Brands
G-SHOCK commemorates World Earth Day with the launch of G-5600BG-1
Mumbai: G-SHOCK, the trailblazing watch brand renowned for its exceptional durability and visionary craftsmanship, proudly announces the launch of its latest innovation, the ‘Back to G-SHOCK’ G-5600BG-1, on the occasion of World Earth Day. This limited-edition timepiece reaffirms the brand’s continuous commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in watchmaking.
The G5600BG-1 is not only visually striking but also environmentally conscious. Crafted from recycled resin, the timepiece exemplifies G-SHOCK’s dedication to reducing environmental impact while maintaining its renowned durability and style. Each watch features a bezel and band made from resin scraps, ingeniously repurposed from previous CASIO watch manufacturing processes. The vibrant multicolored pattern of the timepiece is a testament to the brand’s innovative design approach, with each watch boasting a unique appearance.
This limited-edition watch has been designed essentially to mark 12 April, the birthday of G-SHOCK.
Furthermore, the packaging of each watch is thoughtfully crafted from eco-friendly materials, reinforcing G-SHOCK’s commitment to sustainability across its entire product lifecycle. Furthering the eco-conscious ethos, in addition to minimising the environmental footprint of resin waste, the G5600BG-1 is equipped with Tough Solar technology, ensuring it remains charged through sunlight exposure. Other hallmark features include shock resistance, 200 meters of water resistance, alarms, timers and a full automatic calendar.
Priced at Rs 9,995, the ‘Back to G-SHOCK’ G5600BG-1 offers watch enthusiasts the opportunity to own a piece of G-SHOCK history while supporting sustainable practices. The limited-edition timepiece will be available at Casio & G-SHOCK Exclusive stores nationwide and online from end of April 2024.
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.
