The Consumer VC Roundup #117
The Latest News in Emerging Consumer Brands, Tech & Commerce Enablement
Hey there,
If you’re in Austin and free tomorrow (5/5), swing by Consumer VC Live! We’re kicking things off with Kira Heizer from EisnerAmper on how CPG brands can get ahead of the evolving tariff landscape. Then, join us for a live conversation with CPG legends Clayton Christopher and Brian Goldberg as we dive into how to de-risk your business when raising capital – and how to thoughtfully scale from DTC to retail. We’ll wrap with a happy hour and great company from across the consumer ecosystem. Don’t miss it!
Today’s Consumer VC Roundup is brought to you by, Highbeam.
Highbeam is the all-in-one banking and cash management platform built for consumer brands.
With tariffs stretching working capital, brands are turning to Highbeam for flexible credit lines and charge cards designed around how they actually operate.
Brands like Birddogs, New York or Nowhere, Ridge, and Avocado use Highbeam to access capital, manage cash, and scale without hiring a full finance team.
Build your brand. Keep your cash.
Includes a free 3-month trial of the AI Analyst.
And now onwards to the latest news…
🧃Consumer Brands👚
💰Fundraises💰
Xcel Brands secured a $9 million investment from China’s UTG to expand globally, boost social commerce, and explore joint brand acquisitions, leveraging UTG’s supply chain and international reach. WWD
Beyond, Inc. has launched a digital token tied to Overstock.com in a bid to raise up to $1.2 million and boost brand awareness, aiming to turn investors into loyal customers and advocates. RTP
Arda Biomaterials has raised $5.25 million in a Series A funding round to advance its development of New Grain™, a sustainable leather alternative made from barley proteins found in brewery and distillery waste. The round was led by Oyster Bay Venture Capital, with support from Clean Growth Fund, Kadmos Capital, and Green Angel Ventures. V
💸M&A💸
Conagra Brands has agreed to sell the iconic canned pasta brand Chef Boyardee to private equity firm Brynwood Partners for $600 million. The deal includes a manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania and is part of Conagra's strategy to focus on frozen foods and snacks amid changing consumer preferences. Brynwood plans to revitalize Chef Boyardee and expand its product offerings across different supermarket categories – FoodDive
Burlington is acquiring 45 Joann store leases nationwide through the craft retailer’s bankruptcy, taking over the locations in May and June as it expands amid slowing shopping center growth. RD
InchDairnie Distillery is merging with Glasgow-based MacDuff International to form a new entity, InchDairnie Whisky Limited, effective May 1. The merged business will be led by Graham Glen as commercial managing director and Scott Sneddon as distilling managing director. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. JD
India’s Jubilant Bhartia Group has received approval from the Competition Commission of India to acquire a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings. The deal, which was agreed upon in December, will see Jubilant’s subsidiary, Jubilant Beverages Limited, take over the stake from Hindustan Coca-Cola Overseas Holdings and Bharat Coca-Cola Overseas Holdings. JD
French beauty retailer Oh My Cream has acquired UK-based clean beauty e-tailer Naturisimo, aiming to expand its presence and reach in the British market. BI
UK alt-protein pet food brand THE PACK has been acquired by Prefera Petfood SRL, a premium pet food producer. Founders Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel will join Prefera to help expand the brand across the UK and Europe, with new high-quality nutrition products expected through the partnership. V
🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansions🚀
Egyptian jeweler Azza Fahmy has opened a flagship store in London’s Burlington Arcade, replacing a smaller temporary space. The new boutique features opulent interiors inspired by Ancient Egypt and Middle Eastern craftsmanship, with elements like a lotus chandelier and handcrafted tapestry. The store joins Fahmy’s 14 other boutiques, mostly in Egypt, and select stockists in the Middle East. WWD
Jiyongkim opens his first flagship in Seoul, turning a quiet Hannam-dong townhouse into a gallery-like space for his sun-bleached, one-of-a-kind menswear. Designed with One-Aftr, the minimalist store reflects the brand’s focus on craftsmanship and storytelling. WWD
