Retail & HoReCa
Jack Daniel’s continues its collaboration with McLaren Formula 1 Team and releases a new limited edition bottle – 2026 McLaren Mastercard F1 Team x Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. The special feature of the release is the increased strength: the whiskey was bottled at 86 proof, while the standard version of the brand usually has 80 proof.
US-based beauty corporation Estée Lauder Companies has announced plans to fully buy out Indian ayurvedic brand Forest Essentials by acquiring the remaining stakes in the company. The deal will be the next phase of a multi-year partnership and aims to expand the Indian brand’s global footprint. It is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026, once all necessary regulatory approvals have been received.
The European Union is canceling duty-free imports of goods worth up to 150 euros, which will directly affect parcels from Asian marketplaces including AliExpress, Temu and Shein, according to Logos Press.
Global brands are urgently reducing their presence in the Middle East amid a sharp escalation of the conflict between Iran, Israel and the US. Major retailers and luxury houses are temporarily closing stores or transferring them to a limited mode of operation in the Gulf countries in an effort to minimize risks for employees and business.
E-commerce giant Amazon has closed its fulfillment center in Abu Dhabi, suspended deliveries across the region and instructed its employees in Saudi Arabia and Jordan to stay home.
In 2025, Christie’s confidently crossed the $1 billion mark in luxury sales (excluding private transactions), demonstrating one of the most dynamic periods in recent years. The key driver of growth was young collectors, as well as the notable strengthening of digital sales channels.
The Supreme Court of Justice of Moldova (SCJ) obliged the Comrat Mayor’s Office to authorize “GagauzCOOP” to operate a market in the capital of ATU Gagauzia.
The global luxury resale market is booming, changing the established rules of the game for traditional brands. According to analysts, the second hand segment in the luxury category is growing much faster than the primary market, driven by digitalization, changing consumer habits and a growing interest in sustainable consumption, Logos Press reports.
About 30-40% of specialized farms plan to expand their berry plantations this year, especially strawberries. This is partly due to the abnormally harsh winter, the late start of the season and rising prices for berries, especially early berries, in Central and Southern Europe, Logos Press reports.
The Finance Ministry will re-evaluate the tax system and present proposals for the VAT rate in the HoReCa sector, but for now it is premature to talk about the exact tax rates, according to Logos Press.
French fashion house Hermès is expanding its Cape Cod watch line with a new miniature interpretation of the iconic model, the Cape Cod Mini, according to Logos Press.
Ukrainian business in Latvia has flourished in recent years: the number of enterprises has increased on the back of investments of 137 million euros, according to Logos Press.
For decades, the publication of Pantone’s “Colors of the Year” has been a signal to the fashion market – retailers adjusting assortments, manufacturers starting to purchase raw materials, marketing teams adjusting to new color moods, according to Logos Press.
Sphera Franchise Group, the largest operator on the Romanian catering market, announced the arrival of the Taco Bell brand in Moldova, Logos Press reports.
The UK retail sector is on the cusp of major staffing changes, with most major chains planning to cut hours and staff and freeze hiring of new workers, according to Logos Press.
The government has until June 2026 to approve a value-added tax increase for HoReCa (catering and hotels) companies, according to Logos Press.
US fast food restaurant chain Steak ‘n Shake, which introduced bitcoin payment acceptance in May 2025, said it has “significantly” increased its sales, Logos Press reports.
Discussions around the implementation of a pledge system for packaging (SDA) in Moldova go beyond the environmental agenda. Formally, it is about the collection of glass, plastic and metal packaging. However, in essence, the country is facing the creation of a new economic system where the interests of producers, retailers and recyclers intersect. The key asset is not packaging as a waste, but the bottle as a resource.
The European Commission has approved a new package of measures under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) that directly prohibits the destruction of unsold textiles, footwear, accessories and clothing, Logos Press reports.
It is very difficult for small and small enterprises, especially newcomers from the regions, to break through not only on the external, but also on the internal market – there are no centralized instruments for this in Moldova.
