Saks Finalises Acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group
The $2.7 billion merger counts Amazon, G-III Apparel Group and Authentic Brands Group as investors.
Direct-to-Consumer / Funding
The Best of BoF 2024: Rewriting the Direct-to-Consumer Playbook
In 2024, survivors of the e-commerce reckoning used consumer data to make wiser investments and focused on building profitable, desirable brands that offer more than low prices and convenience.
How to Save a DTC Brand Without Crushing Its Soul
The past year has seen a stream of last-minute rescue deals for once-hot start-ups. Acquirers of formerly distressed brands weigh in on how to improve operations and retain what made them special in the first place.
What It Takes to Win at DTC in 2024
The DTC bust of the past two years has casted a cloud on the sector, but emerging fashion brands with a better handle on supply, demand and customer retention are seeing profitable growth.
Why Mergers Might Be the Next Wave of DTC Exits
Apparel brands Knot Standard and Billy Reid are teaming up in a move investors say we may see more of as fashion start-ups seek alternative funding routes to grow their businesses.
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DTC Brands See a Long-Delayed Path to Exit in 2024
While the DTC landscape’s turbulence isn’t completely over for brands, the prospect of a better economy in 2024 is encouraging profitable brands that shied away from M&A last year to start preparing for an exit.
Direct-to-Consumer
Why Some DTC Brands Are Raising Debt, Not Venture Capital
In a conservative investment environment, the few start-ups that can access traditional venture capital are opting to take out loans, and battle higher interest rates, to fund business essentials like marketing and inventory.
Why Some DTC Brands Are Raising Debt, Not Venture Capital
In a conservative investment environment, the few start-ups that can access traditional venture capital are opting to take out loans, and battle higher interest rates, to fund business essentials like marketing and inventory.
What Investors Want From DTC Brands
Cautious investors are finding safer bets in tech-focused platforms that create products for digitally-native brands over traditional DTC start-ups.
Why Brand Awareness Is DTC’s New Challenge
Brands like Warby Parker, Allbirds and Olaplex have successfully slashed digital advertising costs. Now they need to figure out new ways to find customers.
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The Unassuming T-Shirt Brand Trying to Break the DTC Curse
True Classic has emerged from a sea of men’s brands promising the perfect t-shirt, managing to build a big audience without bleeding cash.
Should DTC Brands Open Their Own Factories?
Some digitally native start-ups are buying or building factories to cut production times and control quality. But not every company is built to handle manufacturing themselves.
For Many Digital Retailers, Profits and Growth Appear to Be Mutually Exclusive
DTC brands and e-commerce platforms delivered some rare good news this week in the form of shrinking losses, but investors were largely unimpressed.
Direct-to-Consumer
How the DTC Bust Could Play Out
Fashion and beauty start-up valuations appear to have stabilised after plunging last year, though it may be months or even years before many return to their old highs — if they ever do. But there are ways for emerging and established players to ride out the downturn.
How the DTC Bust Could Play Out
Fashion and beauty start-up valuations appear to have stabilised after plunging last year, though it may be months or even years before many return to their old highs — if they ever do. But there are ways for emerging and established players to ride out the downturn.
The News in Brief
Model Rights Bill Signed into Law in New York
The new law will give models working in the state greater protection from exploitation, harassment and AI.
L’Oréal Acquires South Korea’s Dr.G in Skincare Deal With Migros
French cosmetics giant L’Oréal said on Monday it had agreed to buy Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, which includes South Korean skincare brand Dr.G., from Swiss retailer Migros.
Boohoo Shareholders Vote to Block Mike Ashley From Joining Board
Investors representing 64% of Boohoo’s stock voted against appointing Ashley and Mike Lennon at a special meeting on Friday morning called by Ashley’s Frasers Group.
Walmart Says to Miss Climate Targets as Green Challenges Mount
Previous pledges to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 and 35% by 2025 are probably not achievable, and the company will consider reviewing its climate targets next year.
Lilly’s US Weight-Loss Drug Shortage Ends, Curtailing Copycats
Sales of cheaper compounded versions must stop within 90 days. Novo’s rival shots, Ozempic and Wegovy, remain in short supply.
Prada Group and EssilorLuxottica Renew Ten-Year Eyewear License
Building on an existing twenty-year partnership, Prada Group and the Franco-Italian eyewear conglomerate EssilorLuxottica have renewed their licensing agreement for ten years.
Sofie Pavitt Face Gets Picked Up By Sephora
The “acne whisperer” for A-list Gen Z celebrities inks her biggest retail partnership yet.