From Walmart and Amazon's Crypto Hint to Insomnia’s Growth Spree
Consumer VC Roundup #123 – Latest News in Emerging Consumer Brands, Tech & Commerce Enablement From the Week of June 9th
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📰 Consumer News📰
“Rhode’s DTC Sales Bonanza Gives Brands The Wrong Idea. A DTC Expert Level Sets” – Beauty Independent
Nishi Shah outlines the typical year-by-year growth trajectory and strategic goals for a DTC beauty brand starting at year 1, and why Rhode Beauty is a major exception. Really enjoyed the detailed breakdown of what marketing spend by percentage should be and calling out the often-overlooked aspects of form factor and inventory management. Great actionable insights.
Walmart, Amazon, and other major companies are exploring issuing their own stablecoins – WSJ
The stablecoins would be pegged to the U.S. Dollar. Why would they do this? To get out of paying credit card fees, saving billions in transaction fees. This could have a massive impact on banks, commerce, and fintech.
President Trump announced a proposed U.S.–China tariff deal is “done,” pending final approval from both countries. The agreement sets 55% tariffs on Chinese imports and a 10% rate on U.S. goods, with additional concessions from China on rare earth exports. The deal also includes the U.S. pulling back visa threats for Chinese students. RD
France and China may be nearing a resolution to their trade dispute over Cognac exports, with the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) stating on June 12 that agreements could be signed within hours following recent talks related to China’s anti-dumping investigation. JD
California’s proposed Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, which aims to cut plastic packaging by nearly a third, has passed the state Senate but is facing strong opposition as it heads to the Assembly in the final week of the legislative session. JD
Franchise Group has exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy after seven months, emerging with reduced debt and increased liquidity. The restructured company now operates only Pet Supplies Plus and Buddy’s Home Furnishings under a new parent entity, Fusion Parent, led by CEO Andy Laurence. During bankruptcy, the group sold The Vitamin Shoppe and closed American Freight. RD
Rhode, the Gen Z-favorite skincare brand founded by Hailey Bieber and recently acquired by E.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion, pulled in $100 million in DTC sales in its first year—impressive numbers that some experts warn could give other brands an unrealistic view of DTC success. BI
United Natural Foods (UNFI) experienced a cyberattack on June 5, prompting the company to take certain IT systems offline. The incident caused temporary disruptions to its operations, including challenges in fulfilling customer orders, as UNFI implements containment and recovery measures. JD
Today’s Consumer VC Roundup is brought to you by, Highbeam.
Running a brand? Highbeam is the all-in-one banking and cash management platform built specifically for consumer brands.
It combines no-fee banking, automated treasury to maximize yield on idle cash, flexible credit, bill pay, and live 13 week cash flow — plus AI agents that automate tedious manual spreadsheet work
Brands like Birddogs, New York or Nowhere, Ridge, and Avocado use Highbeam to stay ahead of cash flow, make significantly more money on idle cash, and access credit that fits how brands actually operate. Build your brand. Keep your cash.
Includes a free 3-month trial of the AI Analyst.
🧃Consumer Brands👚
💰Fundraises💰
Sauz, the modern tomato sauce brand, has raised $12 million in a funding round led by CAVU Consumer Partners. With backing from existing investors like Coefficient Capital and Palm Tree Crew, the company plans to expand marketing, launch new flavors, grow retail presence, and boost its online footprint by the end of 2025. PRN
Israeli foodtech startup Lembas has launched with a $3.6M pre-seed round to develop “GLP-1 Edge,” a bioactive peptide that stimulates appetite- and metabolism-regulating gut hormones. Investors include FLORA Ventures, Bluestein Ventures, and others. AFN
Insomnia Cookies is entering a new growth phase as Verlinvest and Mistral Equity Partners increase their investment and acquire Krispy Kreme’s stake. Backed by strong performance and a cult-like following, the brand plans to scale to 1,800 locations globally over the next decade. PRN
💸M&A💸
Stoller Wine Group has acquired the Elouan brand from Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, a move the Oregon-based company says cements its status as a leading regional producer with 300,000 cases. Financial details were not disclosed. JD
Following a major February merger, Crown Laboratories and Revance Therapeutics have combined under the unified brand "Revance," positioning themselves as a serious contender against aesthetic medicine giants in the industry. BI
Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD) has acquired UTO Asia, a subsidiary of Dutch spirits group Herman Jansen, for €1.2 million ($1.4 million), gaining worldwide rights and title interest to the Mansion House and Savoy Club spirits brands—excluding ten specific markets. JD
