WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers that using alcohol-fueled FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces can cause uncontrollable pool fires in which flames burn across the surface of pooled or spilled alcohol, as well as flame jetting from fuel containers, resulting in serious or fatal burns. Consumers should immediately stop using and dispose of these dangerous products.Flame jetting contributed to the June 2024 death of an elderly couple who were seriously burned when a third person attempted to refill a FLIKRFIRE that appeared to be extinguished. In at least three other incidents, FLIKRFIRE use has resulted in third or fourth degree burns to extensive areas of consumers' bodies.FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces are small, decorative bowls or open containers that require consumers to pour isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol into the bowl and then ignite the pooled alcohol in the same location it was poured. Requiring consumers to take these two steps to use the product violates voluntary safety standard ASTM F3363-19, which is designed to prevent pool fires and flame jetting in fire pit products that burn liquids.Isopropyl alcohol burns with flame temperatures over 1,600°F and can cause third degree burns in less than one second

Changes in top leadership also hit Faire, Kovo HealthTech, goeasy, CFI, and more

Target will begin including select Shopify merchants on Target Plus, the retailer’s third-party digital marketplace.In addition, in the months to come, Target will offer some of these merchants’ products in its physical stores, the retailer said in a Monday (June 24) press release.“Our partnership with Shopify extends the breadth of thoughtfully designed and affordable items available to discover and enjoy as part of Target’s distinctive mix of brands shoppers love,” Cara Sylvester, executive vice president and chief guest experience officer at Target, said in the release.Target Plus was launched in 2019 and currently includes more than 2 million products from more than 1,200 partners that have been selected by the retailer’s curation experts, according to the release.The marketplace enables Target to offer consumers brands that may be trending, premium or direct-to-consumer, alongside its own product selection, the release said.By shopping for these brands on the Target Plus website, consumers can buy the products on a site they are already familiar with and gain benefits like free shipping on orders over $35 and free returns, per the release.Shopify merchants in the United States can use Shopify’s Marketplace Connect app to apply to sell online on Target Plus and to sell and manage orders on that and other marketplaces, according to the release.“It’s table stakes for merchants to be everywhere customers are, and as the world’s leading retail operating system, we make it easier and more accessible for brands to sell directly to their customers on the best channels,” Shopify President Harley Finkelstein said in the release.Retail giants have capitalized on the rise of eCommerce by providing third-party marketplace solutions.These platforms give small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) access to an extensive customer base and equip them with a range of tools and insights to maximize their customer outreach.For the retailers who offer these marketplaces, like Target, Amazon and Walmart, the platforms help them diversify their product offerings and compete in the digital age.In an earlier partnership, Shopify teamed up with B2B retail marketplace Faire in September, naming that company its “recommended wholesale marketplace.”For all PYMNTS retail coverage, subscribe to the daily Retail Newsletter

Curated Collection of Condition Specific Bars, Including Sleepy Chocolate, Carefree Chocolate & Energy ChocolateDENVER, June 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Functional Chocolate Company ® is thrilled to announce that its award-winning products are now available at select Target stores and online for convenient in-store pickup or delivery from Target.com .The Functional Chocolate Company pairs naturally vegan and gluten-free, decadent dark chocolate with a proprietary blend of condition-specific nutraceuticals, including vitamins, minerals, botanicals and amino acids. These unique combinations address a wide range of everyday health concerns, including sleep, energy, stress, focus and much more.The Functional Chocolate Company (PRNewsfoto/The Functional Chocolate Company)"We created Functional Chocolate to offer a better way to care for everyday health realities," said Nicole Smith, CEO, The Functional Chocolate Company. "We're so pleased to work with Target to make every day a little sweeter, conveniently offering our products in-store and online for the growing community of wellness-focused customers seeking more for their dollars and from their indulgences."Target has initially introduced a curated selection of The Functional Chocolate Company's most sought-after products including:To find Functional Chocolate at a location near you, please visit: https://funcho.co/apps/store-locatorAbout The Functional Chocolate CompanyChris Peruzzi, co-founder, and dedicated single dad, formulated the first Functional Chocolate products as a fun, effective way to care for his kids' everyday health realities, including his daughter's debilitating PMS symptoms and son's stress and anxiety. Recognizing that no one wants another bitter pill to swallow, Chris created the most effective solution possible while also being the most enjoyable. Today, The Functional Chocolate Company makes every day a little better for customers nationwide with condition-specific blends of powerful botanicals and scientifically validated ingredients – in ethically sourced decadent dark chocolate. Our naturally vegan and gluten-free chocolate bars address some of the most common health realities; from sleep to energy, focus and stress, to women's health concerns including PMS, menopause and low libido

