Once a fitness hardware darling, Peloton has been in a constant state of transition since the pandemic.

Gutted at one point by plummeting sales, Peloton pivoted away from hardware into a software-first company focused on content and subscription revenue. More recently, the fitness giant has been expanding its online presence for apparel beyond selling on its own website and stores. The big shift in Peloton’s strategy to sell on third-party marketplaces came in 2022 when the fitness brand started selling both equipment and apparel on Amazon in a bid to reach new shoppers.

Peloton’s apparel products, officially launched in 2021, are now in expansion mode. Pelotonʼs apparel lineup is now available on Target Plus, the big-box retailer’s curated digital marketplace, making it easier for existing members to shop while enticing potential new customers. This follows Peloton’s November 2024 launch on Nordstrom.com. Peloton said in a release these marketplace partnerships help increase brand visibility and reach new audiences.

At a high level, Pelotonʼs marketplace strategy is to enable shoppers to buy its clothes beyond its own website. Pelotonʼs Chief Content Officer Jennifer Cotter—who oversees Peloton studios both in London and New York, as well as its music and apparel departments—said the decision to sell on Target and Nordstrom was driven by shopper behavior that showed consumers weren’t necessarily shopping for items they liked on Peloton’s website.

Keep reading here.—VC

Tariffs on Chinese exports are not impacting daily decision-making at Catalyst Brands, which owns JCPenney, Brooks Brothers, and Aéropostale, but some costs could be passed onto consumers, David Simon, president and CEO of Simon Property Group, told shareholders in an earnings call this week.

• Simon Property Group is a part owner of Catalyst Brands following the merger earlier this month of JCPenney, which it acquired with Brookfield Asset Management in 2020, and SPARC Group, which owned Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, Lucky Brand, and Nautica.
• Catalyst said it aims to “integrate complementary strengths” among the brands, including in “product design and sourcing capabilities”—an effort that could prove useful in the coming months as the company tries to manage costs.

Simon said Catalyst’s “view with respect to China is that they’ll pass some of it onto the consumer, but also hope that the supplier tightens up the costs of goods sold.” On the upside, Catalyst only sources 20% of their goods from China, he noted, and many retailers have made progress in moving production out of China over the last several years.

Keep reading here.—AV

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

Kathryn Carlisle is director of portfolio and network at Fieldbook Studio, an Arkansas venture-building studio.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? We build tech companies that solve problems that pop up in the retail value chain—anything from sourcing materials for a product, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, warehousing, to a shelf at a retailer and in the hands of a customer.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? Fieldbook has one of the most innovative funding models for venture studios that other states are beginning to copy. Our for-profit studio is also purpose-focused in that we operate to promote economic and talent development for our state.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Triive, a SaaS solution for retailer brokers, buyers, and brand representatives to collaborate around sales activities.

Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about right now, and why? Emerging brands from social influencers—a built-in customer base and community with power!

Keep reading here.—EC

Retailers are already tapping into generative AI to transform customer service, enhance search functions, and streamline content creation. From Walmart’s AI-powered shopping assistant to eBay’s smart listing tool, see how major brands are putting AI to work.