The Italian competition authority said on Tuesday it had opened two investigations into Swiss watchmaker Swatch and Japan’s Citizen Watch.
Reuters
The probes involve an alleged infringement of European rules on the fixing of retail prices displayed online by the groups’ authorised distributors.
The two companies may be limiting price competition among their retailers through a vertical agreement, by imposing retail prices on their distributors and adopting “retaliatory commercial measures” against those that fail to comply, the antitrust authority said in a statement.
The agency’s officials carried out inspections at the Italian offices of Swatch and Citizen on December 3.
Swatch and Citizen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Calvin Klein opened on Tuesday a new global flagship in New York City, marking the brand’s return to its hometown.
Calvin Klein opens new flagship store in SoHo, New York. – Calvin Klein
Located at 530 Broadway in SoHo, the over 3,000-square-foot store draws inspiration from New York’s signature loft apartments, characterized by open wood ceilings, cast columns and concrete flooring, paired with neutral tones and stainless steel fixtures.
Meanwhile, the store’s exterior is finished in the brand’s charcoal tone, with large windows displaying a seasonal visual concept created in partnership with Perron Studios.
The store features curated spaces with denim and underwear at the center of the assortment, alongside men’s and women’s apparel and accessories. Beginning in spring 2026, the location will offer select styles from Calvin Klein Collection during designated periods. To mark the opening, the SoHo flagship is releasing a limited capsule collection of tees, sweatshirts, hats and totes featuring custom Calvin Klein SoHo branding.
“We are proud to return to one of the world’s most fashionable cities – and the birthplace of our iconic brand – with an elevated retail expression,” said David Savman, global brand president, Calvin Klein.
“This new global flagship, located just steps from our landmark Houston Street billboard, is a tribute to Calvin Klein’s New York heritage. It represents both the evolution of our retail experience and a tangible expression of the world of Calvin Klein. Calvin Klein embodies a distinctive, global way of living that meets culture, and this store is the latest step on our journey of taking our brand to the next level.”
The store follows recent flagship openings in Paris and Tokyo and reflects the company’s strategy to create premium lifestyle destinations built around its minimalist design DNA.
“New York is central to the DNA of the Calvin Klein brand,” added Stefan Larsson, CEO, PVH Corp.
“This homecoming is a key milestone as we build Calvin Klein into one of the most desirable lifestyle brands in the world. Step by step, we’re deepening brand relevance, driving consumer engagement and strengthening brand positioning across North America and globally.”
British retail tycoon Mike Ashley has pledged around 670 million pounds ($890.6 million) worth of shares in his sportswear and fashion retailer Frasers Group Plc as collateral for a loan from HSBC, according to filing on Tuesday.
Reuters
Ashley’s holding company, MASH Beta Limited, which holds the majority of Frasers’ issued share capital, pledged about 103.6 million ordinary shares.
Frasers’ shares were down about 1.3% at 646.5 pence as of Tuesday’s last close.
This move comes after the company’s heavy investments in newer geographies and taking or increasing shareholding in recent months across companies, from fashion groups to electrical retailers. Mike Ashley holds roughly a 73% stake in Frasers, according to data compiled by LSEG.
The company whose portfolio includes Sports Direct, House of Fraser and Flannels, reaffirmed its full-year profit forecast earlier this month.
G-III Apparel on Tuesday raised its full-year earnings forecast on the back of better-than-expected earnings in the third quarter, which also saw the U.S. firm’s sales drop 9% to $988.6 million.
Courtesy
The New York-based firm logged earnings of $80.6 million, or $1.84 per diluted share during the three months ending October 31, compared to $114.8 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, in the prior year’s third quarter.
While profits were lower than the same period last year, the owner of Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel, and DKNY brands, “delivered a strong third quarter with gross margins and earnings far exceeding our expectations,” according to said Morris Goldfarb, G-III’s chairman and chief executive officer.
“This was driven by the strength of our go-forward portfolio, particularly our owned brands, as well as a healthy mix of full-price sales and our mitigation efforts against tariffs. I am pleased with how our brands are resonating with consumers and encouraged by the solid demand we have seen throughout the holiday season to date,” continued Goldfarb, who said his company is raising its fiscal 2026 earnings guidance to “reflect our third quarter outperformance tempered by the uncertainties around the consumer environment and tariff-related margin pressures.”
In June, G-III Apparel filed a $250-million lawsuit against PVH Corp., escalating tensions between the two fashion giants with allegations of breached licensing agreements and interference in business relationships. The complaint, filed in New York state court, targets PVH and its Calvin Klein Inc. and Tommy Hilfiger licensing divisions.