Latest news with #Uniform
Business of Fashion
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Business of Fashion
Can Design Be the Flex It Once Was in Beauty?
For makeup brand Merit, creative direction isn't a luxury but a must-have. Case in point: a recent campaign for the launch of its tinted sunscreen, Uniform, was inspired by dry cleaning, rather than the beach or vacation days: collateral included adverts featuring clothes hung up in dry cleaning bags and hand-written collection receipts. 'The design intention needs to come through in every touchpoint,' said Aila Morin, chief marketing officer at Merit, noting that the line uses references from the world of interiors, jewellery and art in its visual identity and packaging. 'Something as small as an earring or a collar in a beauty advert becomes incredibly important, because it lets the viewer know who the customer is, and how she spends her day.' Other design hallmarks for Merit include its $30 Bronze Balm, which is modelled after the men's deodorant, Speed Stick, and a limited edition compact mirror in partnership with a jewellery maker, Completedworks. It often uses materials like wood and glass in packaging and in-store displays. Merit's The Uniform campaign. (Courtesy) Stroll through any major beauty retailer, and a range of brightly coloured packaging, splashy visuals and a smattering of celebrity faces are sure to greet you. But those same hallmarks can offer a sense of sameness. Merit is a part of a class of prestige beauty lines, however, that are bucking that trend and investing more into its packaging and design to differentiate themselves from the crowd. Isamaya Beauty, the line created by the makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench uses industrial and surgical-inspired elements; the niche perfume line D'Annam has made use of food imagery to enhance its egg-shaped bottles. Upstart New York-based cosmetics brand Sarah Creal Beauty has invested in custom–tooled packaging for all its products, including a sun-shaped orange ergonomic squeezable bottle for its Brilliant Repair Shield sunscreen. A swing away from stock packaging and componentry that has allowed mass and masstige brands like E.l.f., Tower 28 and Odele to cut through on price, lines like Sarah Creal are willing to spend on custom-tooled packaging, bold-faced creative directors and specialist agencies, usually increasing a product's retail price. 'I was looking at the competition, and I felt it was blanding, not branding,' said Creal, the line's founder. 'You can take a logo off of one thing, put it on another… there's no differentiation.' Still, such efforts are costly, complex and need to be carefully calibrated. What's chic and innovative in one city or country could be confusing in another, and custom packaging can add intricacy to supply chains — Creal said she had been warned the expense attached would be nontrivial. 'I am paying more [than some of her competitors]... but you have one chance to launch a brand, and you better show people who you are,' she said. A New Luxury Part of the push to differentiate premium-priced products is changing perceptions of luxury. Like in fashion, many beauty brands undertook significant price increases in the years following the global recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. But those increased prices were met with increased consumer expectations. Kapono Chung, a partner at branding and design agency Combo, said customers used to be interested in fashion house names like Chanel or Dior so they could own a piece of what they perceived as the most elevated brands. Designer beauty brands would often reinforce their high price point with add-ons like scents, layers of tissue paper in packaging, or make products a larger or heavier format to signal quality. A Sarah Creal Beauty lipstick (Courtesy) But beauty status symbols are changing — whereas before a compact or lipstick emblazoned with a fashion house logo served as a signifier of wealth and taste, viral products from indie or niche names like the lip-gloss-holding phone case from Rhode are increasingly signifiers of access and nous. But even with shorter trend cycles, brands chasing longevity are refocusing on a more unique sense of luxury in the hopes of creating a more indelible impact on shoppers. 'I wanted there to be a surprise every time we launched a product,' said Creal. 'I think people are overwhelmed, and so having the packaging be unusual but also telegraph what the product does helps it stand out,' she said. Unconventional Inspiration With so many new brands coming to market, and so many trying to replicate their peers' successes, some degree of saminess is to be expected. The success of a smash-hit product like Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm or Dior Lip Glow Oil can be also indicative of a trend and create a halo effect for other contemporaries. Some designers and marketers say it's because as brands rush to get products to market so as not to miss ephemeral trend windows, many speedrun the creative execution process. 