MAM
Channelplay to enhance semi-permanent flanges for HMD in 6,000 stores
Mumbai : Channelplay Ltd, a visual merchandising and retail execution, has been awarded the mandate by HMD Global to enhance the brand’s in-store visibility through the installation of lit hanging flanges. This initiative will span 6000 stores across India, positioning HMD as a leading presence within the multi-brand outlet (MBO) landscape and providing a long-term branding solution in-store.
The project will commence with a pilot phase in 500 stores, where Channelplay will manufacture and install premium, lit hanging flanges designed to achieve sustained brand visibility. This initial deployment, set for completion within a targeted 45-day period, marks a forward-thinking approach by HMD Global to leverage semi-permanent branding solutions that will stay relevant in-store for extended periods.
“We are thrilled to partner with HMD Global on this impactful initiative. The deployment of lit hanging flanges serves as a semi-permanent in-store branding tool, providing lasting visibility and brand presence for HMD in stores across India,” said Channelplay Ltd vice president of visual merchandising business Yasir Hussain “Flanges are increasingly becoming a preferred choice for brands, particularly in MBO channels, as they offer an effective, long-term visibility solution that integrates seamlessly with the retail environment. HMD’s decision to adopt this approach highlights their agility and commitment to staying ahead of industry trends by investing in innovative in-store branding strategies that engage customers and enhance brand recall.”
This pilot project will not only set the groundwork for an expansive rollout to the remaining 5500 stores but also demonstrate the effectiveness of flanges as a durable branding medium that offers continued impact over time. By choosing this route, HMD Global showcases their quick-thinking and dedication to staying ahead of industry shifts, making a strong, lasting impression on customers within the competitive retail market.
This collaboration solidifies Channelplay’s role as a trusted partner for retail and visual merchandising solutions, catering to some of the most recognized brands in the market.
Brands
Estée Lauder to shed 10,000 jobs as new boss bets on digital shift
The cosmetics giant raises its profit outlook but stays silent on a possible merger with Spain’s Puig, as job cuts deepen and a three-year sales slump weighs on the turnaround
NEW YORK: Stéphane de La Faverie is not done cutting. Estée Lauder announced on Friday that it plans to eliminate as many as 3,000 additional jobs, taking its total redundancy programme to as many as 10,000 roles, up from a previous target of 7,000 announced a year ago. The company, which owns La Mer, The Ordinary, Tom Ford, and Aveda, employs roughly 57,000 people worldwide. The mathematics of what is now being contemplated is stark.
The fresh round of cuts is expected to generate a further $200 million in savings, bringing the total annual savings from the programme to as much as $1.2 billion before taxes. That money, De La Faverie has made clear, will be ploughed back into the turnaround.
A CEO in a hurry
De La Faverie, who took the helm in January 2025, inherited a company that had endured three consecutive years of annual sales declines. His response has been to move fast and cut deep. A significant portion of the latest redundancies reflects his push to reduce headcount at US department stores, long a cornerstone of Estée Lauder’s distribution model but now a channel in structural decline. In their place, he is accelerating the shift toward faster-growing online platforms, including Amazon.com and TikTok Shop, a pivot that is reshaping not just where Estée Lauder sells but how it thinks about its customers.
The numbers are moving in the right direction
Despite the pain, there are signs the medicine is working. Estée Lauder raised its profit outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year, guiding for adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.35 to $2.45, above analyst estimates and a notable step up from the $2.05 to $2.25 range it had guided for in February. Organic net sales growth is expected to come in at 3 per cent, the company said, at the high end of the range it set out in February.
The share price tells a mixed story. After De La Faverie took charge, the stock surged nearly 60 per cent, buoyed by investor optimism that a longtime company insider could finally arrest the decline. But 2026 has been rougher: the shares have fallen 27 per cent this year, weighed down by disappointing February results and the overhang of unresolved merger talks with Spanish beauty giant Puig Brands SA. The company gave no additional details about those discussions on Friday, leaving the market to guess.
Silence on Puig
The proposed tie-up with Puig remains the most consequential unknown hanging over Estée Lauder. A deal with the Barcelona-based group, which owns brands including Carolina Herrera and Rabanne, would reshape the global luxury beauty landscape. But with nothing new to say and a turnaround still very much in progress, De La Faverie is asking investors to trust the process.
Three years of sales declines, 10,000 job cuts, and a merger that may or may not happen. At Estée Lauder, the overhaul has barely started.
