Mary Kay Inc. announced on Thursday the appointment of Dr. Lucy Gildea to the role of chief brand and scientific officer.
In her expanded role that now encompasses chief brand officer, Gildea will guide the cosmetic giant’s brand identity, image, and strategy, ensuring consistency across all platforms and geographies, as well as activating the brand through engagement strategies and resonant brand storytelling, according to a press release.
Joining Mary Kay in 2017 as chief scientific officer, before being promoted to chief innovation officer, product and science in 2022, Gildea has been credited for “modernizing and enhancing” the Dallas-based company’s competitiveness through product innovation and by improving organizational efficiencies.
Prior to Mary Kay, the health professional spent 15 years at Procter & Gamble working primarily in beauty technology and beauty/skin product development. She also held a variety of senior roles including leading development teams for upstream technology and measurement sciences across healthcare, beauty and personal care industries. Before P&G, Gildea lived in Singapore, advancing her experience with international markets.
“With her expertise in science and beauty innovation and customer-centric approach, Lucy will lead a strategic chapter of our transformation into the future,” said Ryan Rogers, chief executive officer of Mary Kay.
“The new global brand and science organization will contribute to our mutual business success by enabling our independent beauty consultants to share a transformative brand experience with their customers and thrive as personal beauty advisors, thus reinforcing the unique value proposition of direct selling.”
Gildea is also STEM advocate for women and girls, and serves as a board member at Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation and a board advisor at Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center.
“Mary Kay was founded on a dream to enrich women’s lives with a product portfolio rooted in science. I am confident that integrating brand and science is the winning formula to meet global consumer needs and work toward our continued success. I look forward to maximizing synergies across our teams to captivate our Independent beauty consultants and invite a new generation of consumers to fall in love with our brand,” said Gildea.
Tapestry on Thursday raised its annual sales forecast after reporting better-than-expected second-quarter revenue, driven by strong demand for its pricey Tabby bags and suede boots in North America and China.
Shares of the New York-based company rose nearly 8% in trading before the bell.
Tapestry’s Coach brand is seeing strong demand for its Tabby crossbody bags and Coachtopia leather handbags from young shoppers given their immense popularity on social media sites.
In contrast, rival Michael Kors‘ Capri gave a weak forecast a day earlier as its grapples with a turnaround plan after a failed $8.5 billion merger with Tapestry last year.
Tapestry posted net sales of $2.20 billion for the quarter ended December 28, compared with analysts’ estimates of $2.11 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.
The company now expects revenue of about $6.85 billion for the fiscal year 2025, compared with its prior target of more than $6.75 billion. Analysts on average estimated revenue of 6.76 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Under Armour on Thursday raised its annual profit forecast again after topping quarterly results, as the sportswear maker reaps the benefits of dialing down on discounts and a recovery in demand in North America and Asia.
Since returning as CEO in April, founder Kevin Plank has kept a tight leash on inventory of some products, pushed for fewer promotions and slashed its workforce.
Under Armour also introduced products such as Phantom Fore Golf shoes to fend off competition from newer brands including Roger Federer-backed On and Deckers Outdoor’s, opens new tab Hoka.
“Although the goal of resetting the brand to a more premium positioning while narrowing the focus to core fundamentals could prove to be a meaningful catalyst over the longer term, we believe it will take time to unfold,” said Sharon Zackfia, analyst with William Blair.
Under Armour expects annual adjusted earnings per share to be between 28 cents and 30 cents, compared with its prior forecast of 24 cents to 27 cents.
Shares of the company rose as much as 5% at $8.65.
Revenue in Under Armour’s North America segment, a major revenue contributor, fell 8% in the third quarter, after declining 13% in the prior quarter and 12% in the same period a year earlier.
In contrast, Nike, opens new tab in December forecast muted sales as the company scrambles to regain market dominance.
Meanwhile, Baltimore, Maryland-based Under Armour said the latest U.S. tariffs were not expected to have a significant impact.
It said about 3% of its goods imported into the U.S. come from China, and even less from Mexico. It has no manufacturing relationships in Canada.
Under Armour’s quarterly gross margins expanded by 240 basis points to 47.5%, with some support from lower raw material and freight costs.
Revenue fell 5.7% to $1.40 billion in the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with analysts’ estimates of $1.34 billion, as per data compiled by LSEG.
Adjusted earnings per share of 8 cents, beat estimates of 4 cents.
Canada Goose Holdings trimmed its annual profit forecast and missed quarterly revenue estimates on Thursday due to choppy sales in key luxury goods market China, sending its U.S.-listed shares down 6% in premarket trading.
Weak consumer spending in China, which is grappling with youth unemployment and a property crisis, has been a major concern for the luxury goods industry and has slowed demand recovery in the region, significantly impacting brands such as Canada Goose.
U.S. luxury retailer Estee Lauder, which bet on China, expanded a restructuring plan on Tuesday that involves up to 7,000 job cuts as the cosmetics giant grapples with persistent demand weakness, especially in Asia.
Toronto, Ontario-based Canada Goose saw revenues in Greater China drop by 4.7%, compared to the previous quarter’s 5.7% jump.
It expects fiscal 2025 adjusted profit of flat to low-single-digit percentage growth, compared to its previous forecast of a mid-single-digit rise.
The company’s third-quarter revenue fell to C$607.9 million ($423.59 million), from C$609.9 million a year earlier.
Analysts on average had expected revenue of C$620.9 million, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Excluding one-off items, Canada Goose posted a profit of C$1.51 per share, compared with an estimate of C$1.54 per share.