Retail

  Bloomberg Asda has slashed the price of petrol after months of criticism that supermarkets have been keeping prices too high. Asda has knocked 5 pence (6 cents) per liter off the price of unleaded fuel and 3 pence per liter off diesel, the retailer said in an emailed statement. This brings the price down to on average 174 pence …

Bloomberg Hermes International’s profitability rose to record levels in the first half as the maker of the $10,000-plus Birkin bag became the luxury industry’s standout performer. The French company’s shares soared as much as 8.5% after it said its recurring operating margin reached a historical high of 42%, up from 41% a year earlier. “This set of results confirms that …

  Bloomberg L’Oreal SA sales climbed as demand for makeup bounced back and the strength of its luxury products offset the negative impact of Covid-19 restrictions in China. Overall sales rose 13% on a comparable basis in the second quarter, the French company said. Analysts expected a gain of 9.7%. The company’s stock rose more than 2% in early trading. …

  Bloomberg Glossier, the direct-to-consumer beauty brand, is joining forces with Sephora to mass market its popular products. The deal is the brand’s first-ever partnership with a retailer. Beginning early next year, Glossier will appear in stores across the US and Canada and will be sold on Sephora.com and the Sephora app, Glossier said in a statement. The move looks …

  Bloomberg LVMH fell slightly short of the high bar the world’s biggest luxury company has set for itself, as continued strong sales from the owner of Louis Vuitton bags and Dom Perignon Champagne failed to impress some investors. The French company posted solid results for the second quarter in Europe, the US and Japan but suffered from a poor …

  Bloomberg Adidas AG issued a profit warning after its sales were hit by lockdowns and consumer boycotts in China, offsetting strong momentum in its key western markets. The German sneaker company said although its second-quarter results are “somewhat ahead of expectations” with strong growth in Western markets, the recovery in Greater China was slower than expected. Adidas shares fell …

  Bloomberg Walmart Inc cut its profit outlook again in a surprise warning weeks ahead of its earnings report, sending retailer shares tumbling and raising new questions about US consumers’ ability to sustain their voracious spending habits with inflation at a four-decade high. Adjusted earnings per share will fall as much 13% in the current fiscal year as US shoppers …

  Bloomberg Customers seeking to buy Zenith brand watch models including the Chronomaster Sport and Defy Skyline are now having to join waitlists as sales for the Swiss brand surge. “We have a shortage and there is very little chance to get one without a long waiting time,” Julien Tornare, the president and CEO of LVMH-owned Zenith, said. The Zenith …

Bloomberg Rising prices in the US are starting to weigh on consumer spending. Two-thirds of US consumers say they are planning to reduce spending over the next six months as a result of inflation, according to a recent survey of roughly 2,000 people conducted this month by Morgan Stanley. A similar percentage identify inflation as a top concern. The number …

  Bloomberg Investors looking to sell stakes in Shein are evaluating bids at discounts of about 30% to its $100 billion valuation in April, according to people familiar with the matter, amid concern about the Chinese fast-fashion giant’s slowing growth. While some current shareholders in the private company are considering cashing out ahead of a future initial public offering, the …