Consumer VC Roundup #109
The Latest News For the Emerging Consumer Ecosystem
Hey everyone,
Sorry this week's email update is arriving a bit late (or technically, last week's!). For those who attended Expo West, I hope you had a fantastic time.
If you made it to our Rise & Roast event on Thursday morning, thank you so much for taking the time to join us! A big thank-you as well to Cult Capital, MFD, ShipBob, and all of our other wonderful partners for co-hosting the event.
I'm planning more events later this year and will keep everyone posted.
Thanks again!
This Past Week In Consumer
🧃Consumer Brands👚
💰Fundraising💰
Unilever Ventures has invested $5 million in Indē Wild, supporting its expansion into Sephora and its U.S. launch. Founded by Diipa Büller-Khosla and Oleg in 2021, the Ayurvedic beauty brand blends Ayurveda with modern chemistry, following 400% growth in India. BP
💸M&A💸
Mitchells Stores has acquired Stanley Korshak, a luxury retailer in Dallas, expanding its high-end retail portfolio. The acquisition strengthens Mitchells' presence in the luxury market while keeping longtime owner Crawford Brock and senior VP Martha Leonard on board. WWD
L’Oréal USA has sold Carol’s Daughter, returning the brand to independent leadership. Founder and newly appointed President Lisa Price will lead the textured haircare brand alongside an independent beauty entrepreneur, marking a new chapter for the beloved brand. BP
🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansion🚀
Baileys is launching a Non-Dairy Liqueur made with oat milk, tapping into the growing demand for alternative coffee creamers. Available in Coffee Toffee and Cookies & Creamy flavors, the Diageo-owned brand's new offering contains 17% alcohol by volume per 750ml bottle and is designed for coffee, cocktails, or sipping on its own. FD
Croda Beauty has introduced FibraShield C, a multi-peptide derived from chickpea extract designed to protect hair from oxidative stress and environmental damage. It helps reverse UV-induced cuticle damage, preserve hair strength, and is biodegradable, vegan, and COSMOS-approved. GCIM
Innovative Beauty Group (IBG) has launched Curls Matter, a dedicated hair care line for curly hair, now available in 150 Monoprix stores across France. Developed by IBG Lab, the range follows a three-step system—Wash, Treat, and Define—designed to cater to all curl types. GCIM
Australian skincare brand Vincent has launched in the U.S., introducing a four-step, apple-infused skincare routine. Founded by Dr. Vincent Candrawinata, the brand offers a Face Cleanser, Face Serum, Face Cream, and An Apple A Day tablets, harnessing the antioxidant power of apples for healthy skin. BP
Luxury organic skincare and makeup brand Ogee is expanding its presence in Bluemercury, rolling out to all locations nationwide by March 2025. After initially launching in 2022, the brand continues to grow its retail footprint. BP
Kate Somerville Skincare has launched in Ulta Beauty, with 7 SKUs available in 750+ stores nationwide. Known for its clinical expertise, the brand combines advanced science with targeted solutions for transformative skin results. BP
💰Funds Raising Funds💰
Mars is investing $27 million over five years to cut dairy farming emissions through its Farmer Forward Program, in partnership with New Zealand dairy co-op Fonterra. The initiative will provide sustainability-focused tools and technology for 2,000 farmers while rewarding 165 who meet emissions reduction targets with up to $15,000 annually. FD
M&S is investing £95 million to raise pay for over 50,000 retail employees. From April 1, UK customer assistants will see their hourly wage increase from £12 to £12.60, a 5% rise from last year and a 22% jump since 2022. In London, pay will increase from £13.15 to £13.85 per hour, up 5.3% from last year. RG
The Canadian government is investing CAD 1 million in the Cellular Agriculture Prairies Ecosystem (CAPE) Project, led by New Harvest Canada. With matching funds from regional partners, the total investment reaches CAD 2.4 million over three years, supporting cellular agriculture research in the Prairies. VG
↪️Rebrands & Relaunches↩️
Foot Locker is accelerating its store refresh strategy, planning to revamp 300 locations this year and open or convert 80 stores to its "reimagined" concept in 2025. RD
Cosmetic Specialties International (CSI) has rebranded as Canopy Beauty Packaging, marking a new era of craftsmanship and innovation in beauty packaging. As a division of Airlite, Canopy will continue operations from its Oxnard, CA facility, offering USA-made jars, closures, and sealing discs—including options with PCR resin—to support sustainable beauty solutions. BP
