Weekly Consumer News Roundup // February 13, 2024

Here's our weekly roundup of recent consumer and retail news. This week, ESPN, Fox and Warner create sports streaming platform, Coke releases first new permanent flavor in years, and more.

WORDS FOR THE WEEK

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M&A and INVESTMENTS

• Flynn Group, world's largest franchisee, explores $5 billion-plus sale Reuters
• Jeff Bezos sells nearly 12 million Amazon shares worth at least $2 billion, with more to come CNBC
• Sony Buys Michael Jackson Music for $600 Million Bloomberg
• Natura & Co. explores separation from Avon Retail Dive
  
• Trek One Capital acquires Alter Eco Foods Food Business News
• Tod’s Group to Go Private in Deal with L Catterton BoF
• Golden Goose and Puig ready IPOs in European deal revival Reuters

INDUSTRY NEWS

CPG

Spirits sales beat out beer and wine for second straight year, despite little growth

Consumers continued to flock to vodka, high-end tequila and mezcal and American whiskey, while ready-to-drink cocktails are the fastest-growing category. CNBC

Coke’s first new permanent flavor in years adds a spicy twist

Its latest flavor, Coca-Cola Spiced, is its first permanent addition in a while. It’s part of Coke’s attempt to cater to tastes changing along with America’s demographics. CNN

Mattel’s $125 Million ‘Barbie Bump’ Doesn’t Make Up For A Tough Year

Full year sales were down 1%, and Mattel expects another flat year, but there were some bright spots in the toymaker's earnings report. Forbes

Ozempic Maker Novo Gets Calls From ‘Scared’ Food CEOs

Makers of everything from snack food to knee implants are facing a potential threat from Novo Nordisk A/S’s powerful appetite-suppressing treatments. So they’re calling the drugmaker for advice. Bloomberg

Zyn nicotine pouches are flying off shelves

Move over vapes, Americans appear to have a new addiction: Zyn, a tobacco-free nicotine pouch product, that has exploded in sales over the past year. CNN

How Amazon Fits Into the New Beauty Playbook

The mega e-commerce player is set to become the biggest beauty retailer in the US, but its complexity and inflexibility is a turn-off for many brands with premium positioning. If they don’t bite the bullet, the losses will add up. BoF

Consumers are stressed. It could be showing in how we bought toys in 2023

Consumers bought fewer toys in all of 2023, including during the key Christmas toy-buying period, showing that households continue to pare back on discretionary products. CNN

Pepsi revenue declines after US consumers flinch at higher prices

Snacks and drinks seller PepsiCo’s quarterly revenue declined despite raising prices, in a sign that consumers are becoming more hesitant after years of food price inflation. Financial Times

Target relaunches Up&Up private label, adds hundreds of products

The mass merchant is expanding the $3 billion brand’s assortment and is reformulating 40% of its products to meet higher quality standards. Retail Dive

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre collab on Gin & Juice, for real this time

Thirty years after the two unleashed the namesake song to the public, the rappers have partnered on a RTD cocktail offering. Food Dive

Prices Are More Stubborn Than Expected

Consumer prices rose 3.1 percent in the year through January, only a slight moderation from the previous month. Excluding food and energy, “core” prices held roughly steady. NYT 

RETAIL

Simon Property Group reports drop in retailer sales per square foot

The biggest mall owner in the US reported a sales decline but is still optimistic about the industry. Retail Brew

How Abercrombie Survived Aging Preppies and COVID to Become A Wall Street Darling

A brand that once looked like it had become road kill currently sports a lush market capitalization of about $5.5 billion, a result of repeatedly beating Wall Street’s expectations. Forbes

Target Weighs Paid Membership Program Akin to Amazon Prime

Target plans to launch Project Trident as soon as this year, to compete with paid memberships by #walmart and #amazon. Bloomberg

Pop-ups projected to exceed $95 billion market value by 2025

Pop-ups were the fourth most common activation after gift guides, brand experiences and social video hauls. Glossy

Amazon’s Newest Competitors Are Stepping Into Its Territory—Literally

Shein and TikTok are expanding in Amazon’s backyard and recruiting its employees. WSJ

