Retail

Areas Opens Morro Fi Vermouth Bar at Barcelona-El Prat Airport

Global travel restaurateur Areas has launched Morro Fi, a Barcelona-inspired vermouth bar, at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, marking the first new venue in its F&B transformation for Aena.

Unilever Raises Outlook After Strong First Half and Landmark World Cup Sponsorship

Unilever reported nearly 5% underlying sales growth to €25.6 billion in the first half, driven by beauty power brands and a historic FIFA World Cup sponsorship, prompting an upgraded outlook.

PlusOne Launches at Ulta Beauty in Premium Retail Push

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.

Clean Beauty Boutique Pretty Well Beauty Seeks Buyer as Founder Plans Exit

Pretty Well Beauty, a clean beauty retailer highlighting BIPOC-owned brands, is up for sale. Founder Jazmin Alvarez announced she will close the business if a buyer is not found before her relocation to Barcelona in September.

Gap Returns to Beauty with Relaunch of Fragrance Collection

Gap Inc. is re-entering the beauty category with Gap Beauty, reviving its iconic fragrance line.

Peach & Lily launches senolytic ‘Zombie Cream’ at Ulta Beauty

Peach & Lily has introduced a $59 moisturizer called Advanced Rebound BioGlow Zombie Cream, available exclusively at Ulta Beauty in over 1,500 stores and online.

Western Sydney International Airport Readies for Passenger Launch with Curated Retail

The airport's general manager of retail outlines the ambitious retail and dining offer as the 24-hour gateway prepares for passenger flights starting 25 October.

Kate Farms expands Walmart footprint with GLP-1-focused protein shakes

Supplement company Kate Farms is rolling out its protein shakes to thousands of Walmart and CVS stores, targeting GLP-1 users and label-conscious consumers.

Mid-Market Fashion Brands Accelerate African Expansion

The trend of international fashion brands entering Africa is picking up speed, led by mid-market players, while luxury labels face stiff competition from European rivals.

Myer shares plunge 12% after retailer flags sharp consumer spending slowdown

Australian department store operator Myer reported a steep decline in consumer demand during June and July, sending its shares down more than 10% on Monday.

Jewellery Sales Emerge as Key Differentiator for Luxury Groups Amid Fashion Slump

As luxury conglomerates face declining fashion sales and geopolitical headwinds from the Middle East conflict, investors are zeroing in on jewellery performance as a critical factor in determining market winners.

UK retail sales remain below seasonal norms in July, August outlook dims: CBI

UK retail sales volumes fell at a slower pace in July but stayed below seasonal norms, and retailers expect a similar disappointing performance in August, according to the CBI.

Sports Direct Opens Dublin Flagship, CEO Criticizes UK Retail Taxes

Sports Direct and Everlast Gyms+ have opened a combined flagship store on Dublin's Henry Street, replacing a former Debenhams. The CEO also used the occasion to criticize UK tax policies.

BFA Leverages Technology to Transform Dining at Antalya Airport

BFA, the joint venture managing food and beverage at Antalya International Airport, is deploying digital ordering and QR-based delivery to enhance passenger experience.

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.

Senegalese pride drives Lagardère Travel Retail’s African success

Lagardère Travel Retail’s West, Central & East Africa division, based in Dakar, is led by a young, diverse team that champions local talent and innovation at Blaise Diagne International Airport.

Louis Vuitton Wins ¥10.3 Million Trademark Suit Against Chinese Tea Chain Molly Tea

French luxury house Louis Vuitton secured a ¥10.3 million first-instance judgment against Chinese brand Molly Tea over a four-petal flower logo, a motif rooted in classical Chinese garden architecture.

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.

UK Retail Sales Surpass Forecasts in June on Clearance Deals

UK retail sales rose 4.2% year on year in June, beating expectations, with football jerseys and swim trunks among the strongest categories.

UK Pub Tax Cut May Squeeze Retailers, Insider Warns

The new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, but an industry insider warns the cost could be passed on to retailers.

Foreigner Sales Remain Soft in South Korean Duty Free Despite Rising Shopper Numbers

International customers continue to dominate South Korean downtown duty-free sales, accounting for 85.7% of revenue on just 51.5% of shoppers, but their spending eased month-on-month in May, signaling persistent softness.

Former Kiehl's President Chris Salgardo Launches Atwater, a Streamlined Men's Skincare Brand

Atwater, founded by former Kiehl's President Chris Salgardo, offers high-performance, straightforward men's skincare. Launched in August 2022, the brand has earned over 30 industry awards and secured placements at Saks, Bloomingdale's, and Bluemercury.

Best Buy Retools Stores for AI Era with Meta Ray-Ban Shop-in-Shops

Best Buy is rolling out dedicated Meta AI shop-in-shops for Ray-Ban Meta glasses, aiming to position itself as a destination for cutting-edge technology.

Mondelez WTR and Extime Duty Free launch Toblerone activation at Paris airports

Mondelez World Travel Retail and Extime Paris Duty Free have unveiled a multi-location Toblerone campaign at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, featuring a branded shop-in-shop, personalised gifting and limited-edition Swarovski crystal bars.

