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Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
From pop-up to permanent: How independent brands are betting big on their first stores
In an age where algorithms curate our lives and screens mediate our interactions, brick-and-mortar retail remains a visceral, irreplaceable force. From the agora of ancient Athens to the mall-rat culture of the '90s, humans have always gathered to touch, taste, and talk. In 2024, merchants with brick-and-mortar stores generated an average of 81% of their total sales in person-up 7 percentage points from 2023, according to Shopify data. This growth underscores a simple truth: The thrill of discovery-a scent, a texture, an unexpected conversation-can't be digitized. It's not a question of online versus offline. It's a hybrid ecosystem where tools dissolve the boundaries, letting brands meet customers exactly where they are. For a viral fragrance brand, one pop-up changed everything When Dossier founder Sergio Tache launched his fragrance brand in 2019, he did it "the hard way." Online-first. Selling $49 dupes (or duplicates) of $300 perfumes meant battling consumer skepticism. Yet Dossier thrived, amassing a cult following thanks to the #FragranceTok community and viral scents like Ambery Vanilla (a dead ringer for YSL's Black Opium). "It just didn't make sense that to go out on a date and smell nice, you had to fork out $150 at Sephora. We wanted to create high-quality perfumes made in France, but sell them at affordable prices for the 99%," says Tache. Despite the brand's meteoric growth, a 2024 pop-up in Manhattan's Nolita neighborhood exposed a blind spot: Demand far exceeded expectations, and a line wrapped around the block for hours. The sight piqued Tache's curiosity. "I was walking down the queue talking to people who were kind enough to wait such a long time. I asked them a simple question, 'why are you here?' They gave me a very simple answer: They wanted to try the perfumes." In addition to their dupes, the pop-up showcased their underdog Originals Collection (their own creations), which customers overlooked online. The in-person response to this collection gave Tache a second revelation. "At the time, it was still a small category for us. But once people got to experiment with them, there was big enthusiasm," says Tache. "I saw that if we want to showcase all the great things we're doing, we need a physical space where people can interact with perfumes in a way that's hard to do online." Fast forward to now, Dossier is opening two NYC stores this summer: an 1,800-square-foot flagship in Nolita and a mall outpost. Their mission: translating a digital-native, minimalist ethos into a tactile, human experience. The stores will showcase all 150+ fragrances, inviting customers to layer scents-a ritual nearly impossible online. With Dossier, brick-and-mortar isn't a detour-it's an elevation. "We want to meet customers where they are. If they want to have a great experience in our own boutiques, we'll meet them there. If they love shopping online, we're online," Tache says. A bookstore gets the tech to power its first chapter For Amanda Badeau, The Archive bookstore wasn't just a pivot to physical retail-it was her first-ever business. As a lifelong booklover who left her corporate job, she wanted to curate a space where people could escape. "I've been working toward this goal my entire life. I have always dreamed of owning a bookstore," says Badeau. In The Archive, Charleston's dark academia haven, moss-green walls, flickering candlelight, and towering shelves of fantasy novels evoke a grown-up Hogwarts. The Archive's opening weekend was a love letter to brick-and-mortar's enduring power. More than 700 fans lined up for hours, some driving as far as from Georgia, to step into Badeau's vision: a moody refuge where $6 glasses of wine pair with $28 "romantasy" hardcovers. Many had learned of The Archive's opening day event from a single viral reel of Badeau ripping a "coming soon" banner off the door. "That day the line just kept growing. I still can't believe that so many people wanted to not only come to our bookstore, but were willing to wait in line for it. It's a very humbling experience." Badeau's sanctuary stocks hundreds of SKUs, from niche titles to locally roasted coffee beans. Uploading inventory via CSV lets her sync real-time stock levels across her shelves. Though The Archive launched as brick-and-mortar first, Badeau's point-of-sale (POS) setup is laying the groundwork for ecommerce. When she does go online, it will be all one unified system. "I wanted to do something where I could host my website, run my online store, and have the physical inventory of the shop linked with the POS. I just wanted everything to be connected," says Badeau. "People on social media are always asking whether we ship. So I want to set up ecommerce, build the brand, and hopefully even expand to other states. I want The Archive to be a household name for anyone who loves books." An IRL laboratory for digitally native brands And then there are the countless brands still testing the waters before diving in. According to 2024 Shopify data, 22% of entrepreneurs sold their products through avenues like craft fairs, holiday markets, and farmers markets, while 17% opted for pop-up shops. TikTok's first family, the