Story of the Week

Apple announces MacBook Neo, its most affordable laptop ever

For years, the cheapest way into the Mac lineup was a $999 laptop. On Wednesday, Apple cut that price nearly in half. The company unveiled the MacBook Neo, a colorful, lightweight laptop powered by an iPhone-grade chip that is the company’s most affordable laptop ever. The launch caps a three-day hardware blitz that has already seen refreshes to the iPhone 17e, iPad Air, and the entire MacBook Pro line. Starting at $599, the MacBook Neo is Apple’s first dedicated budget Mac in more than a decade, and its clearest attempt yet to challenge Google Chromebooks and entry-level Windows machines that dominate classrooms and first-time buyer markets. “There is simply no other laptop like it,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, in a statement.

Apparel & Footwear

On Holding Outperforms Q4 Expectations

On Holding continued to run hotter than Wall Street expected in the fourth quarter as the Zurich-based running brand posted sales and profits that exceeded expectations. But revenue guidance came in below expectations for 2026 and drew a lukewarm response from analysts, driving the stock down on March 3rd (albeit on a day where the overall market was in freefall). Shares of On fell 6 percent to $43.91 at the end of trading on March 3rd on Wall Street. The company said fourth-quarter net sales rose 22.6 percent to 743.8 million Swiss francs. Analysts were expecting a 19.9 percent increase in sales. Adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased to 0.25 Swiss francs from 0.33 francs the prior year, but still came in better than the 0.21 Wall Street had projected.

Heeluxe and Joes & Vining announce strategic partnership

Jones & Vining, an industry leader with global footwear production delivering perfect fit, comfort, and performance, announced a strategic partnership today with Heeluxe, a Santa Barbara-based company that provides leading-edge technology and testing to help footwear brands make better shoes. Heeluxe and Jones & Vining have entered into a partnership agreement to bring the footwear industry a perfect fit—faster, better, easier, and data-verified—a unique industry offering. Launching at the March 2026 Materials Show in Portland, Oregon, the two companies have agreed to set up SmartLast in Jones & Vining locations around the world. SmartLast is the industry-leading, patented fit-testing system that uses pressure sensors to quantify fit and provides data-verified analysis.

Roots begins strategic review, including possible sale

Roots Corporation is undergoing a strategic review and exploring the possibility of selling its business or pursuing other alternatives, the Toronto, Canada-based brand announced on March 3rd. The company is working with J.P. Morgan Securities Canada as its financial adviser and Torys LLP as its legal adviser for the strategic review, according to a company press release. The strategic review is taking place while the company executes its current business plan.

All Eddie Bauer stores to close after failure to find a buyer

An auction for Eddie Bauer’s store operations scheduled for March 6th has been canceled due to a lack of interest, according to bankruptcy court documents filed this week. The entity operating Eddie Bauer’s stores in the U.S. and Canada filed for bankruptcy last month and said at the time that all 175 locations would shutter unless a buyer could be found. Store-closing sales at all of the brick-and-mortar stores will continue unless a satisfactory bid materializes, per this week’s filing. The company licenses the Eddie Bauer brand from Authentic Brands Group and began 2026 with about 220 stores, but some leases lapsed early in the year.

Genesco Shares Jump After Strong Q4, ‘Exceptional’ Holiday Performance at Journeys

Shares of Genesco Inc. jumped nearly 20 percent in pre-market trading on March 6th as its Journeys retail banner saw “exceptional” holiday performance. The Nashville-based footwear company reported that net earnings in the fourth quarter were $47.6 million, or $4.44 per diluted share, up from $34.4 million, or $3.13 per diluted share, in the same year-ago period. Net sales increased 7 percent to $799.9 million compared with $745.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $3.74 per share. This performance beat analysts’ expectations, which called for net sales in Q4 to be $777.75 million and earnings per share of $3.73, according to Yahoo Finance.

