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Express Checkout #64 - the latest in CPG, Retail, and eComm

Express Checkout #64 - the latest in CPG, Retail, and eComm

Commerce and CPG news from the week of 3/4/24

Nate Rosen
March 11, 2024

Hello hello!

T-minus 1️⃣ day until I head out west again for the biggest food and beverage trade show, ExpoWest! (Then Shoptalk a week later! Hit me up if you’re going to be at either!)

Check out NOSH’s two amazing guides on how to win at ExpoWest! — The ABCs of Expo West & How to Stay Healthy, Safe and Sane At Expo West

I will be walking around with a camera and mic in tow! If you’re down to be interviewed hit me up!

This issue is brought to you by….

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🎉 Events! 🎉

ShopTalk Breakfast
w/ Levitate Foundry, Rise.ai, and Kimonix

📍 Border Grill
⏰ March 19th | 8:00 - 10:00 AM
🔗 Sign Up here

Curbivore 2024 (conference)

📍 Downtown LA
⏰ March 28 - 29
🔗 Sign Up here

👀 Code: Express20

And if you’re looking to go to The Whalies this year in NYC, I have a special discount code for you! Email me!

Now on to the news of the week!

(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 🔥

Bodegas beware - Whole Foods is introducing a new quick-shop, smaller store format called Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, starting with a location on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. These smaller format stores, ranging from 7,000 to 14,000 sqft, offering grab-and-go meals, weekly essentials, and fresh products. (source)
Nectar Mattress Parent Company Acquired - Ashley Home has acquired Resident Home Inc who owns mattress and bedding brands Nectar, DreamCloud, Awara, and Siena brands. (source)
Consumer growth fund raises - Silas Capital has closed its newest consumer growth fund, Silas Capital Partners II, at $150 million. Silas focuses on high-growth consumer brands with revenues between $5 million and $50+ million. They invested in brands such as Wonderbelly, Vacation Inc, and Bellroy. (source)
Harry’s IPO - Razor maker Harry's has reportedly filed for an IPO, tapping investment banks including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Barclays, and Wells Fargo for the stock market debut. The company, valued at $1.7 billion in 2021, is nearing $1 billion in annual revenue and is profitable. (source)
The biggest, baldest man in Hollywood launches skincare - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has launched PAPATUI, a men's skincare brand. The line includes skincare, haircare, body care, and tattoo care products products are accessibly priced and available on PAPATUI.com and in Target stores. (source)
Target takes on Prime & Walmart+ - Target is reintroducing its loyalty program, Target Circle, with new membership options and benefits. Target is also introducing Circle 360, a paid membership at $99/yr, offers free same-day delivery and additional benefits. (Source)
RxBar founder does it again - David Protein is a new protein brand that aims to help customers by creating high-protein, low-calorie, blood-sugar-friendly foods. Their first product will be a protein bar with 28g of protein, 160 calories, and 0g of sugar. (source)
- And they’re hiring! — Director of Growth | Director of Finance & Supply Chain | Director of Service
  - Should I have a job board?? 👀

🗞️ News from the week (3/4/24 - 3/10/24)

🛍 Retail

Retail is on fire!
- BJ's Wholesale Club plans to open 12 new stores and enter Kentucky as its 21st state in 2025. (source)
- Burlington Stores announced plans to open approximately 100 net new stores in 2024. (source)
- Studs, a piercing company, has opened its 23rd store in New York City's Rockefeller Center, marking its sixth store in the city. Studs plans to open 10 additional studios this year. (source)
- Pilot Travel Centers, the largest travel center network in North America, plans to add 35 travel centers, remodel over 75 locations, and expand its truck maintenance network in 2024. (source)
- ALDI, one of the fastest-growing grocers in the U.S., plans to add 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 through new openings and store conversions. (source)
Target has launched a new toy brand called Gigglescape, offering affordable plush and spring-themed board books. (source)

