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Welcome back to another exciting edition of our DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) Insider newsletter. 📰 Our mission: to serve you the freshest news and insights straight from the heart of the DTC universe. 💡 With every update, we're arming you with the knowledge to be the smartest one in the room. 🤓

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👞📈 Birkenstock Files For Its IPO

🥃💼 William Grant & Sons buys UK gin producer Silent Pool Distillers

🍨🍦 Dolcezza Gelato Will Roll Out an Exclusive Collaboration Flavor- All Things Cone-sidered

🛒💻 Retail eCommerce Platform Market Assessment: An Analysis of Industry Developments and Growth Forecast 2023-2030

👗🔄 H&M launching ‘Pre-Loved’ concept in the UK

🍏🚫 Apple to ditch leather in an effort to ‘protect the planet’

Birkenstock Files For Its IPO

Source: 13 September 2023, Forbes

Birkenstock, the iconic German sandal manufacturer with a history spanning nearly 250 years, has initiated the process of going public by filing for an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.

The significance lies in the broader context: this move underscores the current resurgence of IPOs, transcending industry boundaries. Regardless of your choice in footwear, you can join the IPO party, even if you happen to be sporting cork-soled sandals.

Here are the particulars: Birkenstock, originally established nearly two and a half centuries ago and presently under the ownership of the private equity firm L Catterton, intends to list its shares under the ticker symbol "BIRK." According to Renaissance Capital's estimates, the IPO has the potential to generate approximately $750 million in funds.

For the six months ending on March 31, 2023, Birkenstock reported a net income of $40 million, derived from €644 million in revenue. This marks a change from the previous year, which saw €73 million in profit and €542 million in revenue during the corresponding period. As of March 31, the company holds €172 million in cash but also carries a debt load of €2.3 billion.

William Grant & Sons buys UK gin producer Silent Pool Distillers

Source: 14 September 2023, Just Drinks 

William Grant & Sons has acquired Silent Pool Distillers, adding the UK gin producer to its portfolio alongside Hendrick’s gin. Silent Pool’s gin production will remain at its Surrey Hills distillery under the ownership of William Grant. Plans are underway to expand Silent Pool’s "handcrafted spirit" presence in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific.

Ian McCulloch, the MD of Silent Pool, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with William Grant & Sons for the next phase of the gin's history. Silent Pool's product lineup includes its 43% abv Silent Pool Gin and Wry vodka, as well as offerings under the Green Man Wildwood brand, packaged in cardboard bottles.

In 2022, William Grant reported full-year revenues of £1.4bn ($1.55bn), with approximately one-third of this income generated in the US. William Grant & Son's US president, Paul Basford, highlighted the growth potential of gin in the US market, especially among premium-plus segment consumers, and noted the influence of the Martini culture on gin consumption in the US.

Dolcezza Gelato Will Roll Out an Exclusive Collaboration Flavor- All Things Cone-sidered

Source: 13 September 2023, PR Newswire

Dolcezza Gelato is partnering with NPR for a special D.C.-inspired gelato flavor called "All Things Cone-sidered." This collaborative creation combines a hazelnut gelato base with gianduja (chocolate-hazelnut) crunch praline and chocolate chili-candied hazelnuts, offering a delightful blend of flavors. It will be accessible at Dolcezza's DMV-area stores, and select DC markets including Eight Foxtrot locations, and is available for nationwide shipping via Goldbelly.

"All Things Cone-sidered" pays tribute to NPR's flagship radio show and its extensive network of Member stations, celebrating the diverse and unexpected stories they share. NPR's Chief Marketing Officer, Michael Smith, expressed excitement about this partnership, emphasizing NPR's commitment to high-quality journalism and cultural expression.

Violeta Edelman and Robb Duncan, ardent NPR listeners, transformed their love for "All Things Considered" into a delectable gelato creation. In support of NPR's mission, 15% of the proceeds from "All Things Cone-sidered" sales will be directly donated to NPR's "All Things Considered." You can purchase a pint for $10 or enjoy scoops at Dolcezza Gelato shops for $7.10 (small) or $8.10 (large), with Goldbelly offering four pints for $84.95. Hurry, as "All Things Cone-sidered" will be available until November or while supplies last.

Retail eCommerce Platform Market Assessment: An Analysis of Industry Developments and Growth Forecast 2023-2030

Source: 17 September 2023, Benzinga 

The global "Retail eCommerce Platform Market" report, comprising 114 informative pages, provides insights into industry trends. It offers a comprehensive analysis of market size, growth patterns, competitive landscape, and more. Notable players in the industry include Squarespace, Wix Stores, VTEX, IBM Digital, Salesforce, and others.

Key Highlights:

• Dolcezza Gelato partners with NPR to create "All Things Cone-sidered," a gelato flavor.

• The flavor features hazelnut gelato, gianduja crunch praline, and chocolate chili-candied hazelnuts.

• Available at Dolcezza's stores, select DC markets, and for nationwide shipping.

• A portion of proceeds supports NPR's "All Things Considered."

• The Global Retail e-commerce Platform market size was USD 5,741.48 million in 2022, expected to reach USD 10,390.44 million by 2028.

• Retail eCommerce platforms assist online businesses in managing their operations.

• The report covers market trends, competitive landscape, mergers, acquisitions, and impacts of COVID-19.

It is a valuable resource for understanding the current state of the Retail e-commerce Platform Market.

H&M launching ‘Pre-Loved’ concept in the UK

Source: 13 September 2023, Fashion united 

H&M is launching 'Pre-Loved,' a second-hand fashion concept in London's Regent Street store from October 5. The initiative offers customers pre-loved clothing and accessories from various brands, not limited to H&M Group. The goal is to promote personal style expression while supporting a circular fashion industry. The collection features unique, well-preserved pieces curated based on current season trends, available on the store's first floor. The autumn/winter 2023 'Pre-Loved' collection includes items like knits, trench coats, denim, metallic dresses, and leather apparel.

Apple to ditch leather in an effort to ‘protect the planet’

Source: 13  September 2023, 9 to 5 Mac

As part of its commitment to sustainability and achieving its ‘net zero by 2030’ goal, Apple has decided to phase out the use of leather in all of its accessories. This is a significant step towards reducing the company’s environmental impact.

Instead of leather, Apple is introducing a new material called FineWoven for its accessories. This material will be used for products such as iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands, which were previously made of leather.

This move aligns with Apple’s broader environmental goals. The company has committed to becoming carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030. This includes a plan to reduce emissions by 75 percent by 2030 while developing innovative carbon removal solutions for the remaining 25 percent of its comprehensive footprint.

By opting for FineWoven instead of leather, Apple continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and innovation in its products. It’s an exciting development and a positive step towards a more sustainable future.

Stay Ahead of the Curve with HTC!

As we wrap up this edition of our newsletter, we hope you found the blend of news and insights as invigorating as we did. The world of DTC and beyond continues to evolve, and staying informed is the key to success. Keep those entrepreneurial spirits high, and remember, we're here to keep you ahead of the game. 

Until next time, stay sharp, stay savvy, and keep conquering the DTC frontier! 🚀🌟📰