D'Amelios (Marc, Heidi, Dixie, and Charli), learned the power of in-person connection through a pop-up shop for their eponymous footwear brand last year. Fans were able to try on shoes, take photos, and even participate in a meet-and-greet with the family. "So much of our journey has been shaped by social media, so stepping into a physical retail space felt like entering a new chapter," says cofounder Marc D'Amelio. "Being able to offer that in-person connection gave us the chance to build trust and hear direct feedback, which was incredibly valuable." It also allowed them to capture customer contact information and preferences, "which is so important for continuing the relationship beyond the pop-up," D'Amelio says. The founders of Eastside Golf, a streetwear-golf brand, left their NYC pop-up with one clear takeaway. "We need our own store," says cofounder Olajuwon Ajanaku. "We generated an incredible reaction from all types of people, whether they were men, women, golfers, or non-golfers." The founders plan to take what they've learned through the pop-up and apply it to their upcoming retail location in the Detroit airport. "Since the beginning, we have always wanted to create a space that's a home base for Eastside Golf, and the pop-up offered us a snapshot of the world of brick and mortar," says cofounder Earl Cooper. This story was produced by Shopify and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Buzz Feed
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
38 Random Products To Buy If You Enjoy Spoiling Yourself
A set of two lightweight tinted lip balms with a touch of gloss that'll be perfect for anyone who wants to add some color to their pout but keep it looking au natural. It's super similar to the viral Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm but costs shockingly less. Dossier's "Ambery Vanilla" perfume for anyone who tried the sample size of YSL's Black Opium and fell in love with it but simply doesn't have $95 to spend on smelling lovely. Luckily for you, this one is super similar and will leave you with enough money left to *also* treat yourself to lunch. Olay Super Serum Body Wash made with niacinamide, shea butter, and collagen peptides and will deliver 24 hours (!!!) of hydration — aka everything you'd want in a revitalizing skin smoothie. Aaaaand, every shower you take will feel like a luxurious spa moment! Glitter-infused highlighters, so the next time you get the urge to annotate your already worn-down copy of Pride and Prejudice, you can do so with the kind of flair Jane Austen deserves. You better believe I'm reserving shimmery red for Mr. Darcy. A box of 100 tie-dye Band-Aids in assorted sizes that'll make that gnarly papercut you just got look pretty darn *~groovy~*. A stress relief coloring book from Coco Wyo (a TikTok famous brand known for creating the most adorable coloring books) featuring big, easy-to-color pictures you'll take one look at and want to scream, "THIS IS SO CUTE!!!!!" right before you rush over to your desk to grab your markers so you can get to work. Levi's Cinch Baggy Jeans with an adjustable band to make them flawlessly cinch to your waist — the only explanation is a witch must've her powers for good to create these so everyone can own a perfect-for-them pair of cute jeans. A trio of hypoallergenic gold-plated earrings for anyone who is tired of their current lineup and wants an easy, trendy fix they can pop into their lobes and say, "Ooh, cute!" And a set of golden bracelets that'll make it seem like you've splurged on the famed Cartier versions but for less than 20 bucks! Wear 'em together or separate them and pair them up with your already-loved baubles. A dimmable flexible clip-on mushroom light so when someone says "I mush ask you a question" you'll be ready to actually see what they're saying. It has five different color-changing LED lighting options you can adjust as needed — ya love to see it. Spiral taper candles in a bunch of fun colors that'll look simply darling on your tabletop — and they come at such a good price you won't be afraid to burn them and re-order. A crocheted swim cover-up that'll make you want to book a vacay to Aruba (where it's a perfect 80-something degrees every day) to show it off. Many reviewers have also dressed it up with heels and worn it to dinner! Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows because, if we're being honest (and I like to think we've reached a point in our relationship where we can be blunt), the ones you've been sleeping on are starting to resemble Flat Stanley. It's time for you to upgrade your sleeping situation, friend! An instant foot-peeling spray that'll have you saying, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Was this concocted by a witch in the woods?" because it works so incredibly well you won't believe your eyes as it renews your feet and leaves all of your dead skin in its wake. Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence that might actually be the nectar of the skincare gods — it soothes damaged skin, repairs dark spots, absorbs quickly, and will leave your face feeling delightfully moisturized. A Brumate Era 40-ounce water bottle with a locking feature that'll ensure you never have a repeat of the other day where you accidentally bumped your arm into your cup and spilled your freshly filled drink ALL over your A handheld lamp you will surely find yourself *mooning* over each night. It'll bring a magical ambience to your room, just you wait. Lawless's "Forget The Filler" comes in a variety of delectable flavors (birthday cake!!!). It hydrates lips overnight (similar to Laneige's repairing sleep mask) and will make your pout fuller. It's made of shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and a stimulating peptide complex that work so magically together you won't ever want to run out. A set of LED light saber chopsticks you're going to need to order two sets of so you can share 'em with the Chewbacca to your Han Solo (AKA whoever happens to be who you get sushi with every Friday night). One reviewer even ingeniously used them as hair accessories when visiting Galaxy's Edge! E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops that'll quickly become your most talked about skincare item after you see how incredible it'll leave your face looking and feeling. It's packed with hibiscus complex and hyaluronic acid and can be used solely as a serum or mixed in with your go-to foundation for a hydrating boost your skin is likely craving. Reviewers love using it instead of the pricier (but VERY similar) Glow Recipe Watermelon Dew Drops. A crinkled "paper bag" vase that'll make you want to buy yourself flowers a la Miley Cyrus — it'll incorporate so beautifully with all of the decor you already own and love. And faux peonies for anyone who has claimed them as their favorite flower since Blair Waldorf said they were hers (guilty). These will remain just as beautiful as the day you buy 'em because, duh, they're fake! An exfoliating shower glove designed to lift away dead skin (and remove a spray tan that's seen better days) — an excellent way for you to kickstart your spa-like experience at home. A moisturizing body wash inspired by the fancy (and not quite as affordable) Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume — it's filled with scents of white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber that'll make every shower feel like a luxury. A wireless keyboard and mouse set featuring an aesthetic vibe that might just make you *actually* look forward to spending eight hours at your desk. At the very least your coworkers will be super jealous of how coordinated your workspace looks. A Bissell multipurpose portable cleaner you'll pat yourself on the back for buying when you see just how much dirt and gunk it pulls out of all the surfaces in your life. Forget about buying a new couch — your current one is about to look fresher than ever. A heated eye massager complete with five different massage modes and Bluetooth music so you can fully indulge and relax while relieving pain from eye strain and headaches. A Lego version of a Disney Parks parade you can quickly build (it's only 200 pieces) then place on your desk to make even the most stressful work days feel a bit more magical. A compact Kindle for any lit lover with such a long TBR list that your nightstand simply can't contain it anymore — this option will let you continue to expand your shelf virtually and take your book on-the-go without taking up too much precious space in your bag that's already filled the brim with old receipts, hand sanitizer, mints, an old granola bar, the list goes on. A shaker of edible cocktail glitter, so just like Taylor Swift, you and your drinks can make the whole room ✨shiiiiiimmmerrrr✨. A heart-shaped silicone ice cube tray because chilled bevs are calling! Spruce up your iced coffees and Long Island iced teas with a little love in the form of these cubes 💕. LilyAna Naturals Eye Cream — designed to decrease puffiness and dark circles, so if you've been up far too late crying watching Steel Magnolias for the umpteenth time this cream will be there for you come morning. It's formulated with all-natural, vegan ingredients including aloe leaf juice, rosehip seed oil, hibiscus extract, and rosemary leaf extract that beautifully brighten and hydrate your skin (and can you imagine how incredible it must smell?!). A buttery soft pair of dreamlux leggings reviewers compare to Lululemon's Align (ooh, la, la). These beauties are super comfortable for lazy days, but if for some reason you decide you want to actually break a sweat in them they'll certainly be up to the task. Get it, girrrrrrl! A stuffed waffle maker you can count on to make all of your breakfast dreams come true — fill 'em with cream cheese, strawberries, chicken, or anything else your heart desires! A smocked bodycon dress with tiers that'll rival the decadent wedding cake at the fancy affair you're planning to attend next month. Some slip-on platform wedges in case you're hoping to literally elevate your style, starting with your summer shoes. Chunky espadrille sandals are exactly what you need to kickstart your warm-weather fashion overhaul — they're so comfortable one reviewer even boasted about being able to limbo in them 😅. Double-buckle slides for anyone who adores the look of Birkenstocks but has a more *~footloose and fancy-free ~* style when it comes to their footwear choices. These are just as comfortable but come in some more playful styles. And a stunning rubberized wireless Xbox controller with *~lavender haze~* vibes that'll go perfectly with the cozy games you're queuing up to play alongside your favorite soothing Taylor Swift playlist.
