Consumer News
Eroski reported gross sales of €3.06 billion for H1 2026, a 3.8% increase from last year, with net profit rising to €65.4 million due to heightened consumer demand for value amidst price sensitivity – ESM
McCormick has reported higher quarterly sales and profit, as pricier seasonings and sauces helped cushion the blow from weaker consumer demand. The company faces challenges from elevated costs and consumers trading down to cheaper goods – ESM
Mondelēz International highlights trends shaping the future of confectionery and snacking, emphasizing premiumization and personalized nutrition as key consumer demands. The company notes that consumers are willing to spend more for higher-quality products - FoodNav
Amazon, along with Target and Walmart, is hosting major fall sales events to test consumer demand ahead of the holiday season. Amazon‘s Prime Big Deal Days are scheduled for October 6-7. Walmart and Target will have their sales from October 5-11 and October 6-7, respectively. This year’s sales come amid rising gas prices and low consumer sentiment, making them a critical indicator of spending behavior – Modern Retail
Lindt & Sprüngli has cut its 2026 organic sales growth forecast due to weaker consumer sentiment and price sensitivity, citing record-high cocoa costs and an unprecedented summer heatwave impacting chocolate sales – FoodNav
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Consumer Brands
Fundraises
Something & Nothing. The U.K.-founded premium soda brand, made from quality natural juices, extracts, and botanicals, raised a $6.4M seed round to expand in the US, focusing on distinctive flavors and design. The round was led by Venrex. This brings their total funding to $15.7M with Venrex participating in both of their financing rounds – DFL
Hiyo, the non-alcoholic functional social tonic brand that features adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals, raised $20.8M Series B led by Constellation Brands. They plan to expand their retail footprint past 13,000 doors and go deeper into nightlife and music festivals with their multi-year partnership with Live Nation – BevNet
M&A
Stride Consumer Partners has acquired a majority stake in Clio Snacks, maker of the first refrigerated Greek yogurt bar. Clio is sold in about 60,000 stores, runs its own 86,000-square-foot plant in New Jersey, and is on track to produce more than 150 million bars this year. Alliance Consumer Growth backed the company starting in 2018. Clio is on track for $120M in revenue this year, – PRNewswire
Sargento has acquired La Terra Fina, a maker of premium dairy-based dips, spreads, and quiches, expanding its portfolio into grocery and club deli departments. This acquisition creates a new Deli Business Unit and adds approximately 250 employees to Sargento. Financial details of the sale were not disclosed - PRNewswire M&A
Samsonite Group has purchased 85% of BÉIS, a lifestyle and travel brand that was founded by Shay Mitchell, to enhance its lifestyle presence. The brand was valued at $210m / 1x Revenue. The remaining 15% stake will be kept by Shay Mitchell, who stays on as Creative Lead. This acquisition aims to leverage BÉIS’s engaged consumer base and digital capabilities for growth. BÉIS will continue to operate under its brand leadership, focusing on creativity and consumer connections – PRNewswire M&A
The brand was incubated out of Beach House Group, the LA brand incubator behind Moon with Kendall Jenner, Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross, and Florence by Mills with Millie Bobby Brown (which it incubated and sold). Beach House Group had a 70% stake , Shay Mitchell 30% stake. With this transaction, Beach House Group sold their full 70% stake (~$147m) and Shay sold half her stake (~$31.5m). She still owns the remaining 15% stake in the business. For comparison, Samsonite paid ~3x revenue (13.6x EBITDA) for TUMI in 2016.
