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Rimowa and Vitra unite for aluminium storage collection

Rimowa and Vitra, Global

Global – German luggage brand Rimowa and Swiss design house Vitra have launched a collaborative collection of anodised aluminium objects, demonstrating how two legacy brands from adjacent industries can unite on material heritage to create multifunctional design objects.

The collection includes a wheeled storage stool and a minimalist toolbox and marks the brands’ first partnership. The resulting designs reflect a shared focus on ‘mobility, multi-functionality and a deep respect for material innovation’, according to Rimowa’s senior vice-president of product and marketing, Emelie De Vitis.

The stool features a cubic form, a hinged cap with a detachable cushion and interior storage divided by leather panels and lined with Vitra-produced fabric. A leather strap fastens the lid shut. The matching toolbox fits neatly between the stool’s compartments, offering a slim, portable storage solution with a central handle and recycled fabric lining. The icy blue, beige and spring green pieces draw inspiration from Rimowa’s signature grooved luggage and Vitra’s iconic Eames Aluminium Chair.

‘Our mutual use of aluminium became a driving force behind the collaboration, reflecting our shared heritage in craftsmanship and engineering excellence,’ De Vitis told Dezeen.

For more insights into building successful brand partnerships, explore our Elastic Brands and Luxury Recrafted reports for innovative case studies.

Strategic opportunity

Harness shared material heritage to build cross-sector partnerships that blend storytelling with intentional design, creating multi-functional products for consumers’ modern lifestyles

Tesco taps into 1990s nostalgia with Clubcard-themed nightclub

Tesco, UK

UK – Tesco is transporting customers back to 1995 with Club Card, a pop-up nightclub celebrating 30 years of the supermarket’s loyalty scheme.

Taking over Soho’s Vinyl Factory on 4 and 5 July 2025, the event promises a full-blown 90s and early 00s revival, complete with retro drinks, neon dancefloors and live sets from era-defining acts.

At the exclusive club for Clubcard members, guests can enjoy drinks such as J2O and WKD at the Little Tesco bar before heading over to the Self-Checkout Selfie Station or to try their hand at retro games to win exclusive prizes from Clubcard Reward Partner brands.

The nightclub was inspired by Tesco research, which found that 55% of Brits feel nostalgic for the 90s and early 00s, and 68% of 18–24-year-olds say they’d love to experience a 90s night out.

As explored in our Third Space Retail report, public parties are fast becoming a valuable strategy for brands to foster community connection and experiential engagement.

Strategic opportunity

Tap into people’s emotional connection to past eras by reimagining nostalgic experiences through a contemporary lens. Use archive-inspired campaigns and era-specific brand activations to drive feel-good engagement and cross-generational loyalty

Stat: US consumers slow down on EV adoption

FF 91 electric car by Faraday Future, Las Vegas

US – Despite more than 75 electric vehicle (EV) models being launched since 2021, interest in going fully electric is faltering. AAA’s latest survey finds that only 16% of US drivers are likely to make an EV their next car – the lowest figure since 2019. Meanwhile, those who are unlikely to go electric has surged to 63%, up from 51% last year.

The survey revealed that cost remains the top roadblock. High battery repair costs (62%) and steep purchase prices (59%) are major deterrents, alongside limited charging infrastructure. Just 23% of respondents now believe most cars will be electric within a decade, down from 40% in 2022.

While EVs still boast the lowest fuel and maintenance costs, falling fuel prices and reduced enthusiasm for tax incentives are slowing momentum. As the landscape stalls, AAA suggests hybrid models may offer a more practical middle ground, as they balance sustainability with convenience for today’s cautious consumers.

Explore our Public Transport Futures report to discover how the new era of mass transport is taking shape.

Strategic opportunity

Reframe electric vehicles as a lifestyle upgrade, not a compromise, especially for hesitant, first-time EV adopters. Bridge the trust gap by designing hybrid solutions and messaging that emphasise flexibility, cost transparency and convenience over sustainability as a driver for choice