Latest news with #Barcelona-based
Business Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Times
Inside the fizzy world of Europe's fastest-growing car brand
[Barcelona] Before you drive a Cupra, you can literally get a taste of it. Just pop open a can of Cupra by Vichy Catalan. The zero-sugar soda tries to bottle the brand's Mediterranean DNA and rebellious spirit, and has a gingery lime kick. Remarkably, the fizzy drink didn't spring from Cupra's marketing minds, but from the department that decides things like colour and engine options. 'That was someone from the product management team saying 'I wanna work on the taste of Cupra',' Cecilia Taieb, Cupra's global director of communications, told The Business Times. 'And then he developed this. It's actually super funny because now you can buy it in any supermarket, and we sold more than we expected, you know?' Barcelona-based Cupra isn't trying to muscle in on Red Bull's turf, but to broaden its cultural relevance. Likewise, it has partnerships with FC Barcelona and the America's Cup, and launched Cupra Design House in April. More creative side project than business unit, it gives its car designers a chance to team up with stylists from other fields. Coming up: a collaboration with Harper Collective, the luggage firm co-founded by Jaden Smith. Head of design Jorge Diez told BT that Cupra's desire to be different means shunning the car industry. 'I always tell my team, don't look at what the other car companies are doing,' he said. 'Do your own thing.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Diez even sees seven-year-old Cupra's lack of history as a plus. 'We don't have heritage and sometimes for design this could be an advantage, because you can think freely about the future, you can create actually what you feel is the best for the product.' Cupra has a startup mentality because it is the only one of Volkswagen Group's 10 brands that it actually created itself. It started life as the go-faster division of Seat, a chronically underperforming Spanish subsidiary that VW acquired in 1986. The name itself comes from 'cup racing', and for years it appeared as a badge on souped-up Seat models. But VW spun off Cupra just as the broader car industry was mulling over the idea of trimming brands. So far, the gamble has paid off. It sold 14,400 cars in its first year, and sales have since grown by 17 times, giving it bragging rights as Europe's fastest-growing car brand, and powering Seat to a record 633 million euros in operating profit last year. Along the way, it has also managed to woo more youthful drivers. Cupra's customers are typically 10 to 12 years younger than the average new car buyer in Europe. 'I'm lucky, because I don't have anything to protect. We've only been in the world for seven years,' Taieb said. 'Say if suddenly I do a sex toy of Cupra, there won't be all these people that say, 'Oh, my God, you're killing the brand!' No. We can fail, wake up again, and go.' While Taieb likes to play up Cupra's rebellious spirit, she admits that VW's financial, manufacturing and technical clout, plus its extensive dealer network, made its rapid growth possible. Yet, she sees an upper limit on Cupra's size – 500,000 cars a year, or double its current volume, at which point the brand would be too mainstream. 'If you have a big family and you want to go from A to Z with a car, don't buy a Cupra,' Taieb said. 'Cupra is not for everybody to like, but for some people to love.' Much like its gingery drink, Cupra is meant to be an acquired taste.
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Puig's quarterly sales rise a steady 8%
Spanish company Puig, known for its perfume brands Rabanne, Carolina Herrera and , said on Wednesday its second-quarter sales at constant currency rose 8% from a year ago, in line with the slowdown in growth the company expects for the year. See catwalk Puig reported 1.09 billion euros ($1.27 billion) in sales during the second quarter, in keeping with the 1.1 billion euros forecast by analysts in an LSEG poll, and achieving the same magnitude of revenue increase year-on-year as in the previous quarter. The Barcelona-based group confirmed that it expects revenue growth to decelerate to between 6% and 8% in 2025 after an 11% increase in 2024, as it navigates the challenge of expected higher tariffs in the United States, one of its biggest markets. Chairman and CEO Marc Puig said during a call with analysts that whatever tariffs will be, the impact this year "will be relatively minor because most of the stock is already in the United States". Sales in the Americas rose 10% in the quarter, despite trade tensions stemming from an initial 10% increase in U.S. tariffs and Washington's promise of more levies, while sales in Asia improved by 19.5%. Still, the EMEA region remains its main market. Puig has priced the additional 10% U.S. tariff into its annual sales projection. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from the European Union starting on August 1, escalating trade tensions that may affect major beauty industry players such as L'Oreal, opens new tab and Estee Lauder, opens new tab, alongside other sectors such as European wine or clothing.
