Stacks on Stacks on Stacks (of Simulations?)

Brits Say La-buh-bye to Labubu. After reports of extreme violence, Pop Mart announced via its social accounts that it will stop selling the social-media-famous furry monsters in UK stores and roboshops. Long queues formed outside of every store. In some cases, the bad vibes and hostility became so palpable that managers had to hire private security to keep the tensions at bay. Brits looking for a fight (or a furry accessory) will just have to stick to their screens because Pop Mart will continue to host their digital drops as usual.

The displaced violence brings us back to the viral toy launches of yore, from Cabbage Patch Kids to Trolls and Furbies. Do we as consumers really have such a strong penchant for so-ugly-they’re-cute merch, or is this just another example of how we will do whatever it takes to keep up with trends to convey our social clout and economic standing?

Regardless of the most accurate scenario, there is a ritualistic essence to the process—waiting for a drop, going to the store, and standing in line with your fellow shoppers, hoping you get your hands on the “it accessory” of 2025. It’s a natural hunt that isn’t quite as fulfilling online. While consumers may be able to tap their way to Labubu parenthood on their smartphones, they’ll be doing so from the isolation of their home, taking away the community-driven experience and excitement of rushing, dodging, and diving for those furry little gremlins.

Sight for Sore Eyes. Google's reimagining of smart glasses takes a fashion-forward approach with partnerships announced at I/O featuring trendy eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster—a strategic bifurcation targeting both accessible and aspirational market segments. This dual approach signals a profound evolution from Google's earlier, aesthetically challenged forays into wearable technology, acknowledging that even the most revolutionary devices must conform to the dictates of style to achieve mass adoption.

💡Future Commerce published analysis about Gentle Monster in “Flagships” and “Analysis: UK Retail.”

📕The British eyewear sector is a subject of analysis in our newest 280-page annual art journal, LORE. Available now from Future Commerce Press.

‍Sleep of Champions. Have you ever had a great night of sleep and felt like you could conquer the world? Perhaps throw a javelin or run a 400-meter-dash? That’s science! Research shows that restorative sleep directly links to athletic performance, which is why luxury sleep company Saatva is the official mattress and restorative sleep provider for LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA, offering mattresses, linens, and pillows to athletes during the games. While the Olympic Games are usually a pillar advertising moment for athletic brands like Nike, the sponsorship pool has diversified over the years to encompass more lifestyle-oriented brands, such as Airbnb and P&G. This evolution shows the Games’ strategic emphasis not just on athletic performance but general wellness, a pivot that aligns with the broader ad industry.

Virtual Runway Walk-Off. Less than a week after announcing its official launch on the App Store and a $14 million seed round led by Thrive Capital, virtual try-on app Doji is getting its heels nipped by Google. The tech behemoth has unveiled a new experimental feature in Search Labs that allows users to upload photos and receive a real-time image of what they’ll look like in certain pants, shirts, dresses, and skirts. The AI model “understands the human body and nuances of clothing—like how different materials fold, stretch, and drape on different bodies, according to the company.

Soon, shoppers will also be able to shop in “AI Mode,” a Gemini-powered search experience that delivers personalized images and product listings based on specific prompts. By running multiple searches simultaneously, the experience can offer recommendations based on various scenarios and contexts. Finally, a “Buy for me” button will let Google complete transactions on behalf of shoppers, making agentic commerce a reality for the search giant.

Our Take: Back in January, we wrote about our experiences using Doji—the good, the bad, and the ugly. At the time, Doji was still in beta, offering us a glimpse into how our digital and physical wardrobes could conspire to inspire consumers and drive tangible action. But the experience had its gaps (it turned Phillip into a black man 1/10 times).

Google is no stranger to virtual try-on: it has been rolling out new features for beauty and apparel over the past few years that allow shoppers to view looks on different models based on their body types and skin tones. But its move deeper into virtual try-on and other AI-powered shopping experiences is illustrating the company’s ongoing commitment and capital investments in the category. And search’s integral role in each step of the journey, from high-level research to high-intent comparison, shows why it makes sense.

Digital Grief Enters the Courtroom: A judge was moved by an AI-generated avatar testifying on behalf of a man killed in a road rage incident, creating a watershed moment for legal proceedings where technology becomes a conduit for emotional testimony from beyond the grave.

‍Voyager 1 Defies Cosmic Obsolescence. In a remarkable feat of engineering longevity, NASA successfully reactivated thrusters on its interstellar spacecraft that had been dormant for two decades. This technological resurrection extends the operational lifespan of humanity's most distant mechanical emissary as it continues its journey into interstellar space—a poignant reminder that even as we embrace the relentless novelty of AI and virtual reality, our most enduring technological achievements may be the ones silently traversing the void.

👉 We will cover the Voyager I & II Missions at VISIONS Summit: NYC.