Athletic & Sporting Goods

Sports Direct Owner Frasers Group Acquires Near 6 Percent Stake In Puma SE

Frasers Group, the parent of Sports Direct, Slazenger, Donnay, LA Gear, No Fear, and Antigua, has acquired a nearly 6 percent stake in Puma, according to a filing on Thursday, March 5. Frasers, which is now the second-largest shareholder in Puma, declined further comment. In the past, Frasers has used its minority shareholdings in ​companies as leverage to push for strategic change or to encourage companies to sell ‌their products or adopt its services. The UK-based company has substantial investments in multiple retailers, including Debenhams, ASOS and AO World. Puma is a major supplier to Sports Direct, which accounts for the majority of Frasers Group’s profits. The stake disclosure comes over a month after China’s largest sportswear brand, Anta Sports, agreed to buy a 29 percent stake in Puma for €1.5 billion ($1.74 billion) from Kering shareholder Artemis. Anta had suggested it would seek a board seat at the German brand when it laid out plans to become the largest shareholder in January 2026. 

Nike to Record $300M in Restructuring Charges to Cover Layoffs

Nike, Inc. said in a regulatory filing that it expects to take a pretax charge of about $300 million, mostly in the fiscal third quarter, because of employee severance costs over a nine-month period ending February 28. Nike did not specify how many jobs the company had cut. In January, Nike announced it would lay off about 775 employees as part of its turnaround strategy. The cuts were expected to affect workers at Nike’s distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi, amounting to about 1 percent of the total workforce. Last December, CEO Elliott Hill told analysts that Nike was still in the “middle innings” of its turnaround plan, as costs from investments in the business were continuing to squeeze margins.

Cosmetics & Pharmacy

Estée Lauder Companies to Acquire Full Ownership of Forest Essentials

The Estée Lauder Companies has agreed to acquire the remaining stake in Indian luxury beauty brand Forest Essentials, strengthening its long-standing partnership with the Ayurveda-based skincare company. The acquisition, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the second half of 2026. Estée Lauder first invested in Forest Essentials in 2008 and increased its stake to 49% in 2020. Founded in 2000 by Mira Kulkarni, Forest Essentials specializes in modern luxury Ayurveda skincare and operates nearly 200 standalone stores across India. Following the transaction, the brand will remain headquartered in New Delhi and continue operating its vertically integrated model in India, including Ayurvedic R&D, local botanical sourcing, and in-house manufacturing.

KYT Group Acquires Professional Skincare Brand Glo Skin Beauty

Consumer-focused investment firm KYT Group, LLC, has acquired skincare brand Glo Skin Beauty, with TKO Miller acting as financial advisor on the transaction. KYT Group specializes in identifying and scaling high-potential brands in emerging consumer categories, particularly within personal care and beauty. Its portfolio and management experience include brands such as HAUS LABS by Lady Gaga, The Honest Company, and Charlotte Tilbury. Glo Skin Beauty brings more than 25 years of clinical heritage, originally developed for use in professional treatment rooms and medical spas before expanding into a full range of advanced at-home skincare solutions.

Bath & Body Works Reports Q4 Results Above Guidance Amid Ongoing Business Transformation

Bath & Body Works reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results, with fourth-quarter sales slightly declining but exceeding the company’s guidance, and outlined plans to continue transforming the business under its Consumer First Formula strategy. For the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2026, Bath & Body Works reported net sales of $2.7 billion, down 2% from $2.79 billion in the same period a year earlier. Earnings per diluted share reached $1.99, while adjusted earnings per diluted share were $2.05. Operating income totaled US$599 million, and net income reached $403 million.

Yse Beauty Appoints Doreen Arbel as First CEO Ahead of Sephora Expansion

Yse Beauty, the skincare brand founded by Molly Sims, has appointed Doreen Arbel as its first Chief Executive Officer as the company prepares to scale its business and expand retail distribution. Arbel, a former executive at Charlotte Tilbury and a long-time L’Oréal veteran, will officially assume the role on March 30th. Previously general manager for Charlotte Tilbury in North America and with more than two decades at L’Oréal across cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance, Arbel brings extensive leadership experience in the premium beauty sector.

