Issue #063

Welcome to your weekly dose of TooXToo, this week featuring LEGO show that ‘Everyone is Awesome’, NatureQuant help us get outdoors, Asda harness the resale opportunity and a good old fashioned road trip with the Hoxton. 

Rainbow coloured LEGO celebrates Pride  

Everyone is Awesome, announced today by LEGO has been designed to celebrate the diversity of its fans. Launched just in time for Pride Month, the display model is inspired by the iconic rainbow flag which is used as a symbol of love and acceptance by the LGBTQ+ community. 

Featuring 11 mini-figures each with its own hairstyle and rainbow colour – the piece is designed to be displayed proudly on a shelf at home.  

Behind its creation is set designer Matthew Ashton and VP of Design: "I wanted to create a model that symbolises inclusivity and celebrates everyone, no matter how they identify or who they love. Everyone is unique, and with a little more love, acceptance and understanding in the world, we can all feel freer to be our true awesome selves!” 

Quantifying the great outdoors:  

A 2019 study found that spending just two hours a week in nature can improve health and mental wellbeing. However, for busy people it is often hard to spend time outside in nature – especially during lockdowns. 

However, when we do finally get outside – it is often hard to be in the moment, making it difficult to quantify whether we have spent enough time outdoors. 

Enter NatureQuant, a US-based platform that helps consumers assess their nature exposure.  

It’s latest product, NatureDose, tracks users’ outdoor exposure – analysing whether they hit 120 minutes per week. Earlier this May, NatureQuant integrated NatureDose with the popular exercise tracking app Strava. The collaboration, which is currently in beta testing, helps to measure outdoor activity and ‘score’ outdoor exposure on length and quality of nature immersion. 

Asda harness the resale opportunity:  

Asda, one of the biggest supermarket chains in the UK has partnered with second-hand wholesaler, Preloved Vintage Kilo to add resale options to 50 of their stores across the UK. 

This follows the brands campaign launching a textiles take-back scheme via which consumers received a 10% discount voucher for George at Asda items in return for bringing unwanted items to store. 

A number of high street retailers including H&M and Primark now offer textile recycling schemes – however Asda’s is one of the first schemes where the items are put directly into circulation by a major bricks-and-mortar retailer, particularly in the value sector. 

A good old fashioned road trip… 

With travel plans still very much up in the air, hotel brand The Hoxton have got just the solution. Their themed campervans are perfect for those looking to explore the UK this summer.  

The interiors of each VW Van are inspired by the décor of its hotel rooms and come complete with a double bed, plus camping chairs, bikes, a curated playlist, a portable BBQ and a breakfast box with food to prepare for each day of the trip. 

There are four itineraries, including the Sussex coast, Normady in France, the rural Netherlands or California in the US. Guests are provided with a route and pre-booked campsites, as well as a suggested itinerary of the best beauty spots, beaches and restaurants to visit each day.  

This offering is following in the wake of its sold-out 2020 glamping experience Camp Hox – a clever way for the hotel brand to remain relevant with current travel restrictions.