Despite the current slowdown in the luxury industry, LVMH keeps somehow defying the odds.

In fact, while competitor Kering reported a drop in revenue, LVMH recorded organic revenue growth of 10% in Q4.

Many things can be credited for the French luxury conglomerate’s sustained resilience, from growth in key sectors like fashion and leather goods to its growing roster of brands.

But perhaps nothing predicts a company’s success like some of its biggest executive decisions, especially in an uncertain economy.

So we put together a timeline of LVMH’s top hires and acquisitions since the beginning of the pandemic.

Keep reading here.—JS

2024 is set to be another dynamic year in the evolution of e-commerce and digital marketing. Here’s just one example: $12b of political spending is expected to flood the advertising markets this year. Are you ready to adapt in this shifting landscape?

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Dutch supermarket giant Ahold Delhaize delivered slightly dipping US sales in Q4, though its recent sale of grocery delivery company FreshDirect promises sunnier US margins.

The company, owner of US chains Giant, Stop & Shop, Hannaford, and Food Lion, along with a number of international grocers, reported its net sales were up 1.9% for Q4 but down 1.4% YoY.

Net sales for the company’s US group were up 1.8% in 2023, but dropped 1.5% in the quarter, which it attributed to cooling inflation and a decrease in SNAP spending.

Its online sales in the US were down 1.9% in the quarter due to a tough performance from FreshDirect, which Ahold Delhaize USA sold to Getir in December to turn its focus to omnichannel grocery. The sale has given its US margins “a modest uplift,” Muller said, which it’ll use to invest in its US stores.

Keep reading here.—EC

On Thursday, Target announced a new private label brand, Dealworthy, aimed at budget-conscious consumers, whom the retailer has seen pull back on discretionary spending.

Dealworthy offers products starting at less than $1, and most items are priced under $10. The brand includes nearly 400 products across beauty and personal care, electronics, apparel, and home. Per CNN, the retailer is discontinuing its discount private label, Smartly, which it first introduced in 2018 with products in similar categories and priced under $2, like paper plates and hand soap.

The effort is Target’s latest to address dipping sales from cash-strapped consumers, especially as private labels’ dollar share of US CPG continues to grow as shoppers seek low-priced alternatives.

Keep reading here.—EC