News Briefs
- 4/9/2025
Cinnabon, Carvel team up to open new store format
GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands) is bringing together two its brands to launch a new quick-serve dessert concept.
Cinnabon Swirl will open its first location in May, in Hillsboro, Ore. With more than 30 locations in the pipeline, Cinnabon Swirl plans to open three additional stores later this year in Peoria, Ariz., Kennesaw, Ga., and Pasadena, Calif.
The new shops will serve classic menu items from Cinnabon and Carvel, along with “exclusive” items such as a “Bonini,” a Cinnabon roll filled with Carvel vanilla soft serve that is warm-pressed similar to a panini. Other exclusives include a Cinnabon Swirl Sundae, featuring warm, center swirls of a Cinnabon Classic Roll chopped and topped with Carvel vanilla soft serve and a caramel drizzle.
The first Cinnabon Swirl location in Hillsboro will also feature two limited-edition soft serve flavors each month.
“GoTo Foods has a unique competitive advantage by operating as a dynamic platform company with powerful enterprise engines including supply chain, technology and revenue management,” said Jim Holthouser, CEO of GoTo Foods. “By combining the global recognition of Cinnabon with the passionate fanbase of Carvel, Cinnabon Swirl is well-positioned to become the most irresistible dessert destination in the industry.”
[READ MORE: Focus Brands changing its name to GoTo Foods]
As of Dec. 29, GoTo Foods, through its affiliate brands, is the franchisor and operator of over 6,900 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, and bakeries in all 50 states and over 65 countries and territories under the Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe’s Southwest Grill, McAlister’s Deli, and Schlotzsky’s brand names, as well as the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand on certain military bases and in certain international markets.
- 4/9/2025
Direct-to-consumer men’s grooming retailer Harry’s Inc. rebrands
The parent of men’s grooming brands such as Harry’s has a new corporate name.
DTC men’s grooming product manufacturer and retailer Harry’s Inc. has unveiled its new corporate identity as "Mammoth Brands." The company says this new name reflects its “emergence as the largest CPG company built in the last 20 years and vision to continue to grow its portfolio of brands.”
Mammoth Brands will be led by co-founders and co-CEOs Jeff Raider and Andy Katz-Mayfield, who founded the company’s inaugural brand, Harry’s, in 2013. Today, the Mammoth Brands portfolio consists of Harry’s, Flamingo, Lume, and Mando.
"We chose the name Mammoth because it reflects the breadth and scale of the business we’ve been building, and our vision for the future," said co-CEO Andy Katz-Mayfield. "Our success to date has been a result of our deep, direct relationship with our customers, and a commitment to making brands and products that they love."
The company achieved $835 million in revenue and nearly $100 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2024 and has produced a 20%-plus revenue CAGR over the past five years. To continue this growth, Mammoth Brands says it will continue to acquire and scale men’s grooming brands.
“As founders ourselves, we’ve lived the journey of scaling brands in CPG,” said co-CEO Jeff Raider. “We recognize that founders know what works best for their brands and customers. When they join Mammoth Brands, they maintain the freedom to pursue their vision, and they get the support and capabilities—best-in-class talent, retail relationships, operational infrastructure—to unlock their full potential.”
[READ MORE: Harry’s manages subscriptions with new enterprise platform]
- 4/9/2025
PacSun takes it on the road for big music festival
PacSun is setting up shop in the desert.
As music fans travel to the California desert for the famed Coachella music festival, the retailer is launching a three-day “Roadside Stand” activation. Designed to serve as a destination for festival-goers making their way to the big event, the stand will feature exclusive merchandise, interactive moments and brand collaborations that reflect "the spirit of festival season." (Coachella will be held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif.)
Located on HWY 111, in Palm Springs, Calif., the PacSun activation will be open Thursday April 10 through Saturday April 12, which coincides with the first weekend of the festival. A dedicated billboard in the Cabazon area will set the stage, making sure PacSun is top of mind before fans even reach the festival grounds, the company said.