Discounters & Department Stores

Target’s earnings lag in the holiday quarter

Target’s fourth quarter net sales dropped 1.5% year over year to $30.5 billion, per a recent press release. Comparable store sales declined 3.9% while comparable digital sales grew 1.9% for the quarter. The retailer reported declines in net sales of apparel and accessories, hardlines, home merchandise, and household essentials. However, Target saw increases in net sales across its beauty and food and beverage categories. For the full fiscal year 2025, Target’s net sales declined 1.7% to $104.8 billion. The company expects net sales to grow about 2% for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a “small increase” in comparable sales and growth in net sales for every quarter, per the release.

Costco to flow tariff refunds, ‘if and when’ received, back to customers

Costco Wholesale CEO Ron Vachris said on March 5th that the company was committed to flowing any tariff refunds it receives back to its customers. The comments come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision last month invalidating President Donald Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs globally. “As we’ve done in the past, when legal challenges have recovered charges … our commitment will be to find the best way to return this value to our members through lower prices and better values,” Vachris said on the company’s earnings call, according to a Seeking Alpha transcript. “We’ll be transparent in how we plan to do this, if and when we receive any refunds.”

Emerging Consumer Companies

Christine Hunsicker, founder of CaaStle, pleads guilty in $300 million fraud

The dramatic collapse of fashion technology startup CaaStle reached a new milestone this week as its founder and former CEO Christine Hunsicker pleaded guilty to securities fraud in federal court. Once celebrated as an entrepreneur attempting to transform the fashion industry, Hunsicker now faces up to 20 years in prison after admitting to orchestrating a massive scheme that defrauded investors of more than $300 million. Her guilty plea marks a pivotal development in a case that prosecutors say involved years of fabricated financial statements, forged documents, and misleading claims about the company’s growth and technology.

Eight Sleep raises $50 million at $1.5 billion valuation

Eight Sleep has raised $50 million in a strategic investment round led by Tether Investments, bringing the New York-based sleep technology company’s valuation to $1.5 billion. With the latest financing, Eight Sleep has now secured more than $250 million in total funding. The raise follows a $100 million round completed in August 2025, when the company was valued at $1 billion. That marked a significant increase from its approximately $500 million valuation at the time of its $86 million Series C in August 2021. Founded in 2014, Eight Sleep develops technology-enabled sleep products designed to integrate physiology and data analytics.

RAS Luxury Skincare Secures USD 7.5 Mn in Series B Funding Led by Dabur Ventures

Natural beauty brand RAS Luxury Skincare has raised USD 7.5 million in its Series B funding round, led by Dabur Ventures, the investment arm of Dabur India Limited. The round also saw existing investor Unilever Ventures increase its stake, signaling continued confidence in the brand’s growth strategy. Other backers in the company include the Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund and Sixth Sense Ventures. The mix of investors spans fast-moving consumer goods, venture capital, and e-commerce, positioning the brand strongly within India’s evolving premium beauty segment.

Food & Beverage

Bunge Completes Acquisition of IFF’s Soy Protein Concentrate, Lecithin, and Crush Business

Bunge announced the closing of its acquisition of the soy protein concentrate, lecithin, and soy crush businesses from International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. This transaction aligns with Bunge’s strategy to optimize its ingredients portfolio and offer a more diverse range of solutions to customers. The acquired businesses include IFF’s Response®, Alpha®, Procon®, and SolecTM brands. These additions complement Bunge’s existing protein portfolio, creating a range of textured, functional, and powdered soy protein concentrates to support the development of higher-protein products in bakery, snacks, meats, alternative meats, and more. It also enhances the company’s lecithin offerings, now including a more comprehensive line of liquid, powdered, and fractionated lecithins.

B&G Foods sells Green Giant frozen line

B&G Foods sold its Green Giant U.S. frozen vegetable line to Seneca Foods for an undisclosed amount. The company intends to use the proceeds to reduce its debt or make acquisitions. The deal, effective March 2nd, includes B&G’s vegetable manufacturing operations in Yuma, Arizona. B&G will continue to produce certain Green Giant frozen products through a co-packing agreement with Seneca. B&G previously sold the Green Giant U.S. shelf-stable vegetable business to Seneca in November 2023.

