.30 per minute, while those solely paying for trip time but pay at least $0.50 per minute. Apps are able to pay workers per hour, per trip, or create their own formulas, as long as they are paid the minimum rate.

• The standard comes after the 2021 passage of Local Law 115 requiring the DCWP to evaluate delivery app workers’ pay and working conditions and establish a minimum pay rate.

Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement the new rate “will guarantee these workers and their families can earn a living, access greater economic stability, and help keep our city’s legendary restaurant industry thriving.” The Adams administration is also working with labor group Los Deliveristas Unidos, who have championed a minimum wage standard, to turn empty newsstands into hubs for delivery workers.

Wage gap: The top delivery apps have pushed back against the standard. DoorDash released a statement saying it would explore litigation, calling the rule “deeply misguided” and “ill-considered.” The company said to meet this pay rate, it would have to raise order costs and cut service in the city, which it believes would lead to fewer opportunities for Dashers and less business for restaurants.

Keep reading here.—EC

On Wednesdays, we wear pink spotlight Retail Brew’s readers. Want to be featured in an upcoming edition? Click here to introduce yourself.

Sam Vise is co-founder and CEO of Optimum Retailing, maker of retail software used by brands including Reebok, Adidas, Sephora, and Verizon.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? Optimum Retailing helps big retailers improve their in-store experiences. We offer a solution that allows brands to manage every aspect of every brick-and-mortar location in real-time, from graphics and products to retail and field operations. As part of my job, I’m helping to build Optimum Retailing’s powerful predictive modeling tool that incorporates and analyzes multiple data sources, customers’ behavior, and seasonal trends.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? Although most people assume that I am an outspoken person with steadfast opinions, I’m actually an introvert and can be relatively quiet. Of course, I can be an extrovert when needed, but it’s not my typical nature outside of work—I much rather stay in my head. Outside of Optimum Retailing and in my personal time, I am passionate about municipal politics and staying up-to-date on government issues. I also have a knack for upcycling and restoring old furniture.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Am I allowed to say Optimum Retailing? I have owned and operated numerous businesses that have come about the usual way—with an idea and a business plan. However, Optimum Retailing has evolved so much over the past few years because the world has as well.

Keep reading here.—EC

Today’s top retail reads.

Inside voice: Ikea has been training its call center workers to be interior design advisers as it offloads typical customer questions to an AI bot named Billie. (Reuters)

Out of the gate: One TikToker posted the best bagel sandwich he’d ever had, but insisted on “gatekeeping” where he’d gotten it. So the commenters tagged another TikToker who had practically memorized the globe to help track it down. Then, things escalated. (GQ)

House money: Why retailers like ShopRite, Walmart, and Costco are leaning into vertical integration of their private label production. (Grocery Dive)

Study up: Got back-to-school season on the brain? Join LTK on June 14 for a live virtual event on how creator marketing can help elevate brand awareness and drive results during B2S shopping.*

^{*This is sponsored advertising content.}

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

• Product diversion continues to plague the beauty industry
• Freight industry demand is returning to pre-pandemic levels
• How the fast-growing cannabis retail sector finds frontline workers