Victoria Beckham on Tuesday reported “another year of strong sales growth in fashion and beauty”. The company — Victoria Beckham Holdings Ltd — to give it its official name, said 2024 saw total revenues up 26% to £112.7 million with positive EBITDA of £2.2 million, up 23%. And EBITDA excluding the fragrance business, “which was successfully launched at the end of 2023”, grew 47% year-on-year.
It was the fourth consecutive year of double-digit revenue growth, “demonstrating the continued turnaround in the business as it delivers on its plan for long-term profitability”.
Direct-to-consumer sales (that is, the brand’s flagship store in Mayfair, London, and its website) grew 26% in 2024, and accounted for 62% of total net sales.
The company said the performance was driven by the fashion business and all three pillars of the beauty division (make-up, skincare and fragrance) with notable beauty successes such as its hero product, the Satin Kajal Liner, selling one every 30 seconds.
In the fashion business, it saw rising visitor traffic to its flagship and website as well as product initiatives that raised its profile. These included the relaunch of its denim offering and expansion of its leather goods category. Bestsellers in clothing included the midi- and gown-style crêpe dresses for which the brand is known in bold colourways such as dark green and burgundy.
Meanwhile, the company’s wholesale division saw additional openings in key department stores in France and Italy.
And for this year, it said earlier investment “is having a positive effect, with the company continuing to grow profitability”. This has been driven by strategic category expansion, “breakthrough product innovation”, and improvements to in-house functions, bringing both development and sales in-house.
It added that new product launches are also helping the performance this year, including leather dresses and bold floral prints.
Store-wise, it has opened and plans to open in more department stores across the UK and France.
And it should get a big publicity boost this autumn with Victoria Beckham’s docu-series to launch on Netflix focusing on her SS25 Paris Fashion Week show.
Additionally, later this year, Victoria Beckham Beauty will launch its first foundation and it will continue its expansion into wholesale. It will open more than 130 new doors in key markets, bringing the brand’s presence to 200 doors worldwide.
The company’s growth is happening under Sybille Darricarrère Lunel, who became CEO of the fashion business in July after holding senior positions at Christian Dior Couture, Galeries Lafayette, and The Kooples.
Commenting on the results, she said “2024 was a pivotal year for the business, marked by strategic investment and rightsizing to position the business for long-term, profitable growth. Despite a challenging market environment, the company delivered its fourth consecutive year of double-digit revenue growth, underpinned by strong consumer demand and continued brand momentum across both fashion and beauty.
“We continue to accelerate growth through 2025 across all categories and [have] a strong foundation for sustained profitability.”
And David Belhassen, Victoria Beckham Holdings director and founder of its major backer NEO Investment Partners, added: “The Victoria Beckham business has been on an extraordinary journey. We’ve seen a remarkable evolution into a global luxury business with real resonance. The brand’s increased desirability is a testament to the strength of our vision, the power of Victoria’s iconic image and style, and the dedication of our team.”
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.