ClickZ Wearables Newsletter - 09.26.2024

PLUS: Join TikTok, Seraphine and Sweaty Betty for Fospha's BFCM live discussion on October 3

Author

Marina Mouka
September 26, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Editor’s Pick 🌟

Peak season is the single best opportunity for D2C brands.

To help you capture it, Fospha has assembled a panel of industry experts. Join them for a live discussion featuring leaders at Sweaty Betty, Seraphine, and the Head of Measurement at TikTok.

📅 Date: Thursday, 3 October 2024

🕒 Time: 11 AM EST / 4 PM BST

P.S. You'll have the chance to ask the experts questions about peak season strategies in real-time!

Gain exclusive insight into:

  1. Proven tactics to maximize peak period opportunities, shared live by experts

  2. Strategies for capturing customers efficiently through a full-funnel approach

  3. Insights on growing your customer base profitably with effective measurement

  4. Methods for identifying and capitalizing on growth headroom for efficient scaling across channels

Specialty Bites 🍪

Garmin has rolled out its latest update, focusing on enhanced coaching and social features for its watches and bike computers. A key highlight is the upgrade to Garmin Coach, which now offers adaptive training programs that adjust if you skip or change a session—much like having a supportive personal trainer. However, it’s worth noting that the available plans are still limited to 5K, 10K, and half marathons.

Cyclists will benefit from new coaching plans and Group Ride features, including live locations and incident reports. Swimmers can also set pace or intensity targets for their pool sessions.

The update introduces Garmin Share, allowing users to share saved locations, courses, and workouts with nearby Garmin devices. This update is being rolled out now for compatible devices, though Venu 3 users will not have access to these new features.

Fitbit's new patent reveals a feature to detect arterial stiffness, a precursor to serious heart conditions. Using a PPG sensor during exercise, the technology measures pulse waveforms to predict cardiovascular risks. This innovation could be integrated into future Fitbit wearables, offering users critical health insights without clinical visits.

Snap's new Spectacles are standalone AR glasses aimed at developers, offering high-resolution imagery and intuitive controls. Despite their bulky design, they are lightweight and user-friendly. With partnerships from companies like LEGO and Niantic, Snap aims to build a robust app marketplace before a consumer launch.

Image: Snap

Google's Pixel Watch 3, with its larger 45mm size, brighter display, and improved activity tracking, finally rivals the Apple Watch. Enhanced battery life and faster charging make it a strong contender, despite some design quirks. Google's smartwatch has matured, offering a polished, competitive alternative in the wearable market.

Performance Platters 🍽️

Brands like Belgian Boys and Olipop are shifting their focus to reach U.S. shoppers in smaller cities. They are investing in retail media networks and hyper-localized marketing to connect with busy parents and larger households. Platforms like Hummingbirds help brands create targeted campaigns, driving sales in specific regions.

Perplexity, backed by Nvidia and Jeff Bezos, is in talks with brands like Nike and Marriott to revolutionize AI-powered search advertising. They aim to replace Google's auction-based system with sponsored questions featuring AI-generated answers. This shift promises unbiased answers while enhancing user experience and advertising effectiveness.

VTEX's survey reveals that 45% of U.S. consumers have engaged in live shopping, with men leading in participation. Social video commerce is also popular, especially among Gen Z and millennials. Brands should leverage these trends, focusing on consistent, engaging experiences to boost consumer engagement and sales.

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