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☆ Without fanfare or PR, Japanese anime master Miyazaki's likely final film opens
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A woman takes a picture of a movie poster for Oscar-winning Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki's film "How Do You Live?" outside a movie theatre in Tokyo, Japan, July 14, 2023. "I was really excited to see a Miyazaki movie," said Michiru Miyasato, an 18-year-old student who came to the first showing at a central Tokyo cinema. In a first for Miyazaki's films, which include "Princess Mononoke" and "My Neighbour Totoro," this one also has an IMAX release. "So I was really, really looking forward to it."

Persons: Oscar, Hayao Miyazaki's, Kim Kyung, Hoon, Hayao Miyazaki, Michiru Miyasato, Yumiko Kokubo, Toshio Suzuki, Mononoke, Miyazaki, Rens Takahashi, Elaine Lies, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Ghibli, Miyazaki, NHK, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Hoon TOKYO

The KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF is up 5.4% since Friday, while back home the CSI Overseas China Internet Index (.CSIH11136) is up nearly 3%. Yet China tech valuations have been gutted in the nearly 3 years since Ant was forced to shelve its initial share offering, and fund managers see plenty of headwinds, apart from just policy scrutiny. "The government has learned that the private sector - particularly the tech sector - is a critical partner in jump-starting growth. The government will continue to exert pressure on key tech companies even as they allow growth to resume," he said. For some sell-side analysts, though, China tech has turned a corner.

Persons: Jack Ma, Jon Withaar, Ant, Wong Kok Hoi, Wong, Kai Kong Chay, Derrick Irwin, Xi Jinping's, Alibaba's ADRs, Morgan Stanley, Min Lan Tan, Vidya Ranganathan, Kim Coghill Organizations: Group, Alibaba, HK, Pictet Asset Management, CSI China, CSI Overseas, CSI Overseas China Internet, Amazon Inc, APS Asset Management, Greater, Manulife Investment Management, UBS Global Wealth Management, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Asia, Hong Kong, Alibaba, CSI Overseas China, Singapore, Greater China, Boston

☆ Buy Buy Baby stores set to shutter as Go Global's deal falls apart - CNBC
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 11 (Reuters) - Bankrupt retailer Bed Bath & Beyond's Buy Buy Baby stores are set to shutter after a last ditch effort to save the chain and keep the business alive fell apart, CNBC reported on Tuesday. Brand management firm Go Global Retail was eager to buy the Bed Bath & Beyond chain and keep it running, but couldn't reach an agreement on valuation, the firm's CEO Jeff Streader told CNBC. Bed Bath did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Once a storied retailer, Bed Bath & Beyond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April after struggling for years with dwindling sales and a failed merchandising strategy. Reporting by Savyata Mishra in BengaluruOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jeff Streader, Savyata Mishra Organizations: Bed, CNBC, Brand, Go, Retail, Sixth Street Partners, Global, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Bed Bath & Beyond ends auction for Buy Buy Baby stores
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Dietrich Knauth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, July 7 (Reuters) - Bankrupt retailer Bed Bath & Beyond has ended its efforts to find a buyer for its entire Buy Buy Baby business, and it will instead seek U.S. court approval for a more limited sale of Buy Buy Baby's intellectual property assets. Bed Bath & Beyond had declared Dream On Me as lead bidder for the brand's intellectual property on June 29, but had continued to seek buyers who would take over the entire Buy Buy Baby business. Bed Bath & Beyond will seek approval of the Buy Buy Baby IP sale at a July 11 court hearing. Overstock will rebrand itself as an online-only version of Bed Bath & Beyond without acquiring any of the bankrupt retailers stores or inventory. Dream on Me and Bed Bath & Beyond did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

Persons: Dietrich Knauth, Alexia Garamfalvi, David Gregorio Our Organizations: YORK, Bed, Beyond, Industries, Thomson Locations: New Jersey

☆ It's not just Tesla and Rivian — electric batteries are also shaking up the landscaping aisle
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

In this article LOWHD Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTSome landscaping crews have begun to use battery-powered tools. Outdoor power equipment drives just a small fraction of the retailers' sales, said Zack Fadem, an analyst for Wells Fargo. Yet several more recent factors have increased interest in electric power for landscaping. Tractor Supply , a home improvement player that tends to be in rural areas, has been slower to add battery-powered outdoor equipment. At TPC Sawgrass in Florida, the landscaping crew has tried out an autonomous battery-powered mower and uses some electric leaf blowers.

