What Consumer Growth Partners does

Consumer Growth Partners (CGP) is an independent sponsor private equity and advisory firm founded in 2005 and headquartered in White Plains, New York. The firm operates with a 1-10 person team under Managing Partner Richard Baum and maintains an exclusive investment focus on middle-market specialty retail and non-perishable branded consumer products companies. CGP runs two integrated service lines: Private Equity Investing, which involves platform equity investments in operating companies, and Strategic Advisory Services, which provides consulting to retailers and branded consumer products companies on growth, profitability, valuation improvement, and capital raising. Revenue is generated through management fees and carried interest on invested capital, supplemented by advisory retainer and project fees from a small number of named clients including Factory Connection, Altar'd State, Chair King/Fortunoff Backyard Stores, Hobo Bags, and Rolla Coster. The firm does not employ proprietary technology, has no product-based revenue, and relies entirely on relationship-based origination through Baum's personal network and his board roles in portfolio companies. Historical exits include Baskins (2013), Peruvian Connection (2014), Shoe Sensation (2015), VIOlife (2015), I.O. Metro (2016), B Cellars (2017), and Wild Things (2018). In May 2026, CGP executed its first documented co-investment with institutional sponsor Boyne Capital and Sisu Equity in Local Boy Outfitters.

Name

Consumer Growth Partners

Legal name

Consumer Growth Partners, LLC

Website

https://consumergrowth.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Consumer Growth Partners is an independent sponsor private equity and advisory firm that invests in and advises middle-market specialty retail and non-perishable branded consumer products companies, generating revenue from management fees, carried interest, and advisory retainers under Managing Partner Richard Baum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Equity & Advisory Services

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer & Retail Growth Equity (FSANACAC)

Keywords

• Private equity investing
• Strategic advisory services
• Specialty retail investment
• Consumer products advisory
• Middle market investment

Headquarters

HQ city

White Plains

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Equity Investing: Generates returns through equity investments in middle-market specialty retail and branded consumer products companies. Revenue derived from management fees and carried interest on invested capital.
2. Strategic Advisory Services: Provides advisory services to retailers and branded consumer products companies to help them grow, improve profitability and valuation, and successfully raise capital.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Consumer Growth Partners is an independent sponsor private equity investment and advisory firm that makes platform equity investments in middle-market specialty retail and non-perishable branded consumer products companies. It also provides strategic advisory services to retailers, brands, and investors to help them accelerate growth, improve profitability and valuation, and raise capital. Deal sourcing and client engagement are delivered through a relationship-driven model anchored by Managing Partner Richard Baum and an affiliated network of executives and industry experts.

Product overview

Consumer Growth Partners is a private equity investment and advisory firm providing two integrated service lines: Private Equity Investing through platform investments in middle-market specialty retail and non-perishable branded consumer products companies, and Strategic Advisory Services helping clients grow, improve profitability and valuation, and raise capital. The firm's portfolio includes current advisory relationships with Factory Connection (regional off-price apparel retailer), Altar'd State (omnichannel women's apparel with sub-brands Arula, VOW'D, AS Revival, Tullabee), Chair King/Fortunoff Backyard Stores (outdoor furniture), Hobo Bags (leather goods), and Rolla Coster (women's ready-to-wear). Exited investments include B Cellars (winery), Wild Things (outdoor gear), I.O. Metro (furniture), VIOlife (personal care), Shoe Sensation (footwear), Baskins (Western wear), and Peruvian Connection (apparel).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Private Equity Investing Platform equity investments in middle-market specialty retail and non-perishable branded consumer products companies, providing capital, strategic guidance, and operational support for growth and value creation. Targeted at owners, founders, and management teams of these consumer businesses.
• Strategic Advisory Services Advisory services for retailers and non-perishable branded consumer products companies covering growth acceleration, profitability improvement, valuation enhancement, and capital raising. Targeted at retail and branded consumer products management teams, boards, and investors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successful exits across multiple portfolio companies including B Cellars (2017), Wild Things (2018), I.O. Metro (2016), VIOlife (2015), Shoe Sensation (2015), Baskins (2013), Peruvian Connection (2014)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• iGlobal ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2023iGlobal Forum recognized Richard Baum with the Independent Sponsor Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. CGP actively participates in iGlobal Forum events and summits.
• Vera Bradley, Inc. (former)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichard Baum served as board director of Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRA) for nine years before stepping down in 2020. This represents a past board relationship rather than an active partnership.
• Factory Connection CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGP's Managing Partner Richard Baum joined the board of Factory Connection in 2017 as the lone outside director, following the company's repurchase from its private equity owners. Ongoing advisory and governance relationship.
• Chair King/Fortunoff Backyard StorescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichard Baum serves as Board Director for Chair King/Fortunoff Backyard Stores, providing governance and strategic oversight to this outdoor furniture retailer.
• Rolla Coster, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichard Baum serves as Board Director for Rolla Coster, a women's ready-to-wear clothing company based in Los Angeles.
• Retail Marketing SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichard Baum serves as Chairman of the Retail Marketing Society, a not-for-profit organization that brings leading edge topics to the retail community via monthly webinars and in-person events.
• Hobo BagsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGP worked with Hobo Bags management from 2015-2019 to assist in development and implementation of strategies to accelerate growth and improve profitability before the company sold a majority interest in 2019.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• KarpReilly: Independent sponsor private equity firm focused on consumer and retail companies, structured similarly to CGP without a traditional fund. Direct peer given the parallel operating model and shared consumer/retail sector focus.
• TSG Consumer Partners: Consumer-focused private equity firm investing in middle-market branded consumer products and specialty retail. Closely comparable to CGP in sector specialization, target company profile, and growth-equity orientation, though TSG typically deploys through larger dedicated funds.
• Tengram Capital Partners: Consumer-focused private equity firm targeting growth-stage branded consumer companies. Comparable to CGP in its consumer/retail sector concentration and growth-equity orientation, though typically with larger dedicated fund vehicles.
• Encore Consumer Capital: Private equity firm exclusively focused on consumer products companies in the lower middle market. Highly comparable to CGP in sector exclusivity, deal size range, and growth-stage investing thesis across branded consumer products.
• Centre Partners: Middle-market private equity firm with a dedicated consumer/retail vertical. Comparable to CGP in middle-market deal sizing, consumer/retail sector focus, and family/founder-owned business orientation.
• Brentwood Associates: Private equity firm focused on consumer products and services companies in the middle market. Comparable to CGP in middle-market consumer focus and growth-oriented investing approach across branded consumer businesses.
• Hadley Capital: Independent sponsor private equity firm focused on lower middle-market consumer and industrial businesses. Closely parallels CGP's independent sponsor model and middle-market branded consumer investing thesis.
• North Castle Partners: Private equity firm focused on consumer health, wellness, and lifestyle sectors. Comparable to CGP in consumer sector focus and growth-equity orientation, though with a narrower health/wellness sub-vertical.

Broad incumbents

• L Catterton: Largest consumer-focused private equity firm globally with a multi-strategy platform spanning growth, buyout, and real estate. Comparable to CGP in consumer sector specialization but operates at materially greater scale and check size.
• AEA Investors: Diversified private equity firm with a dedicated consumer practice and middle-market focus. Overlaps with CGP in consumer/retail sector targeting and middle-market deal range, but operates with broader sector diversification and larger fund vehicles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/consumer-growth-partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A5 records

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Consumer Growth Partners