L’Oréal is doubling down on science-led skincare with its $1.1 billion acquisition of British brand Medik8, signaling a shift in focus from influencer-driven hype to clinically-backed innovation. BI
🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansions🚀
Anti Social Social Club has opened its first global flagship store in Seoul’s Dosan neighborhood to mark its 10th anniversary. Partnering with Kasina, the space features exclusive collections, rotating vintage car displays, and archive collaborations, with plans for more stores worldwide as the brand expands its physical presence. WWD
Shakira is launching her own haircare brand, Isima, marking her most personal project yet. The eight-product line debuts online this month and will roll out at Ulta Beauty in July, with prices from $32 to $42. WWD
David Beckham is launching BEEUP, a fruit snack line inspired by his beekeeping hobby with his sons. The kid-friendly snacks come in Very Berry, Tropical Mix, and Sour Watermelon, and are made with honey for a natural energy boost. PL
Walmart is expanding its drone delivery service with Wing to five more U.S. cities—Atlanta, Houston, Charlotte, Orlando, and Tampa—promising 30-minute deliveries from 100 locations by mid-2026. The drones can deliver within a six-mile radius, with precise drop-off points selected during checkout. RD
DTC active recovery footwear brand Oofos has launched its first physical stores in the U.S., with locations in Virginia, Georgia, and Florida. The Pentagon City store opened in May, with the others set to follow this month. Shoppers can find styles like the Oomy Stride, Oomy Zen, and Ooyea. RD
Dollar General is expanding its home goods offering with new collections from celebrity and designer brands, including Ki by Kathy Ireland, Betseyville, Beverly Hills Polo Club, and Simply Belle by Simply Southern. Launching this summer in over 20,000 stores, the affordable items include $12 throws, $15 sheet sets, and $35 comforter sets, with more Kathy Ireland products coming this fall. RD
Walmart has launched Sparky, a generative AI assistant for customers that summarizes reviews, answers questions, and offers purchase planning support. Available in the Walmart app, Sparky follows the earlier release of Wally for merchants and reflects Walmart’s push to embed AI across retail operations. RD
Ashley is opening its largest North American store in Las Vegas, featuring an 88,000-square-foot showroom and a 218,000-square-foot warehouse. Designed as a community hub, the two-story space offers interactive experiences, a Sleep Shop, and Ashley’s most extensive product selection to date. RD
Beyond Yoga has opened its first permanent East Coast store in Greenwich, Connecticut — its largest retail space at 2,760 square feet — offering the brand’s full women’s, men’s, and maternity collections. Additional locations are planned for Boston, Westport (CT), and Marin (CA) later this year. RTP
Rebag is bringing nearly 30,000 pre-loved luxury items — including handbags, jewelry, and watches from brands like Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, and Cartier — to Amazon’s Luxury Stores starting June 10, 2025, aiming to make high-end resale more accessible. RTP
Sustainable clothing brand Pact has launched its Clean Out resale program in partnership with ThredUp’s Resale-as-a-Service (RaaS), letting customers send in gently-used clothing for “Pact cash” store credit. Participants can ship apparel, footwear, and accessories from any brand for free via a prepaid label. RTP
Australian fragrance brand Smooch Body is expanding into the U.S. market, aiming to capture fans of body mists and compete with popular brands like Sol de Janeiro as demand for scented body products continues to rise. BI
Silverist, a haircare brand founded by beauty industry veteran Evelyn Wang to celebrate and care for gray hair, has launched in retail for the first time with a rollout at clean beauty retailer Credo. BI
Former SiO Beauty and IMG executives have launched Practical Alchemy, a new beauty brand offering elevated, minimalist essentials for busy lifestyles. Co-founded by model and ex-IMG exec Doris Wong, the brand focuses on simplifying skincare without sacrificing quality. BI
Maëlys is capitalizing on the growing body care trend with expanded retail presence at Ulta Beauty, aligning with the retailer’s push to spotlight products for skin below the chin. BI
Two years after leaving Target, menopause brand Womaness is back in big-box retail, launching in 1,400 Walmart stores. With growing awareness and better merchandising for menopause care, the brand sees a stronger fit and bigger opportunity this time around. MR
🪇Collabs🪇
Dick’s Sporting Goods has partnered with Uber Eats to offer on-demand delivery from over 800 Dick’s and Golf Galaxy stores nationwide. Customers can now order items like fitness gear, cleats, and jerseys via the Uber Eats app, with select products available at 30% off through June 30. RTP