After rejecting buyout offer, Macy’s is rolling out more private brands to boost its business

Nearly three weeks after rejecting a $5.8 billion buyout offer, Macy’s is putting faith in its private brands to boost its bottom line. On Thursday, the department store rolled out State of Day, its second of four private brands it plans to launch by the end of 2025. Modern Retail

Express Prepares for Debt Restructuring and Possible Bankruptcy Within Weeks

The apparel retailer has hired M3 and Kirkland & Ellis to advise it on discussions with lenders. WSJ

Tiger Woods launches apparel partnership with Taylormade after 27-year Nike partnership ends

On Monday, Woods announced that he would be partnering with Taylormade to launch a new apparel brand — Sun Day Red. CNN

The Children’s Place scrambles to shore up liquidity, mulls ‘strategic alternatives’

The specialty retailer has retreated from the mall somewhat and boosted e-commerce, but its declines are poised to continue, analysts say. Retail Dive

MEDIA & TECH

ESPN, Fox and Warner Team Up to Create Sports Streaming Platform

New service will be available as a stand-alone app, and to Max, Hulu and Disney+ subscribers as part of a bundle. WSJ

YouTube TV says it has more than 8 million subscribers

YouTube TV is poised to surpass the leading satellite providers soon, and could have more subscribers than cable rivals in the next few years. Axios

Google rebrands Bard AI to Gemini and launches a new app and subscription

Google on Thursday announced a major rebrand of Bard, its AI chatbot and assistant, including a fresh app rollout and new usage and subscription options. CNBC

Brands are betting on Apple Vision Pro’s potential as a shopping channel

For some brands, the launch of Apple Vision Pro could usher in a new era of online shopping and customer engagement. Modern Retail

Disney Turns to Taylor Swift, ‘Fortnite’ to Bolster Its Fortunes

Bob Iger charts entertainment giant’s future, from investment in Epic Games to exclusive concert footage, streaming sports and a ‘Moana’ sequel. WSJ

Social Media Platforms Are Done With News, But Gen Z Still Treats Them as a Go-To Source

Data analysis reveals growing trust in information found on social media among young people, even as tech companies roll back moderation. Bloomberg

Paramount Lays Off Hundreds of Workers

The company, which is moving away from traditional TV, lost more than $1 billion last year at its streaming division. NYT

RESTAURANTS & HOSPITALITY

Taco Bell and KFC are feeling the pressure from price-conscious consumers

Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut’s parent company is facing the same problem as its rivals: Fast food is getting too expensive and consumers are pushing back. CNN

Chipotle could surpass 1K Chipotlanes in 2024

The fast casual chain currently has 811 restaurants with mobile pickup lanes, and its guidance suggests another 200 expected this year. Restaurant Dive

Las Vegas Is Trying to Become the Sports Capital of the World

Fueled by legal sports betting, the Nevada city has poured billions into new stadiums and arenas. As it hosts Super Bowl LVIII, Vegas is ready to show off its latest reinvention.  Bloomberg

Gyms Face Tough Year as Key January Growth Screeches to a Halt

A post-pandemic growth spurt for gyms in the US came to an abrupt halt in January, usually the busiest month of the year. Bloomberg

COMINGS & GOINGS

• Mattel's Head of Fisher-Price to Depart as Sales Lag WSJ
• VF Corporation CFO Stepping Down After 23-Year Run with Company SGB Media
• Puma Appoints Julie Legrand to Lead Global Brand Strategy SGB Media
• General Mills selects president of N. America Foodservice Food Business News
• Crunch Fitness Appoints New President as CEO Moves to Board SGB Media
• Buccellati Names Van Cleef Executive, Nicolas Luchsinger, Its New CEO Forbes
• CaSandra Diggs Has Stepped Down as President of the CFDA WWD
• Hoka taps 17-year Nike vet as brand president Retail Dive
• El Pollo Loco appoints former Taco Bell exec as CEO Restaurant Dive

GOOD READS 

• Zac Posen, Gap Needs to Avoid Repeating a Big Mistake Bloomberg
• The Sephora Kids Aren’t Alright: Social Media Influencers Sway Youth Beauty Sales Happi
• The Big Business of At-Home Wellness Technology Fashionista