Unilever Buys Grüns for $1.2B
Consumer VC Roundup #155 – Latest News in Emerging Consumer Brands, Tech & Commerce Enablement
Big News
Unilever acquires Grüns for $1.2 billion.
They say there is no overnight success, especially in CPG, but this might be the closest version of overnight success we’ve seen as it’s the fastest company to $1B+ outcome in the space. The timeline is unbelievable:
Founded in August 2023
Profitable in 14 months
Last year raised $35m at $500m valuation (2.4x markup this year)
Sells 10 million gummies/day
Fernando Fernández, Unilever’s CEO, mentioned last December that they have allocated 1.5B euros each year to acquisitions. If Grüns is their 2026, what do you think will acquire in 2027?
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📰 Consumer News 📰
A2Z Cust2Mate demonstrates how modern shoppers research online before visiting stores, changing in-store experiences.
Source: ESMThe US-Iran War’s Bill Comes Due. Fast Retailing, owner of Uniqlo, reports results amid US inflation concerns affecting consumers. The report highlights economic impacts on retail.
Source: Business of Fashion
🧃 Consumer Brands 👚
💰 Fundraises 💰
Cadootz, the kids’ savory snack brand founded by Rachel Mansfield and her husband Jordan Carpenter, has raised $3 million in a seed funding round led by Selva Ventures.
Source: NOSHFermtech has raised £2.5m in seed funding to scale Koji Cocoa, which uses fermentation to enhance cocoa supply chains. The investment will help them produce affordable, nutritious foods for consumers.
Source: FoodNavAurivo has announced a €12 million investment in its dairy ingredients facility in Ballaghaderreen to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance operations.
Source: ESMMezza raised seed funding to enhance its platform that helps restaurants access upfront capital and increase customer footfall.
Source: FINSMES
💸 M&A 💸
CK Snacks has acquired Keystone Food Products to enhance its private-label snack production capabilities. Keystone specializes in a variety of snack products, including tortilla chips and extruded snacks. This acquisition follows CK Snacks‘ previous purchase of Axium Foods, further expanding its portfolio in the snack market.
Source: FoodNavUnilever is acquiring Grüns, a supplement company known for gummy bear multivitamins, for $1.2 billion. Grüns has surpassed a $300 million annualized run rate, and Unilever sees significant opportunities to scale the brand within its Wellbeing business.
Source: Modern RetailCoop Estonia has agreed to acquire Prisma Peremarket and its 13 stores in Estonia from SOK.
Source: ESMBed Bath & Beyond is acquiring F9 Brands, which includes Cabinets To Go and Lumber Liquidators, to enhance its home renovation services. The deal includes $40 million in financing and a potential $25 million earnout based on performance. This acquisition aims to create full-service home project centers for customers.
Source: RetailDiveNykaa confirmed negotiations to acquire a majority stake in the clean skincare brand 82°E to strengthen its position in the Indian beauty market.
Source: Business of FashionOlaplex is to be acquired by Henkel for $1.4B, expanding Henkel‘s premium hair care portfolio.
Source: RetailDiveWacoal acquires Glamorise to strengthen its U.S. market position and enhance its DTC and e-commerce operations.
Source: RetailDive
🚀 Debuts, Distribution & Expansion 🚀
MUSH, the ready-to-eat overnight oats brand, is launching in Starbucks, 7-Eleven, and Target, enhancing its distribution channels.
Source: NOSHCarrefour Spain has expanded its online grocery coverage to reach 90% of potential customers across the country.
Source: ESMKoia is launching its clear protein line in Target, introducing a chain-exclusive flavor called Golden Whip.
Source: BevNetFoot Locker partners with DoorDash for on-demand delivery.
Source: RetailDiveCozey, a Canadian furniture brand, is expanding its presence in the U.S. market by opening up their own retail stores to attract more shoppers.
Source: Modern RetailLegally Addictive Foods has partnered with JetBlue to offer cookies to premium-tier passengers on domestic flights.
Source: NOSHLaoban is gearing up for a major retail expansion, rolling out multiple items to over 1,500 Target stores in May.
Source: NOSH
🚀 Product Launches
Michaels partners with Jonathan Adler to give its home decor section an upgrade.
Source: Modern RetailDairy Farmers of America launched a new cottage cheese brand called MULU that features a proprietary two-layer formulation with more protein than competitors. This new product aims to enhance consumer nutrition with its unique formulation.
Source: NOSHBubly Wine Refresher Launch Shows Pepsi’s Blue Cloud Dream Isn’t Done Yet. Last year, Blue Cloud’s bev-alc crossover portfolio of Hard MTN Dew and Lipton Hard Iced Tea grew revenue 30%, as the new business model takes hold.
Source: BevNetGateDrop Bets on Gummies as Next Wave in Energy. GateDrop is launching a line of energy gummies designed as a precise, portable alternative to traditional caffeinated drinks.
Source: NOSHNetflix Expands kids programming, launches new app. Netflix has launched a new advertising-free app for kids, featuring mobile games with familiar Netflix faces.
Source: ForbesKylie Jenner’s vodka soda brand Sprinter expands into hydration.
Source: Food DiveBoisson Teams with Gut Oggau to Launch ‘Gut Feeling’ NA Brand. Gut Feeling, a new botanical herbal drink brand, will be Boisson’s exclusive partner. This partnership highlights Boisson‘s role in the non-alcoholic beverage market.
Source: BevNetDollar Shave Club launches first women’s product push, positioning itself as the “anti-Venus, anti-Billie, anti-Flamingo”according to the company’s CEO.
Source: RetailDive
🔻 Closures, Bankruptcies & Downsizes 🔻
Kombucha Town, a brand that produces kombucha beverages, has been acquired by The Better For You Company (BFYC) after filing for bankruptcy protection.
Source: BevNetSaks Global snags $500M in financing, expects to exit bankruptcy this summer.
Source: RetailDive