Key Takeaways Shares of Costco Wholesale have been getting cheaper for nearly a year, dropping from early 2025 highs. They got a little less cheap today. The warehouse retailer's shares were up some 5% Thursday afternoon to levels last seen in about a month. The driver: a measure of optimism about the direction of Costco's (COST) business following the company's announcement of December sales that rose 8.5% year-over year and same-store sales that were 7% higher. Bakery, meat and candy sales powered the foo ...

Bradford J. Sandler , partner and co-chair of the creditors’ committee practice group at Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones, shared some insight on Saks Global's situation via an email to TheStreet.Additional complaints span winter accessories, garments, and jewelry, with claimed damages ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to more than half a million dollars. Source: The Fashion LawOther suits target Saks Off 5th, including actions by International Trimmings & Labels Inc., which seeks $40,690 for goods sol ...

Key Takeaways According to two different government measurements of prices, inflation in these sectors is still having an impact on the U.S. economy: Electricity and Utilities Electricity was up 6.9% year-over-year in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November. It's one of a handful of energy products and services that have increased this year, with utility gas services, fuel oils and other motor fuels all growing faster than the overall annual inflation rate of 2.7%. Data centers that power artificial int ...

Group 1 - UBS reiterated its Buy rating and $115 price target on Signet Jewelers, citing encouraging indications for U.S. jewelry demand following the holiday season [1] - Investors had been questioning holiday sales trends amid macroeconomic and tariff-related headwinds, prompting UBS to host an expert call with the CEO of a private jewelry chain [1] - The expert reported that December month-to-date sales were up in the low single-digit percentage range, moderating from mid-single-digit growth year-to-date as of mid-November [2] Group 2 - The expert viewed December trends as a reliable leading indicator for calendar 2026, suggesting that industry-wide jewelry sales could rise by a low single-digit percentage next year [2] - UBS noted that gross margins were improving despite higher gold prices and tariffs, while promotional activity remained relatively stable year over year [3] - These sales and margin trends were supportive of Signet's earnings outlook, leading UBS to reaffirm its Buy rating [3]

Industry Overview - The global luxury sector has faced challenges in 2025 due to uneven consumer demand, currency volatility, and a slowdown in key markets like China [1] - Signs of stabilization are emerging as analysts expect easing financial conditions and renewed spending by high-net-worth consumers heading into 2026 [1] Company Analysis: LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton - LVMH is the world's largest luxury conglomerate, benefiting from a dominant market position and broad exposure across various segments including fashion, leather goods, jewelry, cosmetics, and wines and spirits [2] - The company's diversified structure allows it to offset weaknesses in one segment with strengths in another, maintaining robust margins through brand equity and pricing power [2] - Analysts expect the fashion and leather goods division to remain a key earnings driver, supported by global demand and continued investment in brands [3] - LVMH's exposure to multiple regions, including the United States, Europe, and Asia, enhances its ability to navigate uneven economic conditions [3] Company Analysis: Compagnie Financière Richemont - Compagnie Financière Richemont is viewed as an attractive luxury stock for 2026, with a strong focus on high-end jewelry and watches [6] - Brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels are benefiting from resilient demand, as jewelry has historically performed better during economic slowdowns [7] - Richemont is enhancing its operational efficiency and digital capabilities, which could support margins as sales recover [8] - Recent upgrades from major banks indicate growing confidence in Richemont's positioning to capture a recovery in luxury spending while maintaining its premium brand status [8] Conclusion - As macroeconomic pressures ease and consumer confidence improves, both LVMH and Richemont appear well-positioned to benefit from a renewed upturn in high-end demand [11]

Core Viewpoint - A new individual business named "Bai Bao Wu Creative Handmade Accessories Studio" has been established in Renhe District, Panzhihua City, with a registered capital of 50,000 RMB [1] Company Summary - The legal representative of the studio is Li Jia [1] - The business scope includes general projects such as sales of hair accessories, retail of jewelry, sales of arts and crafts and ceremonial supplies (excluding ivory and its products), and internet sales (excluding items that require special permits) [1] - The studio is allowed to operate independently based on its business license, except for projects that require approval [1]

15 December 2025 | 1:14PM HKT Economics Research China: November activity data broadly missed market expectations November activity data broadly missed market expectations, especially for retail sales. Industrial production (IP) growth edged down in year-on-year terms despite the notable improvement in export growth, with slower output growth in automobile and utilities industries more than offsetting faster output growth in the special equipment and pharmaceuticals industries. Fixed asset investment (FAI) ...