Shock Top owner Tilray buys craft brewer BrewDog for $44M

Tilray Brands is expanding its craft beer portfolio with the purchase of U.K. brewer BrewDog for $44 million.  The cannabis and beer company will acquire the U.K. brewing operations, as well as 11 U.K. and Irish brewpubs. Tilray said it is separately negotiating to acquire BrewDog assets in the U.S. and Australia. With the BrewDog acquisition, Tilray’s global beverage platform is expected to grow to about $500 million in annual revenue, creating one of the largest diversified craft beverage platforms, according to the company.

Cal Maine Expands Egg Platform With Indiana Deal And Valuation Upside Potential

Cal-Maine Foods has agreed to acquire food producers Creighton Brothers and Crystal Lake, expanding its shell egg, egg products, and prepared foods operations. The acquisition adds a significant footprint in Indiana, increasing production capacity in specialty and cage-free eggs. The deal also broadens Cal-Maine’s geographic reach and operational capabilities across its supply chain. For investors watching Cal-Maine Foods at a share price of $88.50, this deal comes after a period of solid share performance, with the stock up 4.8% over the past week and 12.8% year to date.

Grocery & Restaurants

Kroger tops Q4 expectations as price cuts, store closures boost results

Lowering prices, closing underperforming supermarkets and investing in store improvements all helped Kroger beat fourth-quarter earnings expectations on Wednesday. For the quarter ended Jan. 31, the Cincinnati-based grocer reported a 2.4% increase in identical-store sales without fuel. “We saw continued strength in ecommerce and pharmacy, along with solid performance in key areas of the store like fresh,” Ronald Sargent, chairman of Kroger’s board of directors, told analysts. “Importantly, food volumes improved and grocery sales were a larger portion of our sales mix, which is a positive sign going forward.” Kroger also said it had increased its market share, seeing its biggest gains since 2021. “We believe the price investments we’ve made throughout the year are resonating with customers and are contributing to these results,” Sargent said. Wednesday’s earnings report was the first for Kroger’s new CEO, Greg Foran. Foran said he wants to continue to see Kroger make investments in lowering food prices.

Wendy’s targets Latin America for expansion

Wendy’s is identifying some 200 to 300 underperforming restaurants in the United States for closure, but the company’s expansion strategy in Latin America is full speed ahead. The company announced the finalization of two new franchise agreements that will add more than 60 new restaurants in Mexico in the coming years. Wendy’s franchise agreement with AJ Group includes plans to develop 50 new Wendy’s restaurants in Mexico City and the states of Mexico, Hidalgo, and Morelos. The first new Wendy’s restaurant in Mexico City is planned to open this year. Wendy’s has also entered into a franchise agreement with WS Pacific to develop 12 new Wendy’s restaurants across the states of Sinaloa and Durango. The first Wendy’s in the region is also targeted to open by year end.

Home & Road

2025 furniture orders finish flat as industry faces economic uncertainty

The U.S. residential furniture industry closed out 2025 with relatively stable demand but modest shipment declines, according to the latest Furniture Insights Report from accounting and consulting firm Smith Leonard. New orders among survey participants finished the year flat with 2024 levels, excluding the effects of tariffs and inflation, while shipments declined slightly, highlighting a year marked by economic uncertainty and supply chain adjustments. In December, new orders fell 11% from November, a decline the report attributes largely to normal seasonal slowdowns during the holiday period. Despite the month-to-month drop, December orders were up 1% compared with December 2024. Shipments in December were flat compared with both the prior month and the same month a year earlier. For the full year, shipments ended 2025 down 1% from 2024 levels. Backlogs continued to soften slightly, falling 1% from November and 2% compared with December 2024.

