Edition #22: Nestle Cuts 16k Jobs, New Chip Panic, & The $9B Shape Wear Market Deep Dive

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🌍 World Retail Headlines

Nestle to axe 16,000 jobs as new CEO targets sales growth Following a strategic review, Nestlé's new CEO has announced a plan to cut up to 16,000 jobs globally as part of an aggressive restructuring effort aimed at boosting sales and streamlining operations. 🔗 Read More

Consumers Expected to Return Nearly $850 Billion in Merchandise in 2025 Retailers face mounting financial pressure as projections indicate that nearly $850 billion worth of merchandise is expected to be returned by consumers this year, highlighting the massive cost of returns. 🔗 Read More

IKEA reports FY25 retail performance amid market challenges IKEA released its full-year 2025 retail performance figures, noting persistent market challenges related to supply chains and inflation, but highlighted strategic growth in e-commerce and smaller-format stores. 🔗 Read More

Google expands virtual try-on to shoes Google is broadening its AI-powered retail offerings by expanding its popular virtual try-on technology to footwear, allowing shoppers to visualize how shoes look on their feet directly through the search interface. 🔗 Read More

Starbucks Evaluating Offers for China Business Starbucks is reportedly considering various offers for its business operations in China as part of a potential strategic restructuring to optimize its global market presence and focus on core growth areas. 🔗 Read More

China's biggest shopping event starts five weeks early to revive spending In an unusual move, China's largest shopping holiday has been moved forward by five weeks, signaling aggressive efforts by platforms and authorities to boost consumer spending amid economic headwinds. 🔗 Read More

The Auto Industry Is Panicking About Another Potential Chip Shortage Global automakers are expressing concern over the possibility of a renewed chip shortage, driven by geopolitical tensions and supply chain bottlenecks, which threatens to disrupt production lines once again. 🔗 Read More

Scottish data centres powering AI already using enough water to fill 27 million bottles a year New data reveals the extensive water consumption of AI-powering data centers in Scotland, highlighting growing environmental and sustainability concerns linked to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. 🔗 Read More

📰 India Retail News

Nestle India profit falls 24%, but posts highest-ever sales Despite achieving its highest-ever quarterly sales figure, Nestlé India reported a 24% decline in net profit, attributed primarily to higher input costs and increased marketing expenditure. 🔗 Read More

Landmark Leisure bets big on India, plans five entertainment brands by 2026 Landmark Leisure is set to significantly expand its footprint in India's entertainment sector, with plans to launch five distinct entertainment and leisure brands across the country by the year 2026. 🔗 Read More

India's wearables firms venture abroad as local market wears a weary look Faced with saturation and declining growth in the domestic market, Indian wearables companies are increasingly shifting their focus to international expansion to seek new avenues for growth and better margins. 🔗 Read More

Eternal posts Rs 65 cr consolidated net profit in Q2 The e-commerce company Eternal reported a consolidated net profit of ₹65 crore for the second quarter, marking a strong performance driven by operational efficiencies and growing customer base. 🔗 Read More

IRCTC down: Website and app crash ahead of Diwali, thousands unable to book tickets Inconvenience struck thousands of travelers ahead of the peak Diwali season as the IRCTC website and mobile application suffered a massive crash, preventing users from booking crucial holiday tickets. 🔗 Read More

Mid-sized consumer brands like Wingreens, Wow! Momo, Curefoods eye PE funding amid revival in investor interest Several popular mid-sized Indian consumer brands are looking to raise Private Equity (PE) funding, indicating a renewed confidence and revival of investor interest in India's consumption-driven sectors. 🔗 Read More

🔥 Top Funding, IPO & Earnings

Zepto closes $450-million round led by US pension fund Calpers; valuation hits hits $7 billion Quick-commerce platform Zepto has successfully closed a massive $450 million funding round led by US pension fund Calpers, pushing the Indian unicorn's valuation to a staggering $7 billion. 🔗 Read More

Lenskart IPO could make Peyush Bansal a billionaire The highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) of eyewear retailer Lenskart is projected to be a major financial event that could elevate co-founder and "Shark Tank" judge Peyush Bansal to billionaire status. 🔗 Read More

LVMH-backed L Catterton invests around $30 million in Healing Hands Clinic L Catterton, the private equity firm backed by luxury conglomerate LVMH, has injected approximately $30 million into the healthcare provider Healing Hands Clinic, signaling a growing PE interest in specialized medical retail services. 🔗 Read More

👔 Key Retail Appointments & Exits

• Giorgio Armani Group Names CEO – The luxury group has announced Giuseppe Marsocci as new Chief Executive Officer to steer its long-term strategic direction.

