Sprouts Farmers Market Expands “PowHERed by Sprouts” Initiative With New Female Athlete Partnerships
Sprouts Farmers Market has announced seven new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships with standout female college athletes from a variety of sports. This latest group joins the company’s ongoing “PowHERed by Sprouts initiative,” a platform designed to empower women both on and off the field through nutrition, performance, and community engagement. The program underscores Sprouts’ mission to champion female athletes who are breaking barriers in their sports while inspiring positive change in their local communities.
Sprouts CMO Alisa Gmelich said, “Sprouts is proud to be the first natural retailer to invest in women’s collegiate athletics – empowering female athletes, fueling their performance, and celebrating their impact in the communities we serve. We are thrilled to support this new Sprouts NIL class to build a healthier and stronger future for all female athletes.”
The new NIL class represents athletes from basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, and track and field – each bringing a unique story and passion for wellness, performance, and community advocacy. Since launching its NIL program in 2022, Sprouts has partnered with more than 165 female athletes across 30 universities. The seven new members of the class include basketball standouts Lauren and Sienna Betts (Los Angeles), soccer player Melania Fullerton (Nashville), softball stars Madi Hays (Lawrence) and Teagan Kavan (Austin), volleyball player Whitney Lauenstein (Austin), and track athlete Tiffani Rae Pittman (Washington, D.C.). These athletes will highlight how Sprouts supports their health and lifestyle through curated nutrition, including the brand’s new Wellness Bowls. Beyond NIL deals, Sprouts also invests in women’s sports through partnerships with the Big 12 and SEC Conferences, Angel City FC, and major collegiate events like the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad and Broadway Block Party.
Learn more here.
Chipotle Celebrates 25 Years of Boorito With Big Halloween Rewards for Rewards Program Members
Chipotle Mexican Grill is reviving its beloved Halloween tradition, Boorito, for its 25th anniversary. On October 31, Chipotle Rewards members who visit any Chipotle location in costume between 3 p.m. and closing time will be eligible for a $6 entrée when they scan their Rewards card at checkout. To mark the milestone, the brand is also reintroducing its Boorito Costume Contest, giving fans the chance to win a Chipotle VIP Card valued at more than $500 in free meals.
Chipotle Chief Brand Officer Chris Brandt said, “Boorito started as a simple way to bring people together on Halloween, and over 25 years, it has grown to become the biggest annual celebration of our real fans and real food. Boorito has long served as a runway for our guests to show off their creative costumes, so we’re leveraging TikTok to drive additional excitement and inspiration this year.”
Building on the success of its 2020 TikTok challenge, Chipotle is encouraging fans to showcase their Halloween creativity online through the Boorito Costume Contest. From October 27 to November 2, participants can post videos of their costumes on TikTok for a chance to win the exclusive VIP Card. In addition to Boorito, Chipotle is offering seasonal treats throughout October with its Chip-or-Treat promotion. Rewards members can unlock free guac, chips, bonus points, and more by purchasing entrées through the app, website, or in-store. Each purchase earns members a special “treat” email valid for five days, with up to four opportunities to collect rewards during the month. For those planning Halloween gatherings, Chipotle has also introduced its new Build-Your-Own Chipotle (BYOC) family meal, a customizable feast serving four to six people and $10 off the first order using code TRYBYOC through December 31.
Learn more about the Chipotle Rewards Program and Boorito here.
Paypal Survey Highlights How AI and BNPL Trends Are Shaping the 2025 Holiday Shopping Season
PayPal’s 2025 Holiday Shopping Survey reveals that U.S. consumers are embracing technology and flexible payment options as they prepare for the holiday season. The survey highlights that 77% of shoppers plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to guide their holiday purchases. Shoppers are turning to AI for personalized recommendations (26%), product comparisons (30%), and the best deals (34%), especially younger generations like Gen Z (61%) and Millennials (57%). For merchants, this means optimizing their visibility across AI-driven platforms is now essential to remain competitive and capture holiday sales.
PayPal General Manager of Small Business and Financial Services, Michelle Gill, said, “Shoppers are moving fluidly across channels, discovering products through AI, returning to stores, and choosing flexible payment options like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to maximize this holiday season. Merchants that enable seamless experiences and deliver value at every touchpoint will not only thrive this holiday season but build stronger, long-term customer loyalty.”
The study highlighted the mainstream adoption of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) as a preferred payment method. Half of consumers are planning to use BNPL to help manage budgets and improve affordability during the holidays. This flexible payment option is influencing buying behavior, with 52% of shoppers stating that they’re more likely to buy something if BNPL is available. Younger shoppers, in particular, have made BNPL a core part of how they pay, with one in four of them using BNPL on a regular basis. PayPal reports that businesses offering BNPL see up to 91% higher average order values, demonstrating how integrating flexible payments can boost both sales and customer satisfaction.
Learn more here.
Original Article Links:
Sprouts Farmers Market Announces Seven New NIL Deals Across Women’s Sports
Chipotle Brings Back Annual ‘Boorito’ Promotion
From AI to BNPL, PayPal Survey Reveals How Merchants Can Win the Holidays