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📊 Mvc Group Acquires 70% Of Zoot, Strengthening Position In Triathlon Market And U.S. Presence

🍻 Redmond’s Mac & Jack’s Brewing is sold to a Seattle company

📉 Nestle shares at a two-year low as investors weigh Wegovy rollout

☕️ Why Blue Bottle is rolling out its first capsule collaboration with Nespresso

🤠 Crocs Cowboy Boots Are Company’s Latest Attempt to Go Western

Mvc Group Acquires 70% Of Zoot, Strengthening Position In Triathlon Market And U.S. Presence

5 October 2023, Yahoo

Italy's MVC Group, known for outdoor and cycling attire, has acquired a 70% stake in U.S. triathlon gear brand Zoot. The move aims to boost MVC Group's U.S. presence and direct-to-consumer strategy, leveraging the lucrative triathlon market, predicted to reach $2 billion in 2023. Zoot's strong direct-to-consumer channel, comprising 70% of sales, plays a pivotal role. Leadership changes within Zoot and MVC Group's U.S. arm are expected post-acquisition. Financial details remain undisclosed.

Redmond’s Mac & Jack’s Brewing is sold to a Seattle company

4 October 2023, Seattle Times

Seattle's Ackley Brands has acquired Redmond's Mac & Jack’s Brewing Company. The deal, whose terms remain undisclosed, will support the brewery's expansion amidst zoning changes. Ackley Brands aims to double the brewery's size to 40,000 square feet and integrate its beer into The Cove, a South Lake Union wine bar, while preserving Mac & Jack’s brand and culture.

Rankin and Schropp will remain involved for a year to aid in the transition, and all of Mac & Jack’s approximately 25 employees are expected to retain their jobs. This acquisition follows the trend of ownership changes in the Seattle brewing industry, as seen with Redhook Brewery's sale to Tilray earlier in the year.

Nestle shares at two-year low as investors weigh Wegovy rollout

6 October 2023, Reuters

Nestle's shares faced pressure as investors considered the potential impact of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy on food spending. Nestle's shares dropped by 2%, reaching their lowest level in over two years, while the pan-European food, beverage, and tobacco index also fell by 1.7%. This decline followed Walmart's CEO John Furner's comments about a slight decrease in food consumption among people using appetite-suppressing drugs like Wegovy.

Experts like Jon Cox (Kepler Cheuvreux) and Bruno Monteyne (Bernstein) acknowledge Wegovy's impact but question the sell-off logic. They believe certain categories (water, baby milk, yogurt) may be less affected. Vontobel analysts see limited risks, with frozen food and confectionery more vulnerable, while coffee, pet food, infant nutrition, and health science face fewer risks.

Why Blue Bottle is rolling out its first capsule collaboration with Nespresso

6 October 2023, Modern Retail

Nespresso and Blue Bottle joined forces to create Blend No. 1, a special coffee capsule for Nespresso's Vertuo machines. This partnership targets a younger American audience, with Blend No. 1 offering a mild coffee blend from Ethiopia and Uganda. It's available in Nespresso boutiques since October 6, with a full release set for October 18.

Nespresso aims to attract younger customers through diverse offerings, including iced coffee and collaborations with brands like Starbucks. Blue Bottle, acquired by Nestle in 2017, seeks broader appeal beyond its cafes, which now exceed 100 worldwide.

This collaboration began during the pandemic, merging Nespresso's quality focus with Blue Bottle's trendy style. Blend No. 1 marks Blue Bottle's first foray into single-serve coffee, delivering a premium home brewing experience. The Vertuo system customizes each brew to the specific capsule, catering to coffee enthusiasts.

Crocs Cowboy Boots Are Company’s Latest Attempt to Go 

6 October 2023, The New York Times

Crocs, the brand known for its quirky shoe designs, has introduced a pair of cowboy boots, merging its signature style with Western flair. These boots combine the look of glossy, black crocodile skin-textured clogs with the top half of cowboy boots, complete with pull straps and spurs. This release follows a series of unusual Crocs products, including KFC-scented Crocs and high-heeled Crocs made in collaboration with Balenciaga. 

The cowboy boots, priced at $120 a pair, were inspired by fan-made memes on social media and will be available starting October 23. Croc's strategy of creating viral novelty products has helped maintain its popularity, particularly among Gen Z customers, despite polarizing opinions about its aesthetics.

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! 🚀🌟📰