Core Insights - Bath & Body Works has launched its first authorized brand storefront on Amazon, making popular products available for Prime members, which enhances accessibility for U.S. consumers [1][2] - Amazon dominates the U.S. online beauty and personal care market with a 47% share, significantly ahead of Sephora at 9%, indicating a strategic move for Bath & Body Works to tap into this large market [2] - The partnership with Amazon is part of Bath & Body Works' broader strategy to expand customer access points, which also includes selling products in over 1,000 college campus stores [2] Company Strategy - CEO Daniel Heaf, who joined Bath & Body Works in May, has outlined a "consumer-first formula" aimed at achieving profitable and sustainable growth through innovation, brand revitalization, marketplace competitiveness, and operational efficiency [3] - The Amazon partnership is described as a significant milestone in the company's strategy for the fiscal year, aiming to reclaim brand presence on the platform after previously relying on third-party resellers [4]

NEW YORK, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeShop Holdings Limited (“WeShop” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: WSHP), the world’s first community-owned social commerce platform, allows shoppers to earn equity while they shop at leading apparel retailers including Sephora, ShopBop, Lands’ End, Michael Kors, FARFETCH, SHEIN, DSW, Kohl's, Levi's, Macy's, JCPenny, Gap, and Old Navy, giving shoppers more ways to save and shop their favorite brands. Within the WeShop app, members can shop a curated selection of fashion ...

Core Insights - Veho is launching FlexSave, an innovative delivery option aimed at providing e-commerce brands with cost-effective shipping solutions by allowing them to trade guaranteed delivery dates for lower rates [1][4][6] - The company has developed a proprietary technology platform, MaestroAI, which optimizes parcel movements in real-time, enhancing delivery efficiency and reducing costs for retailers [2][5][6] Group 1: FlexSave and MaestroAI - FlexSave will enable shippers to maintain free shipping for consumers while managing rising last-mile delivery costs by offering a flexible delivery window instead of a specific delivery date [4][6] - MaestroAI dynamically builds delivery routes based on seller preferences and parcel requirements, allowing for better asset utilization and cost savings [2][7][6] - The service will be available for Ground Plus (one-to-five day delivery) and Premium Economy (two-to-eight day delivery) products, with potential delivery windows extending beyond traditional timelines [6][10] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Veho's model allows it to compete with ultra-low-cost carriers by providing a better delivery experience while maintaining cost efficiency [8][9] - The delivery industry is facing pressure from rising shipping rates and customer expectations for fast, reliable service, creating challenges for e-tailers [9][10] - Existing carriers like FedEx and UPS offer flexible shipping options, but Veho's approach with MaestroAI aims to provide a more tailored solution for modern e-commerce needs [11][12][14] Group 3: Future Outlook - Veho's CEO emphasizes that FlexSave is just the beginning, with plans to further enhance delivery options through MaestroAI, allowing brands to customize transit times and delivery windows [10][6] - The ongoing rise in shipping costs presents a significant challenge for brands, necessitating innovative solutions like FlexSave to maintain customer trust and brand reputation [10][9] - The logistics landscape is evolving, with independent carriers needing to balance cost and quality as they scale their operations [16][15]

Core Insights - The deal to keep TikTok operational in the US has been finalized, with new ownership primarily by Oracle, Silverlake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, while ByteDance retains a 19% stake [2] Group 1: Ownership and Operations - TikTok's algorithm is being retrained on US data under the new ownership structure, which may impact user experience and advertising returns [2][3] - The app's 200 million US users will not need to download a new version, indicating continuity in user access [2] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Uncertainty regarding TikTok's future has previously benefited competitors like Meta, Snap, YouTube, and Pinterest, as brands may delay advertising investments until TikTok's ROI becomes clearer [3] - A significant risk for TikTok is the rising popularity of Instagram's Reels, with average user time on TikTok decreasing from 1 hour to 52 minutes, while Instagram's user time has increased from 33 minutes to 36 minutes [4] Group 3: E-commerce Potential - TikTok is expected to aggressively expand its e-commerce segment, potentially challenging established players like Shein and Sephora [5] - E-marketer forecasts that TikTok Shop will achieve over $20 billion in US sales this year, with projections of growth to $37 billion by 2029 [5]

No beauty retailer is as big as the 56-year-old brand Sephora. Executives have a plan to make sure it stays on top. https://t.co/zbbcKHwSqH ...

