Brands
Crossword Plays Cupid with Blind Date Book Romance
Wrapped mysteries tempt readers till 28 Feb in Valentine’s bookstore twist.
MUMBAI: Swipe left on dating apps, Crossword Bookstore has a far more reliable matchmaker in store this February. Who needs algorithms when a wrapped surprise can spark the perfect connection? For Valentine’s 2026, the popular Indian book chain has rolled out “Blind Date with a Book” across all its outlets, running until 28 February.
The concept is delightfully old-school with a modern wink, no peeking at covers, no author names, no plot spoilers. Shoppers pick from neatly wrapped bundles, guided only by cheeky clue cards that tease the mood, genre and emotional vibe waiting inside. Think “slow-burn romance with a side of mystery” or “heart-racing adventure that’ll keep you up all night”. The rest is left to chemistry and a healthy dose of trust.
It’s part gamble, part thrill exactly the kind of leap that makes the best stories (and perhaps the best relationships) memorable.
To sweeten the deal, Crossword has layered on a curated Valentine’s gifting edit, think elegant hardbacks, quirky journals, literary-themed mugs and other thoughtful extras perfect for pairing with that mystery read.
The promotion turns a routine bookstore browse into something playful and a little romantic, inviting even casual browsers to embrace the unknown. In an age of endless scrolling and predictable plots, there’s something refreshingly bold about handing over control to a wrapped book and hoping for sparks.
Whether you walk out with your next favourite novel or just a good story to tell, Blind Date with a Book proves one thing: sometimes the most exciting endings start with not knowing what’s coming next.
So this Valentine’s season, skip the apps and head to the shelves your next great love story might already be waiting, beautifully disguised in paper and ribbon.
Brands
Lululemon picks former Nike executive to be its next chief
Heidi O’Neill, who helped grow Nike into a $45 billion giant, will take the top job in September
CANADA: Lululemon has found its next chief executive, and she comes with serious credentials. The athleisure giant named Heidi O’Neill as its new CEO on Wednesday, ending a search that has left the company running on interim leadership since earlier this year. O’Neill will take charge on September 8, 2026, based out of Vancouver, and will join the board on the same day.
O’Neill brings more than three decades of experience across performance apparel, footwear and sport. The bulk of that time was spent at Nike, where she was a central figure in one of corporate sport’s great growth stories, helping take the company from a $9 billion business to a $45 billion global powerhouse. She oversaw product pipelines, brand strategy and consumer connections, and played a significant role in shaping how Nike spoke to athletes around the world. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing for the Dockers brand at Levi Strauss. She also brings boardroom experience from Spotify Technology, Hyatt Hotels and Lithia and Driveway.
The board was unequivocal in its enthusiasm. “We selected Heidi because of the breadth of her experience, her demonstrated success delivering breakthrough ideas and initiatives at scale, and her ability to be a knowledgeable change and growth agent,” said Marti Morfitt, executive chair of Lululemon’s board.
O’Neill, for her part, was bullish. “Lululemon is an iconic brand with something rare: genuine guest love, a product ethos rooted in innovation, and a global platform still in the early stages of its potential,” she said. “My job will be to accelerate product breakthroughs, deepen the brand’s cultural relevance, and unlock growth in markets around the world.”
Until she arrives, Meghan Frank and André Maestrini will continue as interim co-CEOs, before returning to their previous senior leadership roles once O’Neill steps in.
Lululemon is betting that a Nike veteran who helped build one of the world’s most powerful sports brands can do something similar for an athleisure label that has genuine love from its customers but is still chasing its full global potential. O’Neill has done it before at scale. The question now is whether she can do it again.
