US Economy Unexpectedly Loses Jobs in February; Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.4%
The decline in nonfarm payrolls reported by the Labor Department in its employment report on Friday was the sixth since January 2025 and the second largest.
direct-to-consumer
Beauty
New York’s Fashion and Beauty Startup Scene Is Having a Moment
Investors like the new breed of fashion companies that have an Instagram-fuelled intimate relationship with their customers.
New York’s Fashion and Beauty Startup Scene Is Having a Moment
Investors like the new breed of fashion companies that have an Instagram-fuelled intimate relationship with their customers.
Financial Markets
Glossier Raises $100 million After Sales Double
The millennial-favorite cosmetics company doubled sales last year and is now valued at $1.2 billion, reports say.
Glossier Raises $100 million After Sales Double
The millennial-favorite cosmetics company doubled sales last year and is now valued at $1.2 billion, reports say.
Beauty
Runway Hairstylist Josh Wood Receives Investment From Glossier and Farfetch Backer
The London-based hair colourist will use the new $6.5 million funding to scale the e-commerce model of his eponymous brand.
Runway Hairstylist Josh Wood Receives Investment From Glossier and Farfetch Backer
The London-based hair colourist will use the new $6.5 million funding to scale the e-commerce model of his eponymous brand.
Retail
How Vans Keeps Its Cool
The skate shoe brand is 15 years into a sales boom and competes head to head with Nike and Adidas. Now parent company, VF Corp., is betting the same formula can help it transform from a collection of musty department-store labels into a retail empire.
How Vans Keeps Its Cool
The skate shoe brand is 15 years into a sales boom and competes head to head with Nike and Adidas. Now parent company, VF Corp., is betting the same formula can help it transform from a collection of musty department-store labels into a retail empire.
News & Analysis
The Designer Behind Balenciaga’s Triple S Launches New Line
David Tourniaire-Beauciel wants to mix European design with athletic technology and appeal to a comfort-driven consumer looking for an alternative to luxury sneakers.
The Designer Behind Balenciaga’s Triple S Launches New Line
David Tourniaire-Beauciel wants to mix European design with athletic technology and appeal to a comfort-driven consumer looking for an alternative to luxury sneakers.
Retail
Millennial Loyalty Isn’t Enough: These Brands Want Their Love
With the shifting landscape comes a new generation of brands that want consumers to feel that kinship — even love — takes precedence over selling product.
Millennial Loyalty Isn’t Enough: These Brands Want Their Love
With the shifting landscape comes a new generation of brands that want consumers to feel that kinship — even love — takes precedence over selling product.
News & Analysis
Introducing BoF's New Course: ‘Build a Direct-to-Consumer Brand’ with Jen Rubio
The co-founder of Away, the premium travel brand that surpassed $12 million in sales in its first year, shares her insights and strategies for launching a direct-to-consumer business.
Introducing BoF's New Course: ‘Build a Direct-to-Consumer Brand’ with Jen Rubio
The co-founder of Away, the premium travel brand that surpassed $12 million in sales in its first year, shares her insights and strategies for launching a direct-to-consumer business.
Beauty
Shakeup Spells Trouble at J.Crew
This week, everyone will be talking about the abrupt departure of J.Crew's CEO, Black Friday's shopping frenzy and growing pessimism about mass retailers on Wall Street. Read our BoF Professional Cheat Sheet.
Shakeup Spells Trouble at J.Crew
This week, everyone will be talking about the abrupt departure of J.Crew's CEO, Black Friday's shopping frenzy and growing pessimism about mass retailers on Wall Street. Read our BoF Professional Cheat Sheet.
News & Analysis
The Renegade Eyewear Brand Breaking All the Rules
Despite avoiding advertising, influencers and discount deals, British direct-to-consumer eyewear brand Cubitts has opened seven stores in five years and is in it for the long haul.
The Renegade Eyewear Brand Breaking All the Rules
Despite avoiding advertising, influencers and discount deals, British direct-to-consumer eyewear brand Cubitts has opened seven stores in five years and is in it for the long haul.
News & Analysis
Drive Episode 5: Warby Parker Founders on Forging Their Own Path
In episode five of BoF’s podcast series Drive, delivered by DHL, the co-founders of Warby Parker discuss how being industry outsiders helped them in their entrepreneurial journey, and why the opportunity keeps growing as the company does.
Drive Episode 5: Warby Parker Founders on Forging Their Own Path
In episode five of BoF’s podcast series Drive, delivered by DHL, the co-founders of Warby Parker discuss how being industry outsiders helped them in their entrepreneurial journey, and why the opportunity keeps growing as the company does.
Fashion Week
Shanghai Fashion Week's Bid for Global Relevance
This week, everyone will be talking about Shanghai Fashion Week, Burberry's new fragrance, LVMH's Les Journées Particulières and the latest wave of pop-up stores. Read our BoF Professional Cheat Sheet.
Shanghai Fashion Week's Bid for Global Relevance
This week, everyone will be talking about Shanghai Fashion Week, Burberry's new fragrance, LVMH's Les Journées Particulières and the latest wave of pop-up stores. Read our BoF Professional Cheat Sheet.
Media
The Rise of Drake’s OVO Label
The contemporary sportswear line, co-owned by Canadian rapper Drake and business partners Oliver El-Khatib and Noah "40" Shebib, is expected to reach $50 million in revenue this year.
The Rise of Drake’s OVO Label
The contemporary sportswear line, co-owned by Canadian rapper Drake and business partners Oliver El-Khatib and Noah "40" Shebib, is expected to reach $50 million in revenue this year.
The News in Brief
Asics Buys Marathon Registration Platforms to Boost Running-Shoe Sales
The Japanese sportswear brand is accelerating global expansion by acquiring race-registration platforms to deepen engagement with runners.
Gap Sales Miss Expectations After Old Navy, Athleta Fall Short
The brands Gap and Banana Republic beat comparable sales estimates.
Fashion Startup Founder Pleads Guilty in $300 Million Fraud
Christine Hunsicker admitted she falsified financial statements to promote CaaStle Inc. as a valuable, growing business when in reality it was struggling.
Victoria’s Secret Forecasts Its Best Year Since L Brands Split
The underwear company is anticipating net sales of at least $6.85 billion in the current fiscal year, exceeding analyst estimates and marking the highest revenue since its split from L Brands Inc in 2021.
Uniqlo Aims to Grow Tenfold in India With Summer-Centric Clothes
The Japanese brand is accelerating its expansion in India to capture a greater share of the rapidly growing apparel market and affluent consumer base.
Oasis Pressures Kao in Latest Japan Activist Investor Push
Activist fund Oasis Management Co. is calling on the Japanese personal care company to convene an extraordinary general meeting, seeking a probe into its supply-chain risk management and internal control.
American Eagle Forecasts Sales Growth Above Estimates on Demand From Wealthy Shoppers
The retailer surpassed annual sales forecasts but expects a $60 million drag from import tariffs in the first half of 2026.