Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino

Toy Stores are Optimistic

After Christmas, the shelves at the Dinosaur Farm in South Pasadena usually look barren — the toy store counts on a cohort of loyal customers who prefer supporting a local business rather than shopping at a mass retailer. Its free gift-wrapping…

Figs is Facing Revenue Woes

Shares of Figs Inc. hovered around $7 last month — a 70% dip from November 2021. The tepid third-quarter earnings report did not help, prompting the Santa Monica-based health care apparel brand to revise its revenue guidance for 2022 to $495 million,…

Pool-Sharing Service Expands to Other Recreational Spaces

After testing the waters with short-term backyard pool rentals, Swimply Inc. has set its sights on L.A.’s private recreation spaces — basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, putting greens and soccer fields. “People build stuff that they’re…

Beyond Meat Retail Sales Slump While Restaurant Business Picks

Beyond Meat Inc.’s shares dipped about 11% in afterhours trading on Feb. 24 following a release of fourth-quarter results that missed Wall Street expectations. The El Segundo-based maker of plant-sourced meat products posted a net loss of $80.4…

Ports Kick Off Year With Another Record Month

The San Pedro Bay port complex notched another record month of cargo volumes. The Port of Los Angeles processed 865,595 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, 3.6% more than during the same period in 2021. The Port of Long Beach was right…

Beauty Ecommerce Platform Thirteen Lune to Expand by Hundreds of Locations This Year

A little over a year after launching Thirteen Lune Inc., Nyakio Grieco’s efforts to level the playing field for BIPOC-owned beauty brands are bearing fruit. The West Hollywood-based ecommerce retailer she launched with Patrick Herning in Dec. 2020…

Fisker Accelerates Toward $2B Revenue With Increase in Reservations

Fisker Inc. said reservations for its Ocean SUV have surpassed the 30,000 mark as of Feb. 14, and are up 61% from November when the Manhattan Beach-based designer of electric vehicles revealed the vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show. About 19% of…

Red Chickz Franchising Model Takes Flight

Shawn Lalehzarian and his partners did their homework before opening the Red Chickz eatery in downtown. They spotted an emerging trend; went to Nashville, Tenn., to source an authentic hot chicken seasoning and sauce recipe; and worked with eight…

LA County Warehouse Operators Face New Emissions Rules

Come June, managers overseeing local warehouses larger than 150,000 square feet will have start keeping track of trucks arriving at their cargo docks in addition to handling their merchandise. The data collection is part of the Warehouse Indirect…

Direct-to-Consumer Farmed Flowers Business Blooms

Like most floral companies, Postal Petals was busy in the weeks leading up to the Valentine’s Day, taking orders, securing flower shipments and talking to growers. But when it comes to making floral arrangements, all of the work is done by the West…

Disney, Mattel Earnings Beat Expectations

The Walt Disney Co. handily beat Wall Street estimates on earnings and revenue for the first quarter of its fiscal 2022, and its stock jumped about 10% in after-hours trading. The Burbank media and entertainment giant on Feb. 9 reported adjusted net…

MedMen Launches Concierge Service to Grow Retail Operations

MedMen Enterprises Inc., a Culver City-based cannabis retailer, launched a Cannasseur Personal Concierge Service this month at its California, Nevada, Arizona and Florida dispensaries. The complimentary service is led by “seasoned budtenders” and…

Weddings Are Back in a Big Way for 2022

Couples planning to tie the knot this year are spending more, worrying less and booking early — all signs that point to a promising wedding season, according to local industry professionals. “Everyone is ready to party again,” said Nicole Harris,…

Capitol Food Co. Aims to Grow by 50% This Year

Capitol Food Co., whose local legacy goes back to the late 1800s, is keeping up with the times. The Cerritos-based maker and distributor of cooking ingredients and baking mixes recently purchased new equipment for its blending and packaging facility…

Avery Dennison Acquires Swiss RFID Company

Avery Dennison Corp. in Glendale said last week it acquired TexTrace AG, a Switzerland-based maker of woven and knitted radio frequency identification (RFID) products that can be fully integrated into garments and used for theft protection, consumer…

Miami-Company Buys Whiplash Merchandising

Whiplash Merchandising Inc. ended 2021 by trading owners in a $480 million all-cash deal. The City of Industry-based provider of fulfillment and logistics services was acquired by Ryder System Inc. based in Miami and will continue operating as its…

Skims Latest Funding Raise Brings Valuation to $3.2 Billion

Skims Body Inc. has raised $240 million, doubling its valuation to $3.2 billion. The Series B round was led by Greenwich, Conn.-based Lone Pine Capital and included funding previous investors, Thrive Capital, Imaginary Ventures and Century City-based…

Skechers Hits Company Record With Revenue Up 24% Over Previous Year

Footwear and apparel manufacturer Skechers USA Inc. reported fourth-quarter sales that beat Wall Street expectations and boosted its shares nearly 10% in after-hours trading on Feb. 3. The Manhattan Beach-based company said its revenue for the…

Resale Platform Arrive Offers Retailers New Source of Revenue

While most retail metrics are focused on two primary sales channels — brick-and-mortar and ecommerce — Santa Monica-based Arrive is helping brands break into a third: circular commerce. The fledgling but more sustainable sales channel enables…

Forever 21 Names Winnie Park Chief Executive

F21 OpCo., which does business as Forever 21, announced Jan. 19 that is has replaced Daniel Kulle with Winnie Park as retailer’s chief executive. “Winnie … is an inspirational leader and team builder who brings deep omnichannel experience and a track…