Consumers
How Supreme-Style Merch Drops Took Over Corporate America – Marker
“What’s changed, though, is the brashness with which companies are evolving their swag game into a merch play, embracing the hype model of limited drops, big-name collabs, and higher price tags, as everyone from giant consumer brands to up-and-coming TikTokers tries to mimic Supreme, the upscale streetwear brand acquired in November by VF Corporation for $2.1 billion. As Americans did their online holiday shopping late last year, they were able to choose from one of the most impressive arrays of high/low branded merch ever offered: How about a Peloton “kitchen sink tote” by Oliver Thomas ($150), or a collectible bottle of Tesla Tequila ($250)? Too bougie? Consider the shelter-in-place comforts of Stouffer’s mac-and-cheese sweatsuit ($95), a McDonald’s blanket ($30), or a KFC-scented fire log ($40). Too basic? How about a hoodie from a makeup startup ($45) or enterprise software-branded Cole Haan sneakers ($120)?”
Environment
The world’s first ‘carbon-neutral’ cargo ship is already low on gas – Grist
“When shipping giant Maersk announced last month it would operate a “carbon-neutral” vessel by 2023, the Danish company committed to using a fuel that’s made from renewable sources, is free of soot-forming pollutants — and is currently in scarce supply. “Green methanol” is drawing interest from the global shipping industry as companies work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb air pollution in ports. The colorless liquid can be used as a “drop-in” replacement for oil-based fuels with relatively minor modifications to a ship’s engine and fuel system. It’s also easy to store on board and, unlike batteries or tanks of hydrogen, it doesn’t take away too much space from the cargo hold.”
Transportation
This EV Will Bring the COVID-19 Vaccine to You – CNET
“The EVV came to life as a collaborative effort between a handful of partners: Ayro, Element, Club Car and Gallery Carts. Ayro and Gallery build the vehicle, while Element handles sales. Club Car, which you may know from the golf cart industry, signed on to support servicing the EVs. It's absolutely a mobile vaccine clinic with every piece of CDC-recommended gear onboard to administer a safe vaccination experience. An ultralow-temperature freezer for vaccine storage, Bluetooth-enabled data loggers to track the vaccines' temperature, sinks and medical-grade storage -- they're all crammed into this tiny EV to make vaccine distribution easier.”