Perhaps the scent is what is changing. If so and everything else remains the same it might just be a change for the better. If not, perhaps the new product will actually be a real improvement. Let's not jump the gun, and make ourselves silly over something that may or may not be a bad thing.
I for one wouldn't mind a change of scent with this stick. Or a tweak to the formula that make it a better lather.
Scent is what I was thinking that might be the change and maybe going from stick to tub. Companies keep an eye on chatter about their products and the only weakness of Arko is the scent so if they are coming out with the same formula and a scent that doesn't make half the people want to toss it within a minute of opening it then it would be a killer product.
As for better lather, the only shortfall on the lather that I can see is that it's a bit drying but it lathers extremely well especially for the price.