Latest news with #LauraAlber
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Williams-Sonoma (WSM) Deserves Attention in the Income Stocks Space
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) is included among the 11 Best Income Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. An interior of a modern home with a wide selection of cookware, tools and cutlery on display. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) is an American retailer known for its portfolio of upscale home goods brands, including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm, and Rejuvenation. Despite a challenging retail environment and slower sales, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) has continued to perform well under the leadership of CEO Laura Alber. It has preserved strong profit margins by sticking to a full-price strategy, managing inventory effectively, and optimizing its store footprint. The company is also expanding its presence through business-to-business initiatives and by growing Rejuvenation, a lighting brand it acquired in 2011, with the goal of turning it into a $1 billion business. On June 12, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.66 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. It is among the best dividend stocks for consistent income as the company has raised its payouts for 16 consecutive years. As of July 31, the stock has a dividend yield of 1.41%. While we acknowledge the potential of WSM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Williams-Sonoma (WSM) Deserves Attention in the Income Stocks Space
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) is included among the 11 Best Income Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. An interior of a modern home with a wide selection of cookware, tools and cutlery on display. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) is an American retailer known for its portfolio of upscale home goods brands, including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm, and Rejuvenation. Despite a challenging retail environment and slower sales, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) has continued to perform well under the leadership of CEO Laura Alber. It has preserved strong profit margins by sticking to a full-price strategy, managing inventory effectively, and optimizing its store footprint. The company is also expanding its presence through business-to-business initiatives and by growing Rejuvenation, a lighting brand it acquired in 2011, with the goal of turning it into a $1 billion business. On June 12, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.66 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. It is among the best dividend stocks for consistent income as the company has raised its payouts for 16 consecutive years. As of July 31, the stock has a dividend yield of 1.41%. While we acknowledge the potential of WSM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Popular US homeware brand ‘that beats Ikea' is finally launching in the UK
The site will offer a 'curated' selection of its homeware products, plus a personalised interior styling assistance service for shoppers who need design inspiration A popular US homeware brand is finally launching online in the UK this autumn. Pottery Barn is known for its home furniture and accessories and has now confirmed plans for a UK webstore. The site will offer a "curated" selection of Pottery Barn products, plus a personalised interior styling assistance service for shoppers who need design inspiration. Pottery Barn operates in over 60 countries, including the US, Canada, Mexico and Australia. It is owned by Williams-Sonoma, which is also the parent company of furniture retailer West Elm. Fans have previously compared Pottery Barn to Ikea. In an online forum, one person said: "You get what you pay for at IKEA, sometimes they'll have some of the nicer sofas at right around the same price as everyone else. Generally though, Pottery Barn Items are much much higher quality." Williams-Sonoma president and chief executive Laura Alber said: 'We are committed to long-term growth and expanding the reach of our brands where we see meaningful market opportunity. 'We believe great design and quality craftsmanship have universal appeal and we look forward to bringing Pottery Barn's signature aesthetic to the UK.' Pottery Barn president Monica Bhargava added: 'Whether furnishing a new flat, refreshing a family home, or entertaining with family and friends or thoughtful gifting, we are proud to be providing the UK market with thoughtfully designed pieces that meet the needs of modern living.' Pottery Barn isn't the only US company to be making ground in the UK. Slim Chickens - which some people say is "better than KFC" - revealed it will open 16 new restaurants across the UK in 2025. Slim Chickens was founded in Arkansas in 2003 and specialises in Southern-style chicken tenders and wings. It opened its first UK site in 2018 and now has more than 70 branches over here. In the states, it has over 200. Some of the items on the Slim Chickens menu includes buttermilk marinated chicken tenders, chicken wings, boneless bites, sandwiches, salads, wraps, fries, and a range of 14 house dipping sauces. The dipping sauces include blue cheese, buffalo, cayenne ranch, gravy mayo, honey mustard, Korean BBQ, Slim Sauce and a limited-time "Unknown" sauce. On social media, fans have raved about the chain over the last few years. On Instagram, one person said the food "looks phenomenal", while on Reddit, another said "prefer it over KFC". Meanwhile on X, one person said: "Slim Chickens is the best chicken place I have ever been to and it's not even close.." Another added: "What is the best fried chicken franchise and why is it Slim Chickens?" A third said: "Slim chickens is much better if you want good chicken, better than both KFC and Popeyes imo."


