Anheuser-Busch Acquires 85% Stake in BeatBox, Quince Expands to Wine & More
Consumer VC Roundup #146 – Latest News in Emerging Consumer Brands, Tech & Commerce Enablement From the Week of December 8th 2025
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This Week In Consumer
📰 Consumer News📰
Saks Global has filed a federal lawsuit to block former Bergdorf Goodman chief merchant Yumi Shin from joining Nordstrom, alleging she violated a noncompete, misappropriated proprietary information, and seeking nearly $50,000 in payouts. RD
U.S. food and beverage industry groups are suing Texas to block a new law requiring warning labels on products containing certain artificial colors and additives by 2027. The groups argue the labels would be misleading, conflict with federal rules, and raise costs for companies. The lawsuit comes amid growing national scrutiny of food dyes and additives. JD
President Donald Trump has created Food Supply Chain Security Task Forces within the Justice Department and FTC to crack down on price-fixing, anti-competitive behavior, and foreign influence in the food sector. The groups will pursue enforcement actions and criminal investigations as needed, focusing on areas like meat processing and fertilizer. The move is aimed at lowering grocery prices, a key Trump campaign promise that remains unfulfilled. RTP
Around 90 Unite members at Diageo’s Belfast canning plant have voted to reject the company’s recent pay proposal and will begin an eight-day strike starting 12 December. The industrial action comes after negotiations over wages failed to reach an agreement, with workers pushing for improved compensation. This strike marks the resumption of labor unrest at the site, reflecting ongoing tensions between Diageo management and its workforce in Northern Ireland. JD
🧃Consumer Brands👚
💸M&A💸
The European Commission has approved Mars’ $36bn acquisition of Kellanova, clearing the way for the deal to close on 11 December 2025. The merger combines Kellanova’s brands like Pringles, Cheez-It, and Pop Tarts with Mars’ portfolio, including M&M’s and Snickers, following regulatory approvals in both Europe and the US. FBM
Anheuser-Busch has acquired an 85% stake in RTD brand BeatBox for up to $490 million, expanding its ‘Beyond Beer’ portfolio. BeatBox, known for its fruit-forward Party Punch flavors, ranks among the top 10 RTD brands, reflecting Anheuser-Busch’s push into innovative, convenient beverages. FBM
PayRange has acquired KioSoft to expand cashless solutions for unattended retail, combining their networks to serve millions of machines worldwide, with KioSoft operating under the PayRange brand. RM
Fortifi Food Processing Solutions has completed its acquisition of Provisur Technologies, adding grinding, forming, slicing, and tumbling equipment to its portfolio. The deal strengthens Fortifi’s position as a full-line automation partner, enabling fully integrated protein processing lines from intake to further processing. FBM
The Wyckoff family has acquired all Washington-based assets of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, including its wine brands, production facilities, and vineyards. JD
🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansion🚀
Walmart has debuted on Nasdaq, moving from the NYSE while keeping its WMT ticker, highlighting its focus on innovation and growth as a tech-powered omnichannel retailer. RD
Calvin Klein has opened a 3,000-square-foot flagship in SoHo, New York, featuring its iconic underwear and denim lines as the centerpiece, blending classic appeal with modern innovation. WWD
This Works, known for its sleep and aromatherapy products, is entering fine fragrance with “Own Time,” a neuroscent designed to influence mood and support better sleep. Using behaviour-modulating terpenes, the scent interacts with the brain and nervous system rather than focusing only on smell. The launch marks the brand’s next step after pioneering functional fragrance with its deep sleep pillow spray in 2011. BND
Dollar General plans to open 450 new U.S. stores and 10 in Mexico in 2026, alongside 4,250 remodels and 20 relocations. The retailer is prioritizing larger 8,500 sq. ft. formats and continued expansion in rural markets, which drove most of its growth in 2025. RTP
