Miscellaneous

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#kering #luxury | Jacques-Olivier CHAUVIN | 20 comments

🏦 Kering plans to close over 100 stores by 2026, primarily affecting Gucci. This decision follows the "Phoenix Directive" from two months ago, advocating for an exit from Gucci outlets. The closures aren't due to underperformance but rather to protect brand integrity from discounted sales. The strategy is viewed as a survival measure rather than a rescue. Fouad Elkoreichi suggests that Kering needs sovereign capital, possibly from Saudi Arabia or Abu Dhabi, to regain financial stability and avoid vulnerability.
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156 JFK T1 – Lufthansa Allegris Tetris, Air Canada A330, JFK faster than fast-track, 100th liveries, JetClock, how to choose a seat

✈ Lufthansa's new business class on their A350 features 5 outside cameras. At JFK Terminal 1, passengers can experience fast-track services. Vinod enjoyed flying on an Air Canada A330. JetClock offers a unique flight tracker for your desk. Paul suggests Air Canada add Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps onboard. JetClock and other links are available on the Layovers podcast's website and social media platforms.
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  • 4 min

Five on Friday: February 20th, 2026

🏠 Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's auction features 25 pieces, including Prada coats, on display in Chelsea, Manhattan, this weekend. Osaka's Grand Ring, post-Expo 2025, is being repurposed by Japan, with dismantling since December, using regional timber. Steinberg Hart designs California "agrihoods" for sustainable living. Bjarke Ingels Group faces criticism for layoffs in London, with calls for union recognition. Curioso and Grupo Habita win Hospitality Design awards, with honors on May 5th in Las Vegas.
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Tripadvisor Sees Traffic Decline from AI Overviews, Considers ‘Strategic Alternatives’ (Again) | Joan Sanz

📈 Tripadvisor faces a business model issue, not an AI problem. The platform has consistently lost traffic and fails to reward content creators, unlike YouTube or X, which share revenue with creators. Despite possessing vast user-generated content and advertiser relationships, Tripadvisor has not activated a creator monetization strategy. For real relevance, platforms should compensate those generating value. Competitors like Viator pay creators, but Tripadvisor has yet to implement such a model.
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Expedia adds Flight Deals feature to its app

📅 Expedia's "Flight Deals," launched in the UK, is a mobile feature in the Expedia app offering airfares at least 20% lower than typical predicted prices. It includes a customisable deal feed and an iOS interactive map to identify value destinations. The tool evaluates over 30 price-context factors and filters out inconvenient flights. Updated every 24 hours, it aims to reduce booking uncertainty and enhance decision-making for travelers, as stated by CJ Allen, VP of Product at Expedia.
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Where are airlines placing their innovation bets?

✈️ In 2025, airline startup investments dropped to 31 deals from 39 in 2024, marking a five-year low. Only seven airlines invested, with United Airlines leading with 10 deals. Asian airlines, particularly in Japan, China, and Korea, doubled their investment share to 30%. Cleantech/sustainability was the top focus, comprising 42% of investments, while AI accounted for about 25%. Airlines favored later-stage, de-risked startups, with 65% of investments in mature companies.
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OUTRIGGER Waikiki Paradise Joins Global Hotel Alliance’s GHA DISCOVERY Program

🏖️ HONOLULU—In 2025, the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Paradise Hotel joined the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty program, integrating OUTRIGGER's global portfolio into the alliance. Located on Princess Ka‘iulani’s former ʻĀinahau estate, the 443-room hotel boosts demand from sports teams and conferences. The program led by Paradise Originals offers Art + Flea markets and dining at Appetito Craft Pizza & Wine Bar. GHA DISCOVERY supports 45 hotel brands, enhancing loyalty revenue and brand identity.
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Food aesthetics and the influencer effect on restaurants

📷 Feb 19, 2026: Social media's influence is reshaping the dining sector. Influencers drawn to photogenic dishes cause operational disruptions, like elongated restroom use for photo sessions. Traditional eateries struggle as younger consumers demand visual appeal, impacting established brands like Poilâne. Restaurateurs face a strategic choice: enhance visual elements or focus on traditional quality. Rising costs and changing habits also challenge the industry, highlighting that influencer culture is just one facet of a broader shift.
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  • 3 min

Formant Studio highlights “timeless elegance of birch” in Mexico City listening room

🎧 Formant Studio transformed an office in Mexico City into Modular, a listening room focused around a custom sofa, for Simple Moo and photographer Fabián Martínez. With custom-designed furniture, including a birch veneer wall and stainless-steel DJ booth, it debuted during Mexico City art week with local DJs performing. Elements like oak, stainless-steel, and green carpets create a cohesive space, reflecting a growing trend in global listening rooms.
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