Best Buy Counting on Marketplace With More Housewares To Help Drive 2026 Sales

Best Buy reported it expects its growing online marketplace, which is presenting more housewares to help it build momentum in 2026 after topping Wall Street earnings estimates for its fourth quarter despite a slide in comparable sales. Net earnings were $541 million, or $2.56 per diluted share, versus $117 million, or 54 cents per share, in the year-before quarter. Adjusted for one-time events, earnings per diluted share were $2.61 versus $2.58 in the year-previous period. A Zacks Investment Research analyst consensus estimate called for earnings per adjusted diluted share of $2.48 and revenue of $13.91 billion. Comparable sales declined 0.8% year over year, according to Best Buy. Revenue was $13.81 billion versus $13.95 million in the year-earlier quarter. Operating income was $721 million versus $217 million in the year-prior period, while adjusted operating income was $695 million versus $690 million.

Jewelry & Luxury

Prada Group Closes 2025 With 5% Revenue Growth and Strategic Versace Acquisition

The year 2025 was one of strategic evolution for the Prada Group through the acquisition of the Versace brand, and it closed with sound results. In the 12 months ended December 31st, revenues rose 5 percent to 5.72 billion euros compared with 5.43 billion euros in 2024. The Versace deal was completed on December 2nd, and excluding its contribution of 65 million euros since then, the group’s organic sales growth at constant currency was 8 percent. This represented 20 consecutive quarters of growth for the Italian luxury group. “We are pleased to report another solid set of results in 2025, with healthy growth and sound profitability, achieved in a challenging macroeconomic and industry context,” said Patrizio Bertelli, Prada Group chairman and executive director.

Charles & Colvard Files for Chapter 11

Charles & Colvard, which for years was the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of moissanite, filed for Chapter 11 on March 2. “After thoroughly evaluating our alternatives and considering recent events and the market pressures facing our industry, the company’s board of directors decided that a court-supervised process is the best path forward to make the changes needed to ensure Charles & Colvard’s long-term success,” executive board chair Michael R. Levin said in a press release. Charles & Colvard’s Chapter 11 petition, filed in federal bankruptcy court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, lists $19.2 million in total assets and $10.5 million in debts.

Brilliant Earth Sees Record Sales in Fourth Quarter

Brilliant Earth saw record sales of $124.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, representing a 4% increase over the prior year. The San Francisco-based e-tailer’s overall sales for 2025 came in at $437.5 million. Total orders grew 7% year-over-year in the fourth quarter (ended December 31), while repeat orders rose 15%. Adjusted EBITDA was $4.2 million for the fourth quarter and $12 million for the full year. In a conference call following the release of Brilliant Earth’s financial results, CEO Beth Gerstein said that its average order value dropped 2.3% in the fourth quarter and 8.2% for the year. The company’s fourth-quarter gross margin declined from the previous year to 55.9%, a decrease Gerstein attributed to high metal prices.

Office & Leisure

Paw Prosper Acquires Blue-9 Pet Products

Paw Prosper, an animal health and wellness platform dedicated to helping pets stay healthy, recover quickly, and age gracefully, announced the acquisition of Blue-9 Pet Products, a leader in innovative tools for behaviour management, communication, and skill development. The acquisition strengthens Paw Prosper’s commitment to delivering comprehensive, results-driven solutions for pet professionals and the clients they serve.  By bringing Blue-9 together with Paw Prosper’s growing family of brands, including FitPaws, the leader in canine fitness and rehabilitation equipment, customers can now access complementary training and conditioning tools on a single, centralized platform. The integration simplifies purchasing for veterinary professionals, trainers, and retailers, creating a more seamless, well-rounded approach to canine training and healthspan.  Founded in 2022, Paw Prosper is based in Denver, Colorado, with global reach, including offices in Canada and the United States, as well as operations throughout Europe, the UK, and Australia.

