#BusinessUpdate

[rurashfin]

Strategic reshuffle in the FMCG space! Adani Group steps back as Wilmar solidifies its control with a landmark $1.27B stake acquisition. A move that could redefine ownership dynamics in India's agri-business landscape.

[techfinancehubplus]

Levi Strauss shares jump after strong Q2 earnings, raised outlook

San Francisco — Shares of Levi Strauss & Co. surged Friday after the denim giant posted second-quarter results that beat Wall Street expectations and raised its outlook for the rest of the year.

The company reported second-quarter revenue of $1.4–$1.45 billion, up 6% from a year ago and ahead of analyst forecasts. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.22, also topping estimates and marking a 37% increase over the same period last year. Net income climbed to $67–$89 million, a sharp improvement from $18–$65 million in the prior year.

Levi Strauss credited the gains to strong direct-to-consumer sales, which jumped 11% and now make up more than half of total revenue. The company also saw growth in its wholesale business and double-digit revenue gains in Europe, helping to offset flat results in Asia.

The upbeat report sent Levi Strauss shares up as much as 7% in premarket trading. The stock is now up more than 13% this month.

Citing the strong results, Levi Strauss raised its full-year forecast. The company now expects revenue to grow 1%–2% in 2025, reversing an earlier prediction of a slight decline. Adjusted earnings per share are projected at $1.25–$1.30, above previous guidance and analyst expectations.

CEO Michelle Gass said the results reflect “broad-based strength across the board” and signal that the company’s strategy to become a leading denim lifestyle brand and direct-to-consumer retailer is paying off.

Levi Strauss also pointed to product innovation and a sharpened focus on its core Levi’s brand as key drivers behind the improved outlook.

The company’s strong quarter comes amid ongoing challenges in the global retail sector, including shifting consumer spending and supply chain pressures. Despite these headwinds, Levi Strauss executives expressed confidence in their ability to deliver sustained growth through the remainder of the year.

[arnifi23]

UAE E-Invoicing Mandate: Is Your Business Ready?

The UAE is making e-invoicing mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses by July 2026. This shift means traditional PDF invoices won’t be valid anymore. Companies need to switch to a structured digital format and prepare early to stay compliant and avoid penalties.

Read More: https://arnifi.com/blog/uae-e-invoicing-mandate-why-businesses-need-to-act-now/

[ahmadaltahhan]

Week 9 Update – Growing, Learning, and Adjusting

I’m now in Week 9 of running my small business, Refined Finds, and things are starting to feel very real. This has been the most hands-on part of the project so far, and I’ve had a mix of wins and learning moments along the way.

✅ What’s Going Well: I’ve started getting more consistent with my listings on Facebook Marketplace and even had a few returning inquiries. Product presentation really makes a difference—better photos and honest, clear descriptions have led to faster responses and more trust from buyers. I’ve also finalized some packaging and added a little thank-you tag to help build a memorable customer experience.

❌ What I’m Still Working On: Managing inventory is becoming a challenge. It’s easy to get excited about sourcing products, but I’ve realized I need to be more selective. Some items take longer to sell than others, and space is tight, so I’m rethinking my strategy. I also haven’t fully launched my Instagram page yet—so that’s on my priority list this week.

💡 Big Lessons: Marketing takes more energy and planning than I thought. I’m learning that selling isn’t just about having a great product—it’s about how you present it, when you post, and how you follow up. I’ve also become more comfortable adjusting my pricing and experimenting with bundle offers.

🧠 Personal Growth: I’ve developed more confidence in my decision-making. I used to hesitate on small things like pricing or negotiating, but now I trust my instincts more. I’m also learning to take feedback constructively and adapt quickly.

[viralbuzzcafe]

UnitedHealth CEO Quits Suddenly UnitedHealth 

[timnathchamber]

Timnath Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter – April 2025 http://dlvr.it/TK6vJv

[secretstalks]

Policybazaar growth strategy and financial results

PB Fintech, the parent company of Policybazaar, reported robust financial performance for the April–June 2024 quarter. The company's revenue surged 52% year-on-year to Rs 1,010 crore, a notable increase from the previous year. Additionally, PB Fintech achieved a net profit of Rs 60 crore, reversing a loss of Rs 12 crore from the same period last year.

Despite the profit, PB Fintech opted to reinvest Rs 25 crore into its core online insurance business, aiming to enhance its capacity for growth. CEO Yashish Dahiya likened the company's growth phase to that of a child's, emphasizing the importance of not curbing growth investments. This strategic choice meant the company could have posted a higher net profit of Rs 90 crore but chose to prioritize expansion.

