
- COVID-19 uncertainty and the impact from emerging variants
- Supply chain disruptions in acquiring materials and finished goods from abroad
- All-time high container rates on oceanic shipping
- Price increases on raw materials
- Labor shortages and wage rate increases
Food and beverage

Consumer goods

Retail and restaurant

Key fourth-quarter transactions
- Helen of Troy acquired Osprey Packs, Inc., an outdoor backpack, luggage and travel accessories manufacturer, in late December.
- Middleby Corporation acquired outdoor grill companies Masterbuilt Holdings, as well as Char Griller in December.
- Diamond Pet Foods, Inc. acquired J.M. Smucker Co.’s private label dry pet food business in December 2021.
- Restaurant Brands International acquired Firehouse Subs, an owner and operator of restaurant chains throughout the U.S., in December.
- Blackstone Growth announced it acquired a majority share of Supergoop, a protective skincare brand, in December.
- Femtec Health acquired Birchbox, a subscription service beauty brand, and Mira Beauty, a digital platform used by consumers to customize and personalize individual searches for beauty products, in October and November respectively.
- Freeman Spogli acquired WhiteWater Express Car Wash, a multi-state operator of single tunnel express car washes, in December.