Consumer VC Roundup #113
The Latest News For the Emerging Consumer Ecosystem
Hey friends,
Before we get started, two quick Consumer VC updates:
1. Consumer Fortnight Returns!
Our private deal flow newsletter, Consumer Fortnight, is coming back! Each month, we'll feature a selection of consumer companies actively fundraising.
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There’s no cost for companies to be featured. If you're currently fundraising and want to be included, you can Apply Here.
2. Consumer VC Live – May 5th, Austin, TX
We're thrilled to announce our next Consumer VC LIVE event! If you're in Austin, TX, join us on May 5th for a special live interview featuring CPG legends Clayton Christopher and Brian Goldberg, followed by a happy hour. Clayton is the founder of Sweet Leaf Tea, Deep Eddy Vodka, and Waterloo Sparkling Water. Brian served as CFO of Sweet Leaf Tea and Skinny Pop, and is also the founder of RedBud Brands.
(Annual premium subscribers receive a free ticket to this event)
See you there!
In other news, FirstLook is now free for brands!
If you don’t know FirstLook, it’s a subscription box designed for investors that showcases emerging consumer brands. Members of their investor community receive a monthly box featuring new brands to experience, evaluate, and directly invest in. Now, it's completely free for brands to participate! Learn More Here.
📰 Consumer News📰
The biggest news this week was President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs set to begin on April 5th. These tariffs include a universal 10% rate on all imports, with higher rates for 60 countries—specifically, a 54% tariff on goods from China and 20% on goods from the EU. Additionally, the suspension of the Section 321 exception means that goods imported into the U.S. valued under $800 will now also incur duties. Following the announcement, stock markets declined, and economists warn this could lead to stagflation and possibly trigger a global recession. The EU, China, and other affected nations are preparing countermeasures. (CNN)
I highly recommend Flexport’s webinar for insights into how these tariffs were calculated and the broader global implications for commerce.
European distillers may lose the right to label their products as "rye whisky" due to a 2004 EU-Canada agreement. Stauning is adapting but pushing for changes in next year's renegotiation. JD
The FDA is delaying its food traceability rule by 30 months, pushing the compliance deadline beyond January 2026. The decision follows major E. Coli and listeria outbreaks affecting brands like Boar’s Head and McDonald’s. In 2024, foodborne illness hospitalizations and deaths doubled, raising concerns over food safety. FD
A US Senate subcommittee is reviewing Meta’s efforts to access the Chinese market, seeking documents on its alleged development of censorship tools for the Chinese government. Senators have requested Meta disclose all communications with Chinese officials since 2014, citing reports of a secret initiative called “Project Aldrin.” Meta denies the claims. CNN
Nike's stock dropped 6.4% after President Trump's announcement of new tariffs on Vietnam and other production hubs, impacting major retailers. Nike, Adidas, and Lululemon, all heavily reliant on Vietnam for manufacturing, saw significant declines. The 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods, along with tariffs on Cambodia, China, and Indonesia, threatens their supply chains, as the companies rely on these countries for billions in revenue. FN
Macy's is recovering over $600,000 in executive bonuses tied to inflated earnings due to an accounting scandal. The company overstated earnings by $81 million in 2023, leading to $609,613 in excess pay. As of April 1, $352,093 remains to be clawed back, with Macy’s planning to recover the remaining amount from executives. FN
🧃Consumer Brands👚
💰Fundraising💰
Meander Group, the sustainability-focused Scottish company behind Meander Apparel and Tens Sunglasses, has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube. With a pre-money valuation of £2.6 million, the campaign has already surpassed its £125,000 target. FN
True Classic, a men’s T-shirt maker, has secured an $850 million valuation after receiving funding from 1686 Partners, a private equity firm founded by David Wertheimer, son of the owner of Chanel. The investment will support the brand's supply chain, retail, and international expansion, with plans to reach over $1 billion in annual sales within the next decade. BOF
Sett, a new productivity-boosting nicotine alternative, has launched with $3.8 million in funding. BI
MyForest Foods, a spinout of Ecovative, has secured $11 million in funding to expand its mycelium-based bacon, MyBacon, which has outpaced competitors with sales three times above the category average in North America's natural retail channel. V
LYS Beauty has closed a Series A funding round with an eight-figure investment led by Encore Consumer Capital. The funds will support product development, marketing, and global expansion, including a launch in over 800 Sephora at Kohl’s stores on April 8th. BP
💸M&A💸
Hershey Co. is set to acquire LesserEvil, the maker of organic salty snacks including popcorn, corn rings, puffs, and curls, for a reported $750 million. This acquisition underscores Hershey’s continued expansion into the salty snacks category, following previous acquisitions of Amplify Snack Brands and Pirate’s Booty cheese puffs.
