The Allbirds Collapse, Sabo Goes to War, and the US Cost Squeeze

Mal's back from Japan — and the news this week is anything but zen. Allbirds just sold for $39 million after hitting a $4.1 billion valuation, Sabo Skirt has taken 16 retailers to court for design theft including Kmart and Shein, and the US cost stack is getting uglier by the week.

This episode, we cover what Allbirds' spectacular collapse really tells us about the DTC hype cycle, why Sabo's legal fight matters for every fashion brand in Australia, and what the Amazon FBA fuel surcharge and the First Sale loophole threat mean for operators selling into the US market. Plus: AusPost acquires same-day delivery platform Rendr, Click Frenzy and Power Retail enter liquidation (blame the Iran war — we call BS), and junior pay rates in retail are about to be abolished.

• AusPost acquires same-day delivery platform Rendr, expanding same-day coverage to 90% of the Australian population
• Click Frenzy and Power Retail enter liquidation — the Iran war gets the blame, but the model was already broken
• Junior pay rates in retail abolished for workers 18+, with rises of up to 42% phased in through to 2030
• ACCC hands down Australia's first financial penalty for undisclosed influencer marketing — the Photobook Shop case
• Allbirds sells for $39M — a 99% wipeout from its $4.1B peak, and what it really means for DTC brand building
• Sabo Skirt takes 16 retailers to court over design copying, including Kmart and a Shein that apparently didn't get the memo after their 2024 settlement
• Amazon FBA adds a 3.5% fuel surcharge from April 17 — and don't expect them to ever take it off — plus the First Sale tariff loophole under threat in the US Congress

• AusPost acquires same-day delivery platform Rendr, expanding same-day coverage to 90% of the Australian population
• Click Frenzy and Power Retail enter liquidation — the Iran war gets the blame, but the model was already broken
• Junior pay rates in retail abolished for workers 18+, with rises of up to 42% phased in through to 2030
• ACCC hands down Australia's first financial penalty for undisclosed influencer marketing — the Photobook Shop case
• Allbirds sells for $39M — a 99% wipeout from its $4.1B peak, and what it really means for DTC brand building
• Sabo Skirt takes 16 retailers to court over design copying, including Kmart and a Shein that apparently didn't get the memo after their 2024 settlement
• Amazon FBA adds a 3.5% fuel surcharge from April 17 — and don't expect them to ever take it off — plus the First Sale tariff loophole under threat in the US Congress