- __[COD](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/3DpeGe1lyARbnRKJrQl0dF/articles/1NLpPKfmkzaijNqlW1eIyh/):__ Xbox-maker __Microsoft__ struck deals to share some of its top games with rivals __Nintendo__ and __Nvidia__ to win support for its $69B acquisition of __Activision Blizzard__. 
- __[Checkmeta](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7njrkTvG6xMWBL9Rp3jjNB/articles/5F00601QGvnAtcX8AWnuoj/):__ __Meta’s__ following __Twitter__ with a blue-check subscription as social giants scramble for *non*-ad revenue. “Meta Verified,” which launched last week, offers Insta and FB app users blue badges for $15/month. 
- __[Scooted](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7njrkTvG6xMWBL9Rp3jjNB/articles/1qcuhbwlqr3wvlg1EyIMBh/):__ Electric-scooter startups like __Bird__ and __Helbiz__ have been deeply unprofitable, but __Lime__ said it just became the first micro-mobility company to notch a profitable year thanks to its DIY approach.

ICYMI

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__Insta-worthy fit…__ for less than $10. After years of explosive growth, *ultra*-fast-fashion titan __Shein__ is laying out lofty sales goals in preparation for a potential IPO this year. Shein became America’s largest fast-fashion brand thanks to its online offering of endless trendy clothes at super-low prices (think: 6K new styles listed *each day*). Now Shein could become the largest Chinese company ever to list in the US — its #1 market. 

- __New fit:__ In an investor presentation last week, Shein said it was aiming to double its annual sales to nearly $60B by 2025. FYI: that’s more than __H&M__ and __Zara’s__ yearly sales *combined*. 
- __Loose thread:__ Analysts say Shein’s goal could be a stretch, since it would need to get more repeat customers and sell pricier pieces (think: $30 blouse vs. $3 tank). 

__From A to Gen Z…__ Shein became a go-to for young adults thanks to viral __TikTok__ [hauls](https://theweek.com/feature/briefing/1016752/the-real-cost-of-fast-fashion) and influencer endorsements. During the pandemic, its valuation soared from $10B to $100B in two years (but recently dropped to $65B). The novelty of endless cheap clothing scrolling is starting to wear off. Shein’s sales have fallen for six out of the past seven months, and last year it posted its first annual loss since the pandemic.

- __Interest down:__ Online searches for Shein and other fast-fashion faves like __Pretty Little Thing__ and __Fashion Nova__ have tumbled since last fall.
- __Competition up:__ This month Shein’s China-owned rival, __Temu__, became the most downloaded app in the US (topping Walmart and Amazon) after its [Super Bowl ad](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgNuwb9lpeg).

Hit refresh for a Gen Z style overload (Jakub Porzycki//Getty Images)

OOTD

__Cheap is easy to sell, but easier to unravel…__ Gen Z is more open to embracing new brands than other generations, but keeping its attention is hard. Plus, young shoppers are increasingly concerned about the environmental effects of their purchases. That could be bad news for unsustainable fast-fashion brands like Shein, which has been in hot water for contributing to millions of tons of carbon emissions — and has received scrutiny for labor-law violations.

Shein is stitching up a blockbuster IPO, but a fast-fashion slowdown could unravel the plan

__Thursday = the new Friday...__ The four-day workweek is #trending after positive [results](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/44zd3IQT0JJbWiGwxhlAOc/articles/12KrqK3ZznsRULbKmOL0Go/) from one of the largest trials ever conducted of the concept. The vast majority of companies in the six-month UK study said they’d stick with four-day weeks after seeing major reductions in turnover, happier employees, and mostly steady productivity. Employers in the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and other countries are also testing it out. Most companies that have experimented with short weeks are small, but four-day work could become a hot new perk. 

__SCOTUS on YouTube…__ The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case against __Google__ that could decide if tech companies should be liable for content their algos promote. The plaintiffs are the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, an American college student who was killed in a 2015 ISIS attack in Paris. They say YouTube’s recommendations violated anti-terrorism law by helping radicalize viewers. Social giants are protected from being liable for users' posts thanks to Section 230. But now the question of content *promotion* could put some protections in jeopardy.

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__Missed the bull’s-eye?…__ __Target__ is expected to report lower sales and profits tomorrow. __Walmart__ unboxed a strong holiday quarter last week as discount seekers flocked to its aisles for essentials like food (groceries = over half of Walmart’s sales). But America’s largest retailer warned that customers are cutting back on higher-margin discretionary items (think: clothes, decor, TVs). That’s even worse news for Target, since discretionary goods make up 60% of its sales. Analysts expect Target’s profit will have dropped by more than half. 

__The doctor will FaceTime you now…__ Telemedicine companies like __Teledoc__, which reported last week, rode the lockdown wave to ballooning growth. But now many IRL doc offices are open and the US government’s Covid emergency declaration is on track to end in May (think: a possible end to video-call Adderall prescriptions). And the shine may be coming off telemedicine's apple. If Teledoc's disappointing forecast is any indication, __Hims & Hers Health__ and __GoodRx__, which report this week, may have reason to call in sick.

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