Cosmopolitan
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
12 Best Perfumes on Amazon in 2025 According to Beauty Editors
It's kind of a thing that I'm the best-smelling person of my friend group. It comes with the territory. Beauty editor and all. But I'm also not into telling my sweet angel friends that the perfume I'm wearing costs as much as they spent on floor seats at The Eras Tour (resale). They don't deserve to have their hearts broken like that! I'm a good friend, which is why I always have my eyes peeled for the cheap perfumes. And this Amazon Prime Day is coming in pretty hot with the perfume deals. I'm floored at the discounts on the best Amazon perfumes right now—we're talking up to 50 percent off designer fragrances I've never seen dip below 20 percent off before. And that's the thing: Amazon's perfume assortment is pretty vast. There's a affordable fragrances from brands like Sol De Janeiro (which is currently all 20 percent off right now) and Dossier (currently all 20 percent off as well), but there's also celebrity perfumes like Sabrina Carpenter Fragrance (20 percent off!) and the iconic Carolina Herrera Good Girl (20 percent off—like it's wild!!). There are fancy eau de parfums, body sprays, hair perfumes—legit everything to also make you the best-smelling person of your friend group. Snag one of the below before the end of Amazon Prime Day (it goes from now until July 11, btw) if you want to get a really good deal on a new signature scent. Or shop one of the other fab deals our editors' have rounded up on our Cosmopolitan Amazon Storefront. We're actually professional shoppers, so we know what we're talking about.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Conspiracy': FBI launches probe into ex-bosses John Brennan, James Comey - Here's why
The FBI has opened criminal investigations into former CIA director John Brennan and former FBI director James Comey over alleged misconduct during Trump-Russia investigation, Fox News Digital reported citing justice department sources. Two DOJ sources familiar with the matter described the pair's conduct as a 'conspiracy,' and includes allegedly making false statements to Congress. The investigation into Brennan follows CIA director John Ratcliffe's recent declassification of a 'lessons learned' review of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), which concluded Russia interfered in the 2016 election to benefit Donald Trump. However, the review revealed that the assessment was hastily assembled, marred by 'procedural anomalies,' and deviated from established intelligence protocols. The review found that including the discredited Steele Dossier in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment violated core intelligence standards and damaged its credibility. It also marked the first official acknowledgment by CIA career officials of political influence in the ICA's creation, revealing that Brennan pushed for the dossier's inclusion, despite later testifying to Congress that he opposed it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Where does allegations of false statements stem from? The investigation into Brennan's alleged false statements is linked to a newly declassified 2016 email from the former deputy CIA director, warning that even mentioning the Steele dossier in the ICA could compromise the credibility of the entire assessment. "Despite these objections, Brennan showed a preference for narrative consistency over analytical soundness. When confronted with specific flaws in the Dossier by the two mission center leaders – one with extensive operational experience and the other with a strong analytic background – he appeared more swayed by the Dossier's general conformity with existing theories than by legitimate tradecraft concerns," the new CIA review said, as per Fox News Digital. "Brennan ultimately formalized his position in writing, stating that 'my bottomline is that I believe that the information warrants inclusion in the report'," it added. Regarding James Comey, DOJ sources said that he was under investigation, though they declined to disclose the specific focus of the probe.
