Sasa Exits Mainland China, Florasis Opens First Shanghai Store and La Perla Closes Tmall Store

Sasa International Exits Mainland China Offline Market Amid Retail Challenges

Hong Kong-based beauty retailer Sasa International will close all 18 remaining physical stores in mainland China by June 30, marking its full exit from offline retail in the region. The company once operated 57 stores at its peak in 2021. High rents, declining foot traffic, intensified local competition, and e-commerce disruption led to the decision. In FY2025, Sasa’s mainland offline sales made up just 3.2 percent of its local revenue, while 58.4 percent came from online channels.

Florasis Opens First Shanghai Store as Part of Global Offline Expansion

Chinese cosmetics brand Florasis has opened its first physical store in Shanghai at Grand Gateway 66, marking a key step in its offline and international expansion strategy. Located at a high-traffic intersection in a major luxury mall, the 60-square-meter store reflects the brand’s aesthetic through traditional Chinese design elements. The company is using the store to test consumer engagement, gather user insights, and refine its global retail model. Florasis plans to continue expanding in major Chinese and international cities.

G/FORE Opens Flagship Store in Shanghai to Expand Urban Golf Lifestyle Presence

Luxury golf lifestyle brand G/FORE has opened a new store at Shanghai Hang Lung Plaza, marking its first flagship in mainland China. Operated by Kolon FNC under a distribution agreement with Richemont, the brand aims to bridge golf culture with urban fashion. Founded in 2011 in Los Angeles, G/FORE combines traditional golf elements with contemporary design. The new Shanghai store features a localized apparel collection tailored for the Chinese market and signals a broader regional expansion strategy.

Ralph Lauren Appoints Angela Ahrendts as Lead Independent Director

Ralph Lauren has named Angela Ahrendts as its new lead independent director, effective after her re-election at the July 31, 2025, shareholder meeting. Ahrendts, a board member since 2018, succeeds Hubert Joly, who will step down after 16 years of service. Ahrendts previously held leadership roles at Burberry and Apple. The board will consist of 11 directors following the transition.

La Perla Closes Tmall Flagship Store Amid Strategic Adjustment in China

Italian luxury lingerie brand La Perla has officially shut down its Tmall flagship store as part of a broader strategic shift. The brand, founded in 1954 in Bologna, had over 700,000 followers on the platform. La Perla stated it will continue to serve Chinese consumers through other channels and maintain after-sales services while encouraging customers to stay tuned for future updates.

Disney Consumer Products Appoints Ron Faris as Global Marketing Head

Ron Faris, former global VP and GM of Nike Virtual Studios and the Snkrs app, has joined Disney Consumer Products as SVP of global marketing. He will oversee marketing strategies across regions and lead efforts in gaming, publishing, and retail. Faris brings experience in digital storytelling and consumer engagement, reporting directly to Disney Consumer Products president Tasia Filippatos.

Nina Christen Appointed as Footwear Design Director of Dior

Nina Christen has been appointed footwear design director at Dior, ahead of the brand’s first collection under new creative director Jonathan Anderson, set to debut on June 27. Christen, a former Loewe designer known for viral styles like the Deflated Balloon Heels and Comic Foam shoes, has previously worked at Saint Laurent, Celine, Dries Van Noten, and Bottega Veneta. She officially started her role at Dior this month, according to LinkedIn.

Salomon Releases 2024 Impact Report

French outdoor brand Salomon has released its 2024 Impact Report, detailing progress in circular product design, community engagement, and industry collaboration. Highlights include the launch of recyclable products like the Brigade Index ski helmet and local production of the S/LAB Phantasm 2 running shoes. The brand also introduced its first adaptive running prosthetic and expanded sustainability training for employees. 2025 marks the midpoint of Salomon’s “Change Our Future” strategy, with plans to further integrate climate goals and inclusive initiatives.