EssilorLuxottica, the world’s largest eyewear group and owner of Ray-Ban, reported stronger-than-expected revenue for the second quarter, driven by price gains and growing momentum in smart glasses innovation.
EssilorLuxottica beats forecasts on smart glasses surge – Bloomberg
EssilorLuxottica SA reported better-than-expected revenue in the second quarter, though tariffs and rising investment in smart glasses limited profit at the world’s largest eyewear maker.
Revenue rose 7.3% at constant exchange rates to €7.18 billion ($8.36 billion) during the period, the company said Monday. The result beat analysts’ expectations of a 5.9% increase, based on a Bloomberg-compiled consensus.
In the first half of the year, the Ray-Ban owner reported adjusted gross profit margins that declined by 90 basis points compared to the same period in the previous year, citing the impact of U.S. tariffs and increased spending on wearables.
A stronger price mix helped offset the pressure from tariffs and unfavorable exchange rates. EssilorLuxottica, which also owns LensCrafters and Sunglass Hut, benefited from premium pricing across several markets.
The company has fast-tracked its entry into the smart glasses market, unveiling the hearing-enhanced “Nuance Audio” range and introducing “Oakley Meta,” which infuses a sportswear edge into its ongoing collaboration with Meta Platforms Inc., parent company of Facebook. While the initiative has led to increased costs, it has also yielded significant returns: sales of Ray-Ban Meta more than tripled in the first half of the year.
Meta Platforms also deepened its commitment to the segment by acquiring just under 3% of EssilorLuxottica, as reported by Bloomberg News earlier this month. The investment gives Meta more control over hardware and distribution—a strategic move, according to Mark Zuckerberg, the company’s Chief Executive Officer.
EssilorLuxottica shares, listed in Paris, have risen approximately 4.5% this year, lagging behind the 8.1% gain in the Europe-wide Stoxx 600 index.
The company reaffirmed its forecast for mid-single-digit annual revenue growth through 2026, based on constant exchange rates, and expects adjusted operating margins to remain between 19% and 20% of revenue.
EssilorLuxottica also continued its expansion in the medical technology sector—one of the company’s key growth pillars.
Earlier this month, the company agreed to acquire assets from South Korea’s PUcore to support the development of monomers used in contact lenses. In May, it also announced the acquisition of ophthalmology group Optegra, which operates over 70 eye hospitals and diagnostic centers across Europe.
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.