Latest news with #internationalexpansion
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lululemon Expands Global Footprint with First Italy Store in Milan
Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) is one of the cheap Canadian stocks to buy now. On July 18, Lululemon announced that it is expanding its international presence with the opening of its first store in Italy, with the launch on July 19, in Milan's prominent shopping district, located at Vittorio Emanuele II 24/28. The Milan store spans ~5,700 square feet across 2 floors and will offer a carefully curated environment for shoppers. It will feature distinct sections showcasing Lululemon's signature technical innovations and both men's and women's collections, all designed for high-performance and style suitable for activities like yoga, running, training, tennis, and golf. A store employee in an athletic apparel store restocking merchandise. The store's architectural concept is expected to blend Italian design heritage with contemporary materials, incorporating a notable Lululemon Glide sculptural facade. Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) designs, distributes, and retails technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for women and men under the lululemon brand in the US, Canada, Mexico, China Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, and internationally. While we acknowledge the potential of LULU as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Wendy's Company (WEN) Accelerates International Expansion with 190 New Global Stores
We recently compiled a list of The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN) stands fourth on our list. The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN), a global fast-food brand known for its fresh ingredients and square-shaped burgers, is undergoing significant leadership changes while pushing forward with aggressive international expansion. Founded in 1969 and based in Dublin, Ohio, the company is adapting to shifting market dynamics by focusing on global growth and operational innovation. In July 2025, Pete Suerken was appointed President of The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN) U.S. operations, succeeding longtime executive Abigail Pringle. Suerken brings over two decades of experience in the restaurant supply chain and previously led the company's Quality Supply Chain Co-op. His leadership, alongside Interim CEO Ken Cook, is expected to drive stronger operational performance following CEO Kirk Tanner's departure. To offset softness in the U.S. market, the business is prioritizing international franchising as a key growth strategy. The company recently signed deals to open 190 new restaurants, 170 in Italy and 20 in Armenia, marking a major milestone in its goal to reach 2,000 international units by 2028. The first Italian locations will debut in Milan by mid-2026. By partnering with regional operators like Your Food S.R.L. and Wen Restaurant LLC, the corporation is strategically entering high-potential markets across Europe and the EMEA region. Jonathan Weiss/ Domestically, The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN) added 28 new U.S. restaurants in Q1 2025 and is rolling out its 'Global Next Gen' design, which features digital menu boards, self-order kiosks, and the FreshAi ordering assistant. These enhancements aim to improve customer experience, boost efficiency, and reduce energy costs. While we acknowledge the potential of WEN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lululemon expands to Italy with first store in Milan
This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Lululemon expanded into Italy on Saturday with its first store in the country opening that day in Milan, according to an announcement. The company initially said in 2022 that it planned to open a location in Italy within the next 12 months. At the 5,700-square-foot, two-floor location, shoppers can browse an assortment of men's and women's collections across activities including yoga, running and golf. Lululemon's full product assortment will be available through an endless aisle tool, enabling visitors to search for products not available in store. The company plans to connect with Italian consumers through partnerships with local studios, run clubs and an ambassador program, according to the announcement. Lululemon has a series of activations planned throughout the upcoming year. Dive Insight: Lululemon's debut in Italy has come later than the company initially planned. In 2022, the activewear brand said it aimed to open its first stores in Spain, Italy and Thailand within the next 12 months. Nevertheless, Lululemon's Italian debut is part of a broader plan to quadruple international revenue by 2026. 'The Milan store opening marks a significant step in Lululemon's international expansion,' the company said in its announcement, noting that the company already operates stores in 'key markets' like the U.K., Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. Lululemon is eyeing growth in other international markets as well. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to open 40 to 45 locations, including in China, Denmark, Belgium, Turkey and the Czech Republic. The focus on international comes amid slowing growth in the U.S., its largest market. The company noted slowing traffic in the region in an earnings call earlier this year, and that pattern continued into Q1 2025, CFO Meghan Frank said during an earnings call with analysts in June. 'We did see a decline in store traffic, particularly in the U.S.,' Frank said during the earnings call. 'As we moved from Q4 into Q1, we did see that moderate somewhat, but we did still for the first quarter see a lower traffic trend in stores relative to Q4.' At the same time, Lululemon said it was raising prices to help combat the Trump administration's tariffs. That comes as shoppers in the U.S. especially are being more cautious with their spending given inflation and other factors. Earlier this month, Jefferies analysts warned that the brand is discounting its merchandise at 'alarming rates," including in some of the retailer's core categories. Lululemon's competitors have also been outperforming the brand in both store traffic and digital since February, the analysts noted.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
KGI Bank opens first overseas branch in Hong Kong
Taiwan-based KGI Bank has officially opened its branch in Hong Kong, which will focus on wealth management services. The move marks the bank's first foray into international markets. KGI Bank, a subsidiary of KGI Financial Holding, anticipates that this expansion would enhance operational scale and business capabilities, and also aligns with its international growth strategy. The Hong Kong branch will utilise the extensive resources of KGI Financial and implement a 'One-Window Integration' service model, providing a one-stop platform for a wide range of financial solutions. In the wake of the branch opening, KGI Bank plans to collaborate closely with KGI Securities and CDIB Capital, leveraging their market expertise in Hong Kong. This partnership aims to integrate group resources and offer differentiated financial products and services throughout the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The 'One KGI' strategy will facilitate a seamless transition from Taiwan to Hong Kong, further solidifying KGI Bank's reputation for comprehensive financial services in the Greater China area. KGI Bank president Kate Lin said the inauguration of Hong Kong branch is a significant milestone for the bank. 'By integrating our Hong Kong branch with KGI Securities, we will be able to deliver robust domestic and cross-border wealth management planning.' In Taiwan, KGI Bank recently secured approval for a Wealth Management 2.0 license from local regulator Financial Supervisory Commission. The bank is actively working to set up a presence in the Kaohsiung Asset Management Hub. KGI Bank provides several financial services such as deposits, loans, payments, credit cards, investment and wealth management, as well as tailor-made financial solutions for domestic and foreign legal entities. "KGI Bank opens first overseas branch in Hong Kong" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Globe and Mail
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Should You Buy Nio Stock While It's Below $5?