The company experienced a significant 61% year-on-year increase in total insurance premiums, reaching Rs 4,871 crore. This growth was primarily driven by strong performances in the health and life insurance segments. New premiums are growing at an impressive rate of 78%, double that of renewals.

However, the quarter saw a sequential revenue decline of 7.5% compared to January–March 2024, which Dahiya attributed to a seasonal uptick in health insurance purchases or renewals before the fiscal year-end.

In terms of expenses, employee benefits rose by 18% to Rs 455 crore, and advertising and promotional spending increased by 23% to Rs 245 crore. This rise in expenditure follows a period in FY24 when the company had reduced advertising costs to focus on profitability.

Policybazaar's impact is substantial, representing 15-20% of insurance claims submitted to healthcare facilities. The company plans to leverage this scale by establishing direct relationships with hospitals and is set to introduce a new product, although specifics were not disclosed. Dahiya highlighted a shift towards valuing customers based on their lifetime value, starting with their insurance premiums.

In addition to Policybazaar, PB Fintech operates Paisabazaar, a lending platform. Paisabazaar's business grew by 8% during the quarter, which was below the projected 10% growth. The platform facilitated loan disbursements of Rs 3,100 crore, marking a 25% decline from the peak of Rs 4,139 crore recorded in the previous year. Paisabazaar is focusing on improving its secured lending segment, such as home loans and loans against property, though progress has been slow.

PB Fintech also wrote off Rs 44 crore related to its investment in MyLoanCare, an NBFC previously linked with Paisabazaar. Dahiya admitted that the company had overextended by acquiring a 70% stake in MyLoanCare, suggesting that a stake of 22-35% would have been more appropriate.

Looking ahead, PB Fintech will not distribute cash to shareholders via dividends or buybacks until March 2026, despite having cash reserves exceeding Rs 5,200 crore. The company also announced the appointment of Dhruv Shringi as an independent board director. Shringi, the founder and CEO of Yatra, previously worked with Dahiya at Ebookers.

Following the earnings announcement, PB Fintech’s shares rose 8%, reaching a new 52-week high of Rs 1,552 on August 7.

READ MORE

[jame-s1]

Week 13 Update

What is Working? Our marketing efforts are paying off big time, and our team's dedication is shining bright. Customers are loving our service, and positive feedback keeps us smiling.

What is Not Working? Shipping logistics are still a puzzle we're piecing together. Making sure every package arrives on time and intact is our top priority, but we're on it!

How Do I Feel About the Project? Despite the challenges, I am pumped about what is ahead. We've come a long way, and I'm energized by our progress.

What Am I Learning About Running a Business? Flexibility, resilience, and putting customers first are key. Every day teaches me something new, and I am soaking it all in.

What Am I Learning About Myself? I am discovering my inner strength and embracing uncertainty with confidence. Turns out, I thrive in the chaos of entrepreneurship.

Thanks for being part of this journey.

[ahmadaltahhan]

Progress on My Start-Up Venture

Now that I’m halfway through this entrepreneurial journey, it’s a good time to reflect on where things stand with my refurbished goods business.

✅ What’s Working: I’ve had great success sourcing used items through Facebook Marketplace and local listings. I’ve been able to secure a few low-cost electronics and home gadgets that are in great condition. Cleaning them up and prepping them for resale has been both rewarding and surprisingly efficient. My pricing strategy is also hitting the mark—I’ve already made a few small sales!

❌ What’s Not Working: Time management has been a challenge. Balancing product sourcing, repairs, and marketing alongside coursework is tougher than I expected. I also realized that not all items resell as quickly as others, so I need to be more selective in what I buy. Some trial-and-error is part of the process, though.

📈 How the Project is Going: Overall, I feel optimistic. I’ve learned to adapt quickly, and I’m starting to build momentum. The next step is boosting my online listings with better photos and more engaging descriptions to attract buyers faster.

💡 What I’m Learning About Business: Running even a small business takes planning, patience, and problem-solving. Every sale involves logistics—communication, trust-building, and follow-through. It’s a lot of responsibility, but also incredibly empowering.

🧠 What I’m Learning About Myself: I’ve discovered that I’m more resourceful than I thought. I enjoy the hustle and creative decision-making, and I’m learning to manage setbacks without losing motivation.

Here’s to the second half of the journey!

[stock-tips-india]

[viralbuzzcafe]

JCPenney Store Closures 2025 #jcpenney #retailnews #storeclosures #busin...