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- INBOXIFY ORIGINAL's [30/June/2023]
"Welcome, Valued Subscribers, to Our Friday Newsletter Delight! Get ready to embark on a weekly journey with us, as we curate the most intriguing news stories, fascinating insights, and noteworthy updates to keep you informed and inspired. Thank you for joining our community, and let's dive into the exciting world of news together!"
E-COMMERCE
Shein’s influencer trip backfires
Fast-fashion behemoth Shein recently pulled a Willy Wonka and invited a few influencers to tour one of its 6,000 factories. But instead of generating positive PR, the creators who went are getting flamed for promoting what’s being called a propaganda trip.
Despite the brand’s history of alleged environmental harm and human rights abuses, a bunch of videos set to upbeat music show the fashion influencers praising their all-expenses-paid journey to a Shein “model factory” in Guangzhou, China. The clips have incited an online firestorm, including a viral parody in which a sustainable fashion supporter pretends to gush over the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
In a now-deleted video, Dani Carbonari, who’s been especially dragged for calling herself an investigative journalist but sounding like a Facebook uncle, said, “The China trip has been one of the most life-changing trips of my life,” and that her “biggest takeaway from this trip is to be an independent thinker, get the facts, and see it with your own two eyes.”
But actual investigative journalists have seen Shein’s inner workings with their own two eyes. A documentary released last fall revealed that workers were being paid pennies per clothing item on 18-hour shifts with almost no days off…which makes sense for Shein’s cheap and fast business model. Two dozen members of Congress have asked the SEC to halt the brand’s desired IPO until allegations of forced labor are investigated.
Zoom out: Brand trips have been a thing since the early days of YouTube vlogging, but the public has soured on the promotional vacations, so they’re becoming riskier for companies. Tarte Cosmetics recently came under fire for “tone-deaf” displays of luxury on an influencer trip to Dubai, and for reportedly giving creators of color second-class treatment.
AGRICULTURE
Southern fruit harvests were this year
Is having a fruit on your license plate the new Sports Illustrated cover jinx?
Florida (oranges) and Georgia (peaches) are both experiencing the lowest production of their big-name fruits in decades, which could drive prices for products like OJ even higher than they are now.
Let’s start in Florida, where the citrus harvest this season could be its smallest since 1928: 18 million boxes, compared to a peak of 250 million boxes in the ’90s and early 2000s, according to the Washington Post. Nasty weather in the fall and winter compounded longer-term challenges like greening disease to devastate Florida’s famous citrus groves. And if you do get your hands on fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice, don’t expect it to be the religious experience you’re used to: Orange trees affected with greening disease (which is virtually all of them) produce more bitter fruit.
Moving to the other side of the Florida–Georgia line…Justin Bieber will have to get his peaches from somewhere else because Georgia peaches have been almost completely wiped out this year. Warm winter weather followed by a cold snap in March have destroyed 95% of the crop, which farmers say is the worst harvest since 1955.
Bottom line: Florida is far more dependent on its citrus harvest than Georgia is on its peaches. In Florida, the citrus industry is worth $6.9 billion, per the University of Florida, while peaches are mostly symbolic for Georgia: They brought in $34 million in revenue last year, compared to $1.4 billion for cotton.
Ken has taken over Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse. And it’s listed on Airbnb
Come on, Barbie, let’s go party — at the real-life Malibu Dreamhouse.
Airbnb announced Monday that the hot-pink, beach-side mansion inspired by the toy home of the same name will be available to book for a limited time next month — with a twist. This time, Barbie’s blond beau, Ken, will be hosting.
The property rental company and Warner Bros. have joined forces to promote “Barbie” — the summer comedy starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling — by inviting “everyone in Barbie Land” to enter for a chance to win a one-night stay at the luxury estate.“We all have dreams, and Barbie is lucky enough to have a house full of them,” Ken said Monday in a statement.
“But now, it’s my turn, and I can’t wait to host guests inside these one-of-a-kind – dare I say, one-of-a-Ken? – digs.
Starting July 17 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, anyone can request to book Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse on Airbnb. The company will select four lucky guests (two per night) to spend a night at the oceanfront villa for free on July 21 and 22.
According to a press release, “Ken couldn’t figure out how to put a price on Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse — after all, Ken’s thing is beach, not math!”
The listing welcomes guests to take “a spin through Ken’s awesome wardrobe to find their best beach fit,” channel “their inner cowboy” while participating in “a line dance or two on Ken’s outdoor disco dance floor,” challenge each other to a “beach off,” sunbathe by the infinity pool and take home “a piece of Kendom” by leaving with a set of rollerblades and surfboards.
Other features of the Ken-ified dreamhouse include a cowboy-themed salon, an observation deck with a telescope overlooking the ocean, an outdoor bar and grill, an outdoor gym and a deck with a fire pit.
On his Airbnb profile, which features Gosling’s character poster for “Barbie,” Ken says he lives his life “by two Bs: Beach and Barbie. And rollerblades if you count that
YouTube to launch its first official shopping channel in South Korea
It is YouTube's first official shopping channel in any country, Yonhap said.
"We may experiment with a variety of YouTube Shopping features from time to time," a YouTube spokesperson said, without elaborating.
With YouTube's ad revenue affected by advertisers curtailing spending and competition from platforms like TikTok, Google's Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler said in February there was "lots of potential in making it easier for people to shop from the creators, brands and content they love".
Shares in Naver fell 4% on Wednesday morning, while retailer Lotte Shopping (023530.KS) fell 3.3%, versus the wider market's (.KS11) 0.5% drop.
South Korea's live commerce market is projected to grow to 10 trillion won ($7.7 billion) this year from 2.8 trillion won in 2021, with Naver currently holding about 60% market share, according to Kyobo Securities.
($1 = 1,291.1600 won)
Try a New Restaurant: Treat yourself to a delicious dining experience by exploring a new restaurant in your area. Step out of your culinary comfort zone and indulge in a delectable meal to kickstart your weekend.
Attend a Local Event: Check out local event listings and find something that interests you. Whether it's a live concert, art exhibition, or community gathering, immersing yourself in the local culture can be a great way to unwind and have fun.
Relax with a Spa Day: Pamper yourself and rejuvenate your senses with a relaxing spa day. Book a massage, facial, or other spa treatments to melt away stress and tension, leaving you refreshed and ready to enjoy the weekend.
Have a Picnic in the Park: Pack a picnic basket with your favorite snacks and head to a nearby park or scenic spot. Enjoy the outdoors, soak up the sunshine, and savor good food while spending quality time with friends, family, or even on your own.
Engage in a Hobby: Dedicate some time on Fridays to indulge in your favorite hobby. Whether it's painting, playing an instrument, gardening, or crafting, engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation can set a positive tone for the weekend.
Remember, Fridays are a gateway to the weekend, so make the most of them by doing things that bring you happiness and help you unwind from the week's activities.
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