Key Points Nio projects sales of 450,000 units this year, doubling its sales from last year. The company's unique battery-as-a-service offering enables quick battery swaps, addressing concerns about charging time and creating a recurring revenue stream. Nio faces fierce competition in China's electric vehicle market and has encountered challenges to international expansion, such as tariffs and duties on Chinese EVs. 10 stocks we like better than Nio › Nio (NYSE: NIO) is making huge strides. The Chinese automaker projects it will sell a staggering 450,000 units this year, more than double its sales from last year. With such explosive growth, investors may be wondering if it's time to get on board and invest in the automaker. While Nio is charging ahead in the electric vehicle race, it faces fierce competition in its home market and has to navigate the complex landscape of global geopolitical tensions. With the stock priced under $5 -- $4.47 at 9:30 a.m. ET on Monday -- is now the time to buy? Let's explore the business and investment opportunity ahead. Nio's sales growth has been excellent Nio continues to increase its vehicle deliveries and expand its market presence. Last year, the company achieved record deliveries of 221,970 vehicles, representing a 39% increase over the previous year. It recently reported sales of 72,056 units in the second quarter, representing a 26% increase from the same period last year. A unique aspect of Nio's business is its battery-as-a-service offering, which addresses a common concern for many electric vehicle (EV) drivers: charging time. With its battery swapping technology, at designated locations, Nio can replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one in just 3 to 5 minutes. With this system, customers pay less upfront cost when purchasing a vehicle, instead paying a fee over time, which provides Nio with a steady stream of recurring income. Analysts at Western Securities, a Chinese investment bank, believe that this segment of Nio's business could break even by 2026. It faces some serious headwinds The electric vehicle market is highly competitive, particularly in China, and Nio faces significant challenges in this environment. Analysts have noted that competition in China's battery electric vehicle sector is "fierce." This intense competition ultimately impacts Nio's ability to increase sales volume, maintain favorable pricing, and achieve profitability. In the first quarter, revenue fell short of estimates and missed the company's guidance. The decline was primarily attributed to lower selling prices and increased promotions aimed at clearing out the inventory of older Nio models, as well as a higher proportion of sales from the Onvo brand, which targets the "mainstream family market, ultimately impacting its profit margins. The manufacturer also faces several geopolitical headwinds. For instance, last year, the European Commission imposed duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China, effective Oct. 30, 2024, for a period of five years. This decision was driven by concerns over substantial government subsidies that benefit Chinese EV makers. Additionally, former U.S. President Joe Biden raised tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100%, while current President Donald Trump announced additional tariffs on goods imported from China. Nio's cost-cutting efforts Another criticism of Nio lies in its growing losses. Since its inception, the company has consistently struggled to turn a profit due to its capital-intensive business model, which requires substantial investments in research and development, expansion of production capacity, and the establishment of its power and service networks. Last year, Nio reported a net loss of RMB 22,402 million (approximately $3 billion). In the first quarter of this year, the company's losses increased to RMB 6,750 million (approximately $930 million), representing a 30% rise compared to the same quarter last year. NIO Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts The company is taking steps to improve profitability. In the first quarter, its vehicle margin increased to 10.2%, up from 9.2% in the same period a year earlier. Nio has taken steps to control costs by reducing spending, including restructuring and improving efficiency across research and development, the supply chain, and sales and services. Goldman Sachs has upgraded the automaker to a neutral rating, citing the company's cost reduction efforts, and anticipates a 4%-10% improvement in profit levels over the next three years. Looking ahead, Nio CEO William Bin Li is optimistic about achieving profitability by the fourth quarter of 2025, thanks to the cost-cutting and restructuring initiatives. The company also projects doubling sales to 450,000, but Goldman analysts estimate sales could be closer to 337,000. Is Nio stock a buy? Nio is experiencing significant growth in China, with increasing deliveries and rising revenue. The company has a unique battery-as-a-service offering that differentiates it from competitors. However, it faces stiff competition in China along with headwinds from geopolitical trade tensions. The stock is currently trading at a 0.95 price-to-sales ratio. Investors who are optimistic about its long-term potential and willing to overlook geopolitical tensions and fierce competition may want to consider buying the stock at that price. That said, its ongoing unprofitability and vulnerability to external economic and political pressures are headwinds for the stock. Before making a purchase, I'd look for improvements in its efficiency, along with signs that it is capturing a growing market share in China and improving its bottom line. Until then, most investors are best off looking elsewhere. Should you invest $1,000 in Nio right now? Before you buy stock in Nio, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nio wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $652,133!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,056,790!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,048% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025
