Spain’s Puig Shares Jump on Lauder Merger Talks
Shares of the Spanish beauty group surged around 16 percent on Tuesday, on track for their best trading day on record, after announcing they were in talks over a potential merger with Estée Lauder.
consumers
Beauty
What Comes After the Fragrance Boom
As consumer sentiment begins to dampen, the perfume industry’s explosive growth looks headed for a slowdown. Executives from Swiss fragrance and flavours firm Givaudan are confident in the strength of their business, but are diversifying into makeup, skincare and other categories to prepare.
What Comes After the Fragrance Boom
As consumer sentiment begins to dampen, the perfume industry’s explosive growth looks headed for a slowdown. Executives from Swiss fragrance and flavours firm Givaudan are confident in the strength of their business, but are diversifying into makeup, skincare and other categories to prepare.
Retail
Ssense: What Went Wrong
Tariffs were the immediate cause of the Montréal-based company’s decision to file for bankruptcy protection. But insiders tell BoF that the downfall was a long time coming as the online retailer’s formula for appealing to Gen-Z shoppers with indie fashion brands and constant markdowns lost its edge.
Ssense: What Went Wrong
Tariffs were the immediate cause of the Montréal-based company’s decision to file for bankruptcy protection. But insiders tell BoF that the downfall was a long time coming as the online retailer’s formula for appealing to Gen-Z shoppers with indie fashion brands and constant markdowns lost its edge.
Beauty
Katrina Kaif Brings Indian Beauty to the World
In just six years, Kay Beauty has become India’s fastest-growing celebrity-founded beauty line. Kaif and Nykaa co-founder Adwaita Nayar spoke exclusively to The Business of Beauty about the brand’s global ambitions.
Katrina Kaif Brings Indian Beauty to the World
In just six years, Kay Beauty has become India’s fastest-growing celebrity-founded beauty line. Kaif and Nykaa co-founder Adwaita Nayar spoke exclusively to The Business of Beauty about the brand’s global ambitions.
Executive Briefings
The Executive Briefing: Why US Shoppers Are So Angry; Fashion’s Sports Obsession; An AI Bubble?
The fashion industry is searching for ways to speak to a consumer mindset that’s growing more pessimistic and frugal by the day. The answer? Sports, mid-priced handbags and artificial intelligence. Read on for your concise breakdown of August’s key developments from executive editor Brian Baskin.
The Executive Briefing: Why US Shoppers Are So Angry; Fashion’s Sports Obsession; An AI Bubble?
The fashion industry is searching for ways to speak to a consumer mindset that’s growing more pessimistic and frugal by the day. The answer? Sports, mid-priced handbags and artificial intelligence. Read on for your concise breakdown of August’s key developments from executive editor Brian Baskin.
Marketing
Pandora’s Latest Plan to Charm Gen-Z
Inspired by ancient Roman coins, the brand’s Talisman collection — its biggest product drop of 2025 — marks another step in its push to become a more fashion-oriented jeweller
Pandora’s Latest Plan to Charm Gen-Z
Inspired by ancient Roman coins, the brand’s Talisman collection — its biggest product drop of 2025 — marks another step in its push to become a more fashion-oriented jeweller
Retail
Why Brands Started Taking TikTok Shop Seriously
In the last year, TikTok Shop’s sales have ballooned as startups and established labels alike latch onto the platform for sales growth. But sellers will need standout products and content to avoid getting lost in a crowded marketplace.
Why Brands Started Taking TikTok Shop Seriously
In the last year, TikTok Shop’s sales have ballooned as startups and established labels alike latch onto the platform for sales growth. But sellers will need standout products and content to avoid getting lost in a crowded marketplace.
Retail
How Fashion Is Navigating Its Summer of Scandal
American Eagle, Adidas and Swatch are among the companies that have found themselves at the centre of controversies. Crisis management experts explain why this keeps happening, and how brands should respond.
