Carla Dunham has held many impressive roles in the past, including high-level executive positions at Kate Spade and Amazon Fashion, and her last gig as chief marketing and merchandising officer at Foxtrot.

But when she started in her current position as CMO of DTC luggage brand Away, it came with a lot of…well, baggage.

The company was valued at $1.4 billion in 2019 after raising $100 million. But since the early days of the pandemic, Away has gone through major layoffs and furloughs after its sales dropped by more than 90%.

• It was reportedly even considering sale options earlier this year but has since shifted from that idea and focused on expanding its brand.

Home-bound: That’s where Dunham, who joined Away in late 2022, comes in. Her latest project is the re-release of Away’s Classic suitcases in seven new colors, which were developed through a “sustainability-first” lens, according to a company release, and are created with a higher portion of recycled materials in its components.

Dunham told Retail Brew that right now, her focus is “really connecting all facets of the funnel,” to not only engage Away’s core audience but also acquire new customers.

Keep reading here.—JS

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The retail sector appears to be all-in on generative AI for marketing and sales. Among 300 global industry executives surveyed by KPMG earlier this year, 70% believed marketing and sales was the business area in which generative AI will have the most “transformational impact,” and 68% said they’re currently exploring AI’s marketing uses.

• Respondents represented companies making more than $1 billion in revenue across various industries, functions, and markets.
• Additionally, 16% of retail execs surveyed said their marketing and sales teams were “leading the generative AI effort,” compared to just 5% of companies in other industries.

But the sector might not be moving quite as quickly as others: Only 23% of retail execs said they’d appointed a specific team or person to lead their organization’s generative AI response. That’s compared to 31% of organizations in all sectors.

Keep reading here.—MA

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John Buccheri is principal at XRC Ventures’s Brand Capital Fund, investing in early-stage CPG companies across beauty, health and wellness, personal care, and home goods.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? It’s like ABC’s Shark Tank, but instead of having founders pitch to celebrities under the Hollywood lights with a glitzy pitch, XRC is researching and talking to hundreds of early-stage startups within retail tech, consumer goods, and consumer health tech, to find and invest in the select few we believe can be the next big thing.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? My wife, our cat, and I are constantly testing new products as part of our pre-diligence process. First-hand consumer experience (touching/feeling/using) these innovative concepts is essential. If it’s a poor experience, who’s going to want to buy it?

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? We recently closed an investment in Homefield Apparel. Their vintage marks for collegiate apparel are fresh and unique, with high-quality fabrics to match. I love their old-school Joe Bruin logos from my alma mater UCLA.

Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about this year, and why? The future of skin care is rapidly changing. Younger generations recognize the importance of protecting your skin, and it has fueled a wave of innovation in sun and skin care. No longer do you need to sacrifice your looks to protect your skin. Clear serums and new product technologies are taking retail by storm—Naked Sundays is a great example.

What’s your go-to coffee order? Black coffee—efficient and universally available in the US!

Worst piece of advice you’ve received? “Always be networking. You never know who you may meet, or the doors that may open.” Yes, networking is a crucial part of our day-to-day role in venture, but it can be a slippery slope, stealing from your limited time. If you attend an event, have a reason for being there, and set specific goals of who you want to meet, and what you want to accomplish. Networking for networking’s sake is a recipe for long hours without anything to show for it.

What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? When I was 15, I loved Got2b Glued. It was the only hair gel that could get my curly hair to stick up straight after gym class. Thankfully, my hairstyle’s changed, and now I am using Barb on a daily basis. As for today, I’ve been using Solawave’s Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand to smooth out wrinkles and red spots each night.

Today’s top retail reads.

Not-so-cruel summer: Inspired by a lyric from Taylor Swift’s song, “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” Swifties have been making friendship bracelets to trade with each other during the Eras Tour. Now, Etsy shop owners are finding the sale of these bracelets is a booming business. (CNN)

Taking the pledge: Since the Fifteen Percent Pledge was introduced in 2020, urging retailers to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses, few retailers have reported progress on their goal—and none have met it. (Business of Fashion)

Delivering under pressure: UPS is working to win back the 1 million packages worth of business its customers diverted to competitors, like FedEx and the US Postal Service, amid its negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. (Supply Chain Dive)