|
|
🚨NOSH INSIDER WEEKLY: SkinnyDipped Aims for $100M Revenue, Data Points to Uncertain Times, McDonald's in VR & More |
This week, we're dipping our skinny toes in the coconut bites set, turning a Costco roadshow appearance into a long-term deal, and getting ripped while gorging on ice cream. But, more on all that below.
And, one-time meal kit delivery giant Blue Apron has revamped its offerings to include subscription-free options, readymade meals, fan favorites and more. Vintage apron collector Monica Watrous has all the info here.
Alright! On with the Sunday newsletter.
FIRST UP! SkinnyDipped is dipping its toes into a vat of coconut - but can its new SKU direction keep up with revenue projections? |
|
|
🥜 SkinnyDipped Fattens Forecast with $100M Projection |
Better-for-you confectionery challenger SkinnyDipped is going for the golden goose's egg with heightened annual revenue projections and a new SKU release writes Nightswimming Fanatic Shauna Golden. | |
|
|
The company’s latest opus is coconut and roasted almond bites, enrobed in dark chocolate. Coming in with just 3g of sugar per serving this instant hit maker is rolling into Target and Walmart this September. While SkinnyDipped focuses on lower sugar and generally sharper macros, it doesn't go in for trends like zero-sugar - creating an accessibility that has the brand stocked in everywhere from natural retailers to club and drug stores. And it's all stacking up: co-founder/CEO Breezy Griffith is now forecasting over $100M in revenue this year, with further expansion on the cards through 2026. Unwrap the full report on Nosh.com. 🥡 Key Takeaway: SkinnyDipped has been around since 2016 but its recent move into what Griffith calls 'snack-fections' (not to be confused with 'in-fections') has propelled sales and emboldened the brand to lean in harder. Expect more new product launches in 2026 as well as a push into c-stores and foodservice. | |
|
|
📊 Stormy Waters? Data Points to Uncertain Times Ahead |
| A bevvy of economic indicators released this week point to an uncertain outlook on retail and consumer spending writes Nosh Economist Lukas Southard.
The ever-fragile eggs index is up 16.4% YOY according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Price Index. There was an overall monthly inflation of 2.9% for food prices over the last 12 months - down from its August 2022 peak of 11.2% but stubbornly higher than last year's 2.2%.
Overall, consumer confidence appears to be warning says Prof. Southard. How can brands weather the storm? Read more on Nosh.com. | | | "Look honey, a freezer!" |
|
|
🛌 Nosh Live Hotel Room Bloc is Open |
Hey! Want to get the real VIP experience at Nosh Live Winter 2025 in Marina Del Rey, CA, this December 4 + 5? How about availing of our special room bloc?Not only will you be on the same floor as all the cool kids having sleepovers and staying up all night watching movies, you'll also guarantee yourself the shortest journey possible from the ensuite to the conference center. And, get this, there's a mighty fine Insiders-only discount - on top of the Early Bird special (we can go halfsies, y'hear?).
| |
|
|
🗣 Nombase: Turning a Costco Roadshow into a Distro Deal |
Costco roadshows are great - but how do you turn a once-off opportunity into a lasting shelf presence?
This week's Nombase Podcast sees Gavin McCloskey of Love Corn, Leila Kairns of Heal Tea, and Carlene Carl of Rebel Solutions Group reveal how you can supercharge your roadshow presence and meaningfully influence buyers.
Hosted by BevNET & Nosh Director of Community Melissa Traverse, the Nombase Podcast is like a warm CPG hug direct to your brain.
| |
|
|
🔊 CPG Week Podcast: Daring, Danone, Bachan's and a Glassy Graza |
On this week's CPG Week podcast Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery kick it off by questioning why v2food (with backing from Ajinomoto - wowzers) has gone all-in on Daring Foods. Staying the acquisition slalom the duo get into Danone's latest Rapunzel-like attempt at wooing Lifeway Foods, before hitting the goal line with Bachan's reported saucy sale. After all that and more, the podcast closes with Graza's new glass obsession and the New York State Fair's buttery business.
Spin this week's podcast here. | |
|
|
🍓 Juicy Quote |
| "Cottage cheese is clumpy"
This week's gym schedule and Sunday night meal prep comes courtesy of a frankly stacked Lukas Southard who bench pressed emerging leaders in the high-protein ice cream category. | |
|
|
A new generation of ice cream brands are continuing protein's rollout across every single item in the grocery store, chief amongst them Protein Pints, Sweet Gains and Natty Daddy Ice Cream, all of which tout at least 30g of protein per pint.
An important distinction with many of these brands is a focus on better-for-you ingredients - Alec's for example uses dairy from verified regenerative farms and is certified organic.
And who's buying? While gym broskies is the obvious first port of call, as the category expands out expect marketing to shift increasingly towards soccer moms and the broad demographic that prebiotic sodas have opened up.
What are your thoughts, Sunday readers? Does high-protein ice cream have a place in conventional retail? Should brands focus on macros, better-for-you ingredients or clean labels? Click here to send in your comments. | |
|
|
🥑 Quick Bites |
The biz is also the first Seed Oil Free Certified frozen entree says CEO Adnan 'Drunken Noodles' Durrani in conversation with Monica 'Chicken Chili Crisp Noodles' Watrous. |
|
|
📰 Jobs Market |
|
|
🇬🇷 Olyra's Rebrand Targets Mass Market Appeal |
| Greek breakfast snack biz Olyra has unveiled refreshed packaging as the company seeks to reshape the breakfast bar set writes Biscuit Baron Adrianne DeLuca.
The new look blends Olyra's use of traditional Greek iconogaphy with the brand's name and product (previously both elements were treated as distinct). It positions Olyra closer to category leaders such as the Mondelēz-owned belVita in a market valued at $4BN.
The brand is currently in over 6,000 natural doors nationwide but CMO Andy Godish wants to bring the biscuit barge to the ports of conventional, club and convenience - and D2C with a just-launched ecommerce shop.
🥡 Key Takeaway: Olyra's evolution is an interesting take on an internationally-founded brand navigating its way through the American palate. Initially selling SKUs such as the quite delicious Blueberry Greek Yogurt, its latest release is simply Vanilla. Coupled with a more cohesive and certainly brasher pack design and it's a timeline of how a brand can tailor itself to an audience. | |
|
|
👀 ICYMI 👀 |
| If you thought you were already living through a virtual reality nightmare, think again - McDonald's has teamed up with Meta to launch the clumsily named McDonaldland VR, allowing those tired of this earth to immerse themselves in a world of spurious mini games and classic McDonald's characters (hi, Hamburglar!).
No word yet on why the skyline looks post-apocalyptic - we'll leave that to your imagination to fill in. | |
|
|
| AND FINALLY: Someone call RFK Jr. (or indeed, alert the MAHA authorities) - regional taco chain Velvet Taco has teamed up with Dallas-based nonprofit Kidd's Kids to create "The Morning Show" WTF (Weekly Taco Feature) and its tie-dye waffle tortilla that has us standing to attention.
The breakfast taco extravaganza comes with chicken tenders, eggs, cheesy tater tot hash, peppered bacon and maple syrup, all plopped down on a multicolored tortilla sure to rankle the artificial food dye brigade. | |
|
|
| If you'll excuse me, White Castle is keeping it classy with its new Cheddar Bacon Cheese sliders and you know I can't resist a 16 pack. Until next week, your host, |
|
