Once Upon a Farm Postpones IPO, Monogram Raises $350mm for Their Third Fund, & More
Consumer VC Roundup #144– Latest News in Emerging Consumer Brands, Tech & Commerce Enablement From the Week of November 24th 2025
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Hey everyone,
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I’m thinking of every marketer who spent the past few months gearing up for BFCM — the big weekend finally arrived. Fingers crossed you hit your goals, and consumer spend holds strong.
I’m also thinking of everyone working in retail today. I hope the crowds are manageable and the day isn’t too chaotic. On to the news of the week.
This Week In Consumer
📰 Consumer News📰
The U.S. has lifted tariffs on hundreds of Brazilian food and agricultural products — including coffee, beef, spices, and tropical fruits — under a new executive order from President Trump. The move, retroactive to Nov. 13, is part of a broader effort to lower consumer food costs. FD
JM Smucker has cancelled its planned winter coffee price increase after the U.S. reduced tariffs on coffee, removing the need for the previously expected hike. JD
The Starbucks Workers United union’s “Red Cup Rebellion” strike has spread to 95 stores in 65 cities, involving 2,000 baristas. The union, which has 11,000 members, picketed the York, Pa. distribution center on Nov. 19, blocking deliveries. Lawmakers, including 26 senators and 82 House members, have urged Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol to resume talks, while the union warns it may escalate the strike if fair contracts and labor issues aren’t resolved. RTP
Tyson Foods has agreed to stop using “climate-smart” labels on its beef and will no longer claim it can reach net-zero emissions by 2050, settling a lawsuit from the Environmental Working Group. For five years, Tyson must avoid environmental claims unless backed by experts. The company says the settlement avoids costly litigation and doesn’t admit wrongdoing. FD
The UK has expanded its sugar tax to now include sugary milk-based drinks and lowered the threshold from 5g to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml. This follows an April consultation proposing even stricter limits, including a potential drop to 4g, as part of broader efforts to reduce national sugar consumption and combat obesity. JD
France is seeking a three-month suspension of Shein’s entire website after authorities found childlike sex dolls and banned weapons being sold on its marketplace. Shein disabled its marketplace on 5 November, but its main clothing section is still accessible. The French government will ask a Paris judge on 26 November to order a full suspension, with a fast-track hearing planned and Shein’s European arm summoned to appear. RG
🧃Consumer Brands👚
Bed Bath & Beyond will acquire The Brand House Collective in a deal valued at ~$26.8 million, expected to close in early 2026. The merger, approved by both boards, will close 40 stores and cut $20 million in costs through operational efficiencies, while Bed Bath & Beyond advances $10 million to support store conversions, inventory, and operations. RD
E.l.f. Beauty is launching in the Gulf region through an exclusive Sephora partnership, making its products available in 70 stores across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE starting Nov. 21. To mark the entry, E.l.f. is running its ‘eyes.lips.finally’ campaign with out-of-home ads along Dubai’s Golden Boulevard and digital takeovers in Dubai Mall and Riyadh’s malls, following its 2024 Sephora Mexico launch. RTP
Once Upon a Farm has postponed its IPO to 2026 due to the government shutdown and resulting SEC filing backlog, with the holiday season also influencing the decision. Lnkdn
7-Eleven and Swiftly launched a nationwide alcohol cashback program at 10,500+ stores, offering state-specific deals on beer, wine, and spirits with instant payouts via PayPal, Venmo, or prepaid Visa. The program also automates state compliance and provides real-time campaign insights. RTP
American Signature Inc., owner of Value City Furniture, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing a severe housing market decline that hurt sales. The company, operating over 120 stores with about 3,000 employees, plans to close 33 stores and pursue a stalking horse asset purchase agreement with its current equity holders, while relying on debtor-in-possession financing to continue operations. RD
Non-alcoholic beverage brand Proxies has acquired select assets from Brooklyn-based Avec and will use the company’s expertise to launch a new canned mocktail line in 2026. Proxies
Alchemy Distillers has acquired Australian non-alcoholic spirits brand Banks Botanicals, which said the move comes as it reaches a stage where global expansion and faster innovation require greater scale, infrastructure and investment. JD
Verizon plans to cut 13,000 jobs and reduce outsourced labor, while converting 179 company-owned stores to franchises and closing one location, CEO Dan Schulman announced in a Nov. 20 employee letter. RTP
Danone has agreed to sell Swedish probiotic juice brand ProViva, along with its southern Sweden manufacturing facility, to fellow French dairy company Lactalis for an undisclosed amount. FB
