Heelys Inc , maker of novelty sneakers that double as roller skates, said its board had retained investment bank Houlihan Lokey as financial advisor to help it evaluate possible strategic alternatives.
The German cosmetics group Beiersdorf, maker of Nivea creams, said Tuesday, October 4th it would meet its 2008 targets despite a drop in third quarter net profit."We remain optimistic that we will meet our targets for 2008," chairman Thomas-B.
Iconix Brand Group Inc posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, as licensing and other revenue rose 29 percent, but forecast 2008 results at the lower end of its earlier range.
BMO Capital Markets downgraded clothing retailers Reitmans Ltd and Lululemon Athletica to "underperform" from "market perform," and said the companies' margins will be hit by their exposure to a weak Canadian dollar amid a slowdown in the economy.
China appears to be tightening supervision of foreign investments in the country amid a widening investigation of two senior commerce ministry officials, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.
John Lewis Partnership, the employee-owned store chain seen as a barometer of the retail sector, said on Friday last week's sales at its 27 department stores fell 9.8 percent year on year.
Dutch-British food and cosmetics giant Unilever posted a 60-percent rise in third-quarter net profits Thursday, October 30rd in spite of the global economic downturn.
Avon Products Inc AVP.N, the world's largest direct seller of cosmetics, posted a quarterly profit that missed Wall Street expectations due to a drop in North American sales, sending shares down nearly 22 percent.
French cosmetics group L'Oreal on Thursday cut its full-year sales forecast for the second time in three months, citing tougher trading conditions, and posted third-quarter sales that came below forecasts.
Underwear maker Hanesbrands Inc posted a 59 percent fall in third-quarter profit, partly hurt by restructuring charges, and said it would raise domestic prices effective mid-first quarter of 2009.
Under Armour Inc posted a higher-than-expected third-quarter profit on Tuesday, helped by strong sales, but the athletic apparel maker lowered its full-year outlook, citing the current economic environment. Net income rose to $25.
Cosmetics maker Estee Lauder Cos Inc posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday on higher sales, but slashed its full-year outlook, citing a weak economy and stronger U.S. dollar.
Namibia sold more than seven tonnes of ivory for 1.1 million dollars Tuesday, October 28th in the first legal auction of elephant tusks in nearly a decade -- exclusively for Chinese and Japanese buyers.
Italian eyewear maker Luxottica cut its earnings-per-share forecast after its third-quarter net profit fell, and its chief executive said a clearer picture on the future would emerge in two to four months.
Retail sales in Spain are down around six percent and the textile industry has lost 70,000 jobs since last year, but investors can retain some hope for Spanish clothing retailer Inditex.
