Blume Super Food Lattes Expand Into Whole Foods Markets
Blume, the leading functional beverage brand focused on creating a kinder wellness world, is expanding into Whole Foods stores across the United States. Two of Blume’s most popular flavors, Matcha Coconut and Reishi Hot Chocolate, are available in 270 stores nationwide. This expansion comes on the heels of an explosive growth year for the brand, achieving their first eight-figure revenue and 50 percent year-over-year growth. The brand is now available in more than 4,000 stores across North America including: Target, Erewhon, and Anthropologie.
“Continuing to expand Blume’s U.S. presence by launching into Whole Foods marks a significant milestone and has been a dream retail partner for the brand. Whole Foods’ ethos aligns with our vision to create kinder wellness rituals that consumers will feel good about indulging in. We believe wellness is incredibly personal and we’re trying to find a better balance and create products that are attainable for everyone,” said Karen Danudjaja, CEO and Founder of Blume. “With our growing consumer demand in the U.S., Whole Foods is the perfect partner to further maximize our reach and enhance accessibility to Blume’s superfood lattes nationwide.”
Earlier this year, Blume ventured into the water elixir category with the launch of SuperBelly, a gut-friendly hydration multiplier, which has since sold out twice—equaling more than 20,000 units since February. Blume’s decision to expand to categories beyond superfood lattes was accelerated by the rise of the gut health movement and direct consumer feedback. In addition to SuperBelly, Blume’s hero superfood latte blends are refined sugar-free, certified organic, plant-based, and packaged in plastic neutral plus pouches.
Blume is a purposeful and mission-driven wellness brand focused on helping consumers create indulgent rituals they can feel good about. Founded in 2017 by Danudjaja after she struggled to find a palatable caffeine alternative while working in commercial real estate and taking several coffee meetings a day, the superfood lattes were originally available in coffee shops in Canada before growing rapidly into retail stores and direct-to-consumer over the last six years. Blume’s continued expansion across the United States amplifies the brand’s commitment to democratizing holistic wellbeing.
To learn more about Blume, visit the website or Instagram.
Blume is the leading Vancouver-based functional beverage brand focused on creating a kinder wellness world, and what happens when you pair the benefits of the wellness aisle and the experience of a cafe. Created amidst the budding craze for functional beverages in 2017, Blume aims to offer products that taste good and provide nutritional benefits. Originally exclusively sold in coffee shops, the brand has now expanded into more than 4,000 stores across North America, and recently expanded into the water elixir category with the launch of SuperBelly – a gut health-building gentle hydration multiplier that consumers can take on the go to complement their wellness rituals.
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Jason, Travis Kelce Buy Into Small Batch Garage Beer
Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce team up as significant owners and operators of Garage Beer
For the first time, Jason and Travis Kelce are teaming up as significant owners and operators of a business – and of course, it is with one of the fastest growing beer brands in the country, Garage Beer! The small batch brewed, classic light beer was founded in their home state of Ohio and has been growing rapidly across the country.
The Kelce brothers are passionate about beer and business and have talked for years about partnering together in the category. With this passion, they wanted to be thoughtful and find the right opportunity with the highest quality brewery and brand that aligned with their values of how a business should be run. And most importantly, a company built to serve the customer. Jason and Travis believe that beer should be fun, and they want to partner with a brand that embodies the spirit of a neighborhood feel, a light beer all will enjoy.
Serendipitously, through a prior relationship, the Kelces’ learned about Garage Beer and for the past two years have been laying the groundwork to join forces with the company.
The brothers join Garage as significant investors, partners, owners, and operators. Jason and Travis will be involved in every aspect of the business, including brewing, distribution, sales, marketing, and national expansion efforts. Retail displays will be in stores shortly along with social content, billboards, and other promotional activities.
The Garage Beer recipe was originally created in Cincinnati, Ohio (where Jason and Travis both played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats) and the business headquarters is now just north in Columbus, Ohio. The beer is sold in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, West Virginia, Idaho, Montana and New Jersey, with planned expansion into dozens of new states this year.
“People crave quality and simplicity, and Garage Beer nails both for me. We are light beer drinkers and Garage is the best light beer,” said Jason Kelce. “For me, the brand fits my lifestyle, and having a few beers is a great excuse to get the neighbors together.”
“It comes down to quality for me. I think everyone knows I like to have a couple beers now and then, so being an owner of Garage Beer and heavily involved in making the best light beer is exciting, man! There is nothing better to bring people together than an ice-cold beer, and for Jason and me that is what beer is all about – friends, family and fun. I have worked with Andy for years and I really trust the team and their approach to running the business. We look forward to taking Garage Beer to the next level,” added Travis Kelce.
“We want a beer that tastes like beer and one that keeps the stories alive in the neighborhood. Garage prides ourselves on small batch brewing and a commitment to quality. Ever since our first conversation with Travis and Jason, it was clear we had similar opinions about beer, but they also had brilliant, and very funny, business sensibility. Our team better be on their toes now,” quipped Garage Beer co-owner Andy Sauer. “The garage is a symbol for building stronger communities one beer at a time, and I think we can all use more time with friends, family, and neighbors to talk, smile, laugh, and enjoy that time together.”
Garage Beer is a 4% ABV, 95 Calories and 3g Carbohydrate light lager beer served in two varieties: classic regular and lime. Merchandise store and beer finder. Garage Instagram and Twitter.
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Herring Returns to Giant Food as Chief Merchant
Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C. regional grocery chain, has hired Tonya Herring as chief merchant effective immediately. In her role, Herring will oversee all merchandising strategy and execution across Giant Food.
With more than 30 years of retail grocery experience, Herring most recently served as the senior vice president of omnichannel development for Peapod Digital Labs, which supports Ahold Delhaize USA. There, Herring led the commercial evolution of Ahold Delhaize USA’s omnichannel ambitions. Prior to that, Herring was the senior vice president of merchandising for Giant Food, where she was responsible for strategic leadership, business plan design and merchandising organization including category management, pharmacy, pricing, promotion and merchandising planning.
“The entire Giant Food family is thrilled to welcome Tonya back to our team,” said Ira Kress, president of Giant Food. “With her deep merchandising expertise, she will bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the Giant Food brand in this role.”
Throughout her experience, Herring has held multiple roles including over two decades at Safeway Inc., where her positions included vice president of category development, group director category development for consumer brands and regional director.
“As a Maryland local, Giant Food has been part of my community for years,” said Herring. “I am ecstatic to be continuing my career back at Giant and look forward to implementing positive changes within our merchandising sector.”
Tonya lives in Odenton, Md., with her husband, Brent, and enjoys their leisure time walking their dogs, golfing, bike riding and visiting family in their home state of California.
Since opening its first location over 88 years ago in Washington, D.C., in 1936, Giant has been an integral part of the communities and customers it serves. Giant is committed to being a Better Neighbor and has designated four main giving pillars that address local Food Insecurity, Military Support, Pediatric Cancer Research, and Social Equality.
Giant is headquartered in Landover, Md., and operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 164 stores are 154 full-service pharmacies and 28 Starbucks locations. Giant fits all the way today’s busy customers want to shop – in-store or online.
With 162 Giant Pickup locations and delivery options available in all its markets, customers have even more convenient options to get the best products and prices whenever and however they choose.
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