Belk is launching a smaller-format concept, The Belk Market, opening in December in Wesley Chapel, Fla., and Frisco, Texas. These stores will offer a curated mix of national and private-label brands, with rotating new products across apparel, footwear, accessories, home décor, and jewelry tailored to each community. RTP
Campari is reportedly exploring the sale of three Italian liqueur brands—Averna, Braulio, and Zedda Piras Mirto Rosso—as it continues divesting non-core assets following recent sales like Howler Head and Cinzano. JD
The North Face opened its largest global store at 511 Fifth Avenue, NYC, spanning 21,000 sq. ft. The two-story flagship immerses customers in an “above and below the treeline” theme, showcasing products with innovative displays and a dedicated Summit Series space, blending physical and digital retail experiences. RTP
Fanatics will permanently close its Oak Creek distribution center in Riverview, Florida, by July 31, 2026, laying off 286 employees. The facility, acquired through Majestic in 2017, cannot support the company’s long-term scale and technology needs. RD
Monogram Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in Luckyscent, the niche fragrance retailer and e-commerce pioneer known for its curated selection of hard-to-find perfumes, aiming to help expand its Scent Bar retail footprint. BI
Topgolf Callaway Brands will sell a 60% stake in its Topgolf and Toptracer businesses to private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners for about $770 million. Following the sale, the company will rebrand and focus on golf equipment and active lifestyle products. RTP
Bulgari has opened a new four-story flagship at 401 Rodeo Drive, featuring 5,800+ sq. ft. of high jewelry, watches, fragrances, handbags, a private client salon, and a rooftop terrace. The relocation signals the brand’s strong long-term confidence in the North American market. WWD
REI is partnering with Intrepid Travel to relaunch its travel offerings, launching U.S. and international trips for members in January 2026. The program will feature two collections: REI Exclusive, with member discounts, and REI Recommended. RTP
Fundraising
Monogram Capital Partners closed $350M for its third fund. The consumer-focused PE firm, founded in 2014 by Jared Stein and Oliver Nordlinger, is known for backing brands like OLIPOP, Archer, Koia, 4th & Heart, and D.S. & Durga. PRN
Perelel, a research-backed prenatal vitamin brand expanding into broader women’s health, raised $27M in growth funding from Prelude Growth Partners, with participation from Selva Ventures, Unilever Ventures, and Willow Growth. The round marks another major 2025 move for Prelude Growth. PRN BI
British supplement brand Elle Sera launched a liposomal collagen product using tripeptide technology, which boosts collagen bioavailability. BND
Food, Beverage, and Alcohol
Liquid Death launched its Sparkling Energy drinks early on Amazon, offering four flavors with 100mg caffeine, 5 calories, and zero sugar per can, entering the better-for-you energy market. Instagram
Tractor Beverage Co. is entering retail with Haymaker, a new line of apple cider vinegar sparkling tonics in four flavors, launching at Sprouts Farmers Market in January 2026, marking its first move beyond foodservice since 2015. PRN
Country singer Riley Green teamed up with The Silent Group and Morningside Brands to launch Duck Club Bourbon, available this year in seven Southern states, with U.S. expansion planned for 2026; the brand currently offers two bourbon varieties. BW
🛒eCommerce & Retail Tech🛒
New York & Company and Cotopaxi have launched resale programs using ThredUp’s Resale-as-a-Service platform. Customers can resell gently used items for credit online and in-store, with Cotopaxi also offering a dedicated resale shop on its website. RTP
ChatGPT has launched a new “Shopping Research” tool to help users create personalized buyer’s guides. The feature asks follow-up questions after an initial query to tailor recommendations, aiming to act as an “expert personal shopper” for high-consideration purchases, according to OpenAI. RTP
Destination XL (DXL) launched FitMap Scanning Technology in its app and 80+ stores, using 243 data points to create personalized fit profiles and help Big + Tall shoppers find the right size across 25+ brands, including Reebok, Brooks Brothers, and Polo Ralph Lauren. RD
Debenhams has launched a self-service retail media network for its 15,000 marketplace brands, powered by Mirakl. The platform allows brands to run ads targeting Debenhams’ 300 million annual visitors, supporting the retailer’s online expansion in the UK, U.S., and Australia since its acquisition by Boohoo in 2021. RTP
Carol’s Daughter has relaunched its e-commerce site under founder Lisa Price, nearly nine months after she regained ownership from L’Oréal. The site offers direct access to hair care products, exclusive content, and discounts, with plans to expand digital offerings through a curated platform, Lisa’s Love List, highlighting Black- and Brown-owned brands in early 2026. RD
Thanks for reading!