Ecommerce
Coverage from the Ecommerce desk.
Walgreens to Roll Out In-Store Digital Ad Screens in 1,200 Locations With Looma
Walgreens will install digital screens carrying advertising and educational content in 1,200 stores starting in October under a partnership with in-store media company Looma, as the pharmacy chain looks to grow retail media.
Kroger Precision Marketing profit climbs 24% as retail media takes earnings spotlight
Kroger's retail media arm posted 24% profit growth in the second quarter, its strongest since 2021, while the grocer's e-commerce sales rose 20%.
Boll & Branch Draws Internal Lines on AI-Generated Advertising
Boll & Branch has been folding generative AI into its marketing imagery and campaign copy, but the premium home brand is setting its own guardrails on where the tools are allowed, chief creative officer Kristen Deyco says.
Instacart Launches White-Label Cart Assistant and Clementine AI Shopping Tool
Source signal: Instacart launches custom AI assistants for retailers, and its own
Optimax Eyewear Widens Vertically Integrated Push as Online Prescription Eyewear Matures
Optimax Eyewear, the Atlanta-based parent of GlassesUSA.com, is expanding a vertically integrated model spanning retail, manufacturing and technology as online eyewear enters a more mature phase.
Google Splits European Hotel and Flight Search Into Aggregator and Supplier Units
Google has rolled out a redesigned hotel and flight search results page across Europe, dividing commercial listings into separate units for third-party intermediaries and direct providers. The change is the latest in a series of adjustments tied to a European Union antitrust enforcement decision.
Shanghai's Levelup Games Bets on Wuxia and British Horror to Take Chinese Titles Global
Founded in 2024, the small cross-border publisher splits a dozen-or-so staff between Shanghai and Los Angeles, with a two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker quietly advising on narrative.
Brands Told to Move Seasonal Media Spend Earlier as Shopping Journeys Shift
Retail's biggest demand moments are highly predictable, yet many brands still switch on budgets only weeks before peak shopping. A strategy executive argues that earlier investment and faster response to consumer signals are needed to reach shoppers before they decide.
Google Pulls Back EU Travel Search Features to Comply With Digital Markets Act
Google is stripping several travel-related search features across the European Union as it moves to satisfy the bloc's Digital Markets Act and avoid further antitrust penalties.
China's discount boom squeezes premium brands as Sam's Club and Costco lift share to 2%
Membership clubs, discount chains and private-label goods are winning a larger slice of China's consumer spending, with Sam's Club and Costco raising their combined channel share to 2% in 2025 while overall urban consumer goods value slips.
AEON Malaysia's AI Venture Moves From Transaction Segments to Life-Stage Profiling
AEON360, the data and AI joint venture of AEON Co. (M) Bhd and AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad, is shifting customer personalisation away from static transaction-based segments and towards tracking life stages across retail, mall and financial services data.
Brands Rework Holiday Return Policies as Q4 Refund Wave Approaches
Retailers are rolling out temporary holiday return policies to handle the seasonal spike in refunds and exchanges, with roughly 17% of holiday sales expected to come back, according to new industry survey data.
Consumers Trust AI to Search but Not to Shop, Mintel Report Finds
A Mintel report finds shoppers are comfortable using artificial intelligence to search, compare and simplify purchase decisions, but far less willing to let it act on their behalf and complete the transaction. The trust gap persists even as brands keep spending on agentic AI.
Galbot opens Hong Kong's first robot-run retail stores
Chinese robotics developer Galbot is launching three Hong Kong stores staffed entirely by a humanoid robot manager named Xiao Gai, marking its first commercial move outside mainland China.
Meta Unveils Muse, a Personal AI Agent That Taps Email, Calendars and Payments
Meta has introduced Muse, a personal AI agent for U.S. users that connects to everyday apps and services to carry out tasks on their behalf, in what the company calls its largest consumer AI bet to date.
Retail media networks pitch their edge at Ascendant Network showcase
As retail media networks multiply, major industry players gathered in New York last week to convince advertisers their ad businesses stand out. The event featured 15 presentations from companies including The Home Depot, Albertsons and PayPal.
Beauty Retail’s New Kind of Friendship: Rivals Team Up on TikTok Shop and More
Sephora is joining TikTok Shop, following Ulta Beauty’s lead six months ago, as beauty retailers forge new partnerships despite intensifying competition.
TikTok Shop's Next Breakout Beauty Brands: Phofay and Crowned Skin Lead Growth List
Charm.io analysis spots 10 fast-rising beauty brands on TikTok Shop, with Phofay and Crowned Skin among those reaching six- and seven-figure monthly sales.