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Miranda Devine: Ex-CIA chief John Brennan may have opened himself up to perjury charges over Trump-Russia hoax
John Brennan, the disgraced former Obama CIA Director, may have opened himself up to perjury charges after a new email was uncovered in a scathing internal review by CIA career professionals into the agency's 2016 Trump-Russia collusion assessment. Brennan is understood to be under renewed scrutiny by authorities over discrepancies between his sworn testimony to Congress and his written orders to underlings conducting the Intelligence Community Assessment commissioned by then-president Barack Obama in December 2016 that found Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Donald Trump. The review, declassified last week, found that Brennan insisted on the inclusion of the discredited Steele Dossier, over the strong objections of the CIA's two most senior Russia experts who said it 'did not meet even the most basic tradecraft standards.' Advertisement Brennan 'formalized his position in writing, stating that 'my bottom line is that I believe that the information warrants inclusion in the report.' ' Getty Images The then CIA Deputy Director for Analysis (DDA) David Cohen warned in an email to Brennan on December 29 that including the dossier in any form risked 'the credibility of the entire paper.' But Brennan 'formalized his position in writing, stating that 'my bottom line is that I believe that the information warrants inclusion in the report.' ' Advertisement The Steele Dossier was a tawdry opposition research document written by a former British spy Christopher Steele and paid for by the Hillary Clinton campaign. It contained numerous made-up claims, including the ridiculous lie that Trump, a renowned germaphobe, had paid prostitutes to urinate on a bed in a Moscow hotel room. The 2023 special counsel Durham report stated that 'the FBI was not able to corroborate a single allegation contained in the Steele Report.' Last week's CIA review by the deputy director of analysis found that when Brennan was 'confronted with specific flaws in the Dossier by the two [Russia] mission center leaders — one with extensive operational experience and the other with a strong analytic background — he appeared more swayed by the Dossier's general conformity with existing theories than by legitimate tradecraft concerns.' The decision to include the Steele Dossier in the assessment 'ran counter to fundamental tradecraft principles and ultimately undermined the credibility of a key judgment.' A summary of the dossier was included in an annex to the ICA but a reference was also included 'in the main body of the ICA as the fourth supporting bullet for the judgment that Putin 'aspired' to help Trump win,' the review found. Advertisement Every week, Post columnist Miranda Devine sits down for exclusive and candid conversations with the most influential disruptors in Washington. Subscribe here! Including the dossier reference in the main body of the ICA 'implicitly elevated unsubstantiated claims to the status of credible supporting evidence, compromising the analytical integrity of the judgment.' By forcing the dossier into the ICA, the virulently anti-Trump Brennan also elevated the credibility of the vile fictional smear sheet which he had been shopping to Democratic leaders and the press during the 2016 election campaign. The Review found that former FBI director James Comey also insisted on the dossier's inclusion in the ICA. 'FBI leadership made it clear that their participation in the ICA hinged on the Dossier's inclusion and, over the next few days, repeatedly pushed to weave references to it throughout the main body of the ICA.' Advertisement Yet in congressional testimony under oath on May 23, 2017, Brennan claimed the Steele Dossier 'wasn't part of the corpus of intelligence information that we had. It was not in any way used as a basis for the Intelligence Community Assessment that was done.' Now we know that is not true. The Steele Dossier was forced into the ICA by Brennan and it appeared not just in the 'annex' but was referenced in the main body of the ICA that ended up triggering the Mueller Special Counsel investigation that crippled the first two years of Trump's first term and served to delegitimize his 2016 election victory. Brennan continued to play innocent in various media interviews, including those he was paid for as an MSNBC contributor. In 2018 he told NBC's 'Meet the Press' that he first heard 'just snippets about' the Steele Dossier in the 'late summer of 2016.'
