Jewellery giant Pandora said Thursday that Nicole Clayton will join the company as general manager for the British Isles from the start of next month.

Originally from New York but currently based in Switzerland, she’ll relocate to London for her new role, which follows previous GM Sonia Lopez Delgado’s decision to step down for personal reasons.

She “brings a wealth of experience from globally recognised consumer goods and fashion brands,” we’re told. 

Most recently she was global chief digital officer for top FMCG brand Nestlé-Nespresso in Switzerland. Prior to that, she was CEO Americas of premium fashion denim brand G-Star Inc and served as global vice-president of American footwear company Caleres. 

Her extensive retail expertise “has been further shaped through her work with global brands such as LVMH, Aritzia, and Bottega Veneta”.

Pandora’s commercial chief Massimo Basei said: “Nicole’s expertise in leadership, building high-performance teams, and driving transformative change makes her the perfect fit for Pandora. She has extensive experience from leading consumer brands, and I am confident that she will bring fresh energy and valuable insights to the team as they continue to elevate our brand’s desirability and drive growth.”

Ralph Lauren will stage a special runway show on April 17 in New York, marking his first return to the runway since his epic September display at a Hamptons horse farm.

 
The exact location remains undisclosed, but expectations are high for another unique setting. Lauren’s last runway show was a fashion spectacle set on an equestrian estate, attended by First Lady Jill Biden, Laura Dern, and Usher. Guests sipped cocktails and champagne while admiring a selection of Ralph Lauren’s vintage cars. Following the show, the 85-year-old designer hosted the audience for a surf-and-turf dinner in a near-perfect recreation of his famed Polo Bar restaurant.
 
That show featured designs from the Ralph Lauren, Purple Label, and Polo Ralph Lauren collections, showcasing menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear.

The house of Ralph Lauren confirmed to Fashion Network that this upcoming April show will focus exclusively on womenswear. It marks the latest time Ralph has shown outside New York Fashion Week, which was staged in February.
 
Beyond the runway, the house of Ralph Lauren has been active in other major projects, notably outfitting the U.S. Olympic team for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. The brand will also dress the Winter Olympic team in a dashing Dolomite-inspired collection for the upcoming Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Games.
 
Financially, the company continues to thrive. In the three months ending December 28, turnover grew by 11% to $2.1 billion, reinforcing Ralph Lauren’s strong presence in the luxury market.

Sycamore Partners is nearing an acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance, people with knowledge of the matter said, in a deal that could end the beauty and health retailer’s tumultuous run as a public company.

The private equity firm and US-based Walgreens are said to be putting the final touches on a transaction that may be announced as soon as this week. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that Sycamore was closing in on a deal to acquire Walgreens for $11.30 to $11.40 per share in cash, or around $10 billion.

Following the news, Walgreens’ shares surged as much as 8.2%, closing at $10.84, which is understandable given the potential offer price.

If the deal proceeds, Walgreens would be removed from the stock market, marking the end of its public trading period, which has been characterised by declining revenues, legal challenges related to opioid prescriptions, and increasing competition in the healthcare sector.

Potential restructuring of Walgreens

A takeover by Sycamore could lead to a significant restructuring of WBA, potentially involving the break-up of the company’s various divisions. Its portfolio includes UK beauty and health chain Boots, US healthcare provider VillageMD, drugstore chain Duane Reade, and speciality pharmacy group Shields Health Solutions.

Boots in particular is interesting at the moment and despite some tough times in recent years, appears to be on a solid recovery trajectory that’s making the most of its strength in both mass-market and prestige beauty.

Analysts have long suggested that Walgreens’ complex business model would require restructuring to optimise its operations. Reports indicate that Stefano Pessina, Walgreens’ chairman and a key figure behind its 2014 merger with Alliance Boots, is expected to roll over his stake as part of the transaction.

While discussions are at an advanced stage, sources caution that delays or last-minute hurdles could still emerge before the official announcement.

Financing and previous takeover attempts

The transaction would require significant financing from banks, and reports suggest that several of the largest financial institutions in the US are preparing proposals to support the acquisition.

This isn’t the first time Walgreens has considered going private. In 2019, KKR & Co. explored a leveraged buyout of the company, but the deal ultimately collapsed. For Sycamore, this acquisition represents another high-profile retail deal, underscoring private equity’s continued interest in large-scale transactions within the healthcare and consumer sectors.

There have been a number of other attempts to sell the business but these have reportedly faltered on the inability to find a buyer who would pay the price WBA wanted.