Express Checkout #79 - the latest in CPG, Retail, and eComm

Hello hello! (well this was supposed to go out yesterday 🤷 )

I’m writing this from the floor of Fancy Food Show! Surrounded by my one true love….snacks!

Friday I was able to attend one of my favorite events of the year, Uncharted. It’s an incredible entrepreneurial event hosted at Michael Loeb’s gorgeous Hamptons home. Noah Friedman, Top Shelf Ventures, who has put it on for the past 3 years knows how to get together an incredible group of people!

Events! 🥳 

I’m co-hosting two events through Levitate Foundry - 💰️ If you know someone in need of marketing help, Levitate has a solid referral bonus

• Happy Hour on July 10th with – Reviews.io, Firework, and Revenue Roll | RSVP HERE

• Happy Hour on July 11th with – Rebuy and Toki | RSVP HERE

I’m proud to partner with The Lead on solid event on July 10-11 in NYC - The Lead Summit!

The Lead Summit 2024 is an awesome 2-day event on July 10-11, 2024. It features various sessions and speakers covering topics like marketing in a post-cookie world, in-store renaissance, growth through partnerships, and emerging AI capabilities.

Brands & Retailers go for FREE - USE THIS LINK to apply

All other attendees can use my special LINK for 25% OFF

Express Checkout x Spate - weekly data deep-dive

📊 Check out my weekly series with Spate, where we dive into the latest trends taking TikTok by storm –– read last weeks insights HERE!

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 🔥

• THC grand slam - The Portland Pickles have made history by becoming the first sports team to sell THC seltzer at their games. Partnering with Cycling Frog, fans can purchase two flavors of THC Light Seltzer at their home games. source

• Big bad water - BlueTriton Brands and Primo Water have merged, creating a new massive hydration company. The merger is expected to result in significant cost synergies and financial leverage, with a combined net revenue of $6.5 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $1.5 billion. Combined, brands under management will include Mountain Valley, Poland Spring, Deer Park, Saratoga, Crystal Springs. Source

🗞️ News from the week (6/17/24 - 6/23/24)

🛍 Retail

• Camp, the interactive toy retailer, has partnered with Simon Property Group to open two new store locations in Philadelphia and Houston. Source

• Monos, a Canadian travel and lifestyle brand, has opened its second retail location in Toronto's Little Portugal neighborhood. Monos also announced plans to expand into the U.S. next year, starting with stores in New York City and Chicago. source

• Target Corporation announced its plan to roll out a new generative AI tool called Store Companion to all of its nearly 2,000 stores by August. Source

• Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob's Stores, owned by GoDigital Media Group, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to a liquidity crisis. The chains, which operate about 50 stores and employ approximately 771 people. PNC Bank has put the companies in default, claiming they owe nearly $30 million, and there is an additional $27 million in unpaid rent and operating debts. Source

  • I used to buy Sperry’s and Levi’s from Bob’s back in the day!!

🛒 CPG & Consumer Goods

• Bumble and Bumble has launched its haircare and styling products on the Amazon Premium Beauty store. source

• Stix, a reproductive and vaginal health company, has rebranded as Winx Health. The rebranding comes along with the addition of Kerry Washington as an investor and adviser. source

• Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle brand, has launched its first-ever mascara called Featherlash Lifting Serum Mascara. Source

• Ahold Delhaize USA, Kellanova (owners of Cheez-it), and Bartlett have announced a regenerative agriculture pilot program to reduce emissions across the value chain. source

• Premier Nutrition and De Wafelbakkers have unveiled new high protein breakfast offerings in their latest collaboration. source

• LEXINGTON BAKES has relaunched their luxury brownies and cookies in a smaller size format with a mini brand identity refresh and reduced sugar content. The brand's new aesthetic and messaging reflect their commitment to accessible luxury.

  • Express Checkout readers can get 20% off offer for ExpressCheckout Readers: ExpressCheckout20

• Makeup by Mario has launched a lifesize AR Mirror at Sephora Times Square, allowing users to experience a virtual makeup try-on and tutorial from founder Mario Dedivanovic. The AR mirror is in partnership with tech company Ffface.Me. source

• Tinned "snowcrab" and "smoked whitefish" made from vegetables are now available at Whole Foods stores across North America from company Seed to Surf. Source

• Gelée, a brand newly introduced to the market, offers a unique take on the traditional jelly, infusing it with collagen-rich gelatin and bold fruit flavors. The brainchild of Zoe Messinger, a chef and artist.

  • I had an early version of this product a few months ago and I inhaled so many of them, they’re incredible!

💻 eCommerce

• Apple has discontinued its Pay Later feature in the United States ahead of integrating with Affirm, a third-party app. Source

• LTK, a creator economy ecomm tool, has launched LTK DM, a new free feature that allows LTK Creators to share the shopping details of their Instagram posts with their community. Source

• Instacart is extending its first-party retail media data to YouTube, allowing select brand partners to create shoppable experiences within YouTube ads. Source

🏭 Supply Chain

• J.C. Penney has invested $40 million in upgrading its distribution center in Reno, Nevada, with new automation technology aimed at improving fulfillment and delivery efficiency. source

• On running and Verity have announced a strategic collaboration to transform warehouse operations and optimize inventory management, ultimately enhancing supply chain efficiency and precision. Source

• UPS is selling its truckload brokerage business, Coyote Logistics, to RXO for $1.025 billion (at a loss mind you). The sale will allow UPS to focus on its core business as it positions itself to become the premium small package provider and logistics partner in the world. source

💸 Funding news

• Finaloop, a real-time eCommerce accounting platform, has raised $35 million in a Series A funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. Source

• Daydream, an AI-powered e-commerce search engine, has raised $50 million in seed funding. Founded by Julie Bornstein, a veteran in the e-commerce industry, Daydream is providing personalized shopping results using generative AI, machine learning, and computer vision. Source

• Sprecher Brewing Company has acquired a minority stake in O2 Hydration, a sports drink company. Source

• Tender Food Inc., a food tech startup, has closed an $11 million Series A funding round and launched a partnership with Clover Food Lab. Source

🧐 Interesting reads

• Despite What You’ve Heard, Physical Retail Is Not Back - Steve Dennis

• The VinePair Podcast: Why Do Drink Brands Get Bought?

• Why TikTok-viral brands are embracing brick-and-mortar retail

• Kirkland Vs. Member’s Mark: Can Sam’s Club Ever Catch Up To Costco? - YouTube

💡 Data, reports, and trends

• Consumers prioritize health over prices in food products: report

😋 Brands and things I’ve tried this week

I think a big thing going forward will be low-abv products. There are brands on the rise like Body Vodka and now Quarter Proof.

I think the low abv product category is genius, I think most people still want to drink but the don’t want as much or want something more sessionable. Plus this tastes really good!

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

Nate :)

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