Phil Schiller Steps Down as App Store Head, Citing Strategic Concerns
Longtime Apple executive Phil Schiller is stepping down as head of the App Store, with reports linking the move to concerns over new CEO John Ternus’ plans to boost recurring revenue from the marketplace. Schiller will remain at Apple as an Apple Fellow.
UK retailers overstate unified commerce success as customer complaints persist
UK retailers are more confident than their customers about unified commerce success, as new research from Visualsoft reveals that 40% still receive complaints about inconsistent experiences.
Australian retailers bracing for online marketplace squeeze
A Deloitte survey finds 61% of Australian retailers expect online marketplaces to intensify competition in the next year, up sharply from 28% last year.
Mango tops UK fashion returns policy ranking
A new ranking places Mango as the UK's most returns-friendly fashion retailer, thanks to its 30-day returns window, free drop-off and in-store options, and low-cost home collection. ASOS follows in second place with a score of 75/100.
TAV Operation Services unveils Treva platform to manage the full airport journey
TAV Operation Services has introduced Treva, a digital platform that consolidates airport services from duty-free shopping to lounge access, with the goal of streamlining the entire traveller experience.
JD.com’s HK$10b Hong Kong Expansion Tests Footfall-Driven Property Model
JD.com is investing heavily in a Hong Kong network of stores and warehouses, a strategy analysts say could reduce the importance of pedestrian traffic for some retailers and reshape the city’s property model.
AI Videos on TikTok Go Mislead Hotel Travelers and Property Owners
TikTok's new hotel booking feature is being flooded with AI-generated videos that promote nonexistent amenities, raising concerns among property owners. A Sedona resort says a viral clip showcased a suite that does not exist.
FTC and 22 States Sue Amazon Over Alleged Secret Ad Surcharge Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission and 22 states have sued Amazon, accusing the company of secretly raising advertising prices for over a million businesses through its online ad auctions.
France to levy fees on ultra-fast fashion from Asian e-commerce platforms
France will start applying a fee on ultra-fast fashion items this week, with the levy set to climb to nearly €20 per garment, targeting platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress.
Australians trust AI shopping advice more than retail staff
Source signal: Australians are turning to AI for shopping research, whilst retail staff remain part of the purchase journey.
Analyst Estimate Suggests Booking Holdings' B2B Room Nights Top Expedia's
A new Wall Street estimate indicates Booking Holdings' B2B business booked more room nights than Expedia's over the past 12 months, challenging Expedia's long-held lead in the wholesale travel segment.
Charlotte Tilbury Expands Airbrush Flawless Franchise With Two New Products and Star-Studded Campaign
Charlotte Tilbury adds the Airbrush Flawless Blur Loose Powder and Blush Blur to its makeup lineup, backed by a campaign featuring Jerry Hall, Grace Van Patten and more.
Fara Homidi Enters Mascara With Pool Slick Lash Lacquer
Fara Homidi launches its first mascara, Pool Slick Lash Lacquer, a $48 tubing formula with a damp, water-sheened finish, now available online and at Sephora.
YouTube expands shopping affiliate program with Amazon product tagging for creators
YouTube is adding Amazon’s catalog to its Shopping affiliate program, letting eligible U.S. creators tag products across videos and earn commissions on sales.
When Taobao Asked for Nonsense Photos, Chinese Youth Delivered Art
A Taobao contest soliciting 'abstract and inexplicable' photos drew a flood of serious compositions, as Chinese Gen Z users masked high-level photography with ironic self-deprecation.
Ipsy launches marketing services arm for beauty brands
Source signal: Exclusive: Beauty service Ipsy is becoming a marketing solutions company, too
CATL Launches E-Commerce Platform for Direct Energy Storage Sales to Smaller Buyers
CATL has officially launched an e-commerce platform enabling smaller energy storage system makers to purchase directly online, bypassing distributors as domestic competition intensifies.
Linkdaze smart calendar organizes family schedules with AI meal planner, no paywall
Linkdaze's touchscreen calendar syncs Google, iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo and Cozi schedules, and includes an AI meal planner at no extra cost.
Two in three Southeast Asian consumers buy on creator recommendations, report finds
A new report reveals that 67% of Southeast Asian shoppers have made a purchase due to a creator's recommendation, even as generative AI tools like ChatGPT gain ground in product discovery.
A Cat, a Giant Winter Melon, and China's Latest Summer Meme
A viral image of a fluffy cat hugging a giant winter melon has become China's newest internet obsession, turning the humble dong gua into a Gen Z cooling hack and inspiring pet-friendly food products.
Klarna cuts full-year revenue and volume outlook on German retail weakness
Swedish BNPL provider Klarna trimmed its full-year volume and revenue forecast on Tuesday, citing tough conditions in Germany. Shares plunged 17% in premarket trading.