Miu Miu has opened a three-story, 5,200-square-foot flagship store in Wuhan’s new SKP Department Store, designed as a “home” concept with curated interiors and private lounges. Located on the outdoor K Avenue promenade, it offers the full range of Miu Miu collections and marks the brand’s 24th store in mainland China. WWD
Vuori has expanded its London presence with a new store on King’s Road in Chelsea, marking its third location in the city just six months after opening its international flagship on Regent Street. WWD
Function of Beauty has launched 17 core hair care products at over 1,800 Walmart stores and online, offering personalized shampoos, conditioners, and booster shots tailored to various hair types, with prices starting at $3.47. RD
Saks Fifth Avenue has launched a luxury storefront on Amazon Fashion, offering curated high-end fashion, beauty, and accessories from brands like Balmain and Stella McCartney, with free U.S. shipping and digital displays inspired by its NYC flagship. RD
Cosmetic chemist and mom Alexis Forbes-Moorhead has launched Little Curlies, a haircare brand designed specifically for kids with type 4 kinky and coily hair, inspired by the lack of suitable products for her daughter. Frustrated by generic "all curl" products, she created a line tailored to tightly coiled textures, starting with three items priced at $15.55 each and a $19.99 travel-size trio. BI
Indie fragrance brand Ranger Station has opened a new store in New York City and plans to expand to additional locations as part of its growth strategy. BI
Lumson is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, marking the milestone with a debut fragrance packaging collection. The Italian company, which closed 2024 with a turnover of over €134 million, has introduced 13 premium-designed packaging solutions in 50mL and 100mL sizes, along with travel sizes and 60 overcaps in various materials, offering over 1,500 combinations. GCIM
↪️Rebrands & Relaunches↩️
Variety Wholesalers will reopen 132 Big Lots stores across 14 states in May as part of a larger plan to relaunch 219 stores by June 2025, following its acquisition of the bankrupt retailer last December. RTP
Frasers Group is planning to relaunch Matches Fashion as a members-only retail concept, aiming to create a "Soho House of retail." Nearly a year after acquiring the brand and its IP for £19m through a pre-pack deal—excluding its stock and staff—Frasers is exploring a more exclusive business model following the platform’s administration. RG
Degree has announced the relaunch of its Original Cool Rush scent in its popular antiperspirant, responding to strong consumer feedback following a previous formulation change. GCIM
🪇Collabs🪇
Lilly Pulitzer has launched its first international collaboration with French brand Saint James, blending Breton stripes with signature prints in a 10-piece capsule inspired by the French Riviera and Palm Beach. The limited-edition collection debuts Wednesday online and in select Lilly and Saint James stores. WWD
Vilebrequin has partnered with The St. Regis Longboat Key in Florida to open the Vilebrequin Pool & Cabana Club and a boutique offering an exclusive capsule collection. The collaboration brings a luxury beach experience with custom prints, upscale amenities, and Vilebrequin-themed cocktails, combining the brand's iconic Saint-Tropez lifestyle with the resort's elegance. WWD
Dove has partnered with Chamberlain Coffee to launch the Dove Plant Milk Cleansing Collection. The collaboration includes pop-ups at select LA college campuses, featuring co-branded merchandise, a signature drink inspired by the new line, and more, making plant milk a springtime treat for both your coffee and skincare routine. BP
Revlon and Authentic Brands Group have renewed their global licensing deal for Juicy Couture fragrances. Under the agreement, Revlon will continue to exclusively produce and market all Juicy Couture fragrance launches, with plans to expand the product portfolio, including new core fragrances and scented ancillary lines. GCIM
🔻Closures, Bankruptcies & Downsizes🔻
Hudson’s Bay will begin liquidating its final 7 stores — including one Saks Fifth Avenue — ahead of closures by June 15, as part of its bankruptcy process, while exploring bids to restructure parts of the business. RTP
LVMH’s Moët Hennessy is reportedly planning to lay off thousands of employees, aiming to reduce its workforce in the wine and spirits division to pre-pandemic levels from 2019. JD
