News about Retail & HoReCa

The French fashion house Chanel significantly strengthened its position in the global luxury goods market in the first half of 2026, posting results that substantially outperformed those of most of its competitors. Strong demand for the new collections, created under the leadership of Creative Director Matthieu Blazy, enabled the company to maintain steady growth even amid a challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical environment.

German premium apparel manufacturer Hugo Boss ended the second quarter with a double-digit decline in revenue and profit amid weakening consumer demand and ongoing business restructuring. Despite the decline in financial performance, the company maintained its full-year outlook, prioritizing profitability in a challenging market environment.

Demand for short-term rentals in Albania is growing faster than supply, which has driven up prices. According to the analytics platform AirDNA, the market posted some of its strongest results in recent years this summer.

A scoop of ice cream in Europe can cost anywhere from €1.15 to more than €4—a nearly fourfold difference. At the same time, the price paid by consumers is influenced by income levels, tourist demand, and rising production costs.

Paris has unexpectedly topped the global ranking of cities with the best street food. It surpassed traditional culinary destinations and took first place thanks to its wide variety of dishes and the high ratings of its establishments. These are the findings of a study by Radical Storage, which surveyed 6,897 street food vendors in the world’s 100 most popular cities.

A marketing campaign during the World Cup helped Coca-Cola boost sales of its key brands. Thanks to strong second-quarter results, the company raised its full-year forecast, and its stock rose by more than 7%, hitting a new all-time high.

For the first time, Italy will extend the hours of operation for its most-visited landmarks during the peak of the tourist season. From August 1 through 31, the Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome, as well as Sforza Castle in Milan, will remain open until late in the evening as part of a pilot program designed to reduce lines, redistribute tourist flows, and make visiting these attractions more comfortable during the summer heat.

The luxury market, estimated to be worth $400 billion, is going through a difficult period. After two years of declining sales, companies had expected a recovery in 2026; however, buyer caution and geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on demand.

Fast food is facing an affordability crisis. Customers, who are used to thinking of chain restaurants as a budget-friendly dining option, have begun to stop ordering their usual meals due to rising prices. In response, brands such as McDonald’s and Burger King are looking for ways to win back customers.

In South Korea, the owner of a restaurant awarded two Michelin stars faces up to one year in prison for using ants as a garnish on desserts. Prosecutors have also demanded that the restaurant be fined 20 million won ($13,500) for violating food safety regulations.

The number of bankruptcies in Romania is rising rapidly. In the first five months of 2026, 3,146 companies and self-employed individuals (PFAs) filed for insolvency. This is 13.6% more than a year earlier, according to data from the National Trade Registry Office (ONRC).

Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group expects to improve its financial results in the second half of the year following an uptick in sales in recent months. Despite a decline in profits for the first half of the year, the company reported a recovery in demand for its brands.

The German sportswear manufacturer Adidas emerged as the biggest commercial winner of the World Cup, significantly increasing sales of its soccer merchandise.

In the summer, ice cream is one of the most popular foods. However, high temperatures can quickly affect its quality and safety if proper storage and transportation conditions are not followed. Ice cream is a perishable product and must be kept in the refrigerator at all times to ensure that this refreshing dessert does not become a health hazard.

The first high-tech unmanned pharmacy in the EU has opened in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It operates using a combined system of cameras and sensors powered by artificial intelligence. Staff members enter only to restock supplies.

The international company Uber Technologies Inc. is in advanced negotiations to acquire the German company Delivery Hero—one of the world’s largest food delivery services. The potential deal could be one of the largest in the history of the European food delivery market and significantly alter the balance of power in the industry.

Moldova’s largest pharmacy chain, Farmacia Familiei, increased its net profit by 12.7% in 2025—to 75.6 million lei—and its revenue by 13%, to 2.86 billion lei. This growth is attributed to the expansion of the chain and the growth of the pharmaceutical market as a whole.

Unusual national dishes are increasingly becoming a tool for promoting regions, helping to shape tourism brands and attract travelers. Foods that some consider exotic, while others view as part of everyday culture, are becoming a key element of the experience economy.

Despite the rapid expansion of retail chains, Romania’s grocery retail market faced a slowdown in real consumption in 2025. Inflation and the opening of new stores were the main drivers of revenue growth for the largest players, while sales volumes in physical terms declined significantly.

The Swedish group H&M is preparing to expand its presence in Romania by introducing another brand from its portfolio to the local market. Following H&M and COS, the company will open the country’s first Arket store—a brand focused on the higher-end segment of clothing and home goods.