David’s Bridal is launching a new digital registry experience through a partnership with MyRegistry.com, allowing couples to consolidate gifts from any retailer, create cash funds, and customize their pages to match their wedding style. Launching June 24, the platform also syncs with registries from Amazon, Target, Macy’s, and more, offering expert concierge support. RTP
↪️Rebrands & Relaunches↩️
Beautycounter is relaunching as Counter on June 25, just over a year after founder Gregg Renfrew bought it out of bankruptcy. Once valued at $1B under Carlyle Group, the clean beauty brand is returning with a more streamlined and elevated focus. BI
Italian retailer Modes has reopened under a new company, Garments Milano, which leased its retail branch and revived stores in Milan, Portofino, Porto Cervo, Forte Village, and Saint Moritz. This follows Modes' judicial liquidation after a failed restructuring attempt, with Garments Milano now steering the brand’s revival. WWD
Clean beauty retailer Fig & Flower is making a comeback, reopening its doors two years after shutting down, as it reenters the beauty retail scene with a renewed focus. BI
🔻Closures, Bankruptcies & Downsizes🔻
Amazon will close its Reno, Nevada fulfillment center on August 2, impacting 325 employees, as part of a shift toward faster delivery operations. The facility, which handled large-item shipments, won’t have its lease renewed. Amazon is building a same-day delivery site nearby and is offering affected workers transfers, severance, and job support. RD
At Home, the home decor retailer with over 200 U.S. locations, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to restructure $2 billion in debt. As part of the process, 26 stores will be closing. TC
💻Consumer Software💻
💰Fundraises💰
Alta, founded by Jenny Wang, has raised $11 million in seed funding led by Menlo Ventures to bring an AI-powered personal stylist to life. Inspired by the movie Clueless, Alta helps users choose outfits based on their wardrobe, calendar, lifestyle, and weather—using virtual avatars and personalized lookbooks. Users can upload their wardrobe and mix items they own with new ones they’re considering buying. TC
Commons Clinic raised $26M in Series B funding, led by RA Capital, to launch its multi-specialty care suite, Wholebody by Commons Clinic. The suite focuses on combining advanced preventative care services. This round brings the U.S.-based healthcare platform’s total funding to over $60M. HM
Berlin-based EdTech startup Knowunity raised €27M in Series B funding to enhance its AI learning companion, expand globally—especially into the U.S. and Asia—and reach its goal of supporting 1 billion students. The round was led by XAnge, bringing Knowunity’s total funding to €45M. EUS
Wandercraft raised $75M in Series D funding to advance its AI-powered robotic exoskeletons. Backers include Renault Group and Bpifrance’s PSIM fund. The funds will support launching Eve, a self-balancing exoskeleton, by 2026, expand adoption of its Atalante X rehab system, and develop its humanoid robot, Calvin-40. MD
🛒eCommerce, Retail Tech, Supply Chain🛒
💰Fundraises💰
Ty Haney, founder of Outdoor Voices, has raised $11 million in Series A funding for her second startup, Try Your Best (TYB). Focused on “community commerce,” TYB provides loyalty infrastructure for brands and is used by 200 companies and 2 million mostly Gen Z users. The round, co-led by Offline Ventures and Strobe Ventures, brings TYB’s total funding to $23.5 million. FY
Coco Robotics, a Los Angeles-based startup developing last-mile delivery robots, has raised $80 million in funding from investors including Sam and Max Altman, Pelion Venture Partners, and Offline Ventures. The total includes multiple undisclosed funding events between 2021 and 2025. TC
Daybreak, an AI-native supply chain planning platform, raised $15 million in a Series A round led by TPG Growth and Dell Technologies Capital. The funding will support its mission to cut $200B in global inventory waste. The company also appointed AI veteran Waleed Ayoub as CTO. Daybreak uses autonomous AI agents to replace outdated planning systems and help supply chain teams make smarter, faster decisions. BW
FERMÀT, an AI-native commerce platform focused on creating personalized shopping experiences, has raised $45 million in a Series B round led by VMG Partners, with support from QED Investors, Greylock, Bain Capital Ventures, and Courtside Ventures. The funding will help FERMÀT scale its agentic commerce solutions for enterprise brands and agencies. PRN
Tracksuit, a New Zealand-based brand tracking startup, has raised $38 million in a Series B round led by VMG Partners, with support from existing investors like Blackbird and Altos Ventures. The company, which offers an AI-powered brand health dashboard, plans to use the funding to expand globally, especially in the U.S. Co-founder Connor Archbold has been named CEO. ADN
💰Funds Raising Funds💰
Felicis has raised a record $900 million for its new Fund X, marking its largest fund to date. The early-stage VC firm, led by Aydin Senkut, has backed over 50 unicorns and 125 exits since 2006, including Shopify, Twitch, and Ring. Now heavily focused on AI, Felicis says 70% of its active portfolio consists of AI-native startups, and it expects dozens of $100B+ AI companies to emerge this decade. TC
Thanks for reading!