🛒 CPG & Consumer Goods

Abercrombie & Fitch has launched 'The A&F Wedding Shop,' featuring over 100 pieces for brides, bachelorettes, and guests. The collection includes dresses, bikinis, pajamas, pantsuit separates, and more, catering to various wedding-related occasions. (source)
Daily Harvest is back and has made its debut at Costco. The company's top-selling Strawberry + Peach Smoothie will be available in a four-pack at select Costco locations in 12 states. (source)
Chosen Foods has launched new dip and drizzle sauces, a chocolate hazelnut spread, and squeeze bottle packaging. The sauces are made with 100% pure avocado oil and come in three varieties: Chicken Sauce, Burger Sauce, and Everything Bagel Sauce. Chosen Foods also introduced a squeeze bottle packaging for their avocado oil. (source)
Jones Soda Co has partnered with Rainmaker to launch Spiked Jones Hard Craft Soda, expanding into the alcoholic beverage market. (source)
Los Angeles-based startup Yo Egg is entering the retail market with its plant-based eggs that can be fried or boiled. Made from soy and chickpea protein, the eggs have a runny yolk and are distributed by Whitestone Natural Foods. (source)
Lenny & Larry's has introduced protein-packed pretzels. (source)
Halfday, a delicious prebiotic iced tea, is expanding nationally with a rollout into all Whole Foods Market stores. (source)
SKYY Vodka has introduced SKYY Vodka & Soda, a premium canned cocktail available in Lemon & Elderflower and Lime & Mint flavors. (source)
Kylie Jenner has launched a canned vodka soda called Sprinter and will be launched nationwide on March 21. (source)
Lawmakers in Connecticut are considering a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 due to continued health concerns. The proposed restriction would apply to beverages with more than 80 milligrams of caffeine per 9 ounces. (source)
BowFlex Inc. has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 protection and reached an agreement with Johnson Health Tech Retail to facilitate the sale of its assets. The purchase agreement is valued at $37,500,000 in cash, and the company has secured a $25 million debtor-in-possession financing facility. (source)
Wearable health technology company Ōura has launched its Oura Rings on Amazon, following a partnership with Best Buy. (source)
REI Co-op has introduced its new spring line of gear and apparel, including the Active Pursuits collection, the brand's first explicitly nongendered apparel assortment for adults. (source)
Gap Inc. and Ambercycle have announced their collaboration to incorporate textile-to-textile recycled materials in Athleta products. (source)
JLo Beauty has exited Sephora's US stores, although it remains available on Sephora's US website and at Sephora stores outside the US. (source)

💻 eCommerce

StockX has launched an immersive shopping app for Apple Vision Pro, offering a unique shopping experience with 3D models of top sneaker releases, rich product discovery, interactive market data, and seamless buying. (source)
Repeat, a company that bet on personalization and merging marketing and data, has been acquired by WeCommerce. (source)

🏭 Supply Chain

Wolverine World Wide is permanently closing its distribution center in Louisville, Kentucky, resulting in approximately 150 layoffs. (source)
LG Business Solutions USA announced the launch of its warehousing autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in the United States at the MODEX trade show. (source)

💸 Funding news

ROAR Organic, a rapidly growing beverage brand, has secured a $10 million investment from Factory LLC. (source)
4th & Heart, a provider of ghee butter products, has received a minority investment from Aterian, Inc. (Source)
Berlin-based Razor Group has acquired U.S.-based Perch and raised over $100 million in funding. The combined business has an enterprise value of $1.7 billion and aims to consolidate the e-commerce aggregation market. (source)
Style Capital has acquired a 50.2% stake in premium sneaker brand Autry from The Made in Italy Fund and the brand's founders, the Doro family. (source)
Parent companies of Zara, Uniqlo, and H&M have invested 40 million euros in Infinited Fiber Company, a Finnish fashion and textile technology company. (source)
Vista Outdoor has rejected a $2.9 billion takeover bid from MNC Capital, stating that it prefers to proceed with the deal from Czechoslovak Group to purchase its Sporting Products business and spin off the Outdoor Products business. (source)
MALK Organics, a leading alternative milk brand, has secured $7 million in funding led by existing investors Benvolio Group and Rotor Capital. (source)
PawCo Foods, a plant-based dog food brand, has raised $2 million in seed funding led by Elevate Ventures. (source)
Umaro Foods has secured $3.8 million led by AgFunder and joined by other investors, including NBA all-star Chris Paul. Umaro Foods will showcase new products at Expo West. (source)