Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
SoftBank Completes $41 Billion OpenAI Investment in Historic AI Funding Round 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Royalty Pharma Stock Rises After Acquiring Full Evrysdi Royalty Rights from PTC Therapeutics 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
L&F Tesla Battery Supply Deal Value Drops Sharply Amid EV Market Slowdown 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Hyundai Faces Deadline on Russia Plant Buyback Amid Ukraine War and Sanctions 
Disney Agrees to $10 Million Settlement Over Child Privacy Violations on YouTube 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Gold Prices Ease After Record Highs as Dollar Firms, Broader Bullish Outlook Intact 
Elon Musk’s xAI Expands Supercomputer Infrastructure With Third Data Center to Boost AI Training Power 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
European Markets Mixed as Pound Weakens and Major Corporate Deals Emerge 
Boeing Secures $8.6 Billion Pentagon Contract for F-15 Jets for Israel 
Lockheed Martin Secures $328.5 Million U.S. Defense Contract for Advanced Systems Supporting Taiwan Air Force 
Marks & Spencer announced on Tuesday, Feb. 22, that it has inked a tie-up deal with Clinique. The two companies agreed to have an online and in-store together.
According to Reuters, Marks & Spencer, which has been selling products from third-party brands, will be adding Clinique items in its stores after signing an agreement. The British retail company headquartered in London started the tie-ups with other labels in 2020.
It was revealed that starting this summer, customers will be able to find around 500 Clinique products in Marks & Spencer online store. The lineup will include items for both men and women, and they can be delivered the next day after customers place their orders. There is also an option to click & collect, where purchases could be picked up at more than 700 locations.
In addition, 34 Marks & Spencer outlets or physical stores in the United Kingdom will set up a dedicated counter for Clinique products. Assistants and beauty experts will also be assigned to the booths so they can help customers with choosing the right items.
Based on the deal, 40 other M&S stores will also carry the Clinique’s skincare, cosmetics, toiletries, and fragrances. At any rate, this new partnership between Marks & Spencer and Clinique is said to be part of a strategic focus from the former’s beauty skincare line.
“A compelling beauty offer is part of our plans to reshape M&S – innovating with our own brands and continuing to introduce complementary third-party products such as skincare experts Clinique,” M&S clothing and home’s managing director, Richard Price, said in a press release.
He added, “Our broad customer base and reach makes us an attractive platform partner and in turn, introducing beauty brands helps us become more relevant, more often for our 22m customers offering them a convenient and seamless shopping experience. We’re also pleased to be introducing a bespoke in-store offer in our destination stores where we know customers appreciate having someone on hand to help with purchasing.”
Clinique UK and Ireland’s vice president and general manager, Rachel Baker, also said that teaming up with M&S is an exciting time for their company since it is one of the UK’s most iconic and trusted shopping locations. “We want to make it accessible for consumers to purchase their favorite Clinique products seamlessly, whilst shopping in-store or online,” she said.