'If [a brand] is supposed to be highly accessible, that's fine, but if it's more premium and meant to be more distinctive, there has to be a certain amount of investment of foresight in the design. That's the bit that some brands skip,' said Helen Steed, creative director of Los Angeles-based design studio Steed + Friends, whose clients include Rhode, Live Tinted and Supergoop. Previously she was creative director at Glossier. At Merit, Morin said the brand tries to source as many of its references from offline sources as possible, to avoid unintended overlap with competitors. 'Algorithms serve artistic teams the exact same things, so we're all consuming the same content,' said Morin, adding that she encourages her team to visit museums, galleries and look at archival books and magazines. 'Otherwise, we all end up looking the same,' she said. However, while discovering exactly what motifs and styles resonate with a customer group is difficult, Chung said he advised brands to decide early on what their visual identity would be, rather than trying to take a test-and-learn approach. 'It's better to build a base of fans first and get your positioning right,' he said. Steed said there are scrappy ways to achieve a more differentiated look. She said suppliers can be open to mixing and matching to find more cost-efficient ways to personalise packaging. 'You can be inventive…you can be scrappy and still do it very well and do it very thoughtfully,' she said. Ultimately, brands must design what they want their packaging and visual identity to signal. For Merit, Morin said there's a desire to create a feeling of longevity, hence its use of 1990s imagery and collaborations with jewellery brands. 'We want to make each product unique, but classic enough that someone will use it for the next ten years,' she said. Sign up to The Business of Beauty newsletter, your complimentary, must-read source for the day's most important beauty and wellness news and analysis.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cintas' Q4 Earnings Surpass Estimates, Revenues Increase Y/Y
Cintas Corporation CTAS reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 (ended May 31, 2025) earnings of $1.09 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.07. The bottom line rose 9% year over year despite an increase in operating revenues of $2.67 billion outperformed the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion. The top line rose 8% year over year, driven by higher segmental revenues. Organic sales were up 9% year over year. (Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.)In fiscal 2025, CTAS reported net revenues of $10.34 billion, which increased 7.7% year over year. The company's adjusted earnings were $4.40 per share, up 16.1% year over year. Cintas' Segmental Results The company has two reportable segments, Uniform Rental and Facility Services and First Aid and Safety Services. Other businesses like Uniform Direct Sale and Fire Protection Services are included in All Other. Quarterly sales data is briefly discussed from the Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment (representing 76.1% of the quarter's net sales) totaled $2.03 billion, up 6.3% year over year. Our estimate for segmental revenues was $2.02 from the First Aid and Safety Services segment (representing 12.2% of the quarter's net sales) totaled $324.4 million, up 16.8% year over year. Our estimate for segmental revenues was $313.1 from All Other business (representing 11.7% of the quarter's net sales) totaled $312.6 million, up 10.8% year over year. Our estimate for segmental revenues was $289 million. Cintas Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Cintas Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Cintas Corporation Quote CTAS' Margin Profile Cintas' cost of sales (comprising costs related to uniform rental and facility services and others) increased 6.9% year over year to $1.34 billion. It represented 50.3% of net sales. Gross profit increased 9.1% to $1.33 billion. The gross margin was 49.7% compared with 49.2% in the year-ago period. Our estimate for the gross margin was pegged at 49.9%.Selling and administrative expenses totaled $728.5 million, reflecting a 9.1% increase from the year-ago figure. It represented 27.3% of net sales. Operating income increased 9.1% year over year to $597.5 million. The operating margin was 22.4% compared with 22.2% in the year-ago quarter. Interest expenses decreased 0.1% to $24.1 million. Cintas' Balance Sheet & Cash Flow Exiting fiscal 2025, Cintas had cash and cash equivalents of $264 million compared with $342 million at the end of the year-ago fiscal year. Long-term debt was about $2.42 billion compared with $2.03 billion at the end of the year-ago fiscal year. In fiscal 2025, CTAS generated net cash of $2.17 billion from operating activities, up 4.7% from the year-ago period. Capital expenditures in the same period totaled $408.9 million, down 0.1% year over year. Free cash flow increased 5.9% year over year to $1.76 company repurchased shares worth $934.8 million compared with $700 million in the year-ago period. Dividend payments totaled $611.6 million, up 15.2% year over year. CTAS' FY26 Guidance For fiscal 2026, Cintas expects revenues to be in the range of $11-$11.15 billion. The midpoint of the guided range — $11.08 billion — lies above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.02 