Lululemon Athletica's shares fell 21% in premarket trading on Friday, as the maker of high-end leggings warned that tariff-related costs and uneven demand in key markets of North America and China will dent its profits this year.
India's beloved dairy brand, Amul, is expanding into Europe through a partnership with Spain's COVAP. Launching first in Madrid and Barcelona, Amul's milk products will then reach other major Spanish and Portuguese cities. From its humble beginnings in 1946 as a cooperative formed to combat exploitative trade practices, Amul's success, driven by 'Operation Flood,' transformed India into a dairy-independent nation.
Sundar Pichai envisions a future Google CEO empowered by an extraordinary AI companion, reflecting the company's deep AI integration. He emphasizes AI as a tool to amplify human productivity, not replace workers, citing his own experimentation with AI coding assistants. Google prepares for a future where AI and human executives collaborate closely, reshaping leadership and work.
Amazon has cut jobs in its books division, including at its Goodreads review site and Kindle units, the company said on Thursday.
Apple is increasing its reliance on the Tata Group in India, tasking them with handling iPhone and MacBook repairs. This move signifies Tata's growing importance in Apple's supply chain as the company diversifies manufacturing beyond China. With iPhone sales booming in India, this partnership could potentially lead to Apple selling refurbished devices directly in the country.
Maserati is poised to unveil a new business plan shortly after Stellantis' new CEO, Antonio Filosa, assumes office later this month. The plan aims to revitalize the struggling luxury brand, encompassing new products, redesigned dealer relations, and improved assistance networks. Despite market speculation, Stellantis has no intention of selling Maserati, reaffirming its commitment to the Italian brand.
Brown-Forman Corp. reported a sales decline due to challenging market conditions, including global trade conflicts and reduced consumer spending. Full-year net sales decreased by 5%, with a significant drop in the fourth quarter. CEO Lawson Whiting highlighted that consumers are buying smaller sizes of spirits, reflecting financial constraints and shifting spending habits, anticipating continued uncertainty in the coming year.
Sam's Club, owned by Walmart, plans to eliminate over 40 ingredients from its Member's Mark brand by year-end. This initiative, called 'Made Without', caters to health-conscious consumers. The move follows calls to remove synthetic food dyes. Other companies like W.K. Kellogg and Tyson Foods are also reformulating products. Sam's Club has already introduced cookies and snacks without artificial colors.
The government has directed the edible oil industry to immediately reduce retail prices. This follows a cut in Customs duty on imported crude palm oil, sunflower oil, and soyabean oil. The industry must also share weekly price updates with the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Solvent Extractors’ Association has asked its members to comply.
Amazon is actively developing humanoid robots designed to revolutionize package delivery, potentially replacing human workers. The company is testing these robots at a dedicated facility, simulating real-world delivery scenarios using Rivian electric vans. These robots, powered by AI, could soon be deployed for actual deliveries, aiming to expedite the process and automate the last mile.
Colgate-Palmolive anticipates India becoming the largest contributor to the global middle class, driving premiumization and consumption. Despite a recent urban slowdown and a 2% revenue fall in the last quarter, the company remains optimistic about India's long-term potential. Intense competition and discounting strategies are impacting margins, but Colgate focuses on digital strategies and rural market performance to revive growth.
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