Scottish Sun
16-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Legendary US homeware brand ‘better than Ikea' is launching in the UK this autumn – offering huge Halloween range
OPENING DOORS Legendary US homeware brand 'better than Ikea' is launching in the UK this autumn – offering huge Halloween range US homeware favourite is finally making its way to Britain – with an online UK launch set for this autumn. The cult-favourite brand, known for its chic furniture, cosy bedding and Pinterest-worthy décor, will finally be available direct to UK customers for the first time. 3 The stylish Stateside brand, Pottery Barn, will soon be available to UK shoppers Credit: Getty Swanky US homeware chain Pottery Barn is set to launch online in the UK this autumn – and shoppers are buzzing to finally get their hands on the brand's famous furniture and décor without the overseas faff. Known for its cosy-chic vibe, the cult American label will offer Brits a selection of stylish furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative bits through a dedicated UK website. Pottery Barn, owned by home retail giant Williams-Sonoma – which also runs West Elm – says it's eyeing up Britain as its next big market. Williams-Sonoma boss Laura Alber said: 'We believe great design and quality craftsmanship have universal appeal and we're excited to bring Pottery Barn's signature look to the UK.' Pottery Barn president Monica Bhargava added: 'Whether you're kitting out a new flat or refreshing your family home, our designs are made for modern living.' It's not just the goods Brits will love – free design services will also be on offer, giving customers personal styling help for their homes, both online and in-person. And just in time for spooky season, Pottery Barn's UK site is expected to launch with its huge Halloween collection — packed with ghostly glassware, gothic table décor, creepy candles and luxe pumpkin accents. The brand is famous Stateside for going all out on seasonal styling, and Brits will finally get to join the party with high-end Halloween buys that are a far cry from the bargain-bin basics. Fan reaction British shoppers can't wait to swap flat-pack frustration for Pottery Barn's polished pieces — with many already calling it a classy upgrade from IKEA. Fans online have hailed the brand's timeless aesthetic and quality finishes, with one saying: "You get what you pay for at IKEA, sometimes they'll have some of the nicer sofas at right around the same price as everyone else. "Generally though, Pottery Barn Items are much much higher quality." Another added: "Everything I've ever bought from IKEA has been a cheap piece of c*** that fell apart immediately. I did a haul of the new Oxford Street Ikea whilst on my lunch break & I managed to kit out with bargains under £3 "While Pottery Barn isn't the best of quality, it's on a significantly higher level than IKEA. "The other thing is that Pottery Barn style is quite different from the IKEA style." A third penned: "IKEA's hit and miss. Everything I have from them is pretty good, but you do have to go into the IKEA and have a look at what you're buying. "Some of their stuff is c*** and price is no indicator of what's what." With stylish staples and designer vibes, Pottery Barn's UK debut is shaping up to be the ultimate homeware shake-up. How to upcycle garden furniture in 3 steps There's really no need to spend a fortune on new garden furniture. Rebecca Miller, Fabulous' Associate Editor and gardening enthusiast has shared her tips to transforming grotty second-hand furniture into pieces that look brand new. "Recycling centres, dump shops, charity shops and Facebook Marketplace are brilliant places to pick up second hand items for cheap. And all you need to do is have a spare afternoon to spruce them up - and it's something you can get your kids involved in! Clean Everything looks better after a good scrub. If in doubt, opt for a simple washing-up liquid and warm water solution, and get to work removing all the grime and dirt. If the piece of furniture can withstand some pressure, why not pressure wash it? Leave it to dry, then you can see what you're dealing with. Fix-up If the item of furniture is a little wonky, or you're unsure how sturdy it is, take a moment to check all the fixtures and either replace them or tighten them up. Colour The quickest way to transform a piece of furniture is with a lick of paint. When choosing a new colour, base it on shades that will fit with your existing garden design and plants - but most importantly, pick a colour that will bring a smile to your face." Inside IKEA's new Oxford Street shop IKEA opened a new shop on London's Oxford Street in May. It's set over three floors and 5,400 square metres compared with the average size of 30,000 square meters for most of IKEA's locations - but it's for a very good reason. It's the second of IKEA's smaller format stores and while 6,000 IKEA products are on display you can only purchase 3,500 of these in-store. But, importantly of course, you'll still be able to grab the Swedish retailer's iconic meatballs and 85p hot dogs - and it's all available for takeaway. The shop's location on ever-busy Oxford Street means it's geared more towards shoppers popping in for smaller home items. You won't be able to pick up larger furniture items, but you can order them for home delivery, click and collect, or get them sent to pick-up locations across the UK. 3 Shoppers are buzzing to finally get their hands on the brand's famous furniture and décor without the overseas faff Credit: Shutterstock