Persons: Lowe's, Zack Fadem, Wells, Bill Boltz, Melissa Repko, Billy Bastek, John Deere, Stanley Black, Decker, Mary Winn Pilkington, it's, Jeff Plotts Organizations: Home Depot, Power Equipment Institute, CNBC, Technology, California Air Resources Board, Tractor, TPC Sawgrass Locations: California, Wells Fargo, New York City, Canada, Home, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Toro, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Florida

☆ Dollar Tree plans to raise prices up to $5 proving there's no such thing as a 'dollar store' anymore
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Early sales results are encouraging, and customers should expect to see more higher-priced products at Dollar Tree's stores going forward, they said. Last year, Dollar Tree made the noteworthy decision increased prices on its items to $1.25 from $1, citing inflation. Dollar TreeIn May, Dollar Tree added coolers with juice, coffee creamer, Velveeta, and other refrigerated products to 140 stores. Dollar Tree has about 16,000 locations, and Dollar General has nearly 20,000. Do you work or shop at a Dollar Tree store or have a story to share?

Persons: —, Richard McNeely, McNeely, creamer, Alex Bitter Organizations: Service, Dollar Locations: Velveeta, Mexico

☆ Online retailer Overstock rebranding as Bed Bath & Beyond
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Dietrich Knauth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"We've long liked the Bed Bath and Beyond name, but we didn't like the stores, the inventory, so don't expect stores from us." Before the Bed Bath & Beyond bankruptcy, Overstock thought that a rebrand would take years and potentially hundreds of millions of dollars, according to Johnson. Instead, Overstock company was able to buy Bed Bath & Beyond's name and customer data for $21.5 million at a bankruptcy auction. Overstock already has a new Bed Bath & Beyond website in Canada, and it plans to go live with a U.S. website in August. Once a storied retailer, Bed Bath & Beyond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April after struggling for years with dwindling sales and a failed merchandising strategy.

Persons: Overstock.com, Jonathan Johnson, Johnson, Overstock, they'll, Dietrich Knauth, Granth, Richard Chang, Maju Samuel Organizations: YORK, Bed, Industries, Thomson, & ' $ Locations: Canada, U.S, New Jersey, Bengaluru

☆ US judge approves Overstock's $21.5 mln Bed Bath & Beyond purchase
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Dietrich Knauth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, June 27 (Reuters) - A U.S. bankruptcy judge on Tuesday approved Overstock.com's $21.5 million purchase of Bed Bath & Beyond's brand name, intellectual property and ecommerce platform. Overstock emerged as the winning bidder for the company's intellectual property in a deal worth $21.5 million, court filings showed on Thursday. Bed Bath & Beyond stores and inventory are not part of the deal. Bed Bath & Beyond is hosting a separate auction starting tomorrow for its Buy Buy Baby chain, which sells products for infants and toddlers. The Buy Buy Baby assets have attracted interest from investment firms Go Global Retail and Sixth Street Partners, according to media reports.

Persons: Vincent Papalia, Emily Geier, Dietrich Knauth, Alexia Garamfalvi Organizations: YORK, Bed, Go Global, Sixth Street Partners, Thomson Locations: Newark , New Jersey

☆ Rossi sees Reynolds' winning touch boosting Alpine
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ENSTONE, England, June 27 (Reuters) - Renault-owned Alpine believe Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds has the Midas Touch to help get the team back to the top in Formula One. "Most of you were probably expecting Ryan Reynolds," Otro Capital founder and partner Alec Scheiner jokingly told analysts at Alpine's Enstone factory for a strategy presentation. Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi pointed to Reynolds' track record in business. Rossi said the investors, who have paid 200 million euros ($218.88 million), would develop revenues through merchandising, licensing and hospitality. The deal values Alpine Racing at around $900 million and Rossi said the numbers were only going up.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Alec Scheiner, Laurent Rossi, Rossi, Otro, Goldman Sachs, Gerry Cardinale, RedBird, Scheiner, Luca de Meo, Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Renault, Formula, Wrexham soccer, Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, Aviation, Mobile US, Ka'ena Corp, Mint Mobile, Diageo, Gin, Wrexham, English Football League, RedBird, Fenway Sports Group, Premier League, Liverpool, Boston Red Sox baseball, Toulouse, Milan, Liberty Media, Thomson Locations: ENSTONE, England, Wrexham, RedBird, Americas, Las Vegas, U.S

