Laopu Gold Reports Strong Revenue, Elizabeth Arden Names New Ambassador and Fila Holding Rebrands

Laopu Gold Reports Impressive 2024 Growth with Significant Revenue

Laopu Gold achieved remarkable financial performance in 2024, with revenue soaring 167.5 percent to approximately 8.5 billion yuan and net profit rising by 253.9 percent to 1.47 billion yuan. The company’s offline revenue reached 8.54 billion yuan, up 164.3 percent, while online sales grew by 192.2 percent. Laopu Gold’s stock price surged 19 times since its listing in June 2024, surpassing Tencent’s market cap. The company attributes its growth to brand influence, product innovation, and strategic store expansion.

Christian Louboutin Expands Brand with Debut Eyewear Collection 

Christian Louboutin has introduced its first eyewear collection in collaboration with Marcolin, featuring nine sunglass styles and four optical styles. Priced between $625 and $875, the collection incorporates signature brand elements like spike studs, mesh patterns, and red accents. The eyewear includes ZEISS lenses with anti-reflective coatings and glare reduction. The collection will be available online and at Saks Fifth Avenue, with a launch event set in New York.

Elizabeth Arden Names Actress Xin Zhilei as New Brand Ambassador

Elizabeth Arden has officially announced Chinese actress Xin Zhilei as its new brand ambassador. Known for her standout performances in several recent hit series, Xin has established herself as a rising star in the entertainment industry. She already represents top luxury brands such as Chanel, Montblanc, and Roger Vivier, and now adds Elizabeth Arden to her impressive portfolio. The partnership reflects the brand’s commitment to leading the skincare industry while exploring new creative opportunities with Xin.

Fila Holdings Rebrands as Misto Holdings to Reflect Diverse Portfolio 

Fila Holdings Corp has officially changed its name to Misto Holdings to better represent its broad brand portfolio, which includes Fila, Titleist, FootJoy, and Scotty Cameron. The new name, derived from the Italian word for “harmony” and “diversity,” aligns with its strategic approach to brand management. Alongside the rebranding, the company introduced four core values—Synergetic, Empowering, Resilient, and Responsible—highlighting its focus on growth and innovation. A revamped corporate website has also been launched to enhance communication with stakeholders.

Vanke Reports Revenue in 2024 Amid Debt Management Efforts

Vanke reported RMB ¥343.1 billion in revenue for 2024, while addressing financial challenges through asset sales, debt repayments, and operational adjustments. The company delivered 182,000 housing units and completed RMB ¥29.2 billion in public debt repayments. Despite a decline in property development earnings, its property services and rental businesses saw steady growth. Vanke secured RMB ¥94.8 billion in new and refinanced loans. Looking ahead, the company aims to stabilize operations and adapt to evolving market conditions in 2025.

Decathlon Reports Stronger 2024 Sales Growth with New CEO Appointment

Decathlon saw a 5.2 percent increase in sales in 2024, reaching €16.2 billion, surpassing the previous year’s growth of 4.4 percent. The company also expanded its global footprint with 68 new stores, bringing the total to 1,817 across 79 countries. Last week, Decathlon appointed Javier Lopez as CEO, who succeeds Barbara Martin Coppola. The retailer continues its brand-focused strategy to better compete with industry giants like Nike and Adidas.

China Becomes EU’s Largest Car Import Source in 2024

According to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, China has emerged as the EU’s largest car import source in 2024, with imports valued at €12.7 billion. Over the past five years, car imports from China to the EU have increased by 1591.3 percent. This surge is largely driven by the strong performance of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), with brands like BYD and NIO expanding rapidly in the European market. Despite this growth, the EU maintains a trade surplus with China in the automotive sector, with exports to China reaching €14.5 billion in 2024.

Shiseido China CEO Expands Role to Oversee Travel Retail Operations

Shiseido Group announced that it will merge its China and travel retail businesses to enhance flexibility in response to market changes and maximize consumer-centered value creation. Effective March 31st, the restructuring is part of Shiseido’s “Action Plan 2025-2026,” which focuses on strengthening brand foundation, rebuilding profitability, and improving operational management. As part of the changes, Philippe Lesné, CEO of the travel retail division, will retire, and Toshinobu Umetsu, current CEO of Shiseido China, will assume the combined role of CEO for China and travel retail. The updated financials will be reflected starting with the Q1 FY2025 report in May.