Stateside Expansion: Saxdor Yachts sold to US giant Malibu Boats

Finnish sportsboat brand Saxdor Yachts has been sold to US company Malibu Boats Inc in a deal reported to be worth around €150 million.  Founded by serial entrepreneur Sakari Mattila in 2019, Saxdor Yachts is currently Europe’s fastest growing boat brand. Its range of fast, outboard powered day boats and weekenders are known for their cutting edge design, innovative features and impressive value for money.  Malibu Boats is one the US’s leading boat builders with a portfolio of brands including Cobalt and Pursuit as well as Malibu’s own range of specialist watersports craft. Saxdor will provide it with a well established player in the fast growing market for outboard powered Adventure Boats.

Latham Group Acquires Freedom Pools

Latham Group, Inc., the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, announced that it has acquired Freedom Pools, a fiberglass pool manufacturer and installer operating in Australia and New Zealand.  The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Latham’s earnings, adding approximately $20 million in net sales and approximately $4 million in adjusted EBITDA, on an annualized basis, before acquisition synergies. The purchase price was approximately $17 million, and the transaction was fully funded with cash on hand.  Latham Group, Inc., headquartered in Latham, NY, is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Latham has a coast-to-coast operations platform consisting of approximately 1,850 employees across around 30 locations.

Technology & Internet

Best Buy’s holiday sales disappoint, but retailer shows progress in growing profits

Best Buy posted mixed results on Tuesday as the retailer’s holiday-quarter sales declined and missed Wall Street’s expectations, but its earnings topped estimates as it showed improved profitability. For the current fiscal year, the consumer electronics retailer expects revenue to range between $41.2 billion and $42.1 billion, compared with $41.69 billion in the most recent fiscal year. Best Buy anticipates that comparable sales, a metric that tracks sales online and in stores open at least 14 months, will range from a decline of 1% to an increase of 1%. In a news release, CEO Corie Barry said demand for consumer electronics remained lackluster during the gift-giving season, but the company’s internal data indicates that Best Buy’s market share in the industry “was at least flat.” Chief Financial Officer Matt Bilunas said in his own statement that the company is “excited about the momentum in our business.” But he added that company leaders “expect to continue to navigate a mixed macro environment.”

Pinterest shares pop 9% as activist Elliott takes $1 billion stake

Pinterest stock jumped 9% after activist investor Elliott Investment Management made a $1 billion investment in the social media company. The company said it plans to use the funding to buy back stock as part of a newly approved $3.5 billion share repurchase program. “Elliott’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in the work we have done to build our business and the significant opportunities ahead for Pinterest,” said CEO Bill Ready in a release. Marc Steinberg, who is a partner at Elliott and a member of Pinterest’s board, said the firm sees “substantial opportunity ahead” for the social media company. Pinterest’s stock has shed nearly a third of its value this year. The company is battling slowing growth and reduced advertising spending as businesses deal with the tariff fallout. As part of the deal, Elliott will purchase $1 billion in convertible senior notes at an initial conversion price of $22.72 per share. That represents a 30% premium to the stock’s closing price on Monday.

Finance & Economy

Middle East conflict poses a fresh test to central banks as oil shock fuels inflation

A widening Middle East conflict has posed a fresh test for global central banks, as fears of an oil shock and renewed inflation risks complicate policymakers’ calculus for shoring up growth. Crude prices soared on March 2nd after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran over the weekend, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. Tehran responded with missile attacks targeting multiple Gulf countries. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical chokepoint for oil shipments, has effectively stalled as the threat of attacks from Iran has deterred vessels from passing through the waterway. Brent crude prices extended four days of gains, rising 1.6% to $82.76 a barrel on March 4th, hovering near the highest level since January 2025. The U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude prices also rose for a third day to $75.48.

U.S. payrolls unexpectedly fell by 92,000 in February; unemployment rate rises to 4.4%

The U.S. economy lost jobs in February, a month marred by severe winter weather and a strike at a major health-care provider, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported March 6th. Nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000 for the month, compared with the estimate for 50,000 and below the downwardly revised January total of 126,000. February marked the third time in the past five months that payrolls declined, following a sharp revision showing a 17,000 drop in December. At the same time, the unemployment rate edged higher to 4.4% as jobs declined across key areas.