CEO: Spanish Fashion Retailer Mango Adapting to US Tariffs

Mango company headquarters are seen before the presentation of  their 2024 financial results in Palau-solita i Plegamans, north of Barcelona, on March 10, 2025. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP)
Mango company headquarters are seen before the presentation of their 2024 financial results in Palau-solita i Plegamans, north of Barcelona, on March 10, 2025. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP)
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CEO: Spanish Fashion Retailer Mango Adapting to US Tariffs

Mango company headquarters are seen before the presentation of  their 2024 financial results in Palau-solita i Plegamans, north of Barcelona, on March 10, 2025. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP)
Mango company headquarters are seen before the presentation of their 2024 financial results in Palau-solita i Plegamans, north of Barcelona, on March 10, 2025. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP)

Spanish fashion retailer Mango is adapting to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imports from China and could rethink the types of products it sells in the US, which is its fifth-largest market, the company's chief executive said.
Mango does not plan to raise prices to offset the impact of tariffs, even though that could dent its margins, CEO Toni Ruiz said late on Monday in a joint interview with Reuters and French newspaper Les Echos at Mango's headquarters outside Barcelona.
But the retailer, which sells dresses from $49.99 to $359.99, is considering a range of higher-quality and more trendy clothes and accessories for the US market, Ruiz said. Higher-priced items typically have a greater profit margin, making it easier to absorb extra costs.
"We will see how it progresses and we will adapt," Ruiz added. "At the moment there are no plans to produce in the country itself (the US) but we will see how things evolve. It is a constant in our business to be constantly reflecting on sourcing, supply issues."
US President Donald Trump imposed fresh duties on Chinese goods last week after declaring China had failed to do enough to stem the flow of deadly fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into the United States.
Around 30% of Mango's products sold in the US are made in China, its biggest manufacturing hub globally, Ruiz said. Türkiye and India are its second and third-biggest sourcing countries globally. All shipments go through a logistics facility in Barcelona, from where the retailer decides what it sends to which markets.
Spain's second-largest fashion company has positioned itself as a premium retailer focusing on women's occasionwear, party dresses, and workwear, and has been expanding in the US at the same time as its bigger rival Zara, owned by Inditex.
Mango, which aims to reach 4 billion euros in sales by 2026, reported on Monday an 8% increase in sales in 2024 to 3.33 billion euros ($3.61 billion). Its net profit rose 27% to 219 million euros.
The family-owned unlisted firm returned to the US in 2022 and plans to open more than 60 stores in the country between 2024 and 2025. It aims for the US to be among its top three markets by next year, with Ruiz adding that he sees "enormous" potential for growth.
Mango has no current plans to return to Russia even if the war in Ukraine ends, Ruiz said.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Mango transferred the 55 stores it had in Russia to franchises. Last year, Mango had 97 points of sale in Russia run by franchises.



Etro Founding Family Exits Group as New Investors Including Türkiye's RAMS Global Join

L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters
L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters
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Etro Founding Family Exits Group as New Investors Including Türkiye's RAMS Global Join

L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters
L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner. Reuters

The founding family of Italian fashion house Etro has sold the minority stake it still owned in the brand to a group of investors including Turkish group RAMS Global, the company said on Friday.

L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by French luxury giant LVMH, will remain Etro's majority owner and "will continue to actively support the brand's long-term growth strategy," Etro added, according to Reuters.

The new investors comprise also Italian fashion group Swinger International and small private equity firm ⁠RSI.

In addition to buying the stake, they all subscribed to a capital increase that will lower L Catterton's holding in Etro to between 51% and 55% from around 65%.

When including both the acquisition and the capital increase, the deal is worth around 70 ⁠million euros ($82 million), two sources close to the matter said. Etro did not disclose financial details.

Chief Executive Fabrizio Cardinali will remain at the helm, while Faruk Bülbül, representing RAMS Global, will become chairman of the board.

L Catterton bought a 60% stake in the brand known for its paisley motif four years ago, and it slightly increased the holding over the years.

The company, founded by Gimmo Etro in 1968, has ⁠been struggling with its turnaround. Last year it posted a net loss of 23 million euros with net revenues declining to 245 million euros from 261 million euros, according to filings with the local chambers of commerce reviewed by Reuters.

Rothschild advised L Catterton and the Etro family on the deal.

Rothschild had been hired in 2024 to look for a new investor who could buy all or part of the Etro fashion group, sources had previously told Reuters.


