Baker Retail Rundown

Everlane Founder Michael Preysman Teases New Brand Following Shein Sale 

Everlane has been acquired by Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein for around $100 million, marking a dramatic shift for the once sustainability-focused brand. Co-founder Michael Preysman says he is “starting over” with a new venture called Still Radical, aimed at reviving Everlane’s original vision but with a firm “no venture capital, no private equity” approach. He also said he was not involved in the sale and only learned of it shortly before it was finalized, calling Shein “the opposite” of what he had hoped for the company. Founded in 2011 around “radical transparency,” Everlane struggled financially in recent years despite outside investment and eventual control by private equity firm L Catterton.

Gucci Announced As Alpine Title Partner From 2027 Season 

Luxury fashion giant Gucci has been named title partner of Alpine Formula One Team from 2027, with the team rebranding as the Gucci Racing Alpine Formula One Team. As part of the landmark deal, Gucci is launching “Gucci Racing,” a new platform blending luxury, performance, and motorsport culture, while Alpine will abandon its current blue-and-pink livery in favor of Gucci-inspired colors. Both parties describe the partnership as a major step in bringing high fashion and Formula 1 closer together, with Gucci becoming the first luxury fashion house to serve as an F1 title sponsor. 

What Retail and Industry Leaders Are Watching in 2026 

Retail leaders expect 2026 to be defined by a combination of resilient consumer spending, rapid technological change, and increasingly sophisticated supply chains. According to the National Retail Federation, retailers are investing heavily in AI, automation, and logistics technology to improve efficiency while creating new workforce opportunities through employee upskilling. Meanwhile, Generation Z is reshaping shopping habits by embracing AI-powered product discovery while demanding greater transparency, authenticity, and personalized experiences from brands. Despite economic uncertainty, retail sales are forecast to grow 4.4% to $5.6 trillion in 2026, reflecting confidence that consumers will continue spending on both products and experiences.

Brands Are Finally Bringing Resale Into Stores 

Fashion brands are no longer treating resale as just an online side hustle — they’re turning secondhand shopping into a core in-store experience. Pacsun and Faherty are among the latest retailers carving out dedicated resale sections inside physical stores, betting that younger shoppers increasingly want curated vintage and pre-owned fashion alongside new collections. The shift reflects a broader industry push toward “branded resale,” where companies control their own secondhand ecosystems instead of relying on platforms like Poshmark or Depop. After years of experimenting online, retailers now see resale not as a niche sustainability play, but as a mainstream shopping habit that could soon sit permanently next to full-price merchandise in stores nationwide.

Ross Raises Annual Outlook As Shoppers Remain Focused On Value 

Ross Stores raised its annual forecasts for both comparable sales and profit, signaling strong momentum in demand for discounted apparel despite broader economic uncertainty. The retailer now expects same-store sales to rise 6% to 7% and lifted its earnings outlook to $7.50–$7.74 per share, well above prior guidance. The upbeat revision comes as budget-conscious shoppers continue flocking to off-price retailers amid persistent inflation, boosting customer traffic across income groups and demographics. Shares jumped about 6% after hours, with rival TJX also reporting similar strength in value-focused retail demand.