003 - What I'm Reading: Week of July, 23rd 2021
👋 Hello everyone. In this week’s newsletter there are a number of really exciting biotechnology companies developing breakthrough solutions to the challenges we are currently facing. Gaiago is addressing soil issues resulting from climate change, and Canaery is using olfactory fingerprinting to detect dangers in humans and the world - think of a device that can detect COVID from your scent before you know you even have it.
Reports of note - GWI profiles the digital behaviors of Boomers.
🗞 NEWS & PRODUCTS
Gaiago is looking to replenish the microbiome of soil for healthier crops and solve soil issues.
Indie Bio’s Canaery is building a neural interface for analyzing an object’s scent fingerprint to identify dangerous compounds.
P&G launches Quiet & Roar a Gen Z centric sensorial personal care brand.
Lume launches an acidified body wash claiming to better control odors.
New data suggests consumers prefer beauty box subscriptions over other types of online subscriptions.
As Bath & Body Works readies to leave L-Brands it is planning to expand into skin & hair.
Harry’s is seeking to educate men on skin health with a new line of face care products.
Heinz has plans to launch functional beverages, the first is Period a beverage to help women’s menstrual health.
Sephora acquires UK’s pure-play beauty store Feelunique.
In an effort to expand its social capabilities, Youtube acquires Indian startup Simsim.
GlobalBees seeks to bring the Thrasio hold co model to India.
Ulta Beauty at Target’s shop-in-shop is launching in August. They announced the brands to be included in store as well as a larger data play.
Dollar General
Dollar General’s Believe Beauty launches a skincare line
pOpshelf is Dollar General’s new retail concept bringing the Treasure Hunt to the shopping space with 95% of the product offering at $5 or less.
Sustainability
The Biden administration has announced the re-implementation of stricter EPA standards including shower-head volume output restrictions.
Sephora announced Clean + Planet Positive, a program pushing its clean standards further into ingredient sourcing, packaging, sustainability commitments and business practices.
Meet hai, a connected showerhead meant to create water use mindfulness.
Ampliphi, a platform offering plastic footprinting and insights to improve sustainability metrics.
🔬RESEARCH
A study out of Guangzhao Science & Technology Program profiled the skin microbiome of 59 Chinese women identifying key differences in the diversity & richness of microbial populations on the skin between those with sensitive skin & health skin.
🧐 REPORTS
The attitudes & digital behaviors of Boomers from GWI.
Amazon Q2 2021 top 25 BPC brands.
CB Insights: State of Healthcare Q2 ‘21 - Investment & Sector Trends to Watch.
A report from Scalefast examining shopper opinions toward sustainability in the beauty & wellness space.
McKinsey checks in on their key trend predictions for 2021 six months later.
💡 Enjoy,
-Anne