Target has reopened its 26,000-square-foot SoHo store in New York with a style-focused redesign, featuring a curated women’s apparel selection, enhanced beauty offerings, and a modern, immersive store layout. WWD
Pacsun will open its first store outside the U.S. next year at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, marking its international brick-and-mortar debut. In partnership with Majid Al Futtaim, the brand plans up to 20 stores across GCC countries over the next five years, supported by regional e-commerce and experiential events, starting with a pop-up at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. RTP
Ecozy has launched the Brezzano Elite, a $299.99 touchscreen espresso machine that allows users to make Espresso, Cold Brew, Americano, and Over Ice drinks at home. The machine includes a milk steamer, guided brewing, quick cold brew capability, Americano presets, and a self-cleaning function. RM
Gymshark opens its first U.S. flagship on Dec. 13 at 11 Bond Street in NYC. The 13,000 sq. ft. store features New York–inspired design, exclusive merch, 1-2-1 shopping services and a full floor dedicated to community events and athlete meet-and-greets. RTP
Foreo has launched a budget-friendly sub-brand aimed at younger shoppers, offering products under $30 to make its facial cleansing devices more accessible compared with its $200 premium models. BI
Ikea has opened its first New Zealand store at Auckland’s Sylvia Park, supported by 29 nationwide pickup points for online orders. The location includes a buy-back program — even for non-Ikea items — as part of the retailer’s push toward circular commerce and waste reduction. RTP
Chinese cosmetics brand Flower Knows, known for its fairytale-inspired collections and ornate packaging, has made its U.S. retail debut at Ulta Beauty as C-beauty gains popularity BI
🪇Collabs🪇
Gap and beauty brand Summer Fridays are launching a 20-piece apparel collection, featuring fleece sets, knits, pajamas, and accessories inspired by Summer Fridays’ signature colors, marking the beauty brand’s first clothing collaboration. RD
Nike and Urban Outfitters have launched the Nike Bounce House pop-up in SoHo and Chicago O’Hare as part of Urban Outfitters’ 2025 holiday campaign, featuring a giant puffer-inspired bounce house, games, and prizes to engage shoppers and celebrate Nike’s latest Swoosh series. WWD
Pinterest has partnered with Walmart to pilot shoppable recipes in the U.S., allowing users to add ingredients from recipe Pins directly to their Walmart cart, swap items, view real-time pricing, and choose store pickup or delivery, advancing Pinterest’s goal to make “every Pin shoppable.” RTP
Online retailer Quince has partnered with AI platform Drinks to launch a curated wine selection, starting with Dom Pérignon Brut 2015, as part of its new gourmet food and wine category, with plans to expand the assortment through 2026. RD
Lasenor and Meala FoodTech have introduced Lasenor VP-100, a plant-based pea protein for commercial bakeries that enables 50–100% egg reduction in muffins while improving aeration, softness, and shelf life. The allergen-free, non-GMO ingredient delivers a full-egg-like texture and can be used in various baked goods, including sponge cakes, pound cakes, and brioches. BVM
🔻Closures, Bankruptcies & Downsizes🔻
Lane Crawford will close its Chengdu IFS store after February 28, citing changing consumer dynamics, while continuing to engage customers through online channels, livestream shopping, and its stores in Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong. WWD
💻Consumer Software💻
🛒eCommerce & Retail Tech🛒
Ashley has launched an AI-powered shopping experience in partnership with Perplexity and PayPal, enabling customers to get product recommendations, add items to their cart, and complete payment in a single conversation. RD
Skims, co-founded by Kim Kardashian, held its first shoppable TikTok livestream, “Kimsmas Live!,” a 45-minute holiday event featuring collections and exclusive deals, inspired by classic variety shows and produced with OBB Media. RD
Canadian AI company Tracktile has raised $1.25M in seed funding to develop its AI Operating System for SMB F&B manufacturers, aiming to improve efficiency with real-time insights. The round was led by BDC Seed Venture Fund and Island Capital Partners, with Graphite Ventures participating, and will support AI development, sales growth, and North American expansion. FBM
Thanks for reading!