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Express Checkout #81 - the latest in CPG, Retail, and eComm

Express Checkout #81 - the latest in CPG, Retail, and eComm

CPG and Retail news from the week of 7/1/24

Nate Rosen
July 08, 2024

Hello hello!

Hope everyone had a good 4th of July weekend! Never a bad weekend when you get to enjoy some hot dogs, burgers, and beer.

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Now onto the CPG + retail 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 🔥

IKEA in Manhattan - Ingka Group, owner of IKEA, has announced a significant real estate investment on New York City's Fifth Avenue. The new office and retail tower, developed by Extell Development Company, will be a 1,000,000 sq ft mixed-use commercial building. IKEA will create a 80,000 sq ft smaller format IKEA within the building. For comparison, the Red Hook location is 350,000 sq ft. They had a “Planning Studio” in midtown but that closed a few years ago. Source
- Shout out to newyorklocals for picking up the story from my IG reel!

Are department stores back??? - HBC, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, is set to acquire the Neiman Marcus (or as my mother says, Needless Markups) for a cool $2.65 billion. This acquisition will establish Saks Global, a luxury retail company that combines Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman. Source
FTC takes aim at Big Mattress - The FTC has taken action to block the $4 billion acquisition acquisition of Mattress Firm by Tempur Sealy. This move comes as the FTC aims to prevent potential anticompetitive effects in the mattress industry. source

🗞️ News from the week (7/1/24 - 7/7/24)

🛍 Retail

Shoprite has launched an online shopping and bulk delivery service. The new Cash & Carry digital platform offers stock access, delivery services, and streamlines the purchasing process for in-store traders. Source
Publix is expanding its presence in Kentucky with the opening of a new store in Independence. This 48,387-square-foot store is part of Publix's plan to open multiple locations in the state, including Florence, Union, and Cold Spring. Source
MadTree Brewing in Cincinnati has announced plans to build a new facility called MadTree Parks & Rec in suburban Blue Ash. The 15,000 sq ft former airplane hangar will include a taproom, outdoor beer garden, and walking trails. The new location is expected to open in the first half of 2025. source
Rodney Blanton, former head of private label at Couche-Tard, has joined Amazon Go as the director of category management. Blanton's career change comes as Amazon's retail outlets faced challenges, with closures and halting the rollout of its Amazon Fresh grocery stores. Blanton played a crucial role in structuring Couche-Tard's global private brands business and boosting consumer engagement. source

🛒 CPG & Consumer Goods

Shark Tank alumni, Noshi, has launched a organic ketchup for kids that comes in convenient 10oz squeez tubes, designed for kids as young as two. Noshi's ketchup will debut at Pop Up Grocer in New York on July 12th and will be available for purchase on Amazon starting July 20th.
- I for one don’t think there is enough new products in the kids set, I’m glad to see more players in this space!
KOS, probably feeling the competition from Bloom Nutrition, has upgraded its Organic Superfood Greens supplement. The revamped formula now offers three new flavors: Succulent Mango, Crisp Apple, and Luscious Berry. source
Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila has apparently become the top-selling premium Tequila brand in China, according to IWSR data. It has achieved significant success since its launch in May 2021, particularly in the nightlife on-trade. Source
UPSIDE Foods, a cultivated meat purveyor has kicked off a new round of layoffs to conserve capital and extend its runway. This comes as there has been a slowdown in the alt and plant-based meats market. source
Stellar Snacks (who make some of the best pretzels) has partnered with Southwest Airlines to introduce their Maui Monk Pretzel Braids (the best flavor) to the airline's in-flight menu. Source
Jordan’s Skinny Mixes has announced a brand refresh with a new look and feel, and a refined logo. source
Balkan Bites has expanded its southeastern European-inspired frozen food line with the addition of Mini Phyllo Rolls. Source
Pair Eyewear has collaborated with Disney to launch a Mickey & Friends collection of interchangeable top frames. source
Dagne Dover has expanded their line-up to include a carry-on and checked roller bags! With travel making a full comeback post-pandemic, the luggage market has exploded with options from Monos to July to Paravel. source

💻 eCommerce

E.l.f. Beauty is partnering with Roblox to test real-world commerce capabilities within its E.l.f. Up! experience. Users can purchase limited-edition physical products via a virtual kiosk….this whole thing sounds like a fever dream Source

🏭 Supply Chain

Inditex Group, the parent company of Zara and other fashion brands, has joined the Pack4Good campaign. They’re committing to reducing its paper packaging footprint and using recycled pulp and paper. source
The New Jersey Senate has passed a bill that would limit the size of cardboard or corrugated boxes used for shipping products to consumers. source
Amazon has expanded its air cargo operations by revising its carrier agreement with Sun Country Airlines. Under the agreement, Sun Country Airlines will operate eight additional Boeing 747 freighters for Amazon. Source
Ocean freight rates are apparently rising. Reel, a household paper products company, has experienced major adjustments to operational costs due to the inflated container rates. The rates have spiked to as high as $10,000, eight times higher than the previous year. Despite the current spike, it is anticipated that the rates may normalize in the fourth quarter. Source

💸 Funding news

Forum Brands has acquired EVER Skincare from Stella & Dot Brands. Source
BoldHue, a personalized makeup brand, has closed an oversubscribed seed round, raising nearly $5.2 million in funding. source
Seaweed Bath Co has acquired natural skincare brand Andalou Naturals and natural cosmetics brand Mineral Fusion from Australian conglomerate BWX Ltd. source
Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg producer in the U.S., has acquired ISE America for $110 million in cash. source
Unilever Ventures has made a significant investment in intimate body care brand Luna Daily, known for its microbiome balancing and natural products. Source
Hero Bread has raised $21 million in a recent financing round led by Cleveland Avenue, DNS Capital, and Composite Ventures, with participation from existing investor Greatpoint Ventures. Source

🧐 Interesting reads