Core Insights - The global beauty market is valued at $450 billion, with LVMH-owned retailer being a significant player due to its cultural impact [1] Company Strategy - Executives at LVMH have developed a plan to maintain the retailer's leading position in the beauty market [1]

Group 1: Retail Expansion - Carolina Jewelry has opened its first physical location at Plaza Las Américas, marking a significant step after eight years of online and wholesale growth [2][4] - Sephora is set to launch a new store at the Shops at Caguas, which will be its third location in Puerto Rico, contributing to the ongoing merchandise upgrade in the area [4][5] Group 2: Business Strategy - The new cart-style space, named the Styling Booth, aims to enhance customer relationships, increase visibility, and strengthen the brand's omnichannel strategy by integrating online, wholesale, and direct retail [3] - The Styling Booth features a collection of hypoallergenic jewelry made from 925 silver, Brazilian-made gold-layered designs, and 316 stainless steel, tailored for fast, personalized shopping experiences [3] Group 3: Market Positioning - The opening of Carolina Jewelry's physical store is described as a "major milestone" and a model for future expansions in other malls [4] - The addition of Sephora is expected to significantly enhance the retail offering at the Shops at Caguas, meeting shopper expectations for a mix of global brands and high-quality local favorites [5]

Core Insights - Ulta Beauty's expansion into the South Korean beauty market is yielding positive results, significantly boosting sales and attracting new customers [1][3] - The company's K-beauty product assortment is resonating well with consumers, particularly in skincare, leading to a notable increase in net sales and same-store sales [1][3] Sales Performance - Ulta Beauty reported third-quarter net sales of $2.9 billion, reflecting a 12.9% increase year-on-year [3] - Same-store sales rose by 6.3% compared to the previous year [3] - The company's stock price increased by nearly 6% in after-hours trading and has risen approximately 33% over the past year [4] Market Trends - The K-beauty industry in the US reached a valuation of $2 billion in the year leading up to July 2025, marking a 37% growth from the previous year [4] - The appeal of K-beauty products is attributed to their affordability and high-quality offerings, which attract a younger demographic [4][5] Strategic Initiatives - Ulta Beauty is actively expanding its K-beauty brand portfolio, including exclusive partnerships with brands like Medicube, TIRTIR, Fwee, and Unleashia [2] - The company aims to secure exclusive sales partnerships with K-beauty brands ahead of the anticipated entry of South Korean retailer Olive Young into the US market [5]

Core Viewpoint - Nicolas Puech, a former billionaire and Hermès heir, is suing LVMH and its founder Bernard Arnault, claiming his wealth manager sold his shares in Hermès without his knowledge, which are now valued at over $16 billion [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - Puech has filed a lawsuit against his former wealth manager Eric Freymond, Bernard Arnault, LVMH, and associated holding companies, alleging that Freymond sold his shares without consent when LVMH began acquiring a stake in Hermès over a decade ago [2]. - The lawsuit estimates the value of Puech's lost Hermès shares at approximately 14 billion euros, or around $16.3 billion [2]. Group 2: Background Information - Bernard Arnault has transformed LVMH into a leading luxury conglomerate by acquiring various companies, including Sephora in 1997 and Tiffany & Co. in 2021 for $15.8 billion [4]. - In 2010, Arnault disclosed that he had acquired a 23% stake in Hermès, leading to a dispute that was settled in 2014, where Arnault agreed to distribute LVMH's stake to shareholders while retaining an 8.5% stake [4].

Core Insights - Ulta Beauty, Inc. is recognized as one of the best-performing retail stocks in 2025, with UBS reaffirming a Buy rating and a price target of $680 due to strong third-quarter results and consistent demand in the beauty category [1] - The company is expected to benefit from a more rational competitive environment, particularly with reduced rivalry from Sephora, which could enhance comparable sales by 100-200 basis points in 2026 [2] - Ulta Beauty is expanding its international presence with the launch of its first Middle Eastern store in Kuwait, in collaboration with Alshaya Group, featuring over 300 beauty and wellness products [3] Company Overview - Ulta Beauty, Inc. operates as a specialty beauty retailer in the U.S., with more than 1,445 retail stores across 50 states, offering a wide range of skincare, hair care, cosmetics, perfumes, and salon services [4]