Isle of Harris Distillery is undergoing a restructuring program that includes reducing production levels and cutting jobs. Managing director Simon Erlanger stated that the decision, though difficult, is necessary to safeguard the business's future amid challenging industry conditions. JD
British beauty retailer Space NK has temporarily halted online orders and shipping to the U.S. due to the impact of new 10% tariffs, citing concerns over incorrect or additional charges for customers. The company did not specify how long the pause will last. Experts warn the move may hurt revenue and customer loyalty, as U.S. shoppers turn to alternatives amid the disruption. BI
Coty has announced plans to cut up to 700 jobs as part of a strategic cost-saving overhaul, reviving its pandemic-era “All-in to Win” program. The move follows a 3% drop in net revenue to $1.66 billion in the fiscal second quarter ending December 31, 2024. BP
Chanel has closed its SoHo-based beauty concept store, Atelier Beauté, which opened in 2019, as part of efforts to streamline operations following market slowdowns. The store focused on customer experiences like product try-ons and the closure follows recent job cuts in the U.S. aimed at protecting the business. BP
💰Corporate Investments💰
Amazon is investing $4 billion to expand its rural delivery network, aiming to add 200 stations, create 100,000 jobs, and deliver 1 billion more packages annually across 13,000 zip codes covering 1.2 million square miles. RTP
💻Consumer Software💻
💰Fundraises💰
Dub, a fintech startup that allows retail investors to copy stock trades from financial influencers, has raised $30 million in Series A funding co-led by Notable Capital and Neo with participation from Sandberg Bernthal Venture Partners, Peak6 Strategic Capital, and Correlation Ventures. The platform targets younger investors and offers a $9.99 monthly subscription to mirror trades of notable investors. Dub distinguishes itself by owning its brokerage and being registered with the SEC, allowing direct deposits without linking external accounts – TechCrunch
Faye, a startup providing households with a trusted advisor to handle tasks such as event planning, home services, and personal shopping, has secured $2.5 million in funding led by Unusual Ventures, with participation by Springbank and a strategic group of angel investors from Nextdoor, Roblox, Square, and Doordash.. The platform aims to alleviate the mental load of managing household responsibilities by offering personalized assistance through a combination of technology and human support – PR Newswire
IXI, a Finnish startup developing prescription glasses with autofocus capabilities, has raised $36.5 million in funding from investors including Amazon's Alexa Fund. The glasses use eye-tracking and liquid crystal lens technology to automatically adjust focus, aiming to address presbyopia. IXI plans to use the funds to bring its first commercial product to market, targeting the growing eyewear industry – TechCrunch
💸M&A💸
Instacart has acquired ecommerce platform Wynshop to accelerate its move into enterprise tech and expand its focus on digitizing the in-store experience for retailers like Wakefern and Pattison. Financial information about the acquisition was not disclosed. RTP
🛒eCommerce & Retail Tech🛒
💰Fundraises💰
Replenysh, a software and supply chain company that connects brands to sources of recycled content, has raised $8 million in Series A funding led by M13 with participation from Incite, Kindred Ventures, and Floodgate Fund. The company aims to scale operations and grow its network of recycled material suppliers and buyers across the country. Replenysh offers software that maps collection sites, verifies sources of recycled materials, and tracks materials throughout the supply chain, helping brands provide more transparency and reliability in their recycled content sourcing – Wastdive
OmniRetail, a Nigerian startup aiming to digitize informal retail across West Africa, has raised $20 million in Series A funding co-led by Norfund and Timon Capital with participation from Ventures Platform, Aruwa Capital, Goodwell Investments (via Alitheia Capital), and Flour Mills of Nigeria. The company plans to expand its presence in Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, while deepening its focus on embedded finance products. OmniRetail's platform digitizes order management for manufacturers and distributors, servicing over 150,000 informal retailers – TechCrunch
Thanks for reading!