Mindy Yu was raised in Queens, New York, in a working-class family who lived paycheck to paycheck. Pros Check mark icon A check mark. Accounts pay high interest rates Check mark icon A check mark. No fees Check mark icon A check mark. Open accounts you might not be able access outside of Raisin Check mark icon A check mark.

Persons: Mindy Yu, Yu, —, didn't, Roth, It's Organizations: Service, Social Security, Roth IRA, Mint, FDIC, Chevron Locations: Queens , New York, Manhattan's Chinatown

☆ Barbiecore Is Surging Its Way into Home Décor and Interior Design
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Lia Picard | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Hot pink made waves when Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli released her own iteration, called “Shocking pink,” in the mid-1930s. The original Barbie doll didn’t even wear pink when it first debuted in 1959, wearing, instead, a black and white chevron bathing suit. Barbie’s pink shades evolved over the years, and in 2008 the vibrant “Barbie Pink” became an official Pantone color. Gifty Walker, Joybird’s director of merchandising and sourcing in Los Angeles, noted that Joybird had a hot pink couch that was popular in 2016. Now hot pink is back and customers are using it to eschew traditional neutrals like grays, browns, and tans.

Persons: wasn’t, Elsa Schiaparelli, Barbie, ”, Kim Culmone, Pink ”, Barbie Dreamhouse, Gifty Walker, Joybird, Walker Organizations: Mattel Locations: Los Angeles

☆ These stocks with 'multiyear growth' prospects are about to catch fire, Wall Street analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

CNBC Pro combed through top research to find stocks best positioned for multiyear growth. "A multi-year growth story & we're just getting started," the analyst said. "If that's the case, we see the firm's current valuation as at least sustainable, if not with bias to the upside as conviction builds in the multiyear growth story," he wrote. Entegris — BMO Capital Markets, outperform rating "A Multi-Year Growth Story & We're Just Getting Started. If that's the case, we see the firm's current valuation as at least sustainable, if not with bias to the upside as conviction builds in the multiyear growth story."

Persons: Bhavesh Lodaya, Lodaya, David Hynes Jr, Hynes, Matthew Smith, Smith, Westrock, Macy's —, — Morgan Stanley, Bloom, Conway, Sprout Organizations: CNBC, Bloom Energy, Entegris BMO Capital Markets, Sprout, Westrock, Macy's — JPMorgan, BMO Capital Markets Locations: Rock , Arkansas

☆ U.S. luxury sales increasingly coming from high-end shoppers, Bain & Co says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, June 23 (Reuters) - Luxury brands focused on wealthier consumers in the United States are performing better than those who appeal to aspirational shoppers on lower incomes who are deterred by the economic uncertainty, consultancy Bain & company said. For example, premium fashion retailer Hugo Boss last week raised its sales and profit targets for 2025 and said it continued to see strong growth in the U.S. and was expecting revenue to grow in the Asia-Pacific region. Lovato said that while there were "some questions marks" about China, and possibly a slowing of sales growth with the middle class, there was still appetite there. Luxury sales stood at 345 billion euros last year, according to Bain. Reporting by Mimosa Spencer and Elisa Anzolin; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bain, Federica Levato, Hugo Boss, Lovato, Mimosa Spencer, Elisa Anzolin, Alison Williams Organizations: Bain, Reuters, People, Saks Fifth, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: United States, China, New York City, U.S, Asia, Pacific

☆ U.S. luxury sales increasingly coming from high-end shoppers - Bain
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Bain, Federica Levato, Hugo Boss, Lovato, Mimosa Spencer, Elisa Anzolin, Alison Williams Organizations: Bain, Reuters, Thomson Locations: United States, China, U.S, Asia, Pacific