Travel Retail Consortium to Walk 100km for Macmillan Cancer Support on Halloween

The UK Travel Retail Consortium will undertake a collective 100km Halloween Walk on 31 October to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support as part of the #KickCancerThon campaign.

Under Armour names François Arnaud brand ambassador

New US Tariffs on Canadian Goods Target Dairy, Auto, Alcohol

The Trump administration has announced a new round of tariffs on Canadian imports including dairy, alcohol, automobiles, and other products, citing Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The tariffs are set to take effect on August 19, though negotiations may alter the final rates.

Peaches Take Over Chinese Social Media as Summer Trend

Chinese netizens are turning peach shopping into a viral taste-test ritual, ordering mixed boxes of varieties to find the best summer fruit.

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.

Lettuce brands launch consumer education campaigns amid cyclospora outbreak

Producers including Gotham Greens and Little Leaf Farms are using social media to assure customers their lettuce is safe, as the U.S. grapples with over 4,173 cyclospora cases since May.

BRC Consumer Confidence Survey Shows Mixed Signals for July

The British Retail Consortium's consumer confidence survey for July appears positive on the surface, but underlying data reveals persistent weakness, particularly among younger demographics.

Denim Takes Center Stage as Back-to-School Shopping Season Lengthens

Retailers including Pacsun, Kohl's, and Gap are launching denim-focused back-to-school campaigns earlier than ever, as shopping begins weeks ahead of past years.

Patrick McDowell Enters US Market Through Two Major Retailers

British designer Patrick McDowell has launched in the United States via partnerships with two key retail names, expanding his brand's reach despite challenging tariff conditions for UK exporters.

Hong Kong shoppers boost cross-border spending in mainland China, UnionPay data shows

Hong Kong consumers are increasingly shopping in mainland China, with UnionPay data showing a nearly 30% rise in offline spending during the first half of 2026, driven by price differentials and wider digital payment adoption.

Kroger's New CEO Greg Foran Prioritizes Speed and Execution

Kroger's recent $1.7 billion acquisition of Giant Eagle signals a strategic shift under new CEO Greg Foran, who is emphasizing operational speed and financial discipline.

Chanel Expands Les Extraits Line With Limited Boutique Distribution

Chanel is rolling out its Les Extraits fragrance line in select stores via appointment-only sales, with 50 locations in China and 200 globally, following a Shanghai event that highlighted the new 1957 Extrait and Extrait-to-Wear spray.

Lotte Duty Free Marks 100 Days of Incheon Airport Comeback with Promotions and K-pop Star Event

Lotte Duty Free celebrated the 100-day milestone of its renewed Incheon Airport store with a ceremony featuring brand ambassador aespa, exclusive promotions, and shopping benefits aimed at capitalizing on recovering passenger traffic.

China Unveils First Five-Year Plan to Boost Consumption, Targets $9 Trillion Retail Sales by 2030

China's cabinet has issued its first five-year plan dedicated to boosting consumption, aiming for annual retail sales of 60 trillion yuan ($9 trillion) by 2030 and promising to raise household incomes significantly.

Yili's World Cup Campaign Becomes Viral Marketing Success on Weibo

Chinese dairy giant Yili generated over 1 billion reads on Weibo with a World Cup campaign centered on emotional storytelling rather than star power alone.

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.

Xu Yang Steps Down as Anta Brand CEO, Signaling a Reset

Xu Yang has resigned as CEO of Anta Brand, citing family reasons, and will take on another role within the group. Lai Shixian, Anta Group's executive director and co-CEO, steps in as replacement amid slowing growth.

Staged Marriage of Sticker Characters Drives Record Sales at Nanjing Mall

Chinese sticker IP Siam Lip and Japanese character My Friend Rabbit staged a mock wedding at Jingfeng Center in Nanjing, leading to a pop-up store that sold out many of its 200 limited-edition products within days.

Curie Unveils Gender-Neutral Rebrand as Mass-Market Beauty Evolves

Body care brand Curie has refreshed its identity with a gender-neutral, 'clean performance' rebrand after eight years, reflecting its expansion beyond deodorant and the growing sophistication of mass-market beauty.

Aesop Women's Library Makes Travel Retail Debut with CDFG in Hainan

L'Oréal-owned beauty brand Aesop has launched its Women's Library initiative in travel retail for the first time, partnering with China Duty Free Group at the cdf Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex in Hainan. Throughout July, shelves are stocked with books by female authors instead of products.

Beauty Brands Urged to Rethink PR Boxes as Creator Fatigue Mounts

As influencers grow weary of generic or over-the-top PR mailers, beauty brands are being pushed to create memorable, brand-aligned unboxing experiences that avoid environmental waste.

WNBA's Lexie Hull Brings Forta Cosmetics to Sephora Accelerate

Fragrance Emerges as Beauty's New Loyalty Driver

Beauty brands are leveraging signature scents to build loyalty and expand categories, with the global personal care fragrance market reaching $58.9 billion in 2025.