🪇Collabs🪇
Rémy Cointreau has partnered with Gruppo Montenegro to distribute its brands, including Rémy Martin Cognac and Bruichladdich Scotch whisky, in Italy starting next month, replacing its previous agreement with Molinari. JD
Rodan and Fields has partnered with Ulta, marking its first retail store launch. The skin care brand's products are now available at 150 Ulta stores nationwide and on Ulta's website, with prices ranging from $45 for face cleansers to $159 for anti-wrinkle serums. RD
Anthropologie is expanding its partnership with Nest, a nonprofit supporting artisans and makers, by committing to a $100,000 annual donation and launching a six-month fellowship program. The initiative includes mentorship, commission-free sales opportunities, and in-store activations. WWD
📰 Consumer News📰
The U.S. has lifted its pause on tariffs for Canada and Mexico, imposing a 25% duty on imports from both countries, along with a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products. In response, Canada is enacting retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods, while Mexico plans to announce countermeasures, including tariff and non-tariff actions. Leaders from both countries criticized the move, arguing that it lacks justification and will negatively impact trade relations. RD
The USDA has unveiled a $1 billion strategy to combat bird flu, stabilize the poultry industry, and lower egg prices. The plan includes $500 million for biosecurity, $400 million in farmer relief, and $100 million for vaccine research, along with regulatory adjustments and temporary import options. This comes as egg prices are projected to rise by over 40% this year. FD
Lifeway Foods is pushing back against Danone’s lawsuit over a shareholder agreement, accusing the dairy giant of attempting a hostile takeover at an undervalued price. The legal battle stems from Danone’s bid last year to acquire all of Lifeway’s shares after holding a 23% stake since 1999. JD
Several Canadian provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, are removing U.S. alcohol from store shelves in response to new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) confirmed the move after the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, following earlier warnings from Ontario Premier Douglas Ford. JD
Canada has formally requested dispute consultations with the World Trade Organization over U.S. tariffs, with Ambassador Nadia Theodore stating the decision was necessary to protect Canadian interests. JD
Lowe’s Foundation has awarded nearly $9 million in Gable Grants to 15 nonprofits supporting skilled trades training in construction, carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliance repair. Since its founding in 2023, the Foundation has granted over $34 million, with the next application period for community and technical colleges open until March 31, 2025. RTP
According to Food Dive: Food and beverage giants like Kraft Heinz, Hershey, and Molson Coors are focusing on smaller, strategic acquisitions rather than massive M&A deals. These "bolt-on" acquisitions help them gain exposure in fast-growing categories like better-for-you snacks and functional drinks while maintaining financial discipline. This shift comes after past large-scale deals left companies with heavy debt and unmet expectations. FD
A Coca-Cola Fairlife supplier has severed ties with two Arizona farms following an Animal Recovery Mission investigation that uncovered severe animal cruelty. The findings, made public in a Feb. 26 lawsuit, also accuse Fairlife of polluting nearby waterways. The lawsuit is the latest challenge for the $1 billion-plus milk brand. FD
🔻Closures, Bankruptcies & Downsizes🔻
General Mills is shutting down its in-house innovation unit, G-Works, and pausing new investments through its venture capital arm, 301 Inc. The move is part of a broader shift in how the company approaches growth, with about 40 job cuts reported. FD
Adidas is cutting up to 500 jobs at its Herzogenaurach headquarters as part of a cost-reduction strategy. The sportswear giant, which employs around 62,000 people globally, identified these roles as "obsolete" during a strategic review. Alongside the cuts, Adidas has lowered its profit forecast for 2025, warning that operating profit will fall below analysts’ expectations. RG