Birkenstock Reports Revenue Growth in Q2, Inditex Restructures and China’s Cruise Market Recovers

Richemont Sees Full-Year Sales Growth Driven by Jewellery Division

Richemont reported an increase in full-year sales, supported by strong demand for its Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels brands. Jewellery revenue rose 8 percent at constant exchange rates. Group sales grew 16 percent in the Americas, 13 percent in Europe, and 22 percent in Japan, but sales in the region that includes China fell 7 percent. Operating profit reached 4.47 billion euros, slightly below analyst forecasts.

Birkenstock Reports 19 Percent Revenue Growth in FY2025 Q2

German footwear brand Birkenstock posted 574 million euros in revenue for FY2025 Q2, up 19 percent year-on-year. Net profit rose 47 percent to 105 million euros, while adjusted EBITDA reached 200 million euros, reflecting product mix upgrades and improved production efficiency. Gross margin increased to 57.7 percent, driven by higher-priced items and lower unit costs. The new foot care line saw triple-digit growth, and digital sales accounted for 27 percent of the total, with mobile average order value up 15 percent.

Inditex Announces Executive Restructuring with Key Leadership Changes

Inditex has announced a leadership reshuffle following the departure of several senior executives. Fernando de Bunes Ibarra will become sustainability director, replacing Javier Losada. Ignacio Fernández Fernández is appointed corporate general manager, and Andrés Sánchez Iglesias becomes CFO. Both join the executive committee. The restructuring aligns with the company’s broader generational renewal strategy.

China’s April Industrial Output and Retail Sales Growth Ease

China’s industrial output rose 6.1 percent year-on-year in April, down from 7.7 percent in March but above analyst expectations of 5.5 percent. Retail sales increased 5.1 percent, also slower than March’s 5.9 percent growth. Fixed asset investment grew 4.0 percent in the first four months of 2025, slightly below forecasts. The data was released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Pet Brands See Strong Sales Surge During Tmall 618 Shopping Festival

During the first hour of Tmall’s 618 shopping festival on May 16, sales of 653 pet brands more than doubled year-on-year. Brands like Rosy Fresh, Revolution, and Fregate saw increases of over 200 percent. Nine pet brands surpassed RMB 10 million in sales, and five pet food items also crossed the same threshold. This year’s 618 features deeper discounts and stackable coupons, contributing to a sharp rise in pet product consumption.

Misto Holdings Posts Q1 Revenue Growth

Misto Holdings, parent company of Fila, reported a 4.6 percent year-on-year revenue increase in Q1 2025, reaching 1.24 trillion won. Operating profit stood at 162.7 billion won. The company cited strong performance from its US golf subsidiary, Acushnet, which saw revenue rise 8.7 percent to 1.02 trillion won, supported by demand for new Pro V1/Pro V1x balls and golf clubs.

Florasis Transforms Cosmetics Manufacturing with Smart Factory

Florasis’s smart factory in Hangzhou exemplifies the future of Chinese manufacturing, blending high-tech advancements with traditional craftsmanship. The facility is equipped with top-tier digital systems, ensuring real-time monitoring and full traceability throughout production. With an annual output of 50 million items, it boasts a 75 percent equipment connectivity rate and enhances worker efficiency threefold. The factory also integrates ESG principles, using renewable energy and optimizing resource usage, while embedding Eastern cultural values into its product development.

China’s Cosmetics Imports Saw Slight Growth in April 2025

In April 2025, China’s total imports of cosmetics reached 30,962.4 tons, with a value of 12.19 billion yuan. From January to April 2025, cosmetics imports totaled 110,942.9 tons, marking an 8.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The total import value for the first four months was 40.2 billion yuan, reflecting a 1.2 percent rise year-on-year. Overall, China’s import trade in April 2025 saw a slight growth of 0.8 percent.

China’s Cruise Market Shows Strong Recovery in H2 2025

The cruise market in China is set for a strong recovery in the second half of 2025, with significant growth in passenger traffic and a diversification of routes. Key ports like Shanghai, Tianjin, and Xiamen are seeing increased cruise calls, with Shanghai recording 12 cruise arrivals and departures during the May Day holiday. The full implementation of policies like visa-free entry for cruise passengers has further boosted the market’s recovery. As domestic cruise companies and long-haul routes gain momentum, industry confidence is rising, with expectations for continued positive performance through summer and beyond.