NEW YORK (AP) — The Ah Louis Store in San Luis Obispo, California, turns into a winter wonderland every holiday season.Green garlands, giant nutcrackers, baubles and bows go up in early November on the historic downtown building that houses the gift shop. Inside, customers can choose from over 500 different types of ornaments and a variety of holiday gift baskets.“We really just make it a magical spot,” co-owner Emily Butler said. “Whether you come in or not, we want to make sure that we’re spreading that h ...

Core Viewpoint - In the era of information overload, consumers face numerous choices along with potential traps and disputes. It is essential for consumers to identify potential risks before making purchases by utilizing public information and complaint platforms like the Black Cat Complaint app [1][14]. Group 1: Consumer Behavior - The habit of checking complaint information before making purchases has become increasingly common among consumers, especially for high-value items or services with long service cycles [2][16]. - This proactive behavior helps consumers avoid future troubles by revealing potential issues related to product quality, service response, and contract fulfillment [2][16]. Group 2: Industries Requiring Caution - Certain industries, particularly those with high transaction values, long service chains, and multiple after-sales processes, necessitate thorough pre-purchase checks [3][17]. - Specific sectors that require heightened scrutiny include: - Education and vocational training, where issues like false advertising and refund difficulties are prevalent [6][20]. - Beauty and medical services, which pose risks related to personal safety and service effectiveness [6][20]. - Home renovation and building materials, where common problems include additional charges and delays [6][20]. - Long-term rental apartments and real estate agencies, often facing issues like deposit refunds and contract traps [4][20]. - Online purchases of large items or luxury goods, where concerns about counterfeit products and after-sales service are significant [4][20]. Group 3: Sources for Reliable Complaint Information - Consumers can access various public channels to check complaint records, including: - Official regulatory platforms like the national 12315 platform, which provides authoritative data on complaints and resolutions [5][18]. - Industry-specific complaint platforms that cater to particular sectors, ensuring more relevant processing [5][18]. - Third-party public complaint platforms, such as the Black Cat Complaint platform, which leverage user bases to facilitate communication between consumers and businesses [5][18]. Group 4: Utilizing Black Cat Complaint Platform - The Black Cat Complaint platform serves as a valuable resource for consumers, offering easy access to a wealth of complaint cases that can inform purchasing decisions [7][19]. - Users can search for companies or brands to view related complaints, including consumer issues and company responses, providing a comprehensive view of service responsiveness [7][19]. - The platform also features a collective complaint function, highlighting common issues faced by multiple consumers, which can indicate systemic problems [21]. Group 5: Strategies for Avoiding Consumer Traps - Consumers are encouraged to adopt a multi-faceted approach to avoid pitfalls: - Cross-verify information across multiple platforms, including 12315 and social media [9][22]. - Carefully read contracts and terms, especially regarding liability and refund policies [10][23]. - Retain all transaction evidence, such as screenshots and payment records, for future reference [11][23]. - Use secure payment methods to maintain transaction records [12][23]. - Approach large or prepaid purchases with caution, opting for smaller trial packages before committing to larger investments [12][23]. Conclusion - In a complex consumer market, proactive measures are more effective than post-purchase claims. Developing a habit of checking complaint records and utilizing platforms like Black Cat Complaint can significantly enhance consumer decision-making [13][24].

Group 1 - Signet Jewelers Limited will participate in the Raymond James 2025 TMT & Consumer Conference on December 9, 2025, with CEO J.K. Symancyk presenting at 9:20 AM Eastern Time [1] - A live webcast of the presentation will be available for investors and analysts, with a replay accessible for at least 30 days [1] Group 2 - Signet operates approximately 2,600 stores and eCommerce sites under various brand names, including KAY Jewelers, Zales, and Jared [2] - The company's sales are derived from the retailing of jewelry, watches, and associated services [2] - Signet is committed to sustainability and is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact, adhering to responsible business principles [2]