Express Checkout #102

Hello hello and happy Cyber Monday!

I hope all of your Black Friday’s went swimmingly for everyone

It’s been a quiet week in the world of CPG, everyone is heads down making sure their site doesn’t shut down from all the Black Friday traffic. Or they’ve been watching Wicked, who’s to say.

I’ll be seeing some of you NOSH Live the end of this week! If you’re going to be in town let me know, would love to say hi!

News From the Week

Nothing crazy happened this week, but you know what just happened? Our first gift guide dropped.

This one is for the person on your list who is nothing but practical (we all have one). Some of my all-time favorite products landed here, so check it out! I’ll be dropping more this week—keep an eye out 👀

CPG & Consumer Goods

• The battle of Big Brand vs. dupe culture. This Spring, Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSI), which owns the Pottery Barn and West Elm brands, filed a lawsuit against Dupe.com (a furniture price comparison site) alleging false advertising and copyright claims. Now, Dupe.com is firing back, arguing that the lawsuit is merely an attempt to suppress consumer transparency. While it may seem like a petty legal battle, this is all part of a larger trend of dupe culture:

  • TikTok has seriously amplified the dupe trend. The hashtag #dupe garnered 6.3 billion views in 2023, with users seeking affordable alternatives to high-end brands like SKIMS and Lululemon.

  • The philosophical Q at hand: In a battle of consumer demand for affordable products (often produced unsustainably) vs. IP protection for established brands, who’s really “right”?

• PSL? Out. PBL? In. This month, French Squirrel and Willa’s Oatmilk are collaborating with Erewhon to offer a limited-time Peanut Butter Latte throughout December. The drink features French Squirrel’s Beurre, organic date peanut butter, and Willa's amazing Oatmilk, made with clean ingredients and no artificial additives.

  • But what’s really special about this latte? Sydney Karmes-Wainer, the Founder and CEO of French Squirrel, was Erewhon’s Brand Manager for four years—the right-hand woman to the VP, from foraging and onboarding new food products to brand partnerships for smoothie ingredients and celebrity creators.

  • Erewhon typically doesn’t partner with two brands simultaneously on a specialty drink, especially without a celeb in sight. But these two female-founded brands share Erewhon’s commitment to clean, high-quality ingredients—making it the perfect exception.

  • If you’re thinking: WTF is a peanut butter latte? You obviously don’t spend all of your waking hours on the internet (embarrassing). PB lattes went viral this year, and thanks to Erewhon’s fast ops, these brands were able to capitalize on the trend.

eCommerce

• Get your lotto ticket online…or with a slushee. Jackpot.com, an online lottery service, announced an exclusive collaboration with 7-Eleven, Inc. to become its official lottery courier service. Customers will be able to buy lottery tickets through the Jackpot.com app or website at over 600 participating stores.

Retail

• The Spanish discover America again. Spanish retailer Mango plans to open 60 new stores in the U.S. over the next two years as part of a $70 million expansion strategy aimed at repositioning the brand as a premium label. This expansion includes a logistics center outside LA.

  • Many Euro retailers currently have their sights set on the US—think Primark, Zara, Intimissimi, IKEA.

Funding news

• Protein Brand acquired. Paine Schwartz Partners, owners of famous juice brand Suja Life, acquired Promix—a brand focused on protein mixes and supplements.

Shout out to my friend Hugh for sending his new brand, Cuddle Sleep. It’s basically a sleepy hot cocoa! I had some last night and slept like a freaking baby. Throw a little milk in there and you are golden! 💤 

The fine folks at ¡Ya Oaxaca! sent me their full line up! The brand was started by award-winning Executive Chef of 35 years, Author, and PBS TV Host, Susana Trilling! I’ll never say no to some mole.

Say hello to the newest flavor from Summerfall Sake, Yuzu!! They sent over a lovely care package with a yuzu face mask and some dried candied yuzu to match. Their normal flavor is amazing and so is this!

See ya next week,

Nate + Jenna :)

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