Italian footwear and lifestyle brand Geox began 2025 on a softer note, reporting first-half revenues of €305.3 million ($351.1 million), a 4.7% decline compared to the same period last year. Excluding the impact of store closures in the United States and China, the drop narrowed to 1.9%. Despite the revenue dip, the company posted improved profitability, with EBITDA reaching €34.2 million ($39.3 million), reflecting an 11.2% margin on sales—up from €29.1 million ($33.5 million) in the first half of 2024.
Penelope Cruz for Geox geox.biz – geox.biz
“The first half of fiscal year 2025 continues to be impacted by difficult macroeconomic conditions,” Geox said in a statement. “Consumer spending remains weak, shaped by low confidence and a significant drop in demand. Despite this, we are staying focused on our Business Plan priorities—targeting more profitable markets, streamlining operations, and managing costs.”
The company noted that these strategies are already improving operating margins and reinforcing confidence in its long-term plan. The Spring/Summer 2026 sales campaign began in May and will run through September. Initial customer response has been positive, with the company citing strong interest in the updated style and commercial positioning of the collection.
Geox also confirmed that it successfully completed the first phase of a €30 million ($34.5 million) capital increase outlined in its Financial Maneuver, with full shareholder participation. “This result motivates us and confirms the path of revitalization we are pursuing,” the company said.
Revenue from wholesale channels totaled €100.6 million ($115.7 million), down 5.6%, while retail sales declined 2.1% to €124.1 million ($142.7 million). The company highlighted that several store closures took place during the period, but on a like-for-like basis, sales from its directly operated monobrand stores saw a slight increase. Digital sales—including the Geox-owned e-commerce platform and marketplace operations—dropped 7.4% versus the first half of 2024.
Geographically, Italy grew 1.6% to €90.5 million ($104.1 million), supported by a 43.8% increase in online sales and stable retail performance (+0.2%).
Sales in Europe slipped 1.1% to €144.7 million ($166.4 million), mainly due to weaker results in the DACH region and the Iberian Peninsula. Revenues from “Other Countries” reached €70.1 million ($80.6 million), a 17.5% decrease attributed largely to the absence of sales from the U.S. and China, which contributed approximately €9 million ($10.3 million) in H1 2024.
The region was also impacted by ongoing challenges in Russia and nearby markets, although growth in Canada (+14.5%) and the Middle East and Africa (+18.6%) helped offset the decline.
In terms of product categories, footwear continued to dominate Geox’s business, generating 91.9% of total revenue. Shoe sales reached €280.7 million ($323.8 million), down 3.8% year over year. Apparel sales dropped 13.6% to €24.6 million ($28.3 million).
This article is an automatic translation. Click here to read the original article.
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.
This article is an automatic translation. Click here to read the original article.
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.