On Monday, SpaceX’s Falcon 6 is set to launch into space with some special cargo: Doritos. The snack brand says its Cool Ranch Zero Gravity flavored mini tortilla chips are “made for space,” because they’re small enough to eat in a single bite, so their flavoring doesn’t float away in zero gravity. The launch is part of the Polaris Dawn Mission, during which the crew plans to execute the first commercial space walk and study the health effects of long-term space travel.
Here’s what else is going on in retail this week:
In sporting events: The US Open kicks off Monday, and that means over the next two weeks, visitors to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, can start shopping at the event’s on-site retail outlets. Sporty apparel brands such as Nike, Wilson, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Fila will have a presence at the stadium.
In court proceedings: Kroger’s legal challenge to the FTC’s lawsuit against its merger with Albertsons will get underway this week, with evidentiary hearings starting on Monday at a federal court in Portland, Oregon. The FTC’s administrative action put the supermarket super-merger on hold, and now Kroger is trying to get an injunction on the grounds that the FTC’s proceeding it’s allegedly unconstitutional.
In earnings: The retail earnings keep coming this week, with several apparel brands set to report their Q2 results. Nordstrom is on deck for Tuesday, followed by Abercrombie & Fitch, Foot Locker, Kohl’s, and Victoria’s Secret on Wednesday. The companies run the gamut from big-box department stores to specialized outlets, so expect a good mix of insights. One bit of context to keep in mind is that apparel companies are performing relatively well in this economy, especially when they offer discounts and promotions.