How Fashion Is Navigating Its Summer of Scandal
American Eagle, Adidas and Swatch are among the companies that have found themselves at the centre of controversies. Crisis management experts explain why this keeps happening, and how brands should respond.
Beauty
A Star Was Born. Can It Happen Again?
Starface co-founder Julie Schott knew her latest product — and, hopefully, the brand’s next hero — was a hit when she heard they were getting shoplifted from drugstores.
A Star Was Born. Can It Happen Again?
Starface co-founder Julie Schott knew her latest product — and, hopefully, the brand’s next hero — was a hit when she heard they were getting shoplifted from drugstores.
Luxury
Social Media Created Dupe Culture. Can It Also Reverse the Damage?
Marcelo Gaia, the owner and creative director of New York-based brand Mirror Palais, frequently publishes candid, casual videos to call out fast-fashion imitations.
Social Media Created Dupe Culture. Can It Also Reverse the Damage?
Marcelo Gaia, the owner and creative director of New York-based brand Mirror Palais, frequently publishes candid, casual videos to call out fast-fashion imitations.
Direct-to-Consumer
How Brands Are Taking On Quince
The dupe retailer has become a $4.5 billion powerhouse by promising lower prices and comparable quality to labels that fall between fast fashion and luxury. Competitors fighting back by stepping up their brand building chops are already seeing results.
How Brands Are Taking On Quince
The dupe retailer has become a $4.5 billion powerhouse by promising lower prices and comparable quality to labels that fall between fast fashion and luxury. Competitors fighting back by stepping up their brand building chops are already seeing results.
Retail
Luxury Has Lost the Plot — and These Brands Are Picking Up the Slack
Emerging labels like Kallmeyer, TWP and Studio Nicholson are capturing high-spending shoppers with premium quality at accessible prices, forcing the industry to rethink what luxury means in 2025.
Luxury Has Lost the Plot — and These Brands Are Picking Up the Slack
Emerging labels like Kallmeyer, TWP and Studio Nicholson are capturing high-spending shoppers with premium quality at accessible prices, forcing the industry to rethink what luxury means in 2025.
Marketing
From Critic to Craftsman: Tanner Leatherstein’s Next Chapter
The social media commentator, known for deconstructing and analysing the quality of leather handbags online, is joining Stow London as director of craftsmanship.
From Critic to Craftsman: Tanner Leatherstein’s Next Chapter
The social media commentator, known for deconstructing and analysing the quality of leather handbags online, is joining Stow London as director of craftsmanship.
The News in Brief
Oil Slides, Stocks Climb on Trump’s Iran Reprieve
Oil prices tumbled by over 8 percent after Trump said the US was in talks with Tehran to end the US-Israeli war on Iran, a claim parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf has denied.
Puig, Estée Lauder Companies Considering Merger
The Spanish owner of Byredo, Rabanne and Charlotte Tilbury and the American conglomerate confirmed on Monday that they are in discussions to combine their businesses.
Applied Nutrition Sinks as War Disruption Poses Growth Risk
The UK supplement maker's shares slumped the most since its 2024 IPO after warning of disruption from the conflict in the Middle East, its CEO told Bloomberg.
New Luxury Store Openings Rise in Europe, Cushman Data Shows
The continent’s leading luxury retail streets saw a 13 percent rise in new outlets last year, with fierce competition for prime locations, according to Cushman & Wakefield.
Garage Clothing Owner Rides Y2K Fashion to $5.3 Billion Fortune
Andrew Lutfy, CEO and majority owner of Groupe Dynamite, saw his net worth surge to $5.3 billion after a sharp rise in shares following the company’s 2024 IPO.
Danone Acquires Protein Drinks Maker Huel in €1 Billion Deal
Huel, which counts actor Idris Elba and TV presenter Jonathan Ross among its investors, has agreed to be acquired by the French consumer goods group in a deal worth about $1.2 billion.
Qatar Investment Authority Eyes 10% Stake in Golden Goose
Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is preparing to buy a stake in Italian sneaker maker Golden Goose, Corriere della Sera reported Saturday.