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Hi friends,
I hope everyone had a great week. We’re bringing back Rise, Roast & Meet CPG at Expo West!!!
Join us on Thursday, March 6th 8-10am. I’m delighted to co-host this event with ShipBob, MFD, and Cult Capital. Thank you also to J.P. Morgan, ForceBrands, and Propeller Industries for partnering with us. Next week we also have multiple coffee events happening around the U.S. See below for all those meetups.
Rise, Roast & Meet CPG
Register to See Location → 🍹 Rise, Roast & Meet CPG
📆 Thursday, March 6th
🕘 8:00 AM-10:00 AM PST - SIGN UP HERE
This Past Week In Consumer
🧃Consumer Brands👚
💰Fundraises💰
Kim Kardashian’s private equity firm, Skky Partners, has made a significant minority investment in the UK-based skincare brand 111Skin. BOF
ShopMy, an influencer marketing platform, raised $77.5 million in a Series B funding round to expand beyond fashion and beauty. The round, led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Bain Capital Ventures, also included investors like Gap Inc.'s Eric Chan and influencers Campbell “Pookie” and Jett Puckett. BOF
Gloss Ventures, the beauty incubator behind Sacheu Beauty and Glossmetics, has raised $15 million in Series A funding. The company aims to reach $100 million in sales within the next two years. BeautyIndependent
💸M&A💸
Top Shelf International, the Australian spirits company behind The Ned whisky, has agreed to sell its production facility, including all operational and production assets, to local drinks producer Idyll Wine Co. for A$8 million ($5 million) in cash. JustDrinks
Ferrero has acquired Power Crunch, a protein snack brand, to expand its presence in the better-for-you category and strengthen its U.S. footprint. The deal includes an office in Irvine, California, with around 50 employees joining Ferrero's North American operations. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close in the coming weeks. FoodDive
P180, a retail innovation firm, has acquired a majority stake in Vince Holding Corp. from Sun Capital Partners. As part of the deal, Brendan Hoffman, former CEO of both Vince and Wolverine World Wide, will return as CEO on February 3, after previously leading Vince from 2015 to 2020. David Stefko, interim CEO since March 2024, will return to the board of directors, while Matthew Garff resigned from the board following the acquisition. RetailDive
Abu Dhabi-based Royal Group has acquired a controlling stake in Pangaia, the material science and apparel brand. Pangaia, which gained initial success with its brightly colored tracksuits during the pandemic, has struggled to maintain its growth since then. BOF
Hindustan Unilever, the Indian division of Unilever, has acquired a majority stake in the premium beauty brand Minimalist. BOF
Biotechnology firm Pluri Inc. has secured a $6.5 million private investment led by global investor Alejandro Weinstein, who will join its Board of Directors. As part of the deal, Pluri is acquiring a 71% stake in Kokomodo Ltd., an Israeli AgTech firm focused on cell-based cacao production, for $4.5 million in common shares. Vegconomist
American Exchange Group (AXNY Group) has acquired Urban Skin Rx, a clinical skincare brand focused on diverse skin tones. This acquisition expands AXNY's portfolio, which includes NatureWell, TXTUR, Found Active, and Indie Lee, and supports its strategy of offering brands that appeal to a global, diverse consumer base. BeautyPackaging
🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansion🚀
Quince, known for its affordable luxury products like $50 cashmere sweaters, is expanding into new categories such as fragrance, wellness, and men's shoes to position itself as a lifestyle brand. Starting this week, it will sell collagen powder and electrolyte packs, with more vitamins and supplements to follow. In 2025, Quince plans to introduce spray perfumes, roll-ons, and men's footwear and underwear, along with lamps, lighting, and outdoor and dining furniture. ModernRetail
After nearly 50 years in the salon industry, Tricoci is launching Nutrire, a clinical luxury brand focused on scalp care. The brand enters the growing market that blends skincare principles with haircare. BeautyIndependent
DPP Technologies Inc., a Canadian biotechnology firm specializing in date palm pollen for health and beauty, has introduced its skincare brand Skin By Noor. Launched last year, the brand's first product is the $150 Noorishing Face Serum. BeautyIndependent
Courtney Adeleye sold her brand, The Mane Choice, to MAV Beauty Brands in 2019 for $61.5 million, after it achieved $100 million in sales and was available in 60,000 retail locations. After stepping back, she decided to launch a new brand, Watch & Sea, now available at Target. BeautyIndependent
British-made fresh oat milk brand Oato is launching in the chilled aisle at over 375 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK. Available in 1-litre and 1-pint sizes, Oato’s barista oat milk is made fresh (not UHT) using 100% British oats, resulting in a low carbon footprint. The brand’s bottling site in Lancashire is solar-powered, generating more energy than it consumes. Vegconomist
Aestura, a dermatologist-recommended Korean skincare brand, has made its U.S. debut with an exclusive launch at over 400 Sephora locations. The brand is known for its products that strengthen, protect, and hydrate the skin. BeautyPackaging
