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Welcome to Launch Digest, where we bring you the latest and greatest product launches to hit the market across the DTC universe. It might be only the first week of October, but aside from Pumpkin-spiced launches, I’m beginning to receive a steady onslaught of holiday bundles, collaborations, and stocking stuffers. Don’t blame me; I don’t control the calendar, nor the accelerated speed at which brands compete to get on your gifting list each year. There are also plenty of non-seasonal drops for you to peruse, like NA beverages (with mushrooms and THC to replace your buzz); Glossier’s continual stream of tempting objects; and launches for refreshing your holiday hosting tablescape.
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Ginger Snaps, Pumpkin Spice, And DTC Kugel
Fortunately, I have no electric vehicle-themed juices to tell you about this week. In fact, we won’t be discussing Erewhon at all. Skip the Palisades Erewhon and head next door to Sweet Laurel, where the better-for-you bakery has collaborated with MALK on a healthy PSL (made with MALK’s Pumpkin Spice almond milk). For the month of October, stop by Sweet Laurel for a sweet and spiced latte, and you might just walk out with a grain, dairy, and refined sugar-free Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake Mix.
We’re not done with the festive flavors. Fancypants launched a Ginger Snap cookie, made with real ground ginger, cinnamon, clove, and crystallized ginger – along with high-quality butter, eggs, sugar, and King Arthur flour. Big Spoon Roasters launched a limited batch Gingerbread Crunch Almond & Pecan Butter. Beyond how delicious that sounds, it’s also made with premium ingredients: heirloom mission almonds, organic pecans, organic Vermont maple syrup, Jacobsen sea salt, and gingerbread spices (all the hits — cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, vanilla). Just as perfect slathered on your favorite autumnal apple as it is straight from the jar.
As if S’NOODS’ concept of “noodle chips” weren’t original enough, the brand introduced a Sweet Kugel flavor this week, inspired by the Jewish dish just in time for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Good luck presenting (and explaining) this at your family break-fast.
We talked goop Kitchen x Kosas last week. This week, a collab for the girls who like pasta a bit more than collagen-boosting bone broth: the Buon Appetito Bundle, featuring two Marinaras from Sauz, Spaghetti and Bucatini from Rummo, and a limited-edition Buon Appetito tote bag from Lisa Says Gah.
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The Non-Alcoholic Frenzy Is Far From Over
But it is forcing everyone to carve out their own corner of the market. Finally, it seems like most imitating brands have surrendered to the inarguable fact that Ghia has won the game in the NA aperitif and spritz arena. (I’m thankful, because I don’t think I can write much more about botanical beverages that don’t seem to be doing anything genuinely new, written with love and a fridge full of Le Fizz.)
Instead, I’m seeing: mushrooms, buzz-free beer, and more THC than ever before. BREZ launched Flow, a lightly sparkling Italian lemon and elderflower beverage infused with 2200mg of Lion’s Mane, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting black seed oil, and L-theanine for lifting your mood and improving cognitive function. California craft beer maker 805 launched 8ZERO5, its first-ever non-alcoholic blonde (with less than 0.5% ABV, and the same taste and quality). My inbox fields at least one new THC pitch per week. This month, it’s all about Wims, a “pocket tonic” of 4 mg THC and 4 mg CBD, available in three flavors for snapping open and throwing back (or mixing into a beverage) wherever you go.
For Smelling, Dressing, And Hosting Well
Confession: I hold the keys to Glossier’s launches from now through the new year, and we’re in for plenty of treats. This week, the brand launched Impressions of You, an expansion on its original cult-favorite skin scent enhancer, Glossier You. Doux and Rêve build on the same warm, musky Ambrox and Abrette base – Reve’s a little sweet and salty with Buttercream, Almond, and white Sandalwood, whereas Doux blends delicate Violet with Palo Santo, Frankincense, and Myrrh. To celebrate a decade of Glossier (we share an October 6 birthday), the brand also launched a Birthday Cake candle. The collectible chrome lighter is already sold out.
MOTHER introduced the third drop of its Fall collection, featuring classic denim and seasonal prints fit for all of your adventures in the cooler months (even if your adventures mostly involve picking apples, admiring leaves, or hosting a dinner party). Speaking of dinner parties…
Year & Day launched adorable ceramic Mini Bowls, designed for snacking, serving, and organizing your charcuterie board. Insider tip: the brand is hosting a sale on its Midnight Ceramics from October 7 to 13. 15% off, including counterop and bakeware.
Before You Go…
PepsiCo acquired Siete Foods for $1.2 billion — exciting for the Garza family, perhaps concerning for Siete lovers who value quality and their health. We will see. In less insidious M&A news: Perelel has acquired LOOM! A wonderful step towards greater education, research, and care for women’s health.
Holiday bundles are hot off the press. Merit launched a Mini Flush Balm Trio and Signature Lip Trio, which include two new colorways exclusive to the sets. fresh’s Holiday Collection is live, featuring plastic-free gift boxes full of their best-selling products (which are ideal for gifting to a teen who’s just getting into beauty and skincare — who didn’t love those Sugar Lip Treatments at age 15?) Aveda partnered with Altuzarra on a holiday collection featuring elegant gift sets adorned with botanical motifs. Get hydrating hair and scalp essentials packaged in a pretty cosmetic bag, perfect for organizing your holiday travels.
Happy shopping. Email me directly – zoe@thequalityedit.com – with any launches you’d like to see in the spotlight, or DM us over @thequalityedit.