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Puig's quarterly sales rise a steady 8%
Spanish company Puig, known for its perfume brands Rabanne, Carolina Herrera and , said on Wednesday its second-quarter sales at constant currency rose 8% from a year ago, in line with the slowdown in growth the company expects for the year. See catwalk Puig reported 1.09 billion euros ($1.27 billion) in sales during the second quarter, in keeping with the 1.1 billion euros forecast by analysts in an LSEG poll, and achieving the same magnitude of revenue increase year-on-year as in the previous quarter. The Barcelona-based group confirmed that it expects revenue growth to decelerate to between 6% and 8% in 2025 after an 11% increase in 2024, as it navigates the challenge of expected higher tariffs in the United States, one of its biggest markets. Chairman and CEO Marc Puig said during a call with analysts that whatever tariffs will be, the impact this year "will be relatively minor because most of the stock is already in the United States". Sales in the Americas rose 10% in the quarter, despite trade tensions stemming from an initial 10% increase in U.S. tariffs and Washington's promise of more levies, while sales in Asia improved by 19.5%. Still, the EMEA region remains its main market. Puig has priced the additional 10% U.S. tariff into its annual sales projection. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from the European Union starting on August 1, escalating trade tensions that may affect major beauty industry players such as L'Oreal, opens new tab and Estee Lauder, opens new tab, alongside other sectors such as European wine or clothing.
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Desigual unveils unisex capsule with Botter inspired by kinetic movement
The Barcelona-based fashion brand Desigual reaffirms its commitment to international creative collaborations. Following previous partnerships with names such as New York designer Tyler McGillivary and French couturier Christian Lacroix, the brand introduces a new capsule developed in collaboration with Botter, the Amsterdam-based label founded by designers Lisi Herrebrugh and . Titled "Rise & Fall: Anatomy of a Jump," the collection presents a visual and conceptual reflection on movement, change, and freedom of expression through fashion. Combining the identities of both brands, the unisex capsule narrates the phases of a jump — from impulse and tension to fall and release — through kinetic silhouettes that merge structured tailoring with fluid forms. The pieces reimagine elements from Desigual's archive with a contemporary lens, highlighting technical fabrics, architectural cuts and aesthetic details that echo the fluidity of water. With this partnership, Desigual strengthens its international presence, particularly in Northern Europe, where Botter maintains strong cultural roots and a strong resonance with younger consumers. The collection will be available online and in stores from August 26. This new launch aligns with Desigual's broader transformation strategy, which aims to reinforce its creative direction and differentiated positioning in the global fashion landscape. This evolution includes the upcoming presentation of its Studio line, set to debut with a fashion show in Barcelona on September 10. It also follows the appointment of actress Ester Expósito as the brand's new ambassador, as part of Desigual's ongoing effort to connect with new generations. Founded by Thomas Meyer in 1984, Desigual currently operates over 280 single-brand stores and is present in 107 markets through 10 sales channels. The brand reported total revenues of €332 million in fiscal 2024, driven primarily by international expansion and growth in its online channel. Botter, founded by Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh in 2017, blends Belgian and Dutch tailoring with multicultural influences. After winning the Grand Prix at the Hyères Festival in 2018 and being finalists for the LVMH Prize, the pair took over the artistic direction of Parisian fashion house Nina Ricci, a role they held until 2022. They currently lead their namesake label while also serving as artistic directors of G-Star, a role they began in April 2024.
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Puig's quarterly sales rise a steady 8%
Spanish company Puig, known for its perfume brands Rabanne, Carolina Herrera and , said on Wednesday its second-quarter sales at constant currency rose 8% from a year ago, in line with the slowdown in growth the company expects for the year. See catwalk Puig reported 1.09 billion euros ($1.27 billion) in sales during the second quarter, in keeping with the 1.1 billion euros forecast by analysts in an LSEG poll, and achieving the same magnitude of revenue increase year-on-year as in the previous quarter. The Barcelona-based group confirmed that it expects revenue growth to decelerate to between 6% and 8% in 2025 after an 11% increase in 2024, as it navigates the challenge of expected higher tariffs in the United States, one of its biggest markets. Chairman and CEO Marc Puig said during a call with analysts that whatever tariffs will be, the impact this year "will be relatively minor because most of the stock is already in the United States". Sales in the Americas rose 10% in the quarter, despite trade tensions stemming from an initial 10% increase in U.S. tariffs and Washington's promise of more levies, while sales in Asia improved by 19.5%. Still, the EMEA region remains its main market. Puig has priced the additional 10% U.S. tariff into its annual sales projection. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from the European Union starting on August 1, escalating trade tensions that may affect major beauty industry players such as L'Oreal, opens new tab and Estee Lauder, opens new tab, alongside other sectors such as European wine or clothing.