☆ 150 Starbucks stores to strike over Pride decorations
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Workers at about 150 unionized Starbucks stores in the United States are going on strike Friday over the coffee chain’s policy for Pride decorations in stores. Starbucks (SBUX) Workers United, the union representing organized stores, has claimed that Starbucks (SBUX) has restricted decorations celebrating Pride month in some locations, demonstrating a “hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers.” Starbucks (SBUX) has forcefully denied this claim. Starbucks said it is not aware of any company-owned stores that have banned Pride decorations. Starbucks Workers United says this is an example of Starbucks bowing to pressure, as Target did when moving or removing Pride merchandise from some stores. But, even if some individual managers have removed their Pride decorations, Starbucks corporate has not changed any merchandising or other policies.

Persons: ”, “ We’re Organizations: New, New York CNN — Workers, Workers, Starbucks, Starbucks Workers, US, Twitter, Pride Locations: New York, United States, Oklahoma , Arkansas, Missouri

The Chinese e-commerce giant saw sales rise 6-8% over the 618 festival period that ran from late May through to Sunday evening, according to a client note from Citi analysts. The festival, named after the founding date of JD.com but embraced by all e-commerce platforms, is a key barometer of Chinese consumer spending. JD.com has said it will not release its GMV for the festival period this year, only noting that sales hit a record - a milestone which was expected. Alibaba has also stopped releasing GMV figures for the so-called Singles Day shopping festival period in November in the face of slowing sales. Goldman Sachs analysts said in a client note that JD.com sales during 618 "slightly" exceeded expectations, while Jefferies analysts said the event "surpassed expectations and set new records."

Persons: brokerages, Syntun, Alibaba, JD.com, Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, Casey, Sophie Yu, Edwina Gibbs, Susan Fenton Organizations: HK, Citi, Alibaba, PDD Holdings, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, Shanghai, Beijing

SHANGHAI, June 19 (Reuters) - Sales on JD.com (9618.HK) e-commerce site during China's mid-year shopping festival - the first major shopping event since country's reopening - grew more than expected, brokerages said. JD.com saw sales rise 6-8% over the 618 festival period that ran from late May through to Sunday evening, according to a client note from Citi analysts. Alibaba has also stopped releasing GMV figures for the so-called Singles Day shopping festival period in November in the face of slowing sales. The festival period this year was marked by fierce competition, with platforms offering billions of yuan in coupons and subsidies to entice Chinese consumers to spend. Goldman Sachs analysts said in a client note said JD.com sales during 618 "slightly" exceeded expectations, while Jefferies analysts said the event "surpassed expectations and set new records."

Persons: brokerages, JD.com, Alibaba, Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, Casey, Sophie Yu, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: HK, Citi, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, Shanghai, Beijing

☆ Online retailer Overstock to buy some assets of Bed Bath & Beyond
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 13 (Reuters) - Overstock.com (OSTK.O) will buy certain assets of bankrupt home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond for $21.5 million, the online retailer said on Tuesday. The deal, designated a "stalking horse" bid under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, will include intellectual property, business data, rights to mobile applications, and will also assume certain liabilities of Bed Bath & Beyond. The retailer had delivered 10% of the purchase price in cash to an escrow agent in immediately available funds, Overstock said in a regulatory filing. Bed Bath & Beyond had in April filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after struggling with dwindling sales and a failed merchandising strategy. The Wall Street Journal last week reported that retail investment firm Go Global Retail was in talks with Bed Bath & Beyond for its Buybuy Baby chain.

Persons: Overstock, Savyata Mishra, Sriraj Kalluvila, Maju Samuel Organizations: Bed, U.S, Reuters, Go, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