Tresalis, a new owner-operator platform built to acquire and grow science-led consumer health, beauty, and wellness brands, has acquired a majority stake in Vyrao, the London-based wellbeing fragrance house founded by Yasmin Sewell in 2021. Tresalis is a new owner-operator platform built to acquire and grow science-led consumer health, beauty, and wellness brands – and Vyrao is their first one. The acquisition allows Vyrao to retain its brand identity while benefiting from Tresalis‘s resources. Existing investors, including Elevate Beauty and Manzanita Capital, will remain equity partners in Vyrao - PRNewswire M&A
Debuts, Distribution & Expansion
Momentous, a performance supplement brand known for sport-certified products used by pro and college teams, is expanding its reach into national retail, launching 12 products at Target, following $100 million in sales last year - Beauty Independent
Oshi, the plant based seafood brand, has launched its products in 123 Hy-Vee stores, significantly expanding its retail footprint - Vegconomist
MoonBrew, a melatonin-free sleep brand known for its hot cocoa sleep drink, is moving from DTC into retail, starting with Target’s sleep aisle. Founder Allan Shen, who grew up in his parents’ herbal apothecary in San Francisco, launched the company as NoonBrew, an afternoon energy powder, in 2021 before pivoting to sleep in 2024 on stronger unit economics. The brand is also launching MoonBrew Kids, its customers’ top request – Forbes
J&J Snack Foods is expanding its European presence with popular snack products, focusing on churros and soft pretzels to meet consumer demand - ESM
Whisker has joined TikTok Shop to market its Litter Robot, leveraging its unique features to attract younger shoppers. The product’s viral appeal is expected to enhance sales across various channels, including direct-to-consumer and Amazon - Modern Retail
Product Launches
Ferrero Group is reformulating Power Crunch to make it lighter and crunchier, reflecting competition in the protein bar market. The relaunch coincides with their new campaign, A Lighter Way to Protein, aimed at appealing to consumer preferences for protein snacks - FoodNav
Coca-Cola Co‘s new Topo Chico Colección introduces a premium sparkling water in a convenient format, aiming to capitalize on growing trends in the category. The launch reflects the brand’s strategy to differentiate in a crowded market - FoodNav
Lidl has launched a new private-label pet food brand called Max & Mila’s World, aimed at providing quality and accessible food options for cats and dogs. This initiative marks the first time Lidl has created a unique brand identity for its pet product range - ESM
Mars is introducing Skittles Gummy Crystals, a gummy coated in crunchy candy crystals - FoodNav
Nest New York is launching the Wonder eau de parfum, derived from its bestselling Holiday candle, to expand its fine fragrance business. This move follows a successful introduction of perfume oils and aims to capture holiday scents for consumers - Modern Retail
One Planet Pizza is launching its first frozen ready meals, including Tofu Tikka Masala, Mac & Cheeze, and Veg & Lentil Ragù Lasagne, exclusively in 276 Asda stores starting October 12. The brand also confirmed listings for two pizzas in Iceland’s Food Warehouse chain from January 2027, marking significant retail expansion - Vegconomist
Hershey has launched two new products, Reese’s Caramel Block and Reese’s White Peanut Butter Cup Trio, to drive growth. These innovations cater to consumer demand for indulgent flavors and reflect industry trends towards flavor extensions. The launches aim to leverage existing consumer loyalty during uncertain economic times - FoodNav
Funds Raising Funds
Stride Consumer Partners has closed its second fund with $550 million in capital commitments, oversubscribed and 30% larger than its first fund. The firm invests across beauty, food and beverage, active lifestyle, and multi-unit services with some of the investments include Chomps, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Drybar, Crown Affair - Beauty Independent
Consumer Technology
Fundraises
Instinct, a developer of AI assistants for everyday tasks, secured $1 billion in a Series C round led by Sequoia Capital, Benchmark, and Coatue, setting a $10 billion valuation for the company – Crunchbase
Commerce & Retail Tech
Fundraises
OuterSignal, the customer-intelligence tool for ecommerce brands that enriches every order with a profile of the person who placed it, raised $22 million in Series A funding co-led by Long Journey Ventures and Abstract Ventures. The platform powers thousands of consumer businesses and aims to enhance customer engagement through personalization - PRNewswire VC
Zurich-based venture studio FOOD FOUNDERS Studio has closed an oversubscribed €4 million funding round backed by family offices and angel investors. The capital will fund the studio’s next ventures and the work of identifying and securing the technologies behind them - Vegconomist