Investors will focus on Nike‘s marketing plans for the coming year when the company reports its results on Tuesday, following several sluggish quarters in which rivals have stolen market share and high tariffs have impacted imported goods.
Nike marketing in focus as World Cup and tariffs reshape outlook
The company, in the midst of a turnaround under CEO Elliott Hill, showed an appetite for big-ticket ad campaigns in the year ended May—boosting its marketing spend to $1.63 billion, up 9% from the previous year. Next year brings one of the biggest sports marketing bonanzas of the decade: the World Cup.
Marketing plans surrounding the Cup, which will be held next June in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will be a primary focus for main investors in the coming months, according to Morningstar analyst David Swartz.
Tuesday’s call may also shed light on Nike’s ongoing efforts to weather crippling tariffs. Nike makes nearly all its shoes in Vietnam, China and Indonesia—countries that face high tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The company stated in June that tariffs would add approximately $1 billion in costs, although it planned to reduce imports from China from around 16% to below 10%.
Nike’s marketing campaigns this past year were largely focused on reestablishing the brand as the go-to choice for serious athletes, a label that had eluded it in recent years. Nike needs to keep hitting that message, Swartz said: “We need to see some progress on returning to relevance.”
The World Cup has a scope matched by few sporting events, and Nike sponsors five of the top 10 FIFA-ranked national teams, including Brazil, France and England. Its selling and marketing expense is set to cross $5 billion in 2026, according to LSEG’s estimates.
Revenue for the August-ended quarter is expected to fall about 5% compared with a year earlier, while gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue is expected to shrink by about 3.7%, according to LSEG data.
Nike has lost market share to younger rivals, such as On and Deckers’ Hoka, which has contributed to its weak performance in recent quarters. Demand in major markets—especially China—has been choppy, as Nike tries to balance its wholesale and direct-to-consumer strategies. It has discounted some items as it works to clean out inventory.
The company has also struggled in women’s athleisure against competitors such as Lululemon. On Friday, it launched NikeSKIMS, in a highly anticipated partnership with Kim Kardashian‘s label.
However, Swartz said it would take time to judge its success, as “tariffs may affect sportswear demand for some time.”
The broader global athletic footwear market, estimated to be worth approximately $183 billion this year, is forecast to grow to $258 billion by 2030, according to India-based market research firm Mordor Intelligence.
The demerger of Unilever‘s ice cream division, to be named ‘The Magnum Ice Cream Company,’ which had been delayed in recent months by the US government shutdown, will finally go ahead on Saturday, the British group announced.
Reuters
Unilever said in a statement on Friday that the admission of the new entity’s shares to listing and trading in Amsterdam, London, and New York, as well as the commencement of trading… is expected to take place on Monday, December 8.
The longest federal government shutdown in US history, from October 1 to November 12, fully or partially affected many parts of the federal government, including the securities regulator, after weeks without an agreement between Donald Trump‘s Republicans and the Democratic opposition.
Unilever, which had previously aimed to complete the demerger by mid-November, warned in October that the US securities regulator (SEC) was “not in a position to declare effective” the registration of the new company’s shares. However, the group said it was “determined to implement in 2025” the separation of a division that also includes the Ben & Jerry’s and Cornetto brands, and which will have its primary listing in Amsterdam.
“The registration statement” for the shares in the US “became effective on Thursday, December 4,” Unilever said in its statement. Known for Dove soaps, Axe deodorants and Knorr soups, the group reported a slight decline in third-quarter sales at the end of October, but beat market expectations.
Under pressure from investors, including the activist fund Trian of US billionaire Nelson Peltz, to improve performance, the group last year unveiled a strategic plan to focus on 30 power brands. It then announced the demerger of its ice cream division and, to boost margins, launched a cost-saving plan involving 7,500 job cuts, nearly 6% of the workforce. Unilever’s shares on the London Stock Exchange were steady on Friday shortly after the market opened, at 4,429 pence.
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Burberry has named a new chief operating and supply chain officer as well as a new chief customer officer. They’re both key roles at the recovering luxury giant and both are being promoted from within.
Matteo Calonaci becomes chief operating and supply chain officer, moving from his role as senior vice-president of strategy and transformation at the firm.
In his new role, he’ll be oversee supply chain and planning, strategy and transformation, and data and analytics. He succeeds Klaus Bierbrauer, who’s currently Burberry supply chain and industrial officer. Bierbrauer will be leaving the company following its winter show and a transition period.
Matteo Calonaci – Burberry
Meanwhile, Johnattan Leon steps up as chief customer officer. He’s currently currently Burberry’s senior vice-president of commercial and chief of staff. In his new role he’ll be leading Burberry’s customer, client engagement, customer service and retail excellence teams, while also overseeing its digital, outlet and commercial operations.
Both Calonaci and Leon will join the executive committee, reporting to Company CEO Joshua Schulman.
JohnattanLeon – Burberry
Schulman said of the two execs that the appointments “reflect the exceptional talent and leadership we have at Burberry. Both Matteo and Johnattan have been instrumental in strengthening our focus on executional excellence and elevating our customer experience. Their deep understanding of our business, our people, and our customers gives me full confidence that their leadership will help drive [our strategy] Burberry Forward”.
Traditional and occasion wear designer Puneet Gupta has stepped into the world of fine jewellery with the launch of ‘Deco Luméaura,’ a collection designed to blend heritage and contemporary aesthetics while taking inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh.
Hints of Ladakh’s heritage can be seen in this sculptural evening bag – Puneet Gupta
“For me, Deco Luméaura is an exploration of transformation- of material, of story, of self,” said Puneet Gupta in a press release. “True luxury isn’t perfect; it is intentional. Every piece is crafted to be lived with and passed on.”
The jewellery collection features cocktail rings, bangles, chokers, necklaces, and statement evening bags made in recycled brass and finished with 24 carat gold. The stones used have been kept natural to highlight their imperfect and unique forms and each piece in the collection has been hammered, polished, and engraved by hand.
An eclectic mix of jewels from the collection – Puneet Gupta
Designed to function as wearable art pieces, the colourful jewellery echoes the geometry of Art Deco while incorporating distinctly South Asian imagery such as camels, butterflies, and tassels. Gupta divides his time between his stores in Hyderabad and Delhi and aims to bring Indian artistry to a global audience while crafting a dialogue between designer and artisan.