Traub Weekly News Roundup // July 11, 2023

Here's our weekly roundup of recent consumer and retail news. This week, Lululemon partners with Zalando, Heineken is disrupting the non-alcoholic beer industry, and more. 

WORDS FOR THE WEEK

M&A and INVESTMENTS

• Kering Paid $3.8 Billion for Creed BoF
  
• JD Sports to pay $545 million for full control of Iberian business Reuters
• Half Magic Beauty secures investment round led by Alliance Consumer Group Glossy
  
• Mars to buy healthy meal maker Kevin’s Natural Foods for an undisclosed amount Food Dive
• Inter Parfums Picks Up Cavalli License WWD
• Microsoft-Activision deal can proceed after judge rejects F.T.C. delay CNBC

INDUSTRY NEWS

CPG

Jenny Craig will be revived for e-commerce by the owner of diet meal maker Nutrisystem

Wellful Inc., a direct-to-consumer wellness business that also owns Nutrisystem, said it had acquired rights to Jenny Craig’s intellectual property for an undisclosed amount. CNBC

Snoop Dogg’s pet care line is entering Petco, PetSmart and Kohl’s

The line currently consists of dog clothing, toys and accessories like harnesses, hats and food bowls. Retail Dive

Subway will now freshly slice its deli meats in U.S. stores.

The chain’s roughly 20,000 US locations will freshly slice their deli meat, marking Subway’s biggest change since two years ago, when it began refreshing its menu offerings, ingredients and restaurant appearances to boost once-sagging sales and make itself an attractive acquisition target. CNN

Care/of launches on Amazon

Expanding its base of retail outlets, DTC vitamin and supplements brand Care/of on Thursday launched on Amazon. Retail Dive

How Heineken disrupted the staid non-alcoholic beer industry

While the brand was the best-selling offering in the category in 2022, Heineken 0.0 wasn’t always a sure thing for the Netherlands-based brewer. Food Dive

Inside Aldi’s strategy to slash grocery prices

Americans continue to face higher bills at grocery stores. This summer, grocery chain Aldi is trying to stand out by cutting prices back on dozens of items. Modern Retail

Love Wellness Enters Walmart

Lo Bosworth’s women’s wellness brand will launch six gut and vaginal health-supporting products at 1,600 doors. WWD

The Supermarket Aisle Where Prices Are Still Soaring

Cost increases for meat, eggs and produce have been tamed, but inflation is running hot in grocery stores’ inner aisles, home to packaged food and household goods. WSJ

RETAIL

Virtual stores are the experimental concept of the summer

Around this time of the year, retailers usually dedicate part of their resources to experimenting with in-store experiences through pop-ups. While pop-up stores are still a popular investment, more retailers have been working to improve online shopping through virtual stores. Modern Retail

Lululemon to sell clothes, accessories via Zalando

Lululemon chose Zalando as its partner to offer its products to European customers in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands. Retail Dive

First Angry Birds Retail Café to Open in New York City

“iSwii by Angry Birds” will feature pastries, cakes & confections, bubble teas & coffees, gaming, a retail section and photo opportunities. WWD

Reformation Opens A New NYC Flagship, Taking Its Tech-Forward Retail To The Next Level

What makes the Reformation store experience unique isn't just the existence of technology but the way the company uses the data it collects from it. Forbes

Reality Bites As Even Christmas Is Canceled In Retail Week Of Woe

A host of store closures are now imminent at Christmas Tree Shops, Tuesday Morning and BuyBuy Baby after saviours failed to materialize. Forbes

Why JanSport is going beyond backpacks for back-to-school

JanSport is taking advantage of Gen Z’s taste for nostalgia by expanding beyond its iconic backpacks to apparel and accessories in time for back-to-school. Modern Retail

Crate And Barrel Takes A Purposeful Turn As Home Furnishing Demand Drops

Crate & Barrel is adapting to changes in the home market by filling in the gaps with multifunction, practical items and expanded services. Forbes

Amazon Prime Day Isn’t the Only Game in Town Anymore

The e-commerce giant’s rivals are planning their own sales events, while Shein and Temu are luring consumers with the promise of year-round discounts. BoF

Retailers Set Higher Bars for Free Shipping as Delivery Costs Surge

Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Abercrombie are among merchants raising thresholds for what shoppers must spend to get free delivery. WSJ

TECH

TikTok Rivals Amazon With $20 Billion Shopping Pilot

The social media platform’s shopping program is its fastest-growing feature, with a burgeoning fan base in Southeast Asia. BoF

Instagram’s Threads app reaches 100 million users within just five days

Instagram’s text-based app Threads has achieved the mark of 100 million signups in just five days. The Twitter rival was launched on July 6. TechCrunch

Amazon partners with travel site Priceline in a first for Prime Day

Retail spending has slowed, but U.S. consumers have kept spending on experiences like travel. Amazon is broadening its offerings to boost sign-ups as travel companies look to fill hotel rooms. Reuters

Apple launches online store on China’s giant WeChat messaging app

Apple launched an official WeChat Mini Program in China to sell its products. WeChat is China’s biggest messaging app and is operated by Tencent. CNBC

HOSPITALITY

Resorts Tap Into Growing Wellness Tourism Market

Hotels, like The Mark and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, are partnering with brands to expand their on-site wellness offerings. WWD

COMINGS & GOINGS

• Major League Pickleball names new CEO and COO CNBC
• Cannabis Pioneer MedMen Names Fifth CEO In 3 Years As Company Teeters On Brink Of Collapse Forbes
• Adidas global HR chief Amanda Rajkumar to exit Retail Dive
• Oatly taps Mars alum for CFO Food Dive

GOOD READS

• Lessons From Influencer Marketing Mishaps BoF
• Mattel’s Risky Bet on a Feminist Barbie Movie Just Might Work Bloomberg