As Covid lockdowns went into effect around the world in 2020, Joanne Wilson, a seasoned angel investor with more than 140 companies in her investment portfolio, found herself burned out and bored.

It was right around then that the push to legalize recreational cannabis in New York was getting hot, and it intrigued Wilson. That was more or less the beginning of New York’s premier cannabis dispensary and lifestyle store, Gotham, which is set to open three more stores in NYC over the next couple of months.

The company is particularly dedicated to supporting marginalized communities through its partnerships with nonprofits like Strive, which will directly serve Black and other communities of color disproportionately affected by systemically oppressive cannabis laws.

Wilson opened up to Retail Brew about her work with Gotham, and the challenges that still exist for PoC in retail and entrepreneurship.

Keep reading here.—JS

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It’s been quite a busy few weeks for the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger, full of lawsuits, hearings, and renewed concerns of grocery price-gouging.

This week, Kroger sued the Federal Trade Commission, arguing that its proceeding in administrative court is unconstitutional and the matter should only be heard in federal court.

The preliminary injunction, filed in the US District Court, Southern District of Ohio, argues that the FTC’s administrative proceeding violates Articles II and III in the Constitution. Kroger said in a statement that challenging the merger in administrative and federal courts is “an inappropriate attempt to receive multiple opportunities to litigate the same issues,” while Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said the grocer is prepared to defend the deal in federal court.

Keep reading here.—EC

This week in fashion news: One iconic British retailer shutters all its UK stores, and an American department store lowers its sales forecast.

Ted Baker closes all its UK stores

British clothing brand Ted Baker closed all its remaining 31 stores in the UK permanently, putting as many as 500 employees out of jobs. The brand’s UK holding company, No Ordinary Designer Label, went into administration earlier this year and had closed 15 stores already.

Why this matters: Things have been tough for the once iconic British retailer, which first gained prominence in the 1980s. Over the years, with high overhead and competition from other retailers, the brand couldn’t keep up. This year, the company declared Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the US, while Authentic Brands Group, which owns the intellectual property for Ted Baker, looked for distribution and e-commerce partners.

Keep reading here.—JS

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