Paris Court Rejects Bid to Suspend Shein Platform in France

A customer holds shopping bags with a Shein logo in the first physical space of Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein on the day of its opening inside the Le BHV Marais department store, the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, in Paris, France, November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
A customer holds shopping bags with a Shein logo in the first physical space of Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein on the day of its opening inside the Le BHV Marais department store, the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, in Paris, France, November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
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Paris Court Rejects Bid to Suspend Shein Platform in France

A customer holds shopping bags with a Shein logo in the first physical space of Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein on the day of its opening inside the Le BHV Marais department store, the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, in Paris, France, November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
A customer holds shopping bags with a Shein logo in the first physical space of Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein on the day of its opening inside the Le BHV Marais department store, the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, in Paris, France, November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

A Paris court on Friday rejected a government request to suspend Chinese fast-fashion platform Shein in France after authorities found illegal weapons and child-like sex dolls for sale on the fast-fashion giant’s website.

Shein welcomed the decision, saying it remains committed to strengthening its control processes in cooperation with French authorities.

“Our priority remains protecting French consumers and ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations," the company said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.

The controversy dates to early November, when France’s consumer watchdog and Finance Ministry moved toward suspending Shein’s online marketplace after authorities said they had found childlike sex dolls and prohibited “Class A” weapons listed for sale, even as the company opened its first permanent store in Paris.

French authorities gave Shein hours to remove the items. The company responded by banning the products and largely shutting down third-party marketplace listings in France.

French officials have also asked the European Commission to examine how illegal products were able to appear on the platform under EU rules governing large online intermediaries.


Lululemon Jumps on Elliott's $1 Billion Bet Ahead of Leadership Change

FILE PHOTO: A logo is displayed inside a Lululemon outlet retail store at Bicester Village in Oxfordshire, Britain, August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A logo is displayed inside a Lululemon outlet retail store at Bicester Village in Oxfordshire, Britain, August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
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Lululemon Jumps on Elliott's $1 Billion Bet Ahead of Leadership Change

FILE PHOTO: A logo is displayed inside a Lululemon outlet retail store at Bicester Village in Oxfordshire, Britain, August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A logo is displayed inside a Lululemon outlet retail store at Bicester Village in Oxfordshire, Britain, August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

Lululemon Athletica shares rose nearly 8% in early trading on Thursday after reports Elliott Management has built a $1 billion stake in the athleisure wear maker and is working with former Ralph Lauren executive Jane Nielsen for a potential CEO role.

The Canada-based retailer said last week that Calvin McDonald will step down after nearly seven years as its top boss, sparking hopes for a leader who can reverse slowing growth and win back younger shoppers amid fierce competition from trendier players like Alo and Vuori. The stock has lost nearly half of its value this year, underscoring investor concerns over Lululemon's struggles. The company's shares were trading at $224 on Thursday.

"Elliott is famous for agitating for change. These positions aren't built overnight, so Lululemon's board probably saw this coming," said Brian Jacobsen, chief economic strategist, Annex Wealth Management.

The activist investor has been working closely for months with Nielsen, a retail veteran, a source told Reuters on Wednesday. Nielsen, who sits on the board of Cadbury parent Mondelez, has also served as finance chief at Tapestry-owned Coach.

"Lululemon is one of the most powerful brands in retail, defined by exceptional products, deeply engaged communities and significant global potential," Nielsen said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal. "I would welcome the chance to discuss this opportunity with the Lululemon board."

Elliott, Lululemon and Nielsen did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Analysts have said the company will need to upgrade its fabrics, use fresher designs and accelerate product launches that click with Gen Z to reclaim its "cool factor" and lure shoppers back.

With much of its sourcing tied to Asian factories facing higher import duties, Lululemon will also need to streamline its supply chain to blunt US tariff pressures and protect margins next year, analysts have said.

"Lululemon should implement fast fashions and introduce an assortment that will pull customers from Alo and Vuori - especially Gen Z customers.

Fast fashion requires a much better supply chain than is currently in use at Lululemon," said Brittain Ladd, a strategy and supply chain consultant at Florida-based Chang Robotics.

The brand's struggles have drawn sharp criticism from founder and largest individual shareholder Chip Wilson. He has also called for an urgent CEO search, led by new, independent directors with deep company knowledge to restore a product-first focus.

Wilson did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

With a 4.3% ownership, Wilson's stake is valued at about $988 million, according to LSEG data, making Elliott one of the top shareholders in Lululemon, which is valued at nearly $25 billion.

Lululemon trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.37, while Gap trades at 11.88 and American Eagle at 16.81, according to LSEG data.