Latest news with #JeanelleTeves
Canada News.Net
2 days ago
- Business
- Canada News.Net
Birkenstock, Bugaboo, Coach thrive as rich Americans absorb hikes
LONDON, U.K.: For now, America's wealthier consumers appear unfazed by price increases on high-end products, from Birkenstock sandals to Bugaboo strollers, even as tariffs and economic uncertainty push brands to raise prices. German footwear brand Birkenstock has seen "tremendously strong" demand since introducing higher prices on July 1 to offset U.S. import tariffs, CEO Oliver Reichert told analysts this week. "We saw no pushback or cancellations," he said. The resilience mirrors trends across several premium brands. Bugaboo, the Dutch maker of strollers, high chairs, and playpens retailing for more than US$1,000, raised prices by $50 to $300 in May. "In general, we did not see any pushback," said Jeanelle Teves, Bugaboo's chief commercial officer for North America, noting retailers were "open and accepting" of the changes. Coach handbags have also remained popular, with parent company Tapestry reporting 4.6 million new North American customers this year, many from Gen Z and millennial demographics. CEO Joanne Kuvoiserat said the brand expects to maintain profit margins despite tariff pressures. Ralph Lauren likewise raised its annual revenue forecast as shoppers snapped up items like its $398 Polo Bear sweaters. However, CEO Patrice Louvet cautioned that price sensitivity in the second half remains a key unknown. Bank of America data supports the picture of steady luxury spending. The bank reported that middle—and upper-income cardholders spent more in July than a year earlier, even as spending by lower-income customers stayed flat. The bank noted that lower-income households account for only 15 percent of U.S. consumer spending, meaning overall demand could remain strong if higher-income spending holds up. However, some signs of caution are emerging. Procter & Gamble, maker of Tide detergent, noted that even wealthier consumers are becoming more selective in their purchases. Bugaboo manufactures in China and sells through retailers including Target, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's, as well as smaller independent stores. Coach's popular Tabby shoulder bag sells for $350, while Ralph Lauren's luxury apparel continues to command high prices. As brands watch the second half of the year unfold, the big question remains whether affluent shoppers will keep absorbing price hikes or begin to pull back in the face of a "broader pricing environment," Louvet said.
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Well-heeled shoppers shrug off price hikes for Birkenstocks and Bugaboo strollers for now
Well -heeled shoppers around the US seem - so far at least - willing to soak up price hikes for aspirational products from trendy Birkenstock sandals to Bugaboo prams, despite the impact of trade tariffs and belt-tightening elsewhere. German sandal and clog brand Birkenstock has enjoyed strong consumer demand with little pushback from US retailers since hiking prices at the start of July, its chief executive said on Thursday. As brands raise prices and cut costs to mitigate the impact of higher US tariffs on their imported products, a key question is the extent to which consumers will be put off and buy less, or simply walk away from purchases. Comments from Birkenstock, Bugaboo, Coach, Ralph Lauren and other brands at the premium end of the market suggest that, so far, affluent consumers are shrugging off price hikes. "We saw no pushback or cancellations following the July 1st price increases implemented in response to tariffs," Birkenstock CEO Oliver Reichert told analysts on a call, adding demand for the brand has been "tremendously strong." Bank of America, the largest consumer facing US bank, said this week that middle- and upper-income earners spent more on their credit cards in July than the same month last year. In contrast, spending among the lowest income bracket remained flat, the bank found. Overall US consumer spending may stay strong, Bank of America said, as long as higher-income individuals keep spending. Lower-income earners account for only 15% of all US consumer spending, according to Bank of America. However, Procter & Gamble, maker of Tide detergent, reported signs of spending cutbacks among higher-income consumers, indicating that shoppers may be becoming more selective with their purchases. Bugaboo, a Netherlands-based maker of expensive baby gear, also raised prices on its strollers, high chairs and play pens by $50-$300 in May because of US tariffs. Retailers were open and accepting. "In general we did not see any pushback. They are like us. They understand it is a fluid situation," Chief Commercial Officer for North America, Jeanelle Teves, said. Bugaboo manufactures in China and sells strollers for more than $1,000 at Target, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and independent mom and pop stores. Coach handbags also remain in strong demand despite a gloomier economic outlook: the brand drew in more than 4.6 million new customers in North America this year, many of whom are Gen Z and millennials, Tapestry CEO Joanne Kuvoiserat said on Thursday. Coach, whose popular Tabby shoulder bags retail for $350, will maintain its operating profit margin despite the pressure of tariffs, Kuvoiserat said. Ralph Lauren, meanwhile, raised its annual revenue forecast as shoppers snapped up items like its $398 Polo Bear sweaters. But consumers' behaviour in the coming months remains hard to predict, CEO Patrice Louvet highlighted on a conference call with analysts. "The bigger unknown here today is the price sensitivity and how the consumer reacts to the broader pricing environment. So that's what we're watching very closely as we head into the second half."
