True Stories

At True, we pride ourselves on being specialist investors in the Consumer and Retail sectors. Many associate "Consumer" with D2C physical products, but the reality is much broader. In this blog, Mike Martin, Director in the VC team shares more on our investment strategy and remit.

We’ve distilled the key takeaways from the Retail Jam 2024 into four main themes: Ethical Sourcing & Sustainability, AI & Digital Transformation, Omnichannel Strategies, and Customer Insights & Engagement. To put each point into context with what we’re seeing on the Innovation Advisory side of True, Danielle Le Toullec (Head of Marketing at True) interviews Gursh Mendhir (Innovation Principal).

Amid an abundance of technology solutions, the challenge for retailers is not one of opportunity but navigation, maintains Matt Truman in his latest Retail Week column.

In light of London Tech Week, we hosted an evening of drinks, canapes and insights that brought together leaders from the retail, consumer, and technology sectors. There was a dynamic panel discussion on corporate innovation with industry experts, Clare Forbes, Director of Technology at Fortnum & Mason, Farrukh Hassain, Investment Director at Sony Innovation Fund, Omar Hassan, Managing Director of Global Growth Hub, moderated by Danielle Le Toullec, Head of Growth & Marketing at True.

Major sporting heroes are increasingly investing in food and drink brands, giving these products star power and health credibility. Joe Seager-Dupuy, Director of VC Investment at True, shares insights in The Grocer's recent article on how brands can cut through the noise and stand out by leveraging the influence of famous athletes. Learn how these high-profile deals begin and the impact they can have on your brand.

Retail, both in the UK and globally, has transformed rapidly in recent years from a business primarily focused on real-world interactions to one led by technology. The latest stage of the industry’s digital acceleration is coming from the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. Owen Eddershaw, Innovation Associate at True, comments on adaptive AI in the latest Retail Week report, AI Adopters.

Ribble has named Sean Hastings as its new CEO. Hastings, a veteran in consumer sector transformation, brings a wealth of experience from B2C Group, River Island, and Pentland Brands. This strategic move follows the recent appointment of Becks DeNiro as chair. Current CEO Andy Smallwood will transition to a senior adviser role, ensuring a smooth leadership change.

By 2030, environmental and social impact will be the core factors dictating consumer behaviours for purchasing decisions and personal actions. Sustainability and responsibility will be non-negotiable for retail propositions. Businesses will need to fundamentally change existing linear business models by adopting resale, rental, repair and recycling initiatives where appropriate.

Disruptive energy drinks brand Sneak Energy’s first OOH campaign goes live this June and runs throughout the summer, broadcasting its formula’s powerful ability to ‘Hack Your Brain’.

We recently held a CEO Technology & Innovation Insights Session, providing a critical platform for 30 retail leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements. Following a presentation from Matt Truman on the current state of Retail, we focused on three topics presented by Danielle Le Toullec, Jamie Campbell and Liam Buswell: The Future of Brand Engagement, Shrink and Colleague Safety and Back-Office Automation.

RIBBLE REBELLION electrified at the US Armed Forces Cycling Classic this past weekend with extraordinary bikes that pay tribute to the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Cole Davis (USA) was on the striking Ribble Ultra SL R P-51 Mustang Special Edition, and British rider Matthew Bostock was on the Ultra SL R Forces Special Edition. The bikes, inspired by WWII aircraft, were then auctioned to support TAPS, a charity aiding military families.

At True, we understand the challenges of securing that first crucial call with investors. In this article, we dive into the essentials of crafting a standout pitch deck. Learn how to align with our investment thesis, articulate your market opportunity, highlight your team's strengths, and more.