Headlines

Six Questions with Weller CEO John Simmons

We caught up with Weller CEO John Simmons to learn more about the brand’s experience in both Erewhon and Minnesota in order to learn more about how hemp-derived THC is breaking out into the mainstream and how the brand, which had previously established itself in the CBD category, is using the opportunity to reach new consumers.

Pernod Ricard: Sales Up 13%; U.S. Decline Expected

Pernod Ricard net sales grew +13% to $13.2 billion in FY 2023, but in its earnings report today the liquor company warned that sales would soon see a decline in China and the U.S.

Rabobank: M&A Slowdown Will Lead Buyers, Sellers to Rethink Deal Strategy

Although M&A activity may have slowed amid economic uncertainty over the past year, it’s hardly an anomaly. However, a new report from Rabobank, titled “The New Deal Environment,” says that slowdown means potential buyers and sellers may have to significantly rethink how they approach deals going forward.

Where Will Instacart Go After The IPO? Grocery Experts Weigh In

Instacart’s IPO filing last week signaled many things – a bit of upward momentum in the overall IPO market, inklings of the potential direction e-grocery is heading and an unexpected, developing relationship with PepsiCo. But questions still remain about the future direction of the grocery-tech giant’s growth.

Taste Radio: When The Sustainable Path Is A Billion-Dollar Opportunity

Shadi Bakour, the co-founder and CEO of PATH, a bottled water brand that uses refillable aluminum containers, spoke about how he convinced retailers and investors that there was an unmet need for the brand, the game changing impact of relationships with San Francisco Airport retailers and Natural Products Expo West, the value of licensing deals with Barbie and TMNT, and PATH’s $30 million Series A funding round.

Upscale, Multi-Serve & Global: Wolf Spirit Distillery Launches RTDs

With ready-to-drink UPC proliferation nearing 7,000 items, how does an independent spirits company find a niche on the shelf - especially when starting from scratch? For Wolf Spirit Distillery, an Oregon-based spirits producer, the opportunity lies in upscaling a version of a cocktail people already love, and possibly upping the size too.

Spirits: New Releases From Hemingway, Jack Daniel’s, Wolves, Brugal and More

In this roundup of notable new spirits, Colorado-based Root Shoot announces the launch of its first completely locally sourced spirit, Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new LTO and Jack Daniel’s introduces the latest addition to its Single Barrel Special Release Collection.

Instacart Files IPO on Nasdaq

Instacart filed for its initial public offering (IPO) on Friday, as the grocery delivery leader aims to create a "truly omni-channel experience" across physical and online stores.

Pronghorn Backs Three More Black-Owned Brands

Investment firm Pronghorn, an initiative focused on boosting Black entrepreneurship in spirits, announced yesterday new investments in three more spirit companies: Abisola Whiskey, Los Hermanos Tequila 1978, and Alexander James Whiskey. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Taste Radio: It’s Controversial… Till It Makes Money. Plus, A Sip Of Slane And Eggo Cream.

Is it groundbreaking or headed for infamy? The hosts sample several new products made with controversial (or, perhaps, objectionable) ingredients and flavors and assess the mainstream potential for each. This episode also features an interview with Alex Conyngham, the co-founder of Slane Irish Whiskey, who discussed the duality of building a modern brand that’s rooted in tradition.