Brands
Babil Khan unveils Philipp Plein watches exclusive collection
Mumbai: Just Watches by Timex group, a one stop luxury watch destination recently saw the launch of the international watch brand Philipp Plein by noted actor Babil Khan. The launch of the new store at the prestigious Phoenix Mall of Asia Bangalore is a strategic step by Just watches to deepen its foothold in the retail space. The grand opening of this one stop luxury watches store was done by the young actor Babil Khan who unveiled the Philipp Plein exclusive range at the store. Just watches, the trusted home for luxury watches is known for showcasing its commitment to offering a curated selection of luxury and fashion watches to its esteemed customers across markets.
Spanning an expansive 569 sq ft, the new Just Watches store will be a destination for luxury watch enthusiasts. Along with Philipp Plein, a brand known for its bold, and extravagant designs that exude maximalist luxury, the store will also feature an impressive portfolio of renowned watch brands such as Versace, Guess, Gc, Plein Sport and Daniel Wellington, catering to a diverse range of tastes and preferences.
Expressing his enthusiasm Timex Group India MD Deepak Chhabra said, ” This launch of Phillipp Plein at one of the prime retail destinations of Bangalore is a great opportunity to give consumers an experience of luxury! Just Watches store in Bangalore offers an array of international brands and now houses the range of Phillipp Plein watches that boast of intricate details and edgy designs, creating a distinctive appeal. We look forward to maximizing our consumer base in the city and elevating the consumer shopping experience with the new addition of craftsmanship and design.”
“I am thrilled to launch the newest collection of Philipp Plein watches at Just Watches store in Bangalore”, said actor Babil Khan. “These watches are not just timepieces; they are a statement of style & luxury. I am excited about the Philipp Plein collection, which exudes luxury with its bold and edgy designs. I am sure the store will be a fantastic destination for all watch lovers.”
The opening of this new outlet is a significant milestone in the journey of Timex Group India Limited with a mission to become India’s ultimate destination for premium timepieces. Each new store strengthens their commitment to offering accessible and diverse watch options.
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.
