Modern Retail expands its weekly newsletter, now called the Modern Retail Brands Briefing, to cover evolving trends in the retail landscape and emerging brand classifications.
Since its inception in 2020, Modern Retail has offered a key resource in the form of the DTC Briefing, a weekly newsletter catering to its Modern Retail+ subscribers with a focus on direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses. This newsletter has aimed to provide insights into the rapidly evolving DTC landscape, which flourished as startups like Away and Glossier attracted substantial venture capital by emphasizing the benefits of maintaining direct relationships with consumers.
As of 2025, industry dynamics have shifted notably. Startups such as Vuori and Poppi are no longer identifying solely as DTC brands; they are increasingly entering partnerships with other brands and retailers. One significant example includes the recent collaboration between Skims and Nike, showcasing the trend of modern brands diversifying their distribution strategies.
In light of these developments, Modern Retail has announced a rebranding of its newsletter. Executive Editor Anna Hensel expressed the organization’s understanding that the terminology surrounding these brands has transformed, with emerging labels like “disruptor brands,” “digitally-native brands,” and “challenger brands” coming to prominence. Despite these changes, Hensel noted a persistent characteristic among these businesses: they are all “modern brands,” which highlights their importance in the current retail landscape.
The newly launched Modern Retail Brands Briefing will retain the original spirit of the DTC Briefing while expanding its scope. This updated offering aims to cover a variety of topics relevant to the growth strategies of contemporary brands, including marketing approaches, retail expansion developments, mergers and acquisitions, and hiring trends. The newsletter will also provide candid discussions about the challenges companies face in building loyal customer bases during economically turbulent times.
Subscribers to the Modern Retail Brands Briefing can expect a comprehensive range of content, introduced through new segments like “by the numbers” and “job openings to watch.” Hensel will curate the weekly newsletter, with contributions from a team of seasoned reporters including Gabriela Barkho, who specializes in food and beverage coverage; Melissa Daniels, who reports on home goods and personal care; and Julia Waldow, who focuses on footwear and apparel.
The goal of this briefing is for readers—including CEOs, marketing professionals, investors, and analysts—to leave each edition with actionable insights that enhance their understanding of the brand ecosystem. The Modern Retail Brands Briefing will be published every Tuesday morning. Current and new readers are encouraged to subscribe through Modern Retail+, with a limited-time offer of 40% off a three-month membership if they sign up this week. The first edition of the newly branded briefing is available for preview.
Source: Noah Wire Services
