The Indicator | September 12th, 2025

By Sonal Gandhi
Chief Content Officer at The Lead

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In this week’s highlights, Ralph Lauren has an AI shopping assistant, Coach plans to hit $10 billion in sales and Dick’s acquisition of Foot Locker is now complete. In partnership news, Adidas is collaborating with Audi, and Everlane with a celebrity for the first time.

'INNOVATION MOVES'

  • Ralph Lauren announced the launch of “Ask Ralph,” a new AI-powered shopping experience that leverages generative AI’s conversational abilities to let customers ask questions and get product recommendations. The bot leverages a deep archive of content to offer inspiration and guidance on how to put pieces together into Ralph Lauren-approved outfits. (Business of Fashion)

  • Adidas has revealed its Formula 1 apparel team partnership with the Audi team. The multiyear contract will start in 2026 and coincides with the team’s official entry into the motorsport category. The apparel partnership will encompass the two brands, which share German heritage, developing tailored high-performance-oriented equipment for Audi’s drivers, engineers, mechanics and other team personnel. (WWD)
  • Balenciaga will launch its first contemporary fine fragrance collection. The 10 perfumes, priced at $320 each, will be available in select Balenciaga boutiques in Europe and North America and its e-commerce site. The scents are an extension and a modern reinterpretation of Le Dix, a perfume created by Cristóbal Balenciaga in the 1940s. (Business of Fashion)
  • Sincerely Yours, the new teen-focused skin-care brand launching in Sephora this week, drew thousands of attendees to the American Dream Mall in New Jersey. The brand, co-founded by 15-year-old social media creator Salish Matter and dad Jordan Matter, was marking the surprise launch with a pop-up at the mall. American Dream Mall estimated that over 80,000 people made their way to the pop-up over the weekend breaking the attendance records of past appearances by MrBeast and Hailey Bieber. (ModernRetail)
  • Everlane launched its first celebrity-fronted campaign with Icelandic singer Laufey. She stars in ‘Everland,’ a series of ads for the brand’s fall collection and the latest effort in its endeavour to develop a more recognisable brand identity. (Business of Fashion)
  • Tapestry has a three-year strategic plan, named Amplify, that aims to redefine the market and achieve several key objectives including increasing Coach revenues to $10 billion long-term (a significant jump from $5.6 billion last year), restore Kate Spade to growth by fiscal year 2027 and return $4 billion to shareholders through fiscal year 2028 via share repurchases and dividends. (WWD)

'Financial Moves'

  • Klarna (ecommerce payment platform) debuted on the NYSE, pricing above range and ending its opening trading day at $45.82 (a ~$17.3B valuation).
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods has completed its $2.4 billion acquisition of Foot Locker and announced a slate of executives to lead the business going forward.
  • Books Inc. (California-based book chain) was acquired by Barnes & Noble for $3.25M.
  • Groupe Laboratoire Rivadis (French skincare maker) was acquired by ARCHIMED.
  • A majority stake in BYOMA (skincare) was sold by Yellow Wood Partners to Bansk Group.
  • Beauty Tech Group (at-home cosmetics) announced plans to IPO on the London Stock Exchange.

'Career Moves'

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