In a time where DTC brands are looking to find sustainable ways to scale, some are finding success. [+] through working with agency partners like Brand Caffeine on wholesale platforms like Faire. gettyData shows wholesale revenue has been on the rise in the U.S. since September 2023, and according to Digital Commerce 360’s B2B Ecommerce Market Report, B2B marketplaces are the fastest-growing segment of B2B ecommerce.It makes sense, as tapping into this business model grants emerging brands access to B2B markets, allowing them to reach broader audiences through retailers with established customer bases and distribution networks while also opening up new revenue streams.By diversifying their revenue streams with a wholesale arm, brands can maintain their direct-to-consumer structure when experimenting and validating new ideas, all while maintaining healthy profits through bulk ordering.Take Latico Leathers, a handcrafted heirloom-quality leather brand, as one example. The brand needed help getting set up on Faire, a B2B marketplace simplifying the wholesale buying process for more than 700,000 independent retailers and small unique brands from around the world.Faire Growth agency Brand Caffeine helped set up their store, fine-tuned product listings, managed email campaigns and automation, optimized search rankings, and fostered new targeted leads.The agency also leveraged AI tools to create a custom analytics and reporting dashboard, refine attribute tag categorization, and create product collections based on data-driven insights and seasonal search trends.After partnering with Brand Caffeine to support its wholesale arm, the company saw a 50% increase in organic search volume, a 30% improvement in wholesale email open rates, and a 20% monthly increase in new retailer leads.They also rose to a 'Top Shop' designation on Faire, witnessing a 7.6% conversion rate, a 99.3% sell-through rate, a 4.9 overall review rating, 96% five-star reviews, over 5,000 leads, and a 52% email open rate.Ben Schreiber, the founder of digital marketing agency Brand Caffeine, shared his perspective on the platform, saying: “[Faire] is doing for the wholesale market what Amazon Amazon did for consumer products.”San Francisco-based Faire was founded in 2017 by former Square employees and has since expanded geographically into Canada, the EU, and AU markets. It experienced rapid growth and achieved feats like reaching $150 million in sales across 15 European markets within six months while amassing a valuation of $12.59 billion.As a result, brands are taking note

"We are thrilled to partner with Faire to make our Wine Glass Slipper stabilizers (glass-slipper.co/collections/all) available to boutique and store owners," said Daniel Richard, Co-Owner of Biba Home LLC

Vegan and gluten-free, condition-specific bars, including Sleepy Chocolate, Carefree Chocolate and Energy Chocolate, are now available at nearly 700 new stores and on vitaminshoppe.comDENVER, April 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Functional Chocolate Company® is pleased to announce that its award-winning products are now available at nearly 700 locations of The Vitamin Shoppe® and Super Supplements™ nationwide, as well as online at vitaminshoppe.com.The Functional Chocolate Company offers naturally vegan and gluten-free, decadent dark chocolate paired with a proprietary blend of condition-specific nutraceuticals—vitamins, minerals, botanicals and amino acids, to help address a variety of everyday health realities, from sleep and energy, to stress and focus, and much more. The Functional Chocolate Company (PRNewsfoto/The Functional Chocolate Company)"We believe treating your health should be a treat," said Nicole Smith, CEO, The Functional Chocolate Company. "That's why we're so pleased to work with The Vitamin Shoppe to offer a better approach to everyday health for mindful customers across the country.". Muriel Gonzalez, President of The Vitamin Shoppe, commented: "Healthier snacks and beverages that combine great taste with functional ingredients, such as vitamins, adaptogens, and nootropics, are a growing trend at The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements. We're excited to introduce The Functional Chocolate Company's innovative and delicious products into our expanding selection of healthy food and drink options, for customers who want to support their individual wellness goals while indulging in their favorite dark chocolate flavors."The Vitamin Shoppe is initially offering a curated selection of the most popular products from The Functional Chocolate Company including:

Remarkable Drinks without Compromise, Franklin Sons Now Available at The Fresh Market, Gelson’s Markets, Central Market, Zuppan’s Markets, Goody Goody, ShopRite, and Fairway . .

Shopify announced today that it's making a strategic investment in wholesale platform Faire. The move comes as the e-commerce giant seeks to offer more Business-to-Business (B2B) tools to its merchants. The financial details of the transaction, including the investment amount and Shopify's ownership stake in Faire, were not disclosed. The latest investment puts the company's