Fresh Del Monte is acquiring a majority stake in Avolio, Uganda’s top supplier of avocado oil, as part of its strategy to expand into high-value specialty ingredients. The deal will allow Del Monte to convert avocados into premium oil, boosting margins and sustainability efforts. FD
Frasers Group has made a further strategic investment in Hugo Boss, acquiring over 13.5 million shares, increasing its stake to 19.2%. Through the sale of put options, this could rise to 16.7 million shares, or up to 23.7% of Hugo Boss’s total share capital. The investment, valued at approximately €1.02 billion, could cover up to 30.2 million shares if the options are fully exercised. FN
Unilever has acquired Wild, a UK-based personal care brand founded in 2020. The deal, valued at £230 million (€275 million), was not fully disclosed. Wild, known for its range of deodorants, lip balms, and body care products made from natural ingredients and packaged in reusable materials, is the UK market leader in refillable deodorants. FN
Two bidders, including one backed by the French government, are vying to acquire Le Coq Sportif. The government-backed bid aims to preserve operations in Romilly-sur-Seine, while the alternative focuses on licensing rights abroad. The Grand Est region is writing off 50% of the company’s debt to aid the sale. FN
🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansions🚀
GoodOnya has launched a bold new brand identity and packaging, reinforcing its organic roots while bringing fresh energy to the hydration category. As one of the only Certified Organic hydration mixes, it offers a light lemonade taste, 1g of sugar from real fruit, and a clean, mineral-rich electrolyte blend with no artificial additives. PR
Zamora Co. will distribute Casa Don Ramón Tequila in Spain, adding to its portfolio, which includes Tito's Handmade Vodka and Ron Abuelo Rum. JD
Anheuser-Busch is launching Skimmers, a non-carbonated vodka tea made with Cutwater vodka and real tea. Available in nearly 20 states, it comes in Original Tea, Half & Half, Peach Tea, and Lemonade flavors. The brand taps into the fast-growing vodka tea market, which surged 332% in 2024. FD
Tasty Bite has launched a new entrée on April 2: Butter Chickpea & Vegetables, featuring a restaurant-style butter chicken sauce. Ready in just one minute, it's perfect on its own or as a shortcut in recipes. Check it out here.
Wonder is expanding beyond bread with its first major brand extension in 104 years, launching a line of snack cakes. Owned by Flowers Foods, the brand’s new offerings include donuts, honey buns, cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls, tapping into the growing $1.6 billion snack cake market. FD
Michelle Obama’s Plezi Nutrition is launching Plezi Hydration, a sports drink with half the sugar and sodium and seven times the potassium of Gatorade. Partnering with NBA star Stephen Curry, the drink also includes a full daily dose of vitamin C. Available in Lemon Lime, Tropical Punch, and Orange Mango Twist, it’s sold on Amazon and at select retailers like Walmart in California. FD
Kate Spade New York is launching a limited-time collection with Target on April 12, featuring over 300 items across women’s, kids’, and home accessories, as well as entertaining essentials. The collection, inspired by celebrating life’s moments, includes apparel (with extended sizing and adaptive styles), handbags, and home décor. WWD
Australian luxury brand Camilla has opened its first New York boutique at 1015 Madison Avenue, marking its sixth U.S. location and 31st globally. The 1,600-square-foot store features the Rua Du Universo collection, swimwear, resort wear, and exclusive “Pinnacle Pieces.” Prices range from $300 to $3,000. WWD
Swedish fashion brand Stylein has opened a flagship store in Stockholm’s Bibliotekstan as part of its expansion strategy. Founder and CEO Elin Alemdar noted strong business growth, with the brand reaching $6.5 million in sales last year. WWD
Australian women’s brand With Jéan is opening its first permanent store at 43 Wooster Street in SoHo. Founded by Sami Lorking-Tanner and Evangeline Titilas in 2017, the brand has been direct-to-consumer but saw strong success with pop-ups, prompting this move into brick-and-mortar retail. WWD
Good American, co-founded by Khloé Kardashian and Emma Grede, has opened its first Atlanta store at Lenox Square mall. The 2,757-square-foot space reflects the brand’s commitment to size inclusivity, offering denim in sizes 00 to 32 plus. WWD
Wal-Mart de México y Centroamérica plans to expand its store fleet significantly, adding over 1,500 new stores by 2030. The retailer will invest 41.8 billion Mexican pesos ($2.05 billion), a 20% increase from the previous year. RTP
Boardriders, the parent company of brands like Billabong and Roxy, has launched the Quiksilver mobile app in seven European countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. Developed by NewStore, the app offers features like dynamic push notifications, immersive product lookbooks, seamless loyalty integrations, and customizable options. RTP
Vivienne Westwood debuted in India with a fashion show at Mumbai's Gateway of India, featuring spring/summer 2025 looks and a capsule collection made with hand-woven Indian fabrics like chanderi silks and khadi cotton. The event was attended by Indian royals, Bollywood stars, and industry influencers. FN
Erin Piper, a mom who founded the Gen Zalpha skincare brand Saint Crewe, was inspired during a Sephora trip with her 10-year-old daughter in January last year. She noticed how tweens were drawn to adult skincare products, leading her to create age-appropriate skincare for younger generations. BI
Heura and SWAP have launched their plant-based chicken fillet, "Suprême," in over 2,000 supermarkets across France, Spain, and Portugal, with plans for further rollout through June 2025. V