In addition, PacSun has signed on as a fashion sponsor of Neon Carnival, an after-hours, invite-only party at Coachella.
Music has become integral to PacSun's identity, shaping its collaborations, collections, and activations. The brand has built a legacy of aligning with artists and cultural moments that resonate with its audience, reinforcing its position at the intersection of fashion and music.
“From exclusive capsule collections to sold-out festival merch, PacSun consistently taps into the cultural pulse, offering must-have apparel while delivering a fully immersive experience,” the company said. “By integrating music into its brand DNA, PacSun continues to push boundaries."
- 4/9/2025
Walmart pulls Q1 operating income forecast amid tariffs; affirms annual outlook
Walmart Inc. has pulled its outlook for operating income in the first quarter as it faces uncertainty about the potential impact of the recently announced reciprocal tariffs.
The retail giant, which previously forecast an increase of 0.5% to 2.0% in adjusted operating income in its first quarter, said in a release that the range of outcomes for first quarter operating income growth has widened “due to less favorable category mix, higher casualty claims expense and the desire to maintain flexibility to invest in price as tariffs are implemented.”
Walmart, however, stood by its first-quarter sales outlook of 3% to 4% growth.
“History tells us that when we lean into these periods of uncertainty, Walmart emerges on the other side with greater share and a stronger business,” said John David Rainey, executive VP and CFO, said in the release.
The company announced the move as its holds its annual investor day meeting in Dallas. It’s also the same day that the Trump Administration’s reciprocal tariffs take effect.
[READ MORE: Members-only Walmart event returns with partner offers, Beck Bennett]
At the meeting, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said that the current business operating environment is “changing” but that it’s still in a position to “play offense,” reported MarketWatch.
- 4/8/2025
Estée Lauder veteran joins QVC Group C-suite
QVC Group has named a new chief people officer.
The social commerce company, whose portfolio includes QVC, HSN, Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill and Grandin Road, has announced that Tony Williams will be appointed to the role, effective April 28. Williams will oversee the entire global team member experience portfolio, including people & organization, global impact, talent management, and total rewards & people operations. He will report to Mike Fitzharris, president of QVC U.S. and chief operating officer, and serve as a strategic advisor to the executive leadership team.
Williams most recently served as the senior VP of global human resources, transformation enablement & regions at The Estée Lauder Companies, with global responsibility for people strategy and operations across six regions. Prior to his 11-year tenure with Estée Lauder, Williams held senior people leadership roles with Tyco International, Remy International, and Air Products and Chemicals.
[READ MORE: QVC Group to host 24/7 live shopping streams on TikTok]
"Tony has valuable hands-on leadership experience working with diverse global companies, effectively enabling them to successfully navigate through complex transformation," said Fitzharris. "I am confident that Tony's leadership and experience will continue to elevate our people strategy and drive our business forward."
QVC Group reaches more than 200 million homes worldwide via 15 television channels, which are widely available on cable/satellite TV, free over-the-air TV, and FAST and other digital livestreaming TV. The retailer also reaches millions of customers via its QVC+ and HSN+ streaming experience, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, websites, mobile apps and more.
- 4/7/2025
Rite Aid reportedly considering filing for bankruptcy — again
Rite Aid is reportedly looking at its options.
The retail pharmacy chain is considering filing for bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years or selling some (or all) of its operations after its recent financial restructuring failed to put the company on “a sustainable path,” reported the Wall Street Journal.
If a sale doesn't materialize either inside or outside of bankruptcy, Rite Aid "stands at risk of liquidating more of its footprint," the WSJ report said.
Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in October 2023, and emerged in September 2024 with a smaller footprint and a lot less debt. Through the Chapter 11 process, the company eliminated approximately $2.0 billion of total debt, closed hundreds of stores, and sold its pharmacy benefit company, Elixir.
Rite operated approximately 2,000-plus stores when it filed for bankruptcy in 2023. According to its website, Rite Aid currently operates 1,300-plus stores.
The company has hired New York-based law firm Paul, Weiss as an advisor, according to the WSJ.
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