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1. Unilever may go Dutch with its HQ decision
Unilever will decide in March whether to consolidate its headquarters in Rotterdam amid the charged political atmosphere of Brexit. Since being founded in 1930, the Anglo-dutch giant has maintained two separate headquarters — in London and in Rotterdam. Dutch CEO Paul Polman has been an outspoken critic of Brexit.
2. Tesla leads the charge
Tesla has launched a “workplace charging” programme through which it will donate chargers to companies and commercial property owners throughout the US. The aim is to give its customers more places to charge their electric vehicles. The Tesla wall connectors will be placed in parking lots.
3. Fosun buys Lanvin fashion
Chinese conglomerate Fosun International has purchased a controlling stake in Paris-based Lanvin, France’s oldest surviving couturier, as it seeks to ramp up its portfolio of fashion businesses. Fosun owns holiday company Club Med and is in talks to buy Italian lingerie brand La Perla. Fosun is expected to put at least US$122M into the ailing company to cover outstanding losses and unpaid salaries.
4. Walmart’s digital push
Walmart will launch a new home decor site, the first step of an e-commerce rejig that it hopes will increase its digital sales, amid competition from Amazon. The retailer says its fourth-quarter e-commerce sales grew 23%, down from a 50% hike in the previous quarter. Its numbers from the quarter missed estimates and its shares plunged 10%. Adjusted EPS of $1.33 were 4c below a Thomson Reuters poll.