GlobalData vs GSMA

Victoria's Secret embraces nostalgia and entertainment as Q2 sales rise

Victoria's Secret & Co. is leveraging nostalgia and entertainment to re-engage shoppers, according to comments from CEO Hillary Super after the company's Q2 earnings. The lingerie retailer expanded its fragrance portfolio with iterations like Tease Strawberry Bisou and archive drops such as Pink's square bottle scents, which sold out online in under a day. The company also positioned itself as an entertainment brand, premiering the YouTube docuseries 'Angels Among Us' this month. Victoria's Secret reported Q2 net sales of $1.6 billion, up 10% year over year, with 9% comp growth and net income topping $85 million. The company raised its full-year sales guidance to $7.1 billion to $7.18 billion and expects adjusted operating income of up to $590 million, citing strong performance in bras, Pink, beauty, and all channels.

• Victoria's Secret & Co. reported Q2 net sales of $1.6 billion, up 10% year over year.
• Comparable sales rose 9% in Q2, with brick-and-mortar comps growing 7%.
• Net income in Q2 nearly tripled to more than $85 million.

Dillard's Gains Market Share in Q2

Dillard’s reported modest Q2 retail sales growth as comparable sales rose 1% and total retail sales (excluding construction) reached $1.5 billion. The company’s gross margin expanded to 40.9% and net income increased 34% to $97.7 million, partly driven by $37.2 million in tariff refunds that accounted for most of the margin improvement. Category performance was mixed: gains in accessories, lingerie, home, shoes, beauty and men’s, while children’s, juniors and women’s apparel declined. GlobalData analysis and company commentary indicated the apparel weakness reflected lower consumer spending rather than defections to competitors; inventory at quarter end rose about 5% year over year. UBS analysts had expected flat comps, so Dillard’s 1% comp rise beat those expectations.

• Dillard’s Q2 retail sales (excluding construction) were $1.5 billion, with comps up 1% year over year.
• The company received $37.2 million in tariff refunds, which accounted for 260 of the 280 basis-point gross margin increase.
• Gross margin reached 40.9% in Q2.

Adidas apparel outshines footwear in World Cup quarter

Adidas reported a 13% year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenues to €6.7 billion, led by a 34% jump in apparel net sales while footwear remained flat and accessories rose 18%. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) net sales grew 24% versus 6% wholesale growth. The company increased marketing and point-of-sale spending by 30% to capitalize on the World Cup, which weighed on Q2 operating margin. Adidas announced a CFO transition: outgoing CFO Harm Ohlmeyer will be succeeded by former Adidas employee Birgit Kretschmer, who will join the executive board on Sept. 1. Regional strength came from Latin America, North America and Greater China.

• Adidas' Q2 revenues rose 13% year-over-year to €6.7 billion (about $7.8 billion).
• Apparel net sales increased 34% in the second quarter; footwear sales were flat; accessories rose 18%.
• Direct-to-consumer (DTC) net sales increased 24%, while wholesale grew 6%.

UNDP and GSMA partner to scale African-led AI innovation

UNDP and GSMA partner to scale African-led AI innovation. Published Friday 2 October, 2026.

ZTE Opens Global Summit 2026 in Kuala Lumpur

ZTE Corporation opened its 15th Global Summit & User Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, co-located with GSMA M360 ASEAN. The event brought together over 500 participants, including Malaysian ministers, the Chinese ambassador, GSMA leaders, and global operator executives. Key themes focused on advancing from connectivity to digital value creation, with ZTE outlining its strategic shift to 'Connectivity plus Computing.' The company showcased full-scenario AI network solutions, an 'AI Factory' optimized for total cost of ownership, and AI-powered devices, along with an end-to-end commercial roadmap. Executives emphasized AI as the brain, communication infrastructure as the nervous system, and terminals as carriers. Malaysian officials stressed the importance of building local capabilities and moving beyond infrastructure to create tangible digital value for the ASEAN market, fostering regional digital economy growth.

• ZTE held the 15th Global Summit & User Congress in Kuala Lumpur.
• The event was co-located with GSMA M360 ASEAN for the first time.
• Over 500 participants attended, including Malaysian ministers, the Chinese ambassador, and GSMA leaders.

GSMA MWC26 Doha to co-locate alongside the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in November 2026

GSMA announces that MWC26 Doha will co-locate with the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in November 2026.