The Sun
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Legendary US homeware brand ‘better than Ikea' is launching in the UK this autumn – offering huge Halloween range
US homeware favourite is finally making its way to Britain – with an online UK launch set for this autumn. The cult-favourite brand, known for its chic furniture, cosy bedding and Pinterest-worthy décor, will finally be available direct to UK customers for the first time. 3 3 Swanky US homeware chain Pottery Barn is set to launch online in the UK this autumn – and shoppers are buzzing to finally get their hands on the brand's famous furniture and décor without the overseas faff. Known for its cosy-chic vibe, the cult American label will offer Brits a selection of stylish furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative bits through a dedicated UK website. Pottery Barn, owned by home retail giant Williams-Sonoma – which also runs West Elm – says it's eyeing up Britain as its next big market. Williams-Sonoma boss Laura Alber said: 'We believe great design and quality craftsmanship have universal appeal and we're excited to bring Pottery Barn's signature look to the UK.' Pottery Barn president Monica Bhargava added: 'Whether you're kitting out a new flat or refreshing your family home, our designs are made for modern living.' It's not just the goods Brits will love – free design services will also be on offer, giving customers personal styling help for their homes, both online and in-person. And just in time for spooky season, Pottery Barn's UK site is expected to launch with its huge Halloween collection — packed with ghostly glassware, gothic table décor, creepy candles and luxe pumpkin accents. The brand is famous Stateside for going all out on seasonal styling, and Brits will finally get to join the party with high-end Halloween buys that are a far cry from the bargain -bin basics. Fan reaction British shoppers can't wait to swap flat-pack frustration for Pottery Barn's polished pieces — with many already calling it a classy upgrade from IKEA. Fans online have hailed the brand's timeless aesthetic and quality finishes, with one saying: "You get what you pay for at IKEA, sometimes they'll have some of the nicer sofas at right around the same price as everyone else. "Generally though, Pottery Barn Items are much much higher quality." Another added: "Everything I've ever bought from IKEA has been a cheap piece of c*** that fell apart immediately. "While Pottery Barn isn't the best of quality, it's on a significantly higher level than IKEA. "The other thing is that Pottery Barn style is quite different from the IKEA style." A third penned: "IKEA's hit and miss. Everything I have from them is pretty good, but you do have to go into the IKEA and have a look at what you're buying. "Some of their stuff is c*** and price is no indicator of what's what." With stylish staples and designer vibes, Pottery Barn's UK debut is shaping up to be the ultimate homeware shake-up. How to upcycle garden furniture in 3 steps There's really no need to spend a fortune on new garden furniture. Rebecca Miller, Fabulous' Associate Editor and gardening enthusiast has shared her tips to transforming grotty second-hand furniture into pieces that look brand new. "Recycling centres, dump shops, charity shops and Facebook Marketplace are brilliant places to pick up second hand items for cheap. And all you need to do is have a spare afternoon to spruce them up - and it's something you can get your kids involved in! Clean Everything looks better after a good scrub. If in doubt, opt for a simple washing-up liquid and warm water solution, and get to work removing all the grime and dirt. If the piece of furniture can withstand some pressure, why not pressure wash it? Leave it to dry, then you can see what you're dealing with. Fix-up If the item of furniture is a little wonky, or you're unsure how sturdy it is, take a moment to check all the fixtures and either replace them or tighten them up. Colour The quickest way to transform a piece of furniture is with a lick of paint. When choosing a new colour, base it on shades that will fit with your existing garden design and plants - but most importantly, pick a colour that will bring a smile to your face." Inside IKEA's new Oxford Street shop IKEA opened a new shop on London's Oxford Street in May. It's set over three floors and 5,400 square metres compared with the average size of 30,000 square meters for most of IKEA 's locations - but it's for a very good reason. It's the second of IKEA's smaller format stores and while 6,000 IKEA products are on display you can only purchase 3,500 of these in-store. But, importantly of course, you'll still be able to grab the Swedish retailer's iconic meatballs and 85p hot dogs - and it's all available for takeaway. The shop's location on ever-busy Oxford Street means it's geared more towards shoppers popping in for smaller home items. You won't be able to pick up larger furniture items, but you can order them for home delivery, click and collect, or get them sent to pick-up locations across the UK.