The Broadmind Business & Innovation Tracker
Streaming advancements, AI-driven personalization, luxury market trends, and mobility innovations shaping industries worldwide.
Hey folks - so this is the new format of the newsletters. It’s a mix of the corporate news that Broadmind is picking up, the. creative news that PSFK tracks and the CX that Retail Innovation Week tracked. Probably daily… But it’s an experiment so send feedback - maybe via the Chat feature. and of course, if you can support the business model through partnership, ping me - Piers, PSFK.
In this issue, YouTube cements its economic dominance, Mercedes-Benz pushes luxury tech innovation, and Vinted wants to redefine pre-loved fashion. Meanwhile, Samsung hopes to embrace predictive AI, PepsiCo looks to expand into functional beverages, and Philippe Starck reimagines hospitality as a communal experience.
Business & Innovation News
Apple's iPhone 17 Air will be its thinnest model yet, though Bloomberg reports Apple originally envisioned a portless design before shelving the idea due to regulatory concerns.
LVMH is strengthening the luxury sector’s talent pipeline with student ambassador programs, certification courses, and immersive educational experiences to secure future industry leaders.
Hermès’ Plaza Indonesia boutique has been redesigned with a wave-patterned ceramic façade, handwoven textiles, and a curated art installation, blending heritage with local craftsmanship.
Vinted’s House of Vinted pop-up on March 22 will showcase pre-loved designer collections from Prada and Gucci, alongside workshops and styling sessions, with an online version launching March 25.
Mercedes-Benz new CLA model integrates AI-powered personalization with the latest MBUX Virtual Assistant, enabling continuous in-car dialogue, memory of past queries, and Google Maps integration via Google Cloud's Automotive AI Agent. The car also comes with a new ‘Superscreen’ dashboard, powered by Unity 3D gaming software.
Toyota’s FT-Me microcar includes solar panels, adding 20-30 km of range per day, making it an ideal urban EV solution.
Ulta Beauty is launching a third-party digital marketplace in fall 2025, competing with Sephora by offering curated brand tools and digital vendor support.
Coty has expanded its Kylie Jenner fragrance portfolio, emphasizing travel retail and high-profile collaborations.
Build-A-Bear will open a multi-level flagship store at Orlando’s Icon Park, focusing on immersive retail experiences beyond traditional malls.
Brach Madrid, designed by Philippe Starck, aims to redefine urban hospitality with a community-focused hotel experience, moving away from traditional solitary stays.
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PepsiCo is in talks to acquire Poppi, marking a significant expansion into functional beverages.
Starbucks Japan has launched the Haruzora "Spring Sky" Frappuccino, featuring a hidden strawberry ball that bursts and transforms the flavor and color as the drink is consumed.
Air New Zealand has developed 2 wines for an exclusive wine label called Thirteen Forty Five. The national carrier now offers sauvignon blanc and pinot noir in its lounges and Premium Economy cabins.
Airbnb completed an AI-powered infrastructure migration in just six weeks, cutting an originally estimated 18-month project timeline.
Microsoft Copilot now provides AI-powered fashion recommendations, embedding personalized style insights into Word, Excel, and Outlook.
The RealReal is hiring a VP of AI, reinforcing its focus on AI-driven inventory management and personalized shopping experiences.
By studying a separate job listing, Samsung’s AI strategy seems to be shifting to anticipatory engagement, using biometric and behavioral data from wearables, smart home integration, and a privacy-first approach.
Amazon is expanding its Brand Innovation Lab, focusing on multi-platform ad engagement, AI-driven campaigns, and e-commerce-to-streaming integration.
YouTube continues to dominate with 2 billion daily users and 125 million paid subscribers, contributing $45 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023 and streaming over 1 billion hours daily on TV screens.
Sign Up For These Major Alerts on Broadmind
Trial users of Broadmind can sign up for alerts about major earnings calls. This week, we expect to hear from:
Carnival Cruise Line – Analysts will focus on booking trends, customer deposits, and the impact of private island investments as the cruise industry continues its post-pandemic recovery. Add to tracker
Darden Restaurants – Updates on brand performance, new restaurant openings, digital integration, and operational efficiencies will be in focus as the restaurant group navigates shifting consumer preferences. Add to tracker
Five Below – Investors will look for comparable sales trends, store expansion progress, and product assortment strategies amid a changing discount retail landscape. Add to tracker
General Mills – The company is expected to discuss portfolio reshaping, consumer demand shifts, and supply chain resilience, particularly as health-conscious trends influence food categories. Add to tracker
Nike – Analysts anticipate updates on leadership transition, product innovation, digital growth, and competitive positioning, especially as Nike refines its brand strategy. Add to tracker
NIO – With aggressive expansion plans and new product launches, analysts will assess the EV maker’s delivery targets, international strategy, and smart driving technology. Add to tracker
Williams-Sonoma Inc – Expectations include supply chain improvements, sustainability leadership, product collaborations, and omnichannel growth, particularly in home furnishings. Add to tracker
What We Learned Last Week with Broadmind
Last week, earnings reports highlighted growth challenges, digital transformation efforts, and shifting consumer demand across major brands. Companies focused on AI integration, omnichannel expansion, sustainability initiatives, and cost management as they navigated economic pressures and competitive landscapes.
Here are some key takeaways from last week’s earnings calls:
Adobe – Strong revenue growth driven by AI-powered tools, product expansion, and enterprise partnerships, though market saturation and competition remain challenges. Read more
Allbirds – Significant store closures, product innovation, and marketing efforts highlight a shift in strategy, but execution challenges persist. Read more
American Eagle – 4% revenue growth and store expansion, but margin pressure and competitive digital gaps raise concerns. Read more
BMW – Strong EV momentum and luxury brand strength, yet China market struggles and regulatory hurdles present headwinds. Read more
Casey’s General Stores – 10% store count growth and rising fuel sales, but profitability and cost challenges remain a focus. Read more
DICK’s Sporting Goods – Store expansions, tech investments, and product innovations fuel growth, but competition in e-commerce and shifting consumer trends require attention. Read more
Dollar General Corp – 4.5% sales growth and store remodels, but profit declines and customer traffic challenges signal a need for strategic adjustments. Read more
Hugo Boss – Loyalty growth and brand engagement are strong, but regional sales fluctuations and cost pressures persist. Read more
Kohl’s – Customer loyalty and new store formats show promise, yet digital transformation lags behind competitors. Read more
Stitch Fix – Rising average order value and margins, but declining active clients and customer acquisition challenges remain concerns. Read more
Ulta Beauty Inc – $3.5B in net sales, growing loyalty membership, and store expansion plans, but competition and shifting market trends require strategic focus. Read more
Vail Resorts – Higher net income and EBITDA, though declining skier visits and demand softening pose risks. Read more
Volkswagen AG – EV investments and new model launches, but declining vehicle sales and supply chain issues remain obstacles. Read more
Zumiez – Brand expansion and private label growth, but European sales struggles and tariff concerns weigh on margins. Read more