Kering Eyewear Acquires Lenti, Chinese Exports Surge in Southeast Asia and Inditex Reports Slower Sales Growth

Kering Eyewear Acquires Italian Lens Manufacturer Lenti from Safilo

Kering Eyewear has acquired Italian manufacturer Lenti from Safilo, expanding its in-house production capabilities. Based in Bergamo with around 100 employees, Lenti specializes in sun lenses and protective components for various industries. This move supports Kering Eyewear’s goal to strengthen its Made in Italy offerings. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition follows recent agreements by Kering Eyewear to expand its industrial platform.

Inditex Reports Slower Sales Growth in Q1

For the three months ending April 30, 2025, Inditex, parent company of Zara, reported a 4.2 percent rise in sales, slower than previous quarters and below analysts’ forecast of 5.6 percent. Gross profit rose 1.5 percent to 5 billion euros, EBITDA increased 1 percent to 2.4 billion euros, and net income edged up 0.8 percent to 1.3 billion euros. Between May 1 and June 9, sales grew 6 percent year-on-year. Inditex is restructuring its retail network by closing over 130 smaller or underperforming stores, while expanding its footprint with larger, more modern locations.

Chinese Exports Surge in Southeast Asia Amid US Tariff Shift

Chinese exports to Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, have risen sharply as exports to the US decline, according to Citi. The shift may indicate trade diversion or transshipment to bypass higher US tariffs. Indonesia’s textile sector has seen record Chinese imports, raising pressure on local industries. US authorities are increasing scrutiny on transshipment practices, prompting regional governments to tighten trade rules.

Colin Walsh to Exit as CEO of P&G’s Specialty Beauty

Colin Walsh will step down as CEO of Procter & Gamble’s Specialty Beauty division on August 1, after serving in the role since July 2023. John Brownlee, currently senior vice president of North America hair care, will assume the role while retaining his current responsibilities. Walsh previously led brands such as Ouai and DevaCurl and co-founded gut health brand YayDay in 2023. Brownlee brings extensive experience from P&G’s oral care, skin care, and hair care businesses.

Prada and UNESCO Launch 2 Million Euros Ocean Preservation Fund

At the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, Prada Group and UNESCO introduced the Sea Beyond trust fund, aimed at strengthening human-ocean connections. Prada pledged an initial 2 million euros to support global ocean preservation efforts. The initiative supports the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The agreement was signed by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and Prada’s Lorenzo Bertelli.

L’Oréal and Nvidia Partner to Advance AI-Driven Beauty Solutions

L’Oréal and Nvidia have announced a collaboration to accelerate AI innovation in the beauty industry, leveraging the Nvidia AI Enterprise platform. The partnership includes projects like Creaitech, a generative AI content platform for 3D product rendering, and Noli, an AI-powered beauty marketplace. The initiative aims to enhance personalization, scalability, and consumer engagement. The announcement was made during the Viva Tech fair in Paris.

Tesla to Deliver First Fully Autonomous Car andLaunch Robotaxi Pilot in Texas

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company will deliver its first fully autonomous vehicle on June 28 in Austin, Texas. The Model Y, equipped with Tesla’s latest FSD V12 software and HW5.0 platform, will operate without a steering wheel or pedals. A limited Robotaxi pilot, using 10–20 labeled Model Y vehicles, is expected to begin around June 22. Despite the branding, the cars remain at SAE Level 2 automation and require driver supervision.

Stone Island and New Balance Release First Numeric Collaboration

Stone Island and New Balance have unveiled their first collaboration under the Numeric line with the Numeric 272. Drawing from Stone Island’s Spring/Summer ‘025 Marina sub-series, the design blends skateboarding culture and performance-focused features. Available in navy, bright yellow, and off-white, the shoe features suede and polyester canvas uppers, Ndurance rubber soles, and co-branded detailing on the tongue and heel. This continues the brands’ past collaborative efforts such as the 574 Legacy, 991v2 Ghost, and Made in USA 998.