Express Checkout #70 - the latest in CPG, Retail, and eComm

Hello hello!

I hope everyone had a relaxing 4/20! And Chag Sameach to those celebrating Passover on this lovely first night 🙂 

I picked up a new desk this weekend! Excited to get it all organized, what should I pick up for it?? Already have some fun things picked out from the Ugmonk store of course!

I’m excited to partner with Mana Up - a Hawaiʻi-based product accelerator - to share the Aloha Market NYC. In celebration of Lei Day, 45+ entrepreneurs from Hawaiʻi are hosting a 3-day immersive shopping experience in SoHo full of events, activations and tastings!

Join the Aloha Market April 26-27, 10am to 5pm and April 28, 10am to 4pm.

Register at: https://newyork.shopify.com/manaupalohamarket

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 🔥

• The Tapestry might unravel - The FTC is reportedly preparing to sue to block the $8.5 billion takeover of Capri by Tapestry. The deal, which would bring together luxury labels such as Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman, Jimmy Choo, and Versace, has received regulatory clearance from the EU and Japan. Source

• Zeitgeist of water enhancers - Kraft Heinz has rebranded (done by BrandOpus) its liquid concentrate Mio to better target Gen Z consumers and emphasize wellness benefits. This move is part of Kraft Heinz's efforts to modernize its portfolio for a younger audience. Source

• Coupon IPO - Ibotta's IPO opened at $117 per share, indicating growing interest in tech shares. The successful debut marks the third major tech IPO in the United States this year. source

• DTC to Retail pipeline is strong - Wayfair has announced the grand opening date of its first large-format store in Wilmette, Illinois. The store, spanning 150,000 square feet, will offer a wide range of home products and will feature an onsite restaurant (I wonder what their “IKEA meatball” will be). The grand opening is scheduled for May 23, 2024. source

• The power of delivery - Gopuff has announced the launch of Powered by Gopuff, a logistics platform that enables brands to offer affordable delivery from their owned and operated online stores in as fast as 15 minutes. Gopuff has also introduced Storefronts Powered by Gopuff, a customizable Shopify theme that allows CPG brands to launch their own white-labeled DTC site in a matter of days. source

🗞️ News from the week (4/15/24 - 4/21/24)

🛍 Retail

• The now L'Oréal owned Aesop has opened a new store in Beverly Hills, California, bringing its total store count to 73. The brand plans to further expand with the opening of two new locations in NYC later this year. Source

• Eyebuydirect, a DTC eyewear brand, has opened its first physical location in Orange County, CA. The brand is partnering with LensCrafters to provide eye exams and frame adjustments. Source

• Kizik, the hands-free shoe brand, is embarking on a major retail expansion and national marketing campaign. They plan to open 3 new stores this summer, starting with Mall of America and King of Prussia Mall, followed by a store on Newbury Street in Boston. The brand is also launching a national marketing campaign, including online and connected TV ads and a NY pop-up. Kizik aims to have six open stores by the end of 2024 and 15 by the end of 2025. Source

• Wawa has announced its plans to open 40 new stores in central Pennsylvania by 2029. These store openings are part of Wawa's broader goal to reach 1,800 convenience stores across the US by 2030. Source

• URBN has partnered with Stripe to power online and in-person retail payments for its brands, including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie Group, Free People, and FP Movement. Source

• Amazon plans to expand its Just Walk Out tech and checkout-free solutions, such as Dash Cart and Amazon One to more third-party stores. source

• Gopuff has partnered with Misfits Market to expand its fresh grocery delivery assortment, offering shoppers more than 300 items. This collaboration allows for quick delivery and comes at a pivotal time for both companies. Source

• ALDI has launched ALDIgo, a checkout-free shopping experience, in partnership with Grabango. This technology allows shoppers to skip the line and save time by using computer vision to identify and track items in the store. source

• Terrain and Brooklyn Botanic Garden have announced the opening of Terrain at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a new immersive retail experience located within BBG's landscape. source

🛒 CPG & Consumer Goods

• Charlotte Tilbury has launched a new line of fragrances called the 'Collection of Emotions' that are backed by neuroscience to evoke different feelings and emotions. Source

• Beard Club has partnered with Target to launch its premium grooming products. The brand has partnered with NBA player James Harden and artist Kid Cudi. Source

• Fly By Jing has announced a price reduction across major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods. They are also expanding their presence in over 2,000 Walmart locations nationwide. Source

  • I love this! It’s not something you see everyday!

