In the first six months of 2025, eyewear specialist Safilo posted net sales of 537.6 million euros, up 2.3% at constant exchange rates and 1.1% at current exchange rates. In the second quarter, which closed at 251.9 million euros, alongside similar growth at constant exchange rates, there was a 1.1% decline at current exchange rates, driven mainly by a weakening of the dollar against the euro by about 5%.
Safilo’s headquarters – DR
“In the six-month period, sales in the main wholesale channels, represented by independent opticians and retail chains, recorded high-single-digit growth. The online business showed moderate growth, holding steady at around 16% of revenues. Solid growth in Smith’s direct-to-consumer channel and continued strength in sales to pure-player Internet customers offset the underwhelming performance of Blenders’ e-commerce,” the company explained in the press release issued.
Geographically, sales in North America totaled 220.9 million euros in the six months, up 2.8% at constant exchange rates and 1.5% at current exchange rates; second-quarter sales of 102.1 million euros were up 4.8% at constant exchange rates but down 1.1% at current exchange rates.
Europe ended the half year slightly up (+1.7%, both at constant and current exchange rates), totaling 243.1 million euros, while the second quarter was essentially stable (+0.5% at constant exchange rates and +0.4% at current exchange rates) at 114.2 million euros. In the second quarter, France continued to be the main growth engine in the region; the Northern and Eastern European markets also continued to show good dynamism, driven by the group’s main owned and licensed brands. As for the first six months, performance was supported by double-digit increases for David Beckham, Tommy Hilfiger, Boss, and Marc Jacobs, with solid results in both optical frame and sunglass collections.
Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region, with +14.7% at constant exchange rates and +14.1% at current exchange rates in the first half (30.2 million euros) and +11.5% at constant exchange rates and +8.2% at current exchange rates in the second quarter (15.7 million euros). In the rest of the world, sales in the second quarter of 2025 stood at 19.8 million euros, down 5.2% at constant exchange rates and 14.9% at current exchange rates. The area’s performance was mainly affected by a slowdown in business to distributors in the Middle East, in a market environment made difficult by geopolitical tensions. In contrast, sales in Latin America grew in the second quarter, thanks to the good recovery of business in Mexico. In the first half of 2025, sales in the Rest of the World totaled 43.5 million euros, down 3.8% at constant exchange rates and 10.8% at current exchange rates.
In terms of margins, Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of the year was 62.3 million euros, up 8.1% (accounting for 11.6% of sales), while EBITDA for the second quarter rose 9% to 27.9 million euros (11.1% margin).
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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.