billion. Earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $4.71-$4.85. The midpoint of the guided range — $4.78 — lies below the consensus estimate of $ predicts net interest expenses of approximately $98 million. This compares with interest expenses of $101.1 million recorded in fiscal 2025. The effective tax rate is expected to be 20%. CTAS' Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to Consider Cintas currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked companies are discussed Inc. AZZ currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 8.1%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for AZZ's fiscal 2026 earnings has increased 4.9%.Broadwind, Inc. BWEN presently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 61.1%.In the past 60 days, the consensus estimate for BWEN's 2025 earnings has remained Holdings, Inc. ALRM presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. It has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 15.7%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALRM's 2025 earnings has remained steady in the past 60 days. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Cintas Corporation (CTAS) : Free Stock Analysis Report AZZ Inc. (AZZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Broadwind Energy, Inc. (BWEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research 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
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Merit 'five minute' routine includes 'holy grail' glow serum
The Merit Prep Set is a four-piece bundle to prep skin for foundation and the routine includes a new tinted moisturiser just in time for summer Clean beauty brand Merit has offered fans a 15% off discount on the Prep Set, which includes a serum that has been hailed a "holy grail" for glowing skin. The sleek minimalistic packaging and hydrating skincare formulas have quickly turned Merit into a cult beauty brand and it has won over the likes of Demi Moore and Nichole Richie. Sharing on Instagram, Merit posted a "routine that takes only five minutes" and that's the Prep Set and the Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen. For a limited time, the Prep Set is reduced from £130 to £111 and it includes the viral Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, Great Skin Moisturiser, The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick and a Blending Brush. Formulated to plump and hydrate for an instant glow, the bi-phase serum, worth £34 alone, includes a blend of four types of hyaluronic acid to target multiple layers of skin to lock in moisture. It also has cacao seed extract to stimulate blood flow for an "immediate plumping effect". One fan reacted and shared: That serum is my holy grail! Compliments on my skin evey time I wear and the glow is amazing." Another added: "Need it all, the serum is my holy grail." The second step of the routine is to lock in hydration and prep skin for makeup using the Great Skin Priming Moisturiser. The pH-balanced face cream has added biomimetic emulsifier for a blurred, cashmere-like finish, while the peptides and oat extract deliver what fans said "wore so well throughout the day" and it "can be worn solo for a dewy look or use it as a primer for makeup". Then add in a shade of the Uniform, a tinted mineral sunscreen that comes with 15 shades. Our beauty writers have tested the skincare makeup-hybrid and Eve Rowlands described it as a "silky velvety texture and an airbrush finish", while Lauren Codling loved the "seamless blend" that saw her swapping out her M.A.C foundation in summer. But Bethan Shufflebotham found the Uniform "clinging" on particular dry areas and Eve suggested there could be a better design for the lid. Use along with the No.1 Blending Brush to create a well-protected smooth canvas before adding blush, contour and highlighter. There are other Tinted SPF Moisturisers on the market, including the Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturiser, £31, and the Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen SPF30, which is on 20% off on LookFantastic and available at £13.60. The final step will be the Minimalist, a complexion stick that does not categorise as a foundation nor a concealer. It provides added coverage or can double as a contour to sculpt and define. One shopper said: "I am obsessed with The Uniform for all over and then use the Minimalist Stick as a concealer. Such a good duo." One fan raved about the Merit set: "Hands down best makeup I have ever used as a minimal five-minute makeup girl. Top notch and worth every single penny." Another used the Minimalist to cover her under eyes dark circles and loved how it "make my eyes look awake". But a shopper took away a star and shared: "Only negative is that I can go through this fast so a lower price would be more enticing. Merit is not the only brand that launch stick-like makeup , Charlotte Tilbury's Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint, £35, gives a "ring-like effect" that can double as highlighter or foundation. Pixi Beauty's On-the-Glow Base is a more affordable option and is available on Amazon for £22. The Merit Prep Set is now on 15% off and shoppers can complete the "five-minute routine" along with The Uniform.
