2024 PE-Backed Holiday Gift Guide
From apparel to sports equipment to snacks, PE portfolio companies offer a range of gift options for the holiday season
The consumer sector took a hit with middle-market M&A this year thanks to continued inflation, stubbornly high interest rates and ongoing economic and political uncertainty. Despite the headwinds, investors still managed to get deals done across the consumer products and services spaces.
Gift-givers this season may be surprised to find out just how many items on their shopping lists stem from private equity portfolios. Whether it’s home goods, apparel, beauty and wellness products or sports equipments, consumer-focused sponsors showcased how diverse the sector can be with their 2024 transaction activity. In this year’s PE-backed gift guide, Middle Market Growth takes a look at how PE portcos are shaping wish lists.
Free People Fragrance Collection
Apparel retailer Free People offers its own collection of fragrances under its 1809 Collection. With four all-natural formulas offered, these fragrances are free from chemically altered ingredients. With a cozy vibe for the holiday season, Free People’s Lodge is described as a “warm, spicy gourmand blend,” whose top notes of palo santo and Madagascar clove bud blend with rich vanilla, black pepper and Indonesia patchouli.
Free People’s fragrance collection was developed by Tru Fragrance & Beauty, a beauty brand builder acquired by Monogram Capital Partners earlier this year. Tru partners with retailers to develop and market their own fragrance lines, and manages its own branded portfolio of fragrances and other beauty products.
Image source: Free People
Firehook Favorites Gift Box
No holiday party is complete without a charcuterie board, and Firehook Bakery crackers remains a favorite for cheese pairings. While you’ve likely seen and even tried Firehook’s cracker products, the company offers a range of other products including coffee, brownies and granola. Luckily, gift-givers won’t have to choose just one item with the Firehook Favorites Gift Box. Online shoppers can choose up to four items to include in the box, which comes with two iced cookies and an optional gift message.
Branded consumer business-focused private investment firm Forward Consumer Partners acquired Firehook in April. At the time, the firm said in its announcement that Firehook has seen a 50% CAGR over the last decade, and is now the number-one artisanal cracker brand in the U.S.
Image source: Firehook Bakery
CCM Hockey Ribcor Trigger 9 Pro Hockey Stick
With sizes and specifications for everyone from juniors to professionals, Ribcor hockey sticks offer enhanced performance on the ice. The Trigger 9 Pro North Edition stick includes the latest advancements in a “wintry, white-out design” using Nanolite shield carbon layering technology to produce a light stick with a quick release.
The hockey stick is one of many products offered by global hockey brand CCM. The Canadian company, whose products and gear are used by players in the PWHL and NHL, recently secured an investment from Stockholm-based private equity firm Altor. Altor’s backing will support CCM’s growth trajectory to unlock new market and product opportunities.
Image source: CCM
CorePower Yoga Intro Month Membership
If hockey isn’t your speed, yoga is a great way to stay active in the winter months. CorePower Yoga offers a range of classes across the U.S., as well as online classes. Newcomers can try out CorePower studios with a discounted new member promotion on an Intro Month All Access Membership. The membership offers unlimited access to all studios as well as online classes, priority in-studio booking, buddy passes, discounts on retail purchases and other benefits.
CorePower Yoga is a portfolio company of TSG Consumer Partners, a private equity firm focused on the consumer space. The firm acquired the business earlier this year from its previous owner L Catterton. In a press release, TSG noted that CorePower is the fastest-growing and largest yoga fitness studio operator in the country today.
Image source: CorePower Yoga
Twin Star Home duraflame Electric Fireplace
Is there any holiday pastime more cheerful than gathering by the fireplace? But unless you’re one of the lucky few with a built-in fireplace in their home, it’s not always an easy scene to achieve. Duraflame offers a range of electric fireplaces and stoves that are portable, decorative and comforting, offering users a chance to save on their heating bill by turning down the thermostat and cozying up by the heater instead. The duraflame electric fireplaces are just one of several branded products offered by Twin Star Home, a designer and manufacturer of indoor and outdoor products and portfolio company of private equity firm Z Capital Partners, which supported Twin Star’s acquisition of Grand Basket earlier this year.
Image source: duraflame
Pond’s Moisturizing Cream
Pond’s is a classic skincare brand with products for all concerns. Pond’s Moisturizers are made to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and combat dry skin—especially important during the dry winter months. The classic moisturizer is a great stocking stuffer from a brand that is part of the Elida Beauty umbrella.
Elida Beauty brands went private last June when private equity firm Yellow Wood Partners announced it had acquired the company from its previous owner, Unilever. In addition to Pond’s, Elida Beauty’s portfolio includes other well-known names like Q-tips and St. Ives.
Image source: Pond’s
Chip’s Naturals Doggie Chicken Chips
We couldn’t leave out our beloved furry friends this holiday, and Doggie Chicken Chips by Chip’s Naturals are a treat your dog will love. Crunchy and perfect for training and rewards, the Doggie Chicken Chips are grain-free, gluten-free and high in protein, baked in the U.S. and made with 100% USDA-inspected and approved boneless white chicken. The treats are manufactured by Kennelmaster Foods, a manufacturer and marketer of a variety of other pet snacks. Founded in 2008, Kennelmaster was acquired by Three Dog Brands, which owns the Three Dog Baker brand, in September. The business is a portfolio company of Topspin Consumer Partners.
Image source: Chip’s Naturals
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