Cloud Haircare has expanded to Walmart stores nationwide and online, following its debut on DTC and CVS. This move makes the brand's transformative formulas more accessible to a wider audience. BP
Paris Hilton has announced the launch of her new skincare brand, Parívie, which will be available starting May 7. The brand focuses on promoting confidence, power, and radiance at every age. BP
Method has expanded its personal care line and launched at Ulta Beauty stores as of March 31, 2025. The brand’s Dream Foam body wash, available in four existing fragrances plus two exclusive to Ulta, is joined by six body and hair mists. All products are dermatologist-tested, cruelty-free, and free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. Method is now available in over 1,400 Ulta Beauty stores and online. GCIM
↪️Rebrands & Relaunches↩️
Harry’s has unveiled a new campaign, “Man, That Feels Good,” alongside a refreshed brand identity. The campaign uses crime movie tropes to highlight the brand’s core message: its grooming products can make men feel good but can’t change their persona. The refreshed brand identity includes updates to packaging, logo, color palette, and photography. RD
The Rootist is re-launching its BioBrew Fermented Leave-In Repair Serum in a larger 55 ml bottle, nearly doubling the original 30 ml size, while keeping the price at $48. The upgraded product will be available starting April 1 at Sephora. GCIM
🪇Collabs🪇
QVC Group is expanding its partnership with TikTok, launching 24/7 shoppable livestreams with more brands and products. The content will be produced from QVC's headquarters in collaboration with TikTok creators, aiming to transform social shopping and engage TikTok's 170 million-plus users. WWD
Monica Rich Kosann has partnered with Peanuts on a fine jewelry collection celebrating the comic’s 75th anniversary. The line features 10 friendship bracelet styles in gold and silver, with iconic phrases like “Good Grief” and “Aaugh.” Prices range from $325 to $2,415, launching Tuesday. WWD
Walmart has partnered with Cropin, an AI-powered agriculture platform, to improve sourcing solutions in the U.S. and South America. The Cropin agri-intelligence platform aims to enhance yield forecasting, crop health monitoring, and seasonal transition predictions. The partnership seeks to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality perishables, reduce waste, and deliver better-quality produce. RTP
David's Bridal has launched its first-ever menswear collection in collaboration with Perry Ellis. The collection, which starts with accessories and will include suits in April, features versatile, fashion-forward apparel for occasions like weddings, parties, and honeymoons. The collection also includes items from the Cubavera subset of Perry Ellis. RTP
Christian Louboutin has expanded into eyewear with its first-ever sunglass and optical collections, created in collaboration with Marcolin. The line includes nine sunglass styles and four optical styles, priced between $625 and $875. FN
Max Mara has renewed its eyewear licence agreement with Marcolin until December 31, 2032. This extension solidifies their successful partnership, which began four years ago when the Italian fashion label entered the eyewear market. FN
IFF and Kemira have launched a joint venture, Alpha Bio, to produce sustainable biobased materials. With a €130 million investment, the facility will start production in 2027, converting plant sugars into high-performance biopolymers for various industries. BP
⚙️Supply Chain News ⚙️
Build-A-Bear Workshop is pulling forward inventory purchases and diversifying its supply chain to mitigate the impact of Trump’s new tariffs. CFO Voin Todorovic stated that less than 50% of the company’s U.S. inventory will be sourced from China this year. While the retailer aims to manage costs efficiently with its partners, price increases will be a last resort. RD
🔻Closures, Bankruptcies & Downsizes🔻
Smithfield Foods is cutting back on hog production, reducing its output by 35% since 2019, as it shifts focus to more profitable and stable packaged meats. FD
Anheuser-Busch will close its Portsmouth, New Hampshire brewery, which produced Kona and Omission beers, and shift operations to a facility in Asheville, North Carolina. The company is investing $1 million in the North Carolina location, operated by its subsidiary Wicked Weed. The closure's impact on jobs has not been disclosed. FD
Target is cutting employee bonuses after a weaker 2024 performance, with eligible salaried employees receiving only 87% of their potential bonus—down from 100% in 2023. The retailer’s net sales fell about 1% to $106.6 billion, and it faces ongoing challenges, including competitive pressures and tariff uncertainty, as it moves into 2025. RD
QVC Group has laid off 900 employees as part of a reorganization effort linked to its three-part turnaround strategy. The cuts affect roles across HSN, QVC U.S., and its Global Shared Services teams. Those impacted will receive separation benefits and outplacement services. Some employees will continue working for several months to support the transition of the HSN broadcast and St. Petersburg campus. RD
Hudson’s Bay Co. is eliminating 200 corporate roles as part of its restructuring process, with affected employees' last day being Friday. The company, which filed for bankruptcy protection in March due to an "urgent liquidity crisis," is undergoing store liquidations and restructuring efforts. While impacted employees were notified on March 28, the company has not provided details regarding severance packages. RD
GoodwillFinds.com, the online marketplace operated by Goodwill Industries, has shut down. As of March 28, the site stopped accepting orders and now redirects customers to ShopGoodwill.com, an auction-style resale platform. RTP