Hypebeast
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
WORKSOUT x Nike Air Max 95 最新聯名鞋款「Uniform」發售情報公開
UPDATE（2025/May/23）：WORKSOUTxNikeAir Max 95最新聯名配色「Uniform」確認將於 5 月 31 日登陸 WORKSOUT 與「Triple Black」配色一同上架，接著「Uniform」配色在 6 月 5 日抵達 Nike SNKRS 和指定零售商再次展開更廣泛的發售，售價 $200 美元。 原文（2025/May/13）：韓國時尚名所WORKSOUT與Nike攜手推出全新Air Max 95聯名鞋款，此次合作靈感源自 WORKSOUT 創辦人過往的校服，以軍橄欖色調的迷彩圖案為主軸，將代表性的分層鞋面改以線條取代，並加入帶有菱形格紋的 Swoosh Logo，聯名鞋墊上印有意指「成為不可或缺」的韓文，最後搭載黑色中底完善整體造型。 WORKSOUT x Nike Air Max 95「Uniform」預計將在本月正式發售，僅限量推出 3,000 雙，有興趣的讀者不妨持續關注。
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uniform Recognized as a Visionary in 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Digital Experience Platforms
Gartner Visionaries understand where the market is going. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniform, the composable digital experience platform for innovative brands, has been positioned as a Visionary in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Digital Experience Platforms (DXP). "I believe that being recognized as a Visionary in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Digital Experience Platforms validates our mission to transform how brands create and manage digital experiences," said Lars Petersen, CEO of Uniform. "We founded Uniform to break the traditional paradigm where marketers were constrained by developer backlogs. We feel our platform enables marketers to independently create and manage engaging digital experiences while freeing developers to focus on innovation. Our latest AI feature introduces specialists who use natural chat conversations to help users optimize their experiences for better conversions and search placement." We believe this recognition coincides with significant growth for Uniform as digital leaders intensify their pursuit to modernize existing go-to-market technology stacks. For organizations struggling to meet business needs with traditional headless architectures, Uniform's composable-first approach enables incremental modernization while accelerating innovation and time to market. "We architected Uniform from the ground up to connect any technology, content, or data source with a best-in-class CMS, visual experience management, and AI capabilities," continued Petersen. "This foundational approach makes it significantly easier for brands to achieve their digital experience goals." To learn more about Uniform's position as a Visionary, access the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Digital Experience Platforms report here. Gartner DisclaimerGARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner Reports: Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms, Irina Guseva, Varsha Mehta, Mike Lowndes, John Field, January 28th, 2025 Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About UniformUniform is the original composable digital experience platform, unifying teams and technology to deliver scalable, personalized digital experiences. Built to convert complexity into clarity, marketers build and test high-performance campaigns freely in a visual, no-code workspace, as developers adopt right-fit systems with ease to design a tech stack that lasts. Uniform embodies simplicity without compromise, empowering users of every discipline to optimize, innovate, and scale with confidence inside a composable architecture proven to future-proof investments and eliminate legacy system inefficiencies to exceed customer's evolving expectations. Trusted by global leaders including Procter & Gamble, Triumph Motorcycles, and Cirque du Soleil, Uniform is the modern, modular foundation for brands ready to be first to market, produce results, and stay ahead in today's competitive landscape. Learn more at and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Twitter. Media ContactTurner Satoturners@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Uniform
