UK reality show Love Island abandons fast-fashion sponsorship
In another sign of the growing awareness around the environmental and social impact of the fast-fashion industry, the new season of popular UK reality show Love Island is being sponsored by eBay, with all of the contestants wearing second-hand clothing. “Viewers can expect to see Islanders wearing fashion that reflects their personalities and individuality this summer, while doing their bit to extend the life cycle of clothes,” says a press release from Love Island broadcaster ITV. Viewers will be able to explore the online seller’s second-hand marketplace via the “Shop the Show” tab on the official Love Island app. The show had previously partnered with online fast-fashion retailer I Saw It First for three seasons. According to the release, one-fifth of Britons admit to buying more second-hand clothing than they did two years ago, with 16% of their wardrobes now consisting of pre-owned items.
Depp fans buying up Dior cologne
Fans are buying up Dior Sauvage cologne to show their support for actor Johnny Depp, who has been the face of the fragrance since 2015. According to The Wall Street Journal, Dior decided to stick by the Pirates of the Caribbean star during his high-profile defamation trial against former wife Amber Heard, and its decision appearing to be paying off. According to online sales rankings, Sauvage is currently the best-selling cologne on online beauty retailers Sephora.com and Ulta.com, and is number four on Amazon.com. In addition, TikTok videos featuring the hashtag #diorsauvage have been viewed nearly 350 million times, with many recent videos explicitly mentioning or showing Depp. “He knows that Dior, in particular, has been steadfast and unwavering in its support, and he will always be grateful to them and to all those who have supported him through the sales on his behalf,” said a spokesperson for Depp.
TikTok testing ‘clear mode’
TikTok is testing a new feature called “clear mode” that offers users a distraction-free experience minus on-screen clutter like captions and buttons. According to TechCrunch, users participating in the limited test see the “clear mode” option when they tap and hold the screen on their device. The setting will appear under the “add to favourites” button in the menu, and can be activated by clicking on the button. “If fully rolled out, the new feature could be a welcome addition for people who want to get rid of the clutter on-screen and just focus on the content they’re viewing,” said TechCrunch. It can be especially useful in those cases where usernames and captions cover important parts of a video, it said.
Spain to mandate better customer service
The Spanish government intends to legislate better customer service in the country, with a new bill that will, among other things, force businesses to have a real person (no automated phone tree systems) answer customer calls within three minutes. Phone, internet and utility businesses will also have to offer 24-hour customer service 365 days a year, and respond to any customer complaint in two hours, while other businesses have to address a concern within 15 days. “Customer service is a critical part of our relations with consumers which unfortunately and far too often causes endless headaches for Spanish families because far too many companies create bureaucratic labyrinths to stop you from exercising your right to service,” said Consumption Minister Alberto Garzón. Fines for those guilty of bad customer service will start as low as €150, but could go up to €100,000
EVs need less ad support, says Ford CEO
Ford CEO Jim Farley said the automaker must overhaul its business model—from the dealer network to how it advertises—if it wants to be competitive in the electric vehicle market. Ford spends about $3.1 billion a year on advertising, but that seems likely to change, Farley told a conference last week. Like Tesla, Ford won’t have to advertise its EVs “if we do our job,” he said. Rather than spend on advertising up front, he wants to spend more on the customer experience, with special treatment for those who buy a new Ford. “Our model’s messed up,” Farley said. “We spend nothing post-warranty on the customer experience.” That will also mean a different purpose for the dealer network as more sales move online. “Our dealers can do it, but the standards will be brutal,” he said. “Their business will change a lot and there will be a lot of winners and losers and, I believe, consolidation.”