[1/10] Spectators watch a match at All Together Again Pro Wrestling event in Tokyo, Japan, June 9, 2023. AEW founder Tony Khan said 65,000 tickets have already been sold for the Wembley show, and "it would be a huge benefit to AEW if there is participation from New Japan Pro Wrestling and some of their top stars in the event." The scripted and often ridiculous spectacle of pro wrestling is a serious player in the entertainment sector. New Japan President Takami Ohbari said teaming with AEW would give the companies more of a fighting chance against a merged WWE and UFC operator Endeavor Group (EDR.N). "It's really mutually beneficial in terms of the global expansion for New Japan and also for AEW," Ohbari said.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Hoon TOKYO, Tony Khan, Khan, Brandon Thurston, Wrestlenomics, grappler, Antonio Inoki, Takami Ohbari, AEW, It's, Ohbari, Rocky Swift, Miyoung Kim, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Elite, Wembley, World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, UFC, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Reuters, New, Garden, Endeavor, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Jacksonville , Florida, New Japan, Toronto, U.S, New York's, Britain

☆ Walmart has not made changes to LGBTQ-themed merchandise
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Siddharth Cavale | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Shopping trolley is seen in front of Walmart logo in this illustration, July 24, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoBENTONVILLE, Arkansas, May 31 (Reuters) - Walmart (WMT.N) on Wednesday said it has not made any changes to its LGBTQ-related merchandise tied to Pride Month, or to security measures in place at its stores, a week after rival Target (TGT.N) pulled some LGBTQ-themed products following customer backlash. Last week, Target pulled some Pride-related merchandise, including items by transgender designer Erik Carnell, saying the products led to "volatile circumstances," such as confrontations between customers and Target employees, and customers throwing Pride merchandise on the floor. Walmart also offers LGBTQ-themed merchandise tied to Pride Month, which is celebrated in June, including rainbow-adorned flags, clothing and accessories. "In this particular case, when we think about security ...we have not done anything in particular differently related to security in our stores," Watkins said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Latriece Watkins, Erik Carnell, Walmart's Watkins, Watkins, Siddharth Cavale, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Walmart, REUTERS, Pride, Target, Thomson Locations: BENTONVILLE , Arkansas

☆ Walmart says it hasn't changed its Pride Month merchandise following backlash at Target stores
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Walmart says it has no plans to change its Pride collection following the backlash against Target. Target said workers were threatened over its Pride items, leading it to pull them from some stores. "In this particular case, when we think about security ... we have not done anything in particular differently related to security in our stores," Watkins said. Late last month, Target made the decision to pull some Pride-themed merchandise and remove Pride displays at some of its stores after store workers and call-center employees were subjected to violent threats. That outcry over Target's Pride merchandise comes after a similarly anti-LGBTQ campaign targeting Bud Light earlier this year when the beer maker partnered with a trans influencer.

Persons: hasn't, —, Latriece Watkins, Watkins, Walmart hasn't, Bud, Bud Light Organizations: Walmart, Target, Service, Privacy, Bloomberg, Reuters, Pride Locations: Bentonville , Arkansas

☆ Sales of metallic boots and sequin dresses are soaring as fans dress up for Taylor Swift's Eras tour
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Taylor Swift's Eras tour has pushed up demand for metallic boots and sequin dresses, CNN reported. Taylor Swift fans arrive at Gillette Stadium for her concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Bipty has compiled a collection of Taylor Swift Eras looks. BiptyAnd online fashion retailer Hazel & Olive have started selling a $129 sequin fringe dress in various colors named for Swift's Eras tour. A pair of women take a selfie while riding on the commuter line to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to see Taylor Swift in concert.

☆ Summer's hottest dress code: Sequins, boots, cowboy hats. Thank you, Taylor Swift
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Or, in other words, the Taylor Swift look. “This has become a wild year already for us because of Taylor Swift,” said Johnson, CEO of Hazel & Olive. Right: Taylor Johnson, founder and CEO of Hazel & Olive, wearing The Eras Sequin Fringe Dress. Taylor Swift performs onstage during night one of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Nissan Stadium on May 05, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Altar'd State stores have curated Taylor Swift looks for concert goers.

☆ Dollar Tree is considering locking up products to deter theft
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Dollar Tree faced higher "shrink" during the company's first quarter, executives said Thursday. Like many retailers, Dollar Tree is considering "defensive merchandising" or restricting product access. One of the steps Dollar Tree is considering is "defensive merchandising," a retail industry term for locking up merchandise and requiring customers to retrieve it with an employee's help. The chain also said its customers bought more groceries and other consumable goods, which generally are less profitable than other things Dollar Tree sells. Do you work or shop at a dollar store and have a story to share?

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