Weekly News Update // Week of December 2, 2019

Here's TRAUB's roundup of recent retail news. Glossier's first major retail partnership with Nordstrom, Rent the Runway's launch of ski apparel and the closet concierge at W Hotels, TRAUB's Mortimer Singer on consolidation in luxury retail, and more!

 M&A and INVESTMENTS

• Hostess buys cookie maker Voortman for $320M Food Dive
• PepsiCo buys PopCorners maker BFY Brands Food Dive 
• Secondhand apparel platform Vinted raises $141M Retail Dive 
• Flying Embers hard kombucha raises $25M, setting sights on disrupting the beer industry Food Dive 

INDUSTRY NEWS

Retail Consolidation Will Continue to Happen: TRAUB's Singer

Morty Singer, CEO of TRAUB, discusses consolidation in luxury retail as Gucci-owner Kering holds discussions with Italian skiwear maker Moncler about a potential deal while Kering rival LVMH is moving forward with its purchase of jeweler Tiffany in the biggest-ever luxury deal. He discusses the strategy by these potential purchasers of luxury as an accessory and sustainability of luxury through a downturn. Singer speaks with Scarlet Fu and Romaine Bostick on "Bloomberg Markets: The Close." Yahoo Finance

Moncler Shares Soar on Kering M&A Rumors

Moncler shares climbed 10.64 percent to 42.96 euros by noon Thursday on the Italian Stock Exchange following a Bloomberg report that Kering is holding exploratory talks to buy the luxury brand. A Milan-based market source told WWD that Kering “is seriously thinking of a takeover of Moncler. It has the liquidity and it is already discussing the deal with a number of banks.” The source estimated the deal could be in the range of 13.5 billion to 14 billion euros, a 30 to 40 percent premium on a capitalization of 10 billion euros. “It could take a matter of days, perhaps two weeks,” he forecast, viewing the deal as a response to the recent LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton proposed acquisition of Tiffany. WWD

Inside Glossier’s First Major Retail Partnership

Glossier, the dewy unicorn of go-it-alone retail start-ups, is about to embrace the wholesale machine. On Tuesday, the brand known for its signature “no-makeup makeup” aesthetic, will enter the main beauty floors of seven Nordstrom stores, including the new New York City flagship and doors in Seattle and Chicago. Each location, which has a temporary, roughly 300-square foot space dedicated to the Glossier You fragrance, is designed to pack the full Glossier experience: millennial pink decor and sales associates in matching jumpsuits. BoF

Beauty Brands Are Seeking New Customers on Bumble

In an effort to reach new customers where they are, beauty brands are looking at dating app Bumble. On Tuesday, Bumble debuted a reformatted version of its annual gift guide by offering mobile Bumble users a daily, weekly and monthly giveaway from beauty, lifestyle and fashion brands. Six beauty companies participated including Becca, Erno Lazslo, True Botanicals, Love Wellness, Ouai and Ipsy. While brands did not have to pay to participate, they did commit to gifting four products for the giveaways, and promoting the partnership through their own Instagram and email — both of these requirements are particularly low barriers to entry compared to partnerships with subscription box companies, which often require thousands of samples and ongoing social promotions. Glossy 

Rent the Runway Adds Ski Apparel, Ath-leisure

Rent the Runway has broadened its merchandise offerings to include skiwear and ath-leisure. The site is offering over 20 brands in both categories. Available in sizes extra small to large, the brands that will be offered include Bogner, Spyder, Perfect Moment and Aztech Mountain, in addition to Lululemon, Terez, Fila, Champion, Mackage, P.E. Nation, Monrow, LNDR and Phat Buddha.Sarah Tam, chief merchant of Rent the Runway, said last fall, the company offered puffers, which performed well, and it could see by customer feedback and reviews that consumers were wearing the puffers and knits out on the slopes. “She just wants variety in her wardrobe for all aspects of her busy life — for work, a night out, weekends and vacations,” said Tam. “The active renting offers constant variety and newness that the customer can’t get through buying.” WWD 

Rent the Runway, W Hotels Offer RTR Closet Concierge

Rent the Runway, the clothing subscription-rental service, has collaborated with W Hotels to roll out Rent the Runway Closet Concierge. The RTR Closet Concierge will launch today at W Aspen, W South Beach, W Washington D.C. and W Hollywood. Guests at these hotels will have access to a travel wardrobe, curated by Rent the Runway for each destination. The way it works is upon booking their room, W Hotel guests are able to choose four styles to rent for their stay from Rent the Runway’s Unlimited Closet for $69. Guests have access to the entire Unlimited Closet in addition to being able to select from a destination-ready assortment tailored to each hotel location. The items incorporate Rent the Runway’s proprietary data on trending colors, designers, silhouettes and the climate of each location. WWD 

Serta + DJ Clark Kent Debut Sneakers That Are Like Mattresses for Your Feet

There’s likely no stranger bedfellows than mattress brand Serta and DJ Clark Kent. Serta and the hip-hop artist, musician, producer and designer, have teamed up for the release of the iC1 — a limited-edition sneaker featuring Serta’s iComfort UltraCold System technology, a carbon fiber-infused memory foam and high-performance MaxCold fabric, designed to help pull the heat away from feet for a cool, comfortable feeling. The sneaker, Serta’s first-ever foray into the footwear world, is handmade for Serta by DJ Clark Kent and Garrixon Studios. Each sneaker is numbered and includes a mattress tag with special collection details. Footwear News 

Canada Goose Shoppers Walk on Fake Ice, Real Snow in New ‘Store’

Fast-growing apparel brand’s latest concept has no inventory, but loads of wintry experiences. Canada Goose Holdings Inc. will open a retail space in a Toronto mall this week, but calling it a store might be a stretch. There is no product inventory in what the company has dubbed “The Journey,” but visitors can try on the brand’s $1,000 parkas in a snow-filled room that dips down to -12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit). That comes after “The Crevasse,” which mimics traversing an icy rock face, and then being treated to 4K video walls of Canadian landscapes. The experience ends with an employee, who’s been acting as a personal tour guide, helping the customer shop online via touchscreen. Bloomberg 

COMINGS & GOINGS 

• Larry Page Steps Down As CEO of Alphabet Forbes
• Macy’s President Hal Lawton is Stepping Down to Become CEO of Tractor Supply CNBC
• Tiffany Board Member Steps Down BoF
• CEO Massimo Piombini Has Left Balmain With Immediate Effect BoF

GOOD READS

• In Brands We Trust: Why Companies Are the New Communities BoF
• Beauty’s M&A Boom To Continue In 2020 Vogue Business
• Do Stores That Don't Sell Anything Really Work? BoF