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Express Checkout #49 - the latest in CPG, Retail, and eComm

Commerce and CPG news from the week of 11/6/2023

Author

Nate Rosen
November 13, 2023

Hello hello!

Tomorrow I jet off to Chicago until Friday. So if you’re around, I’d love to say hi!

In case you missed my little career update, check out what I had to say over on LinkedIn. In short, I’m doing fun things.

But, alongside looking for angels for our CPG brand, I’m also looking to help. So if you’re interested in working with me in any capacity I have bandwidth and would love to learn more — fill out this form.

Additionally, expect a 🎁 holiday gift guide in the coming weeks, if you have any suggestions let me know!

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I had the pleasure of interviewing one of minisocials’ clients this week, Plant People! Check out the interview here!

I also have some events coming up, check them out here 👇

🍿 Please join me at NOSH Live, a 2-day event for the natural food industry, on Nov. 30 + Dec. 1 in Marina del Rey, CA. My friends at NOSH pulled some strings, and got me a discount to save $500 per ticket. I hope to see you there!

Before we get into the news I have to share my pantry. I know it’s a long time coming but I had to wait until it was professionally organized!

Thank you Anna, founder of Sorted and Company, for making my pantry something manageable!

Sorted and Company is a professional organizing company working with home, business, and moving services. They help set up long-term, space-saving solutions that fit your lifestyles and personalities.

They help their clients find peace and their version of perfection.

 

Check out the magic they did on my pantry (yes that’s a solo ramen shelf) 👇️ 

Before

After

Before

After

You can see more pretty and exceptionally organized homes and work on their instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sortedandcompany

And if you think you can do this yourself, you can’t. Trust me.

(If you’re reading this email in gmail it might get clipped! You can always view full issues here.)

🔥 Big News - 10 items or less 🔥

  • Where did they get the money? - Getir, one of the remaining ultrafast grocery delivery companies, has surprisingly acquired FreshDirect, an online grocery company based in New York City. The deal is expected to close within this month. (source)

  • Amazon takes over - Meta and Amazon have partnered with a new in-app shopping feature. Users will be able to link their Meta accounts to their Amazon account, allowing them to shop through Meta's social apps. The feature will display real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, delivery estimates, and product details for select Amazon product ads on Facebook and Instagram. (source)

  • Drop the “The” - Bed Bath & Beyond CEO Jonathan Johnson has left the company following Overstock.com's acquisition. The company has also rebranded as "Beyond" and named David Nielsen as interim CEO. (source)

🗞️ News from the week (11/06/23 - 11/12/23)

🛍 Retail

  • Sephora has partnered with Reliance Retail Ventures to expand its presence in India. The partnership gives exclusive rights to Reliance Retail Ventures Limited to build Sephora's presence across channels in India. (source)

  • GNC has opened a new flagship store in Pittsburgh. The store features movable shelving, product sampling counters, and space for local events. (source)

  • Gen Z focused fast-fashion brand Cider has opened its first pop-up store in NYC's SoHo neighborhood. It will remain open through January. Cider plans to open permanent brick-and-mortar stores if the pop-up proves successful. (source)

  • Walmart is reintroducing sensory-friendly hours in all its U.S. and Puerto Rico stores from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. local time, every day. These hours aim to create a less stimulating environment for individuals with sensory disabilities. (source)

🛒 CPG & Consumer Goods

  • Endure Sport Nutrition has successfully launched on Kickstarter and has already raised +$10,000 . Their goal is to revolutionize sports fueling by combining whole foods and sustainable ingredients, providing athletes with a more effective and wholesome fuel source. Their product lineup includes a pre-run energy bite, mid-run energy gel, and post-run recovery bar. (source)

  • Multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award Winning Artist Zedd has invested in food tech leader BetterBrand and launched a limited edition collaboration drop. (source)

  • Atom released the 2nd iteration of their ongoing collaboration with tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (aka MKBHD) with their Model 251.1 shoe. The first version of the shoe in April sold out in days! (source)

  • Maddy Rotman and Taylor Lanzet, co-founders of Anytime Spritz, have launched the first regenerative organic gin and vodka. They source their ingredients from ROC-certified farms in the US and aim to connect farmers with the cocktail business. (source)

  • Jägermeister has launched it’s first high-end product, a limited edition expression called 9556 Nights of Exploration, which has been matured for over 25 years in an oak barrel. Priced at ~$600. (source)

  • Actor William H Macy has collaborated with Colorado distillery Woody Creek to create a limited edition 10-year-old bottled-in-bond rye whiskey. (source)

💻️ eCommerce

  • Zamp has unveiled its API, combining the power of their Sales Tax API and managed solution to support businesses and partners in managing sales tax. Key features include accurate rates, easy integration, and fast calculations. (source)

  • Real Authentication has partnered with TikTok Shop in the US to provide expert authentication services for pre-owned luxury handbags listed on the platform. (source)

  • Starting January 1, 2024, Alaska will regulate DTC alcohol shipping. In-state and out-of-state manufacturers must apply for a Manufacturer Direct Shipment license to ship products directly to Alaska residents. Licensees will be subject to quantity limits and age verification requirements, as well as state excise tax. The license application will cost $200 biennially. (Source)

🏭 Supply Chain

  • Nissin Foods USA, the creator of brands like Top Ramen and Cup Noodles, is investing $228 million to build a third manufacturing facility in Greenville County, South Carolina. (source)

  • UPS has reduced pilot headcount by almost 200 through voluntary severance packages. Regional passenger airline PSA Airlines is recruiting these senior pilots to address a crew shortage. FedEx Express, UPS's rival, has acknowledged having over 700 excess pilots. (source)

💸 Funding news

  • Brooklyn-based craft brewery Five Boroughs Brewing Co. has been acquired by Smuttynose Brewing Co. Five Boroughs' production will transition to Smuttynose's facility in Hampton, New Hampshire. (source)

  • Food-delivery startup Wonder Group has secured a $100 million investment from Nestle, along with a strategic partnership. Wonder, founded by former Walmart e-commerce chief Marc Lore, aims to provide high-quality meals to busy families. (source)

  • General Mills, Inc. has acquired Fera Pets, Inc., a vet-founded pet supplement company, as part of its newly launched growth equity fund. (source)

  • Staging company Vesta has acquired Feather and Fernish, two subscription furniture startups. (source)

  • ReturnGO recently raised an additional $4.8 million in growth capital, led by Trestle Partners. This funding comes as ReturnGO announces its partnership with Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment. (source)

  • Los Angeles-based perinatal nutrition company, Needed, has raised $14 million in growth funding led by The Craftory. (source)

  • Element Eight, a NYC-based skincare brand, has raised $6 million in SAFE funding from a mix of existing and new investors. (source)

  • ShippyPro, a shipping platform for commerce based in Florence, Italy, has secured $15 million in Series B funding. The funding round was led by Five Elms Capital. ShippyPro provides shipping management software for e-commerce merchants. (source)

  • Private investment group MGD Acquisition has acquired a majority stake in Griffo Distillery, a California-based distillery known for producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and liqueurs. (source)

🧐 Interesting reads

💡 Data, reports, and trends

Thanks for reading! If you have any suggestions, feedback, or stories I missed, let me know!

Nate :)

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