• Fellow has introduced the Aiden coffee machine, a high-end brewer aimed at transforming the at-home coffee experience. Source

• A judge has ruled in favor of Casa Azul in a trademark case against Clase Azul. The judge determined that the two Tequila brands were different in terms of products, packaging, and target audience, and therefore, there was no likelihood of confusion or trademark infringement. Source

• Wheaties is introducing Wheaties Protein, the highest protein offering in the cereal category, with over 20 grams of protein per serving. source

  • Protein is so hot right now!

• Barilla is discontinuing its legume-based pasta line, Tolerant Foods source.

• Liquid Death has become the official Iced Tea Sponsor of NASCAR. Source

• Rita Ora and Anna Lahey have launched Typebea, a performance-driven haircare line aimed at promoting hair growth and health. Source

• BelliWelli, a wellness brand known for its probiotic snack bars, has launched its latest product, BelliWelli Daily Fiber and Probiotics Powder, in Walmart stores nationwide. Source

💻 eCommerce

• Cart.com is partnering with Walmart Marketplace to simplify onboarding and develop new capabilities and integrations that will help sellers grow more efficiently on the platform. Through Cart.com's multichannel management platform, sellers will have access to incentives across Walmart Marketplace's shipping, ad, and repricing services. source

• WGSN has developed a TikTok Analytics tool that utilizes data analytics and insight to identify investment-worthy beauty and fashion trends. source

• Walmart is integrating Walmart Luminate's insights with Walmart Connect's closed-loop, omnichannel retail media solutions. source

• Best Buy has launched a new AR app called Best Buy Envision, exclusively available on the Apple Vision Pro. The app allows users to preview 3D models of Best Buy products in their own living space. source

🏭 Supply Chain

• Shein has partnered with Flexport as its preferred logistics partner for its U.S. marketplace. The collaboration allows Flexport to handle U.S. logistics needs for merchants selling on Shein's marketplace. Source

• Autonomous delivery drone startup Zipline has achieved a significant milestone of 1 million deliveries. With a focus on expanding into the food industry, Zipline plans to partner with Panera Bread, Memorial Hermann Health System, and Jet's Pizza. Source

• Our Home, the family of brands including Popchips and YOU NEED THIS, has successfully acquired two new manufacturing plants from Utz Brands, Inc. source

💸 Funding news

• Skin care brand Experiment has successfully closed a seed round, raising $3.3 million led by Greycroft. The investment will be used to expand teams, develop new products, and enhance marketing efforts. The brand's growth has been entirely organic, with significant demand and positive reviews from influencers. Source

  • CONGRATS LISA AND EMMY!! Experiment is one of 3 brands I subscribe to. I literally use all of their products. They’re incredible.

• The Folklore, a startup founded in 2018 to support fashion brands from emerging markets, secured a seed funding round of $3.4 million led by Benchstrength. source

• Gregg Renfrew, founder and CEO of Beautycounter, has bought back the majority stake in the clean beauty brand from The Carlyle Group. The acquisition comes after The Carlyle Group acquired its share in 2021. Source

• Private equity firm West Lane Capital Partners has acquired Mented Cosmetics, adding it to their portfolio company Blooming Brands. source

• Private equity firm Forward Consumer Partners has acquired Firehook Bakery, an artisan baking business. The acquisition marks the first investment from their $425 million Fund 1. Source

• Glanbia to acquire Flavor Producers, a leading flavor platform in the US, for an initial consideration of $300 million. source

• Spiber, a Japanese company, has raised €60 million to support the production of its protein fibre. The fibre, called 'Brewed Protein', is created by combining plant polymers with bacteria. Source

• STORY3 Capital Partners has announced a significant new investment in Saks.com, the luxury e-commerce site. source

• Bullish has invested in Bandit, a community-focused running apparel brand established by Nick West, Tim West, and Ardith Singh. Bandit operates on a membership-first basis and emphasizes on high-end products. source

• OpenStore has acquired Future Kind, a vegan supplement brand founded by Shaun and Eliot Cunningham. Source

• Next Century Spirits has acquired a majority of the Southwest Spirits & Wine brand assets, including the popular Nue Vodka. Source

🧐 Interesting reads

• Uncrustables are on track to become a billion-dollar business

• Diary of 2 Brands: Dr Martens and Birkenstock

• Do Bad Reviews Kill Companies? - YouTube - Marques Brownlee

💡 Data, reports, and trends

• Athleisure is top dog in the teen closet: Here’s what the numbers say

• Amazon-Walmart Rivalry for Consumer Retail Spend Turned in 2022

• Gin prepares for super-premium boom in US - The Spirits Business

• Gallup's Analysis of Cannabis Trends in Different Demographics - The Dales Report

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

Nate :)

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