Swiss watch exports showed strong growth in February 2026, reinforcing the signal of recovering demand for luxury goods. According to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, shipments abroad increased by 9.2% year-on-year to CHF 2.168 billion, compared to a 3.6% decline a month earlier.
Louis Vuitton has unveiled a limited edition Sac Œuf Jaune product for Easter 2026 – an edible interpretation of the brand’s signature bag. The product was designed in collaboration with French chocolatier Maxime Frederic and is part of the La Collection de Pâques 2026 holiday collection, available in Paris.
Spring 2026 brings sneaker fans a real surprise: Nike presents an updated version of the legendary Air Force 1 Low in “White Crocodile”. The luxurious texture of crocodile-embossed leather, shimmering silver Swoosh and back, and translucent ice outsole create the effect of a premium shoe worthy of a fashion boutique showcase.
US department store chain Saks Global has received an additional $300 million in financing, marking an important step in its financial recovery. The funds are part of a larger $1.75 billion package of support generated through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the US. At the same time, the company’s shareholders approved a five-year growth strategy aimed at returning the business to sustainable profitability.
Tesla has entered into a major $4.3 billion agreement with LG Energy Solution to grow its fast-growing energy storage business. As part of the deal, battery cell supplies will be sourced from a facility in Lansing, Michigan, which was previously created as a joint project between LG and General Motors, but was later reoriented to meet new challenges.
The trend of so-called “slum tourism” is rapidly gaining popularity and has already gone beyond Brazil and reached Europe. This phenomenon has become particularly evident in Rio de Janeiro, where favelas – densely populated areas with dense buildings – have become part of tourist routes on a par with classic attractions.
Spanish retailer Zara has announced a new two-year creative partnership with British designer John Galliano – news that has already caused a wide resonance in the fashion industry. While details of the partnership remain limited, the very fact of such an alliance signals a strategically important step for both parties.
Spandex manufacturer Lycra has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas. The company plans to turn over control of the business to creditors and write off a significant portion of its debt, while preserving jobs and supplies for customers.
American Forbes has presented an updated global ranking of billionaires. Women are still in the minority, but their share is gradually increasing.
“Shrecking” – a new career trend in which professionals deliberately choose easier and more stable positions over ambitious growth – is gaining momentum amid economic instability.
Social network Instagram has announced that the end-to-end encryption of private messages (E2EE) will no longer work from May 8, 2026. Users have already started receiving notifications with a recommendation to save important dialogs and media files in advance, as after the disconnection it will be impossible to access protected correspondence.
In South Korea, innovation in rainwater management has reached a new level: instead of draining into storm water channels and polluting rivers, cities are using a system that turns the streets into a kind of giant sponge. Hidden beneath the asphalt are huge underground reservoirs that accumulate every drop of rain and allow it to be used as efficiently as possible.
Ryan Dice, founder and CEO of the marketing company DigitalMarketer, shared his views on the rapid spread of artificial intelligence. In his opinion, the main danger is not that technology will become smarter than people, but that people themselves will gradually stop thinking for themselves.
The global fashion industry is going through a period of slowdown. According to the forecasts of consulting companies, growth in the fashion segment remains unstable and low. Against this background, the beauty market shows the opposite dynamics. According to analysts’ estimates, the global beauty market has already reached about 450 billion dollars, and its average annual growth until 2030 may be about 5%. This is why many fashion companies are actively developing the production of cosmetics and perfumes, considering this segment as an additional source of income.
The winners of the 98th Academy Awards were announced in Los Angeles. The main triumphants of the evening were “Battle Beyond the Battle” and “Sinners”, who shared the key awards between them.
The British news agency Reuters has published a large-scale investigation into the identity of the legendary street artist Banksy, whose real name has for decades remained one of the most discussed mysteries of contemporary art.
Lucid Motors has unveiled a new autonomous vehicle concept called Lunar, a compact two-seat robotaxi designed specifically to work in transportation services. The prototype was shown during an investor presentation in New York, where the company also revealed plans to develop autonomous transportation and expand its business beyond premium electric vehicles.
In Italy, one of the most discussed deals on the art market in recent years has been completed: the state has purchased the “Portrait of Maffeo Barberini”, recognized as an authentic work by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, for 30 million euros. After much debate about the provenance of the work, the authorities decided to exercise the right of first refusal to prevent the painting from leaving the country.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed the largest ever release of strategic oil reserves – 400 million barrels – to curb the rise in oil prices caused by the war with Iran. The decision to release the reserves was made unanimously by the IEA’s 32 member countries on March 11.
In Sydney, construction is well underway on the unusual Atlassian Central skyscraper, which is already standing out on the city skyline thanks to its bold architectural design. It will be one of the world’s tallest towers with a hybrid timber structure combining wood, steel and concrete – materials that provide both strength and stability.