Nutrire, a personalized scalp and strand care brand, has debuted with a clinically proven three-part system to treat, cleanse, and condition hair. Its product lineup includes two advanced scalp serums, three scalp-focused shampoos, and four strand-specific conditioners. BeautyPackaging
↪️Rebrands & Relaunches↩️
Paul Mitchell has redesigned its Smooth Collection with more sustainable packaging. The new bottles come in taupe for care products and clear for style products, made with 50% PCR materials for bottles and 35% for tubes. BeautyPackaging
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen has rebranded with modernized packaging, a simplified product line, and new formulations. The new blue design, chosen through consumer testing, enhances shelf visibility and clearly communicates product features. BeautyPackaging
🪇Collabs🪇
Wegmans has partnered with Uber Eats to launch on-demand delivery in Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand to New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware in February. This adds to Wegmans' existing delivery partnership with DoorDash, which was recently expanded to more stores. RetailTouchPoints
📰 Consumer News📰
The FTC has sued PepsiCo, alleging the company provided unfair pricing advantages to an unnamed big-box retailer, leading to higher soft drink prices at competing stores. The agency claims this practice harmed other retailers, including grocery chains and local convenience stores, and increased costs for consumers. PepsiCo denies the allegations, asserting its practices are standard in the industry and pledging to defend its case in court. FoodDive
The Non-GMO Project has launched a new "Non-UPF Verified" label to help consumers identify foods free from ultra-processed ingredients. The nonprofit cited research showing that 85% of consumers want to avoid ultra-processed foods but often find it challenging to make healthier choices. FoodDive
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a civil lawsuit against Walgreens, accusing the pharmacy chain of dispensing millions of illegal opioid prescriptions despite clear warning signs. This follows a similar suit filed against CVS in December 2024. RetailTouchPoints
President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on China-based imports by February 1, aligning with his earlier statements about enacting 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico by the same date. He cited concerns over fentanyl imports from China to Mexico and Canada as the reason for the tariff on China. RetailDive
First Aid Beauty has issued a voluntary recall of its Coconut Vanilla-scented Ultra Repair Cream after 2,756 jars were mistakenly distributed, intended for quarantine. The recall, initiated in December 2024, was due to a "Current Good Manufacturing Practice deviation" and has been classified as a Class II risk by the FDA, indicating a low probability of serious health consequences. BeautyPackaging
🔻Closures & Bankruptcies🔻
Perdue Farms will close its chicken production plant in Monterey, Tennessee, on March 28, resulting in 433 job losses. The company cited shifting market demand and the need for significant investment to sustain operations as reasons for the closure. Perdue plans to offer severance packages and job placement support to affected employees. FoodDive
Books Inc., a California-based retailer with 11 stores, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing years of declining revenue and rising costs following the pandemic. The company plans to use bankruptcy to restructure its finances and continue operating. It will close its Berkeley store on February 9, while other locations remain open as the company seeks approval to consolidate further. RetailDive
Morning Consumer Coffee Meetups
Phreshly Atlanta Consumer Coffees with MFD
Atlanta, GA → 🍹 Atlanta Consumer with Phreshly & MFD
📆 Thursday, January 30th
🕘 9:00 AM-4:00 PM EST - SIGN UP HERE
Consumer Chi Coffee Club with MFD and J.P. Morgan
Chicago, IL → 🍹 Consumer Chi Coffee Club with MFD & Lou Celli
📆 Thursday, January 30th
🕘 9:00 AM-5:00 PM CST - SIGN UP HERE
Nashville Consumer @ with Physical Goods Nashville, WeFunder & MFD
Nashville, TN → 🍹 Nashville Consumer @ with Physical Goods Nashville, WeFunder & MFD
📆 Thursday, January 30th
🕘 9:00 AM-5:00 PM CST - SIGN UP HERE
Consumer Boulder Coffee
Boulder, CO → 🍹 Consumer Boulder Coffee with MFD & Tyler Morgan
📆 Thursday, January 30th
🕘 9:00 AM-6:00 PM MST - SIGN UP HERE
Bozeman Consumer Coffees with MFD
Bozeman, MT → 🍹 Bozeman Consumer Coffees with MFD
📆 Thursday, January 30th
🕘 9:00 AM-6:00 PM MST - SIGN UP HERE
Rise & Roast – Seattle
Seattle, WA → 🍹 Rise & Roast – Seattle with MFD, Blake Harris & Ryan Roumonada
📆 Thursday, January 30th
🕘 9:00 AM-7:00 PM PST - SIGN UP HERE
San Francisco Consumer Coffees with MFD
Sausalito, CA → 🍹 San Francisco Consumer Coffees with MFD
📆 Thursday, January 30th
🕘 9:00 AM-7:00 PM PST - SIGN UP HERE
Consumer Sunrise by MFD
Santa Monica, CA → 🍹 Consumer Sunrise by MFD
📆 Thursday, January 30th
🕘 9:00 AM-7:00 PM PST - SIGN UP HERE
Phreshly D.C. Consumer Coffees with MFD (January)
Washington, DC → 🍹 Phreshly D.C. Consumer Coffees with MFD (January)
📆 Friday, February 7th
🕘 9:00 AM-4:00 PM EST - SIGN UP HERE
Vancouver Consumer Coffees with MFD
Vancouver, BC → 🍹 Vancouver Consumer Coffees with MFD
📆 Wednesday, February 12th
🕘 9:00 AM-7:00 PM PST - SIGN UP HERE
Portland Consumer Coffee Meetup
Portland, OR → 🍹 Portland Consumer Coffee Meetup with MFD & Rick Turoczy
📆 Thursday, February 13th
🕘 9:00 AM-7:00 PM PST - SIGN UP HERE