This Week in CPG - Wellness Stays Hot, Some Spirits M&A

Howdy, folks. Welcome back to This Week in CPG. Despite all the economic turmoil, deals are getting done and new brands are launching, so let's dive in... 

Deals

• Vive Organic, a wellness brand known for their immunity shots, was acquired by Suja Life, a cold-pressed juice company owned by Paine Schwartz Partners. Link

• Women's CBD wellness brand House of Wise was acquired by a leading cannabis marketing firm, according to its founder Amanda Goetz. Link

• Daye, a London-based gynae health & wellness startup, closed on $11.5m in Series A funding. Hambro Perks led the round. MassMutual Ventures & Cross Border Impact Ventures also participated. Link

• Australian fresh dog food and supplements brand Lyka raised $30m in Series B funding. Israeli entrepreneur Itai Tsiddon led the round. Link

• Italy's Campari Group acquired a minority stake in Catalyst Spirits, a spirits brand incubator based in London. Catalyst Spirits created Howler Head Whiskey, the official flavored bourbon of UFC. In a separate transaction earlier this year Campari acquired a 15% stake in Howler Head. Link 

• Nopalera, a Latina-owned bath & body care brand that uses cactus as a primary ingredient, raised $2.7m in funding. L'Attitude Ventures led the round. Link

• Australian brewery Your Mates crowdfunded A$2.5m in less than 74 minutes. Link

• St Pierre Group, a portfolio of premium bakery brands, was acquired by global baking giant Grupo Bimbo. Link

• Kids2, an Atlanta-based portfolio of baby & toddler brands, acquired Baby Dream Company, the maker of the insanely cute Baby Dream Machine. Link

• China Resources Beer – the leading lager producer in China – will spend $1.7B to acquire a majority stake in baijiu distiller Guizhou Jinsha. Link

What's New...

• Boston Beer Company launched its latest RTD cocktail play, Loma Vista Tequila Soda. The brand will be available later this month in Austin, Fort Collins, Kansas City, and Wichita. Link

• New premium, oxygenated skincare brand from industry veterans, Element Eight. They're launching with 3 SKUs that cost a cool $250 each. Link

• Functional mushroom protein bar brand Balanced Tiger underwent a slick rebrand. Link

• Australian spirts distributor Bibendum Bar launched a new line of drink mixers, Midnight Mixers. Link

• Global eyecare firm Bausch + Lomb unveiled a new pet care brand, Project Watson. Link

• British singer/songwriter Rita Ora is launching a new sustainable activewear brand – Humans Being – next Thursday, November 3rd. Link

• California canned wine company Bev previewed their latest product, Canned Orange Wine. Link

Distribution Quickfire

• Clean haircare brand Bread Beauty Supply launched at Ulta.

• Premium oral care brand vVARDIS now available at Bluemercury.

• Joolies launched their chocolate covered dates at Erewhon.

• Sustainable toilet paper and paper towel brand Caboo "rolled" out at Whole Foods.

• Natural skincare brand and Gen Z favorite Bubble launched at Ulta.

• Inclusive skincare & beauty brand Undefined Beauty also launched at Ulta.

• Greek yogurt snack bar brand Clio now available at Aldi US.

• Northern Irish spirits firm Kirker Greer launched two of its gin brands – Jawbox & Ukiyo – in Canada.

Thanks for reading along. See you again on Wednesday! 

All the best, 

Robbie @ CPG Wire