Fashion
At the Delvaux head office, a well-known dilemma in the luxury sector flares up: are discounts and platforms an option, or should exclusivity take precedence? The quarrel even threatens to lead to a reorganisation.
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Dutch fashion brand Scotch & Soda has suffered a net loss of 12.9 million euros in its latest financial year. The new CEO, Frederick Lukoff, wants to grow the brand abroad by highlighting values such as freedom and tolerance.
Inditex, parent company of Zara, Bershka and others, intends to be using purely sustainable fabric for its clothing by 2025. The move is part of a wider strategy focusing on sustainability and digital transformation.
Food
Carrefour has no plans to sell its Chinese branch, a spokeswoman for the French retailer said to end to the rumours that have been circulating.
General
Amazon has made a strategic U-turn away from manufacturing its own exclusive products and having them made by third parties instead. The e-commerce giant has already closed over 220 exclusive deals.
Belgo-Dutch retail group Ahold Delhaize is raising its online ambitions: the goal is now a turnover of seven billion euros by 2021, rather than the current target of five billion. The retailer will be heavily investing in stores and technology, while cutting costs at the same time.
Burberry’s first six months were very successful: turnover grew 9 % and the operational profit even shot up 28 %. Nevertheless, its share was punished, because investors have reacted skeptically to CEO Marco Gobbetti’s new strategy announcement.
Over the past few years, textile chain Zeeman invested a lot to remodel its store network and create a new image. Its improved results show that those investments are now paying off.
In the fallout of Kraft Heinz’s failed Unilever acquisition, the intended target launched a range of plans to appease its shareholders. It will cut costs in the next few years, buy back stock and sell its margarine division.
European food retailers are facing three radical changes: hypermarkets are under a lot of pressure, discounters are surging and eCommerce's growth is speeding up. Name brands have to act quickly to guarantee their future existence, according to a Bain & Company report.
Hugo Boss will try to turn the page after a disappointing 2015: it will shut down stores in China and lower its expansion budget.
