Traub Weekly News Roundup // October 31, 2023

Happy Halloween! 🎃👻 Here's our weekly roundup of recent consumer and retail news. This week, Google bets big on AR beauty, Skims becomes the official partner of the NBA, and more. 

WORDS FOR THE WEEK

For more inspiration, visit @dailystoic and @dailyphilosopher on Instagram. 

M&A and INVESTMENTS

• Alo Yoga Parent Seeks Investment at $10 Billion Valuation BoF
• Clariant to Buy Lucas Meyer Cosmetics From IFF for $810 Million WWD
• Influencer brand incubator FounderSix secures $12 million in funding Glossy
• Hello Bello To Be Acquired by Hildred Capital Management Happi
• UPS Acquires Happy Returns BoF
• Unilever to sell Dollar Shave Club Retail Dive
• Secondhand luxury jewelry marketplaces Worthy and CIRCA to merge Reuters
• Aurelius in talks to buy The Body Shop Sale Reuters
• UK’s ASOS Exploring Sale of Topshop Brand BoF
• Shein buys Missguided brand from Britain's Frasers Reuters
• L Catterton sells stake in men’s apparel brand Rhone Retail Dive
• Carlyle to explore sale of men's grooming brand Every Man Jack Reuters

INDUSTRY NEWS

CPG

Nestlé expands Coffee mate creamer into fast-growing iced coffee

The product, which is available in French vanilla and caramel, is the first major innovation for the brand since its inception more than 60 years ago. Food Dive

Inflation could mean more candy knockoffs this Halloween

Kids' baskets might have more store-brand chocolate and candy than name brands like Reese's and Snickers this Halloween. Axios

Why holiday spending is going to the dogs

As prep for the holidays begins, pets are increasingly landing on consumers’ gift-buying lists — sometimes over other family members. Retail Dive

Global success of Barbie film drives up sales at Mattel

US toymaker says strong quarter reflects strategy to expand entertainment offering. The Guardian 

Deodorants are the big winners of the return to office movement

Consumer goods giant Unilever reported strong deodorant sales in the third quarter of 2023. That helped to drive an 8% on-year growth in Unilever's personal care sector. Business Insider

Food brands are creeping into the beauty category

Food brands and pantry staples like Poppi, Kosterina and Froot Loops are taking a stab at the beauty category. Modern Retail

RETAIL

BuyBuy Baby plots brick-and-mortar return; opening 11 stores

Less than four months after the company was purchased out of bankruptcy by baby goods manufacturer Dream on Me, BuyBuy Baby is returning to digital and physical retail. ChainStore Age

Authentic Brands Group Inks Deal With Shein for Forever 21

The expanded partnership between the two companies can ultimately result in "multiple billions" in sales, Authentic's CEO believes. WWD

Kim Kardashian’s Skims Becomes the Official Underwear Partner of NBA

The NBA and Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand have struck a multiyear deal that will make Skims the official underwear partner of the NBA, WNBA and USA Basketball. Bloomberg

Ulta Beauty to Launch Smart Vending Machines in Stores

The U.S retailer has partnered with smart vending machine company SOS for a pilot programme that will allow loyalty card members to collect free beauty samples as well as period care products. BoF

Halloween sales will be an early bellwether for fashion’s fortunes this holiday season

Halloween may not be the biggest spending holiday of the year, but as the actual holiday shopping season has increasingly started earlier, it has become a bellwether for how the rest of the shopping season will go. Glossy

Walmart to upgrade 1,400 stores with $9 billion investment

Investments marks national rollout of “store of future” concept. New signage, brighter lighting, digital screens are part of the upgrades. CNBC

MEDIA & TECH

Google bets big on AR beauty

Virtual hair colour try-on, augmented reality ads and other AR tech features are rolling out across the mobile web. It’s a play to make beauty shopping more engaging while upping Google’s competitive edge. Vogue Business

Spotify Hit All the Right Notes

Music streamer’s strong subscriber and margin growth following price hike affirms position in industry’s value chain. WSJ

In Europe, Meta Offers Ad-Free Versions of Facebook and Instagram for First Time

Starting in November, subscriptions will cost between 9.99 euros and 12.99 euros per month, the company said. NYT

Tug-of-War Over N.B.A. Rights Provides Glimpse of Media’s Future

The league’s longtime television partners, including ESPN and Turner, are undergoing major changes, which could alter how games are watched. NYT

iPods are now considered ‘vintage’ tech—so of course, they’re sold out at Urban Outfitters

Apple’s fifth generation iPod was listed for a whopping $349 at the Gen Z-favored retailer. Fast Company

RESTAURANTS & HOSPITALITY

Zero Bond will arrive at Wynn Las Vegas in 2025

The New York-based private members club’s second-ever location is coming soon. Barron's

McDonald's gets lift from diners turning to cheaper menu, new launches

McDonald's beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly results on Monday, powered by new launches, promotions and demand for its more affordable burgers and fries from diners struggling with still-high prices of food and essentials. Reuters

The Magic Of Retail: How Disney Parks Elevate The Park Shopping Experience

Iconic in the realm of theme parks, Disney's global resorts are known for more than just their thrilling rides and enchanting characters. The in park retail brings together smart merchandise selections in theatrically designed stores. Forbes

COMINGS & GOINGS

• Morgan Stanley chooses Ted Pick to replace James Gorman as CEO Financial Times
• Unilever Promotes U.S. Head to Be Its New Marketing Chief WSJ
• Johnnie-O Names 25-Year Patagonia Exec as CEO SGB Media
• Fernando Fernandez Named Chief Financial Officer of Unilever Happi
• Solo Brands CFO to exit Retail Dive
• Sephora Names Deborah Yeh Global Chief Marketing Officer WWD
• PwC Names Advisory Head as New Global Chair WSJ

GOOD READS

• Opportunity For Disruptors? Retail, Apparel And Beauty Brands Lose Value Forbes
• The Big Business of Spooky Season Time