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Inside Bugaboo's Parent-First Philosophy: Leadership Lessons From CCO Jeanelle Teves
Fox 5 Renew stroller While most children were on the playground, 9 year-old Jeanelle Teves was busy answering phones at her parents' dental practice, learning invaluable career lessons that would pay dividends years later as she is now the Chief Commercial Officer for North America at Bugaboo, the premium stroller brand for kids. "I had so much anxiety when I would have to answer the phone," she recalled. "I was thinking, they're going to know that I'm just a kid. What if I don't know the answer to their question?" But her mother's encouragement—"Ask them what they need. What is the problem that you're looking to solve?"—became the foundation for a career built on communication and customer-centric thinking. Jeanelle Teves, Chief Commercial Officer, NA The most powerful gift her parents gave her wasn't material—it was a mindset. "My parents always raised my brother and I with the mentality of 'why not you?'" she explained during our interview. 'You want to go to business school? Why not you? Go for it.' This philosophy became her north star, especially when facing the inevitable voices of doubt. "The world will tell you so many reasons that you can't do it—you're not good enough, you're not educated enough, you're too young, you're not experienced enough. But I watched my parents say, 'This is what we want to do. Why not us?'" Jeanelle's calling early on was to see the world, and education became her passport for that adventure. She booked a one-way ticket to Barcelona for graduate school, which later proved to be a life-changing decision because that's where she met her future husband who invited her to move to Amsterdam. That leap led to a role at Nike's European headquarters, where she spent nearly a decade traveling across Europe and eventually becoming the General Manager of Nike Women's in New York City. "You can only connect the dots looking backwards," Jeanelle reflected. "Now it makes so much sense that I'm working for a Dutch design company in North America." Nearly 5 years ago, Jeanelle was faced with a big decision. She was thriving at Nike, deeply embedded in the sports industry she enjoyed. Suddenly, she had an opportunity to join Bugaboo and the stars aligned: she had just become a new mother and was living the experience of Bugaboo's target customer, and she had spent years in the Netherlands, where Bugaboo was already a household name. "I was completely immersed in this new parent mentality. I understood the mindset, the market, the brand opportunity," she explains. "It was the perfect intersection of my personal life and professional runway." The transition from a global organization like Nike to a smaller company required courage. However, Jeanelle saw an opportunity to bring her experience to a company obsessed with solving real problems for parents. "If I was going to take a risk, this was the perfect intersection of two areas of my life coming together." Success at the executive level requires what Jeanelle calls "filling your cup." Her morning routine starts at 5 AM with what she calls the "3-3-3 exercise": three wins from the previous day, three things she's grateful for, and three priorities for the current day. "I sleep with a notebook next to my bed," she explains. "Some days those priorities might include conducting an interview like this, and other days it might be about ordering balloons for a birthday party.' If at the end of the day I've done those three things, it was a good day." This practice of focusing on "green shoots"—small positive signals even in challenging times—has become central to her leadership approach. 'When everything around you is signaling that it's going to be a tough quarter or tough year, you have to work hard to draw upon your emotions to fill your cup because everyone is looking at you to lead.' At Bugaboo, she oversees the growth of a brand famous for innovative design and engineering. But she's quick to clarify a common misconception: while celebrities are often photographed with Bugaboos, the brand's strength lies in its obsessive attention to quality and problem-solving. 'Sometimes product design is a multi-year process,' she explains. The company's durability tests are seven times higher than industry standards, reflecting what she calls a "rocket ship to space" level of precision. One of her proudest achievements has been bringing the Bugaboo Kangaroo to market—the first stroller specifically designed for parents who might want to expand their families. "It was built with a modular design that allowed you to place a second seat months or years later when you decide to have your second child." Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew in Deep Indigo The recent launch of the Fox 5 Renew (pictured above), is another milestone for the company as it's the intersection of premium design with quality that's built to last. It's been tested on over 4,000 miles of rough terrain to ensure the wheels don't puncture and it has a modular design which makes repairs easier. It's also built with sustainable materials and features an eco-friendly design (breathable, antibacterial) to make it comfortable for little ones. But her pride extends beyond products to policies. During her tenure, Bugaboo extended maternity leave to 16 weeks and introduced flexible return-to-work plans. "When we talk about empowering parents, it's not only about products we create as a company." When asked for career advice, Jeanelle champions the idea of small, consistent actions compounding over time. "Don't underestimate the power of relationships and mentors," she advises. "Think of your network as a bank account—you are constantly putting in deposits. Every once in a while, you'll make a withdrawal, and you're glad that you've put those deposits in over the years." Her second piece of advice is even more fundamental: 'Be known for being consistently good and that will take you very far. Being consistently good will take you much farther than being occasionally great.' Perhaps no practice has been more transformative for Jeanelle than her commitment to gratitude. She's maintained a running note on her phone simply titled "Gratitude," adding to it whenever she travels or needs perspective. "When I am feeling bad and I just open up this note, I am feeling abundant because I have the wind at my back," she explains. Today, as Chief Commercial Officer, Jeanelle is clear about her responsibilities: "I get to grow the business and brand in North America" by ensuring her team is "united and spending their energy and time on the same united goals." The loneliness that can come with executive leadership—having to project confidence even when facing uncertainty—is balanced by the privilege of impact. "It's an incredible privilege to play that role and to be in a position to lead others," she acknowledges. Jeanelle represents a different model of success—one built not on overnight breakthroughs, but on the compound effect of consistent excellence, authentic leadership, and the simple but powerful belief that when opportunity knocks, the answer should always be: "Why not me?" Click here to listen to the full interview with Jeanelle Teves
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BUGABOO DEBUTS BUTTERFLY 2: SMARTER FOLD, BIGGER WHEELS, AND ELEVATED SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FOR FAMILIES ON THE GO
The Brand's Next-Gen Travel Stroller Reinvents Portability, Comfort, and Eco-Conscious Engineering, Just In Time for Summer Travel NEW YORK, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bugaboo, the global leader in parenting solutions and the brand behind the world's most design-forward strollers, unveils the next generation of its best-selling travel stroller: Butterfly 2, available for pre-order starting today. Bugaboo's award-winning travel stroller is updated to feature a more purpose-driven, comfort-first, and sustainable design—engineered especially for modern parents in motion. As a Certified B Corp™, Bugaboo is committed to creating products that are not only beautifully designed and built to last, but also responsibly made for people and the planet. Built for everyday adventures and big getaways alike, Butterfly 2 offers smarter features, smoother rides, and one of the lowest environmental footprints of any stroller on the market today. A Complete Reimagination of the Travel Stroller Thoughtfully designed and rigorously tested, Butterfly 2 introduces a host of enhancements that make it Bugaboo's most intuitive and adventure-ready travel stroller yet: 'Butterfly 2 was designed to meet the realities of modern parents on the move —where quality , function, and design matter more than ever,' says Jeanelle Teves, Chief Commercial Officer at Bugaboo. 'We've reengineered our bestselling travel stroller to make every journey easier, smoother, and more sustainable—without compromising on the design-forward experience Bugaboo is known for.' Butterfly 2 has already been recognized by the industry, receiving the Red Dot: Best of the Best Award 2025 for outstanding product design and innovation. 'With babies, every day is an adventure—whether you're navigating city streets or boarding a plane,' says Alessandra Elia, Bugaboo CMO. 'Butterfly 2 was designed to help families focus less on logistics and more on connection and discovery. It's our ultimate expression of comfort, function, and design.' Bugaboo's Butterfly 2 is available for pre-order starting today and will be shipping on June 3 at $599 USD. It is air travel–ready, self-standing when folded, and launching in four timeless colors: Forest Green, Desert Taupe, Deep Indigo, and Midnight Black. Shop now at About Bugaboo Bugaboo believes that parenthood has the power to shape the future. The Dutch brand kickstarted a stroller revolution 25 years ago, and they haven't stopped innovating since. Embraced by families around the world, their extraordinary designs remain some of the most recognizable on the market. Their award-winning strollers and parenting solutions — including car seats, a play yard, a high chair, and accessories — are engineered to be comfortable, long-lasting, and easy to use. Designed with the next generations in mind, Bugaboo launched a Push to Zero commitment to be net zero by 2035 and to reduce its impact on the planet. In 2023, the brand also became a B Corp™ — a certification that will keep Bugaboo pushing for a better future. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Bugaboo