Sticki Rolls turns YouTube fame into Gen Alpha retail push
Sticki Rolls, a toy brand launched in 2024, is leveraging its billion-view YouTube presence to expand into physical retail and pop-ups targeting Gen Alpha.
Gen Z Luxury Shoppers Turn to Resale Before Buying New, Says RealReal CEO
Younger consumers are price-checking pre-owned luxury goods to estimate future value before purchasing new items, according to Rati Sahi Levesque, CEO of The RealReal.
DTC Startups Rethink Wholesale and Adopt AI to Scale, Founders Say at eTail Boston
At eTail Boston, a panel of founders and executives from direct-to-consumer brands discussed using AI for search, content and operations while reshaping wholesale relationships to drive growth.
AI Streamlines Beauty’s Direct-to-Consumer Tech Stack
Generative AI is helping direct-to-consumer beauty brands shrink their technology stacks, speed up website development and operate with leaner teams.
Retailers Plan Bigger TV Ad Budgets for Multi-Week Black Friday
With Black Friday now stretching into a multi-week event, retailers are moving earlier. A new survey shows nearly six in 10 advertisers plan to increase their TV ad spend for the holiday period.
How Private Equity Helped Tubby Todd Move From DTC to Target
Tubby Todd co-founder Andrea Faulkner Williams discusses the baby care brand's decision to sell a majority stake to NexPhase Capital and how the funding fueled its expansion from direct-to-consumer to Target shelves.
PayPal Reportedly in Renewed Sale Talks with Stripe and Advent
PayPal is reportedly in renewed sale negotiations with Stripe and private equity firm Advent, potentially reaching a deal in the coming weeks as CEO Enrique Lores pushes a turnaround plan.
Stanley 1913 Reworks Content for AI Search Visibility
Stanley 1913 is shifting from hack-driven SEO tactics to a long-term content strategy designed for AI search engines, adding FAQs and usage guides to answer real consumer questions.
Philippine retail market projected to hit $113.31b by 2035
The Philippine retail market is expected to expand from $79.23b in 2025 to $113.31b by 2035, driven by e-commerce, urbanization, and rising consumer spending.
Phoebe Gates' Startup Phia Knew About Cookie Stuffing for Months, Report Says
New reporting suggests Phia co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni were aware of the shopping startup's cookie stuffing practice as early as December, contradicting earlier claims.
TikTok Shop Wins Over High-Ticket Home and Lifestyle Brands
TikTok Shop is increasingly attracting higher-priced home and lifestyle brands as consumer trust and logistics improve, signaling a shift from impulse buys to larger purchases.
Walmart Connect Introduces Negative Keywords for Sponsored Products
Walmart's advertising arm now lets brands block their ads from certain search terms, a shift aimed at giving marketers more control over budget efficiency.
Google Play Adds Venmo as a Payment Option
Source signal: Google Play adds Venmo as a payment option
Kindle Scribe Colorsoft: Fun, Lightweight, but Not for Everyone
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft combines a color e-reader and digital notebook in a lightweight, paper-size frame, but its $630 price and large footprint make it a specialized tool rather than a mainstream gadget.
OpenAI Trials Product Carousel Ads on ChatGPT
OpenAI is testing a product carousel ad format in ChatGPT, allowing multiple products to appear side-by-side in a single ad placement at the bottom of conversations.
Dermata’s First Consumer Brand Aims for ‘Microneedling Lite’ With Spicule Treatment
Dermata Therapeutics is pivoting from prescription development to consumer skin care with Tome, a once-weekly spicule treatment described as a gentler alternative to microneedling. The brand debuts Aug. 25.
Gorilla Commerce expands from Amazon dominance to Walmart shelves
Gorilla Commerce, known for its Gorilla Grip bath mats, has launched in over 2,600 Walmart stores as it pushes to build a brand beyond Amazon.
AWS is helping vibe-coding startup Superblocks, and the implications are big
AWS now allows vibe-coding tool Superblocks to be embedded into the private clouds of AWS customers. It's another step toward decoupling apps from models.
Global Memory Shortage Hits MacBook Air Supply
Apple's popular MacBook Air is facing constrained supply due to a global memory chip shortage driven by AI demand, with delivery delays extending into September.
PopSockets bets on DTC, TikTok drops and magnetic accessories to win back Gen Z
PopSockets is refocusing on direct-to-consumer sales, limited-edition product drops, and TikTok marketing to reengage younger shoppers after losing traction with Gen Z during the pandemic.
Delivery Rider Wins China’s Top Literary Prize
Wang Jibing, a delivery driver, has won one of China’s most prestigious literary prizes for his poetry collection about the struggles of delivery work.