• Ulta appoints new CFO – Ulta Beauty brings in Christopher Delorefice as its new Chief Financial Officer to lead its financial strategy.

• Ralph Lauren elevates AI to the C-suite – The company appointed an AI and technology leader to a newly created C-suite position, prioritizing tech integration at the highest level.

🎤 This Week’s Most Popular Post

TLDR: When I went searching for Gift Vouchers from sports brands to give to team members, I soon found out that NONE of the sportswear brands offer GVs in India, except Decathlon.

Here’s the link to the post.

🤖 Deep Dive: The $9 Billion Reshaping of the Global Shapewear Market

The global shapewear market is experiencing a radical transformation, moving far beyond its traditional role as a garment reserved for special occasions. Driven by innovation from disruptors like Skims and the legacy of brands like Spanx, it has become a multi-billion dollar category defined by body positivity, technological fabrics, and daily wearability.

What is Shapewear?

Shapewear is a category of specialized foundation garments that uses compression technology to temporarily smooth, shape, and support the body's silhouette. Historically viewed as a restrictive garment to achieve an "ideal" figure, its modern definition has evolved. Today's shapewear is often designed for everyday wear, focusing on comfort, breathability, and serving as a confidence-enhancing tool rather than a hidden correction for flaws. It encompasses a wide range of products, including bodysuits, waist trainers, compression tops, and seamless briefs.

How Big is the Market?

The market is currently experiencing robust growth, driven by changing consumer attitudes and continuous product innovation.

What is Currently Happening?

The market is being redefined by two major shifts: a cultural movement toward inclusivity and technological leaps in fabric design.

• The Body Positivity Revolution: Brands have pivoted away from marketing shapewear solely for "slimming." The focus is now on inclusivity, offering extensive size ranges (up to 5X) and a wider spectrum of skin tones. Leaders like Skims (valued over $4 billion) have leveraged social media and celebrity influence to normalize shapewear, repositioning it as stylish, essential outerwear.

• Fabric and Comfort Innovation: Traditional, restrictive materials are out. Manufacturers are prioritizing lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking fabrics (Spandex/Nylon blends). Innovations like seamless technology (laser-cut edges) ensure the garments are invisible under clothing, transitioning shapewear from special-occasion attire to a wardrobe staple.

• The Rise of Men's Shapewear: The male segment is the fastest-growing category. Driven by increased fitness consciousness and an evolving focus on male body image, demand for compression shirts and waist trainers is growing, extending the market's reach beyond its traditional female consumer base.

• DTC and E-commerce Dominance: Online channels are predicted to capture the largest share of the market, primarily because they offer discretion, a massive variety of styles/sizes, and direct access to niche brands.

What is the Future?

The future of shapewear is intertwined with the integration of fashion, technology, and wellness.

1. Smart & Adaptive Fabrics: Expect the development of smart compression technology and adaptive materials that can adjust to varying body temperatures and offer targeted support. The line between performance athletic wear, post-surgical recovery gear, and daily shapewear will continue to blur.

2. Wellness Integration: Shapewear will evolve into wellness gear, offering benefits like posture correction and potentially integrating health monitoring features (e.g., connectivity with health apps) as part of the broader "wearable technology" trend.

3. Sustainability: Following the broader retail trend, brands will increasingly focus on eco-friendly and organic materials, using recycled fibers and adopting zero-waste design principles to appeal to the environmentally conscious consumer.

Sources:

The Spanx Effect: Inside the Multibillion-dollar Shapewear Innovation Competition | Body Shapewear Market Size & Share, Forecasts Report 2034 (GMI Insights) | Shapewear Market Drivers, Industry, Trend, Size, Share (Market Research Future) | Shapewear Market Size, Trend, Growth, Industry Analysis 2034 (Zion Market Research) | Shapewear Market Size And Share | Industry Report, 2030 (Grand View Research) | Shaping the Future: 2024's Revolutionary Trends in the Shapewear Market (Curveez)

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