Lacoste continues to advance steadily toward its ambitious goals. According to CEO Thierry Guibert, the French brand—part of the MF Brands group owned by Switzerland’s Maus family—achieved an 8% increase in sales in 2024, bringing its revenue close to €3 billion. In a dual interview with the Financial Times and Le Figaro, Guibert, who has been with Lacoste for the past decade, reiterated Lacoste’s commitment to maintaining an annual growth rate of 5% to 10%, with a long-term target of €4 billion in sales by the end of the decade.
Speaking to Le Figaro, Guibert mentioned plans to launch a new shoe model in the coming days. He also noted that Lacoste’s iconic polo shirts now account for just 20% of total sales, a sharp decline from over one-third when he took over.
Over the past 10 years, the brand has increased its prices by 35% while pivoting heavily toward direct-to-consumer channels, which now account for 70% of its business. Lacoste also enjoys an operating margin that is five percentage points higher than competitors like Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss, at approximately 15%. France remains its largest market, generating €500 million in annual revenue.
In his interview with the Financial Times, Guibert emphasised the critical role of the North American market in Lacoste’s growth strategy. He outlined plans to double sales in the region, currently at $400 million, by expanding the brand’s network of directly operated stores. A flagship boutique is set to open on Fifth Avenue in New York this April, mirroring the successful flagship strategy on Paris’s Champs-Élysées and London’s Regent Street. The brand also recently named American actor Taylor Zakhar Perez as the new face of its underwear line, a move designed to resonate with younger U.S. consumers.
While Lacoste aims to expand its women’s offerings, Guibert hinted at an even bolder venture: entering the hospitality sector. He envisions a Lacoste-branded environment that reflects the brand’s sporty DNA while encompassing a full range of athletic and lifestyle experiences, representing a significant evolution for the iconic French label.
In addition to leading Lacoste, Guibert oversees MF Brands, which includes Aigle, Gant, Technifibre, and The Kooples (acquired in 2019). For years, he has expressed interest in acquisitions, telling the Financial Times that the group is actively targeting retail brands with annual revenues of around €500 million.
Zalando has announced Iamisigo, a Nigerian-founded brand, as winner of its Visionary Award 2025 “for its boundary-pushing exploration of artisanal craftsmanship and pioneering textile innovation”.
As well as the €50,000 prize, the label will present its collection on the runway at Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26 in August “with Zalando’s continued support through financial assistance for the show production, facilitating mentorship opportunities and tailored industry connections”.
The company said the award reflects its “commitment to supporting emerging designers who challenge conventions and inspire progress in the fashion industry”.
The brand blends heritage textiles with traditional craft techniques drawn from across Africa. It was founded by Bubu Ogisi and offers “contemporary designs with a bold, fresh perspective”.
At an exhibition at Copenhagen Fashion Week AW25 this week, the award finalists introduced their brands, presented their visions and ethos through a showcase of their hero pieces and a panel talk, hosted by Zalando.
We’re told the jury chose Iamisigo “for its dedication to blending ethical sourcing with a commitment to empowering local communities. The brand’s distinct voice, visionary and magical aesthetic challenge conventions, offering a new perspective on what it means to drive positive change in fashion; transcending gender norms, designing for spirits and energies”.
The jury also said that Bubu Ogisi “embodies the essence of a visionary in many ways, and that she is a rare creative talent working in this space today, with a brand whose output is both beautiful and miraculous”.
Deckers Outdoor on Thursday beat third-quarter sales estimates on robust holiday demand for its Hoka running shoes, but an in-line annual forecast caused the footwear maker’s shares to tumble 17% in extended trading.
Hoka shoes with their oversized soles have been gaining market share from brands such as Nike in the sportswear category. The brand, which retails for up to $300 in the United States, have also enjoyed full-price sales.
This drove up the company’s third-quarter revenue by 17% to $1.83 billion, beating analysts’ average estimate of $1.73 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Deckers also raised its annual net sales forecast for a second time this year.
“The guidance looks pretty conservative and considering the beat, it’s bit of a negative read into the out quarter,” said Drake MacFarlane, analyst at MScience.
The popularity of the Hoka shoes and the success of the company’s Ugg boots and sandals has helped it post double-digit revenue growth for nearly seven quarters.
The company now expects annual net sales to increase about 15% to $4.9 billion, compared with its prior expectation of about 12% growth to $4.8 billion. Analysts estimated an increase of 14.9% to $4.93 billion.
Deckers expects annual earnings per share of $5.75 to $5.80, compared with its prior forecast of $5.15 to $5.25.
Amazon.com is increasing its advertising on billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The major shift comes after the e-commerce giant withdrew much of its advertising from the platform more than a year ago due to concerns over hate speech.
In 2023, Apple also pulled all of its advertising from X and has recently been in discussions about testing ads on the platform, the report said.
Several ad agencies, tech and media companies had also suspended advertising on X following Musk’s endorsement of an antisemitic post that falsely accused members of the Jewish community of inciting hatred against white people.
Monthly U.S. ad revenue at social media platform X has declined by at least 55% year-over-year each month since Musk bought the company, formerly known as Twitter, in October 2022. He had acknowledged that an extended boycott by advertisers could bankrupt X.
Musk has become one of the most influential figures following President Donald Trump‘s re-election. He now leads the Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to cut $2 trillion in government spending.