EU Ends Duty-Free E-Commerce Imports, Shifting Customs Liability to Merchants
As of July 1, all parcels entering the European Union are subject to customs duties, ending the de minimis exemption for low-value goods. Merchants now bear the legal responsibility for duty payments, impacting cross-border e-commerce operations.
Agentic AI Set to Reshape Consumer Shopping Journey by 2030
Agentic commerce is moving from theory to practice as tech giants embed AI agents into search and checkout. By 2030, such agents could drive 15–25% of US e-commerce, according to Bain & Company.
Indie Beauty Brands Generate Over $500 Million on TikTok Shop in Past Year
Indie beauty brands on TikTok Shop have collectively earned more than $500 million in the past year, driven by a shift toward practical problem-solving products.
Cavu unifies three travel-tech platforms under single brand
Cavu, the travel technology company owned by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), has rebranded its ecommerce, distribution and lounge platforms under one identity to simplify its offering to clients.
Partner Season II Uses Celebrities to Push C-Beauty Brands Global with London Pop-Up
A new reality docuseries, Partner Season II, follows six Chinese celebrities—including top livestreamer Austin Li—as they operate a temporary C-beauty store in London to help 14 Chinese beauty brands gain international exposure beyond traditional livestream commerce.
Michaels' AI Assistant Doubles Conversion Rate with Google Gemini
Michaels reports that its Google Gemini-powered shopping assistant, Ask Mike, has achieved a conversion rate more than double that of traditional search since its quiet launch in May.
Snif to Launch Notewrks Men's Fragrance Line at Ulta Beauty
Snif is bringing its masculine-leaning Notewrks cologne line to Ulta Beauty, targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha male fragrance enthusiasts with $74 masstige scents.
Albertsons launches 'micro sitcom' branded entertainment with Procter & Gamble for retail media
In June, Albertsons Media Collective and Procter & Gamble debuted "Rico's Tacos," a 22-episode micro drama series airing on in-store screens, the e-commerce platform, and social media.
Bookshop.org pivots to post-pandemic survival, finds new footing
After riding a pandemic tailwind, the e-commerce platform for independent bookstores has reinvented its business model to thrive as consumer habits normalised.
About You’s Scayle Studios Brings AI-Powered Photo Studio to UK
About You’s Scayle Studios has launched its AI-driven photo and video production service in the UK, promising to cut turnaround times from weeks to minutes.
Amazon Q2 2026 Beauty Rankings Show Prime Day Impact and Suncare Revival
Medicube Toner Pads retained the top spot as Amazon's Q2 2026 top beauty product, while suncare products surged and bodycare expanded beyond lotions.
Ikea's Parent Ingka Group Sells Eight Former Retail Sites in China
Ingka Group, Ikea's parent company, has hired JLL to sell eight former retail properties in mainland China, marking its largest asset disposal in nearly 30 years in the market.
Elon Musk's son sparks surge in Chinese heritage bag sales, highlighting US$14.8b e-commerce sector
A tiger-head bag worn by Elon Musk’s son has gone viral in China, driving sales for traditional artisan brand Yestee and underscoring the rapid growth of the country’s intangible heritage e-commerce market, valued at US$14.8 billion.
Funmi Monet Launches Influxious, a Fragrance Brand at Sephora
TikTok perfume influencer Funmi Monet is launching her own fragrance brand, Influxious, exclusively at Sephora. The four-scents line is priced at $150 per bottle and launches on July 27.
AI-Driven Commerce Reshapes China's Beauty Market, Says Yaso Co-Founder
Adam Knight, co-founder of Yaso, advises beauty brands to adopt an AI-first approach as China's market shifts away from legacy retail routes, with AI integration far ahead of the West.
Livestream Shopping Evolves Into Core Retail Channel in Southeast Asia
Livestream commerce has evolved from a marketing experiment into a distinct retail channel in Southeast Asia, with brands building dedicated teams and creator partnerships to drive long-term sales.
Smart Packaging Evolves into Information Network for Brands and Regulators
Smart packaging is transitioning from product protection to a connected information system that links regulators, brands, manufacturers, and consumers, driven by new traceability demands.
Lotte Duty Free Launches ChatGPT-Powered Shopping Service in Korean Travel Retail
Lotte Duty Free has introduced a ChatGPT-based shopping platform, the first generative AI service in Korean travel retail, allowing customers to browse and purchase via natural language conversations.
China’s convenience store cocktail trend racks up billions of views on Douyin
Young Chinese consumers are turning to convenience stores to mix their own low-alcohol cocktails, a trend that has garnered billions of views on Douyin and is reshaping retail and drinking habits.
UK BNPL rules take effect, consumer groups warn of more rejections
New regulations for buy now, pay later services came into force in the UK on 15 July, enhancing consumer protections but potentially leading to more credit rejections, according to advocacy groups.