UK supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has appointed for M&S co-CEO Katie Bickerstaffe as a non-executive director to its board. She will be joined by digital and tech specialist Steve Hare and both will sit on the retailer’s board following its annual general meeting on 3 July.
Sainsbury’s Tu Clothing
Sainsbury’s noted Bickerstaffe is “a highly regarded retail and consumer business leader”, having held numerous leadership positions, including as co-CEO of M&S, executive chair and CEO designate at SSE, CEO of UK & Ireland at Dixons Carphone as well as executive roles at Somerfield Stores, Dyson, PepsiCo and Unilever.
Bickerstaffe left M&S just over a year ago after two years as co-CEO having replaced Steve Rowe. She was the former M&S Clothing & Home chief who until 13 months ago shared the top title with Stuart Machin.
Bickerstaffe’s retail expertise in both clothing and home will no doubt be channelled towards Sainsbury’s own expansive fashion and lifestyle brand Tu and its Argos general merchandise operation.
Additionally, she will also become a member of the retailer’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Committee and the Nomination and Governance Committee.
Hare, whose background includes his current role as CEO of The Sage Group and previously as an operating partner for Apax Partners, will also take a seat on both those committees.
Martin Scicluna, chair of Sainsbury’s, said of the appointments: “Their extensive experience and leadership in retail and digital businesses will be invaluable to our Board. Katie’s strong perspectives on digital transformation and Steve’s expertise in leading tech businesses will greatly contribute to our strategic direction.”
Hair and skin brand Seen has announced its retail expansion with Ulta Beauty.
Seen expands into all Ulta Beauty stores nationwide. – Seen
Following a successful debut in 2023 through Ulta Beauty’s Sparked platform for emerging brands, Seen will expand into over 1,400 Ulta Beauty stores nationwide as of this month.
“We are truly grateful for the partnership with Ulta Beauty and thrilled to expand Seen’s presence into all stores nationwide,” said Iris Rubin MD, Harvard-trained dermatologist and co-founder of Seen.
“Ulta Beauty has been an incredible partner, and this milestone represents a pivotal moment for our brand. Ulta Beauty guests deserve products that deliver stronger, smoother, healthier-looking hair, and are safe for all skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone, and eczema-prone skin. With Ulta Beauty’s nationwide reach, we are excited to offer Seen to even more consumers who are looking for haircare solutions that deliver proven results for their hair, skin, and scalp.”
Seen has established itself as a leader in the “skinification” of haircare, bringing advanced dermatological science to a category traditionally focused on aesthetics alone. The brand’s patented, award-winning formulas are clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and clinically proven to support both hair and skin health.
“We are thrilled to expand on our existing partnership with Seen, offering the brand exclusively in all stores nationwide,” added Penny Coy, senior vice president of merchandising, Ulta Beauty.
“Our engaged hair care and skin care loving guests are more informed than ever before, actively seeking Seen’s products because they not only deliver results but also address their specific hair and skin concerns with dermatologist-developed solutions. We are so proud of the brand’s growth over the years, from launching in select doors through Sparked, to being an exemplary Conscious Beauty brand, certified across all five pillars including vegan, clean ingredients, cruelty-free, sustainable packaging and give back, and now launching in all stores nationwide. We are looking forward to having new and existing guests discover and incorporate the brand’s efficacious formulas in their beauty routine’s this year and beyond.”
DHL Express, a division of Germany’s Deutsche Post, said it would suspend global business-to-consumer shipments worth over $800 to individuals in the United States from April 21, as U.S. customs regulatory changes have lengthened clearance.
Reuters
The notice on the company website was not dated, but its metadata showed it was compiled on Saturday.
DHL blamed the halt on new U.S. customs rules which require formal entry processing on all shipments worth over $800. The minimum had been $2,500 until a change on April 5.
DHL said business-to-business shipments would not be suspended but could face delays. Shipments under $800 to either businesses or consumers were not affected by the changes.
The move is a temporary measure, the company said in its statement.
DHL said last week in response to Reuters questions that it would continue to process shipments from Hong Kong to the United States “in accordance with the applicable customs rules and regulations” and would “work with our customers to help them understand and adapt to the changes that are planned for May 2.”
That came after Hongkong Post said last week it had suspended mail services for goods sent by sea to the United States, accusing the U.S. of “bullying” after Washington cancelled tariff-free trade provisions for packages from China and Hong Kong.
Celine has launched the ‘Été Celine’ collection, an elevated summer offering designed to move seamlessly from city to coastlines.
Celine launches the Été Celine collection. – Celine
Inspired by the elegance of the French Riviera and Saint-Tropez, the collection reinterprets timeless summer dressing through the lens of modern minimalism, featuring ready-to-wear pieces and raffia bags that showcase refined craftsmanship and texture.
Été Celine also debuts a new Celine Lifestyle Collection, an extension of the maison’s aesthetic into the realm of interiors and leisure. The lifestyle line features decorative objects, furniture for indoor and outdoor use, and a curated selection of beach accessories.
Adding a final sensorial layer to the collection is the latest addition to Celine Haute Parfumerie. Dubbed un ‘Été Français’, the fragrance captures the spirit of a French summer with a powdery, ambered trail that mirrors the sunlit sensuality of the season. It features notes of bergamot, petit-grain, neroli, gorse and vanilla accords.