Shanghai’s ‘Avocado Lady’ Transformed Local Grocery Scene

For decades, Jiang Qin’s tiny grocery on Wulumuqi Road supplied Shanghai’s international community with avocados and other imported foods, earning her the nickname 'Avocado Lady.'

Nigeria Halts Raw Cocoa Exports to Boost Domestic Processing

Nigeria has joined West African neighbors in agreeing to stop exporting raw cocoa beans, aiming to capture more value from its cocoa production through domestic processing and manufacturing.

Heinemann and Sydney Airport Unveil Major Duty-Free Overhaul; MECCA to Enter International Terminal

Heinemann Oceania and Sydney Airport have embarked on an 18-month transformation of duty-free shopping at Australia's busiest gateway, with Australian beauty retailer MECCA making its first duty-free appearance.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Offers Free Driving Lessons to UK Learners in New Campaign

e.l.f. Cosmetics launches 'Grip, Set, Go' with RED Driver Training, giving away thousands of free driving lessons to combat rising costs in the UK.

Modella Capital Emerges as Potential Bidder for Harvey Nichols

Modella Capital, a prolific buyer of distressed businesses, is the latest company reportedly eyeing a takeover of luxury department store chain Harvey Nichols.

Kids’ Personal Care Market Grows as Ingredient-Conscious Parents Reshape Category

Millennial and Gen Z parents are driving growth in the kids’ personal care market by demanding ingredient transparency, efficacy, and modern branding, fueling a new wave of brands.

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.

Victoria Beckham Beauty Takes Over Nolita Café for Portofino ’97 Celebration

Victoria Beckham Beauty has launched a limited-time pop-up at Caffe Paradiso in New York's Nolita neighborhood to celebrate its signature fragrance, Portofino ’97.

David Beckham's IM8 Secures $1 Billion Growth Financing

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.

Urban Outfitters Deepens Beauty Push with Yes Day Launch; Coty Transfers Gucci Beauty Back to Kering

Urban Outfitters has expanded its beauty assortment with the brick-and-mortar debut of tween brand Yes Day, while Coty has returned the Gucci Beauty license to Kering ahead of schedule. Separately, Bobbi Brown’s son has stepped down as CEO of Jones Road, and Sol de Janeiro is entering the men's fragrance market.

cdf Beauty Celebrates Seventh Anniversary with Hong Kong Artist Collaboration and Charity Coffee Box Set

cdf Beauty marks its seventh anniversary at Citygate Outlets in Hong Kong with a campaign featuring artist Maysum and an exclusive coffee drip bag box set that supports deaf baristas and staff with special needs.

Footballers Turn Man Bags Into Luxury Must-Haves

Elite footballers like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham are driving demand for high-end man bags, including $50,000 Hermès designs, helping revitalize the luxury sector.

White Stuff opens at Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Leeds

White Stuff has become the latest fashion retailer to open at Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Leeds, as the centre's new owners continue to attract significant tenants.

Superdrug Expands Beauty Playground Concept with New Brands

Superdrug is marking the first anniversary of its Beauty Playground concept by introducing a range of new brands and products to enhance the immersive beauty retail experience.

Nobody's Child opens 10th standalone store in Cambridge

The womenswear brand has launched a 1,000 sq ft boutique in Grand Arcade, Cambridge, marking its third store opening this year and 10th standalone location overall.

Primark Refreshes Cartagena Store as Part of €85M Iberian Investment

Hong Kong Shops, Landlords at Odds Over Rent as Sales Rise

Hong Kong retail sales rose over 10% year-on-year in early 2026, but a wave of shop closures persists, creating a rift between tenants seeking significant rent relief and landlords who see a recovering market.

Chinese Brands Face New Challenge: Winning Over AI Agents

As AI agents increasingly shape consumer discovery and purchasing decisions, Chinese brands must pivot from social media marketing to earning the trust of these autonomous systems. The shift demands new strategies that go beyond traditional playbooks.

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.

Gebr. Heinemann and Pernod Ricard bring Skrewball whiskey to European travel retail

Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail and Gebr. Heinemann have partnered to introduce Skrewball, a peanut butter-flavored American whiskey, to European duty-free stores this month. The launch spans seven airports across Europe.

Chanel opens standalone beauty boutique at Toronto Pearson in partnership with Avolta

Sainsbury's opens first Manchester Airport store in Terminal 3

Sainsbury's has opened its first store at Manchester Airport in Terminal 3 arrivals, offering convenience products and online collection services for Argos and Habitat.

Hong Kong Airport Seeks Bids for Two F&B Concessions in Terminal 1

Airport Authority Hong Kong has launched tenders for a boutique restaurant and a coffee shop concession at Hong Kong International Airport's Terminal 1 and Midfield Concourse.

Gen Z Prioritizes Beauty as Essential Spend, Outpacing Other Generations

Generation Z is now the largest spender on health and beauty products, viewing these purchases as a daily essential rather than a luxury.

Domino's Singapore Pivots to Impulse Orders with New 'Unbox Your Cravings' Campaign

Domino's Pizza Singapore launches a new marketing strategy focused on impulse purchases, backed by the Thick Crunch Pizza range and a refreshed brand identity to drive more frequent orders.

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.