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Express Checkout #65 - the latest in CPG, Retail, and eComm

Express Checkout #65 - the latest in CPG, Retail, and eComm

Commerce and CPG news from the week of 3/11/24

Nate Rosen
March 18, 2024

Hello hello!

ExpoWest was, as always, a magical experience. I just love seeing folks from across the industry come together to support and show off amazing brands. Peep your inbox later this week for some of my thoughts on the show!

Now I’m still out west, but in Vegas for Shoptalk! If you’re in town let me know would love to try and say hi!

(if I owe ya an email it’s coming, 2 trade shows is not productive to answering those hahaha)

This issue is brought to you by….

I've partnered again this week with Help Scout to share an awesome resource on the growth strategies that eComm brands like Fishwife, The Sill, and Uncommon Goods utilized.

They've put together this amazing guide with tips on how to scale your eComm brand faster and build better relationships with you customer! Whether your an emerging brand just a few years in or hitting that 8-9 figure mark, this is a sold resource!

Check out the guide HERE!!

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 🔥

OV goes DTC - Outdoor Voices has announced the immediate closure of all its stores and a transition to an exclusively DTC business. The news came as a surprise to employees, who were allegedly not offered severance packages. The company's in-store inventory was marked down by 50%. OV, founded in 2014, had experienced success but faced challenges in recent years. (source)
Big bets on water in a can - Liquid Death, a fast-growing beverage brand, has closed $67 million in financing at a staggering valuation of $1.4 billion from strategic partners and investors, including top national distributors, celebrities, and athletes. (source)
Walmart partners on sustainable apparel - Walmart has collaborated with unspun on a 3D fabric weaving pilot project to tackle apparel manufacturing waste. unspun's technology allows for on-demand manufacturing and customization, the 3D-woven chino offers features like no leg seams and woven labels for greater comfort. (source)
Keurig finally trying out this whole sustainability thing - Keurig Dr Pepper has unveiled its next-gen coffee and brewer innovation, including plastic- and aluminum-free coffee pods called K-Rounds. The pods are made with a plant-based coating and can be brewed at both high and low pressure. The new Keurig Alta brewer will also be compatible with existing (and far less sustainable) K-Cup pods. (source)
Impossible bleeding red all over - Impossible Foods has rebranded to align itself more with other meat products on the market. The new red packaging aims to appeal to a wider audience beyond just vegans and vegetarians. Impossible Foods has grown 10% year-to-date. (source)
- I’m a big fan of this rebrand, I got to see it for myself at ExpoWest this past week. I think it stands out on shelf and getting away from the green is really smart. The green implied healthy, better for you, when in reality it’s positioning is more better for the planet. It’s not healthy, it’s a true meat alternative and that’s fine!

🗞️ News from the week (3/11/24 - 3/17/24)

🛍 Retail

Ikea is cutting prices globally as inflation eases and plans to expand its price cuts in 2024. The company aims to reduce price increases introduced in 2022 and invest in pricing rather than profitability. Additionally, Ingka Group plans to anchor its shopping centers with Ikea stores and incorporate co-working spaces and eateries to enhance the shopping experience. (source)
Kohl's is partnering with WHP Global to bring Babies R Us products to approximately 200 of its stores. The first Babies R Us shops will open in August, ranging from 750 to 2,500 square feet. (source)
Swiss sneaker brand On plans to expand its global presence by adding 100 additional stores in the coming years. (Source)
Ulta Beauty plans to expand into Mexico in 2025 through a joint venture with Axo. The move comes after strong sales growth, with Ulta's sales reaching $11.2 billion in 2023. (source)
7-Eleven is suing Trilliant Food & Nutrition, the manufacturer and supplier of its 7-Select Iced Cappuccino bottled beverages, for $1.6 million. The lawsuit claims that Trilliant failed to adhere to their contract by withholding funds owed to 7-Eleven. (source)
Walgreens will now carry Claire's in over 4,400 locations nationwide. Each Walgreens location will have a dedicated display of Claire's products within the seasonal section of the store. (source)
Dollar General plans to open 800 new stores, remodel 1,500 locations, and relocate 85 stores this year. This comes as rival Dollar Tree announces the closure of 600 Family Dollar locations. (source)
Dollar General is removing self-checkout registers from 300 stores to combat retail theft. (source)

🛒 CPG & Consumer Goods

Oral care brand Boka launched at CVS Pharmacy, making its nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste products available at 6,700 stores nationwide. (source)
Nicki Minaj has launched a press-on nail brand called Pink Friday Nails. The collection features 11 designs inspired by Minaj's own nail designs and outfits. (source)
Haven's Kitchen, a New York-based brand known for its innovative cooking sauces, has launched a new product line called AIOLI. The shelf-stable aioli comes in four bold flavors and aims to provide easy and flavorful meal solutions for busy people. (Source)
Michelle Obama's Plezi Nutrition is launching Plezi Fizz, a lower sugar carbonated fruit drink aimed at convincing tweens and teens to choose healthier options. Plezi Fizz has 70% less sugar than leading soft drinks. (source)

💻 eCommerce

Walmart has added a hair color try-on feature to its Beauty Virtual Try-On app, allowing customers to preview nearly 500 hair hues in real-time through the Walmart iOS app. (Source)

🏭 Supply Chain

Ship Essential has acquired Carry, a same-day local delivery startup, allowing New York brands to fulfill online orders faster and more affordably. Carry's innovative approach includes real-time order ingestion, mobile sorting, and strategic metro locations for seamless delivery. Ship Essential's high touch fulfillment services, including same-day delivery, SKU flexibility, and comprehensive fulfillment options, are helping modernize global fulfillment. (source)
- I got to use it and it was pretty damn seamless!
The Home Depot is expanding its pro ecosystem, opening four new distribution centers in Detroit, southern Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Toronto. (source)
Tyson Foods plans to close its pork plant in Iowa, resulting in the loss of 1,200 jobs. (source)
Walmart plans to build its 3rd milk processing plant in Texas, scheduled to open in 2026. This facility, like the others, will be owned and operated by Walmart. (source)

💸 Funding news

Murphy's Naturals, an outdoor lifestyle company, has closed an $8 million Series B funding round led by Point King Capital. They plan on expanding its retail footprint to include REI and Walmart in 2024. (source)
San Francisco-based startup Fermat has raised $17 million in Series A funding, bringing the total amount to $30M. The funding round was led by Bain Capital Ventures, with participation from existing investors Greylock, QED Investors, and Courtside Ventures. Fermat provides a personalized shopping experience for consumers and improved advertising performance for commerce brands. (Source)
ShopMy, a marketing platform for content creators, has raised $18.5 million in funding. The platform helps creators monetize their content by providing tools such as digital storefronts, access to millions of products, commissionable links, and direct communication with companies. (source)
Serenity Kids, the leading shelf-stable baby and toddler food brand, has closed a $52 million Series B investment round led by Stride Consumer Partners. (source)
Sanzo, America's first Asian-inspired sparkling water, has announced that music producer Steve Aoki and actor Simu Liu have become strategic investors in the company. (source)

🧐 Interesting reads