Retail
Coverage from the Retail desk.
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.
Hamad International Airport Opens Travel Recovery Studio for Wellness Breaks
Qatar's Hamad International Airport has introduced the Travel Recovery Studio at Orchard Concourse C, offering complimentary 20-minute wellness sessions to passengers between 6 September and 25 October.
Dubai Duty Free Installs Red Telephone So Travellers Can Record Voice Messages Home
A bright red telephone at Dubai International Airport invites passengers to pick up the receiver and record a voice message for loved ones, sharing memories of their trip. The installation is the latest Dubai Duty Free effort to turn an airport stop into a participatory experience.
EU Court Upholds Block on Booking's €1.63 Billion Etraveli Deal, Leaving Expedia Room to Buy
Europe's General Court upheld the European Commission's 2023 decision to prohibit Booking Holdings' roughly €1.63 billion ($1.9 billion) acquisition of Swedish flight specialist Etraveli. The ruling limits Booking's dealmaking in Europe just as Expedia Group presses ahead with acquisitions of its own.
Lands' End Brings 'Tote Tailgate Tour' to Three College Towns
Lands' End is mounting a college football marketing campaign this fall, including a new clear tote bag and game-day events in Bloomington, Ann Arbor and Oxford, as it works to reach new shoppers.
Instacart Launches White-Label Cart Assistant and Clementine AI Shopping Tool
Source signal: Instacart launches custom AI assistants for retailers, and its own
Mark Wahlberg to Join Keebeck's Bruce K. Lee on Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Mark Wahlberg will sit down with Bruce K. Lee, founder and CEO of Keebeck Wealth Management, on the main stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to discuss entrepreneurship, investing, healthcare and wellness.
Avolta takes two 11-year F&B contracts at Brasília Airport, opening first hybrid retail-dining concept in Brazil
Avolta has secured two 11-year food and beverage contracts at Brasília International Airport, extending its long-running retail presence there into dining and launching its first hybrid retail and F&B concept in Brazil.
Xiaomi Unveils 18 Fold, Its Priciest Phone Yet, Backed by 80,000 Drop Tests
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun introduced the Xiaomi 18 Fold at the brand's most ambitious launch to date, pairing a starting price of RMB 10,999 with a display of destroyed engineering prototypes used to prove the device's durability.
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.
Singapore retail growth seen easing to about 2% in H2 as living costs and softer jobs market bite
Singapore's retail growth is expected to moderate to roughly 2% in the second half of the year, with higher living costs and a cooling labour market weighing on consumer spending after July sales growth slowed sharply.
LVMH, Burberry Downgraded to Hold as Luxury Stocks Brace for a Tough 2026 Second Half
LVMH and Burberry Group shares extended declines on Wednesday after a broker cut both to hold, citing a soft luxury backdrop and limited upside for the UK brand. A Goldman Sachs basket of luxury stocks is down 13% year-to-date.
Harmeet Grover joins Redesign Group India as Head of Strategy and Development for Travel Retail and F&B
Travel retail and aviation veteran Harmeet Grover has joined Redesign Group's India network as Head of Strategy and Development – Travel Retail and F&B India, bringing more than 30 years of industry experience to the consultancy.
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.
China's gold jewellery shops close as buyers favour bars and coins
Gold jewellery retailers are shutting stores across China as high but volatile prices and falling marriage numbers curb demand, with sales down by a third in the first half of the year.
Chinese EV Makers Chase Affordable Humanoid Robots for Consumers
Nio's William Li says tomorrow's cars will essentially be robots, as more than 10 Chinese smart-vehicle manufacturers push into humanoid robotics using shared EV supply chains.
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.
AG1, Ritual and Blueland Fund Clinical Research as Brand Growth Engine
Brands including AG1, Ritual and Blueland are funding clinical research to differentiate products and drive growth. AG1 committed $20 million over three years after running four clinical trials for its NextGen supplement.
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.
Malin + Goetz’s Tomato Collection Keeps Growing as Home Scent Sales Rise
Source signal: At Malin + Goetz, tomato girl summer is still going strong
Hulken Builds Inventory for Record Holiday Season as Wholesale Grows
Rolling tote bag brand Hulken is racing to stock up ahead of a potentially record-breaking Q4, balancing its expanding Target partnership with a growing direct-to-consumer business.
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.
Tommy Hilfiger Opens First ‘Residence’ Concept Store in Dublin
Tommy Hilfiger has opened a refitted store in Dundrum, Dublin, introducing its new ‘Residence’ retail concept to Ireland’s largest shopping and entertainment destination.
Mulberry Marks London Fashion Week Return With Christopher Kane Debut
Mulberry will return to London Fashion Week for the first time in years on September 20, where creative director Christopher Kane will debut his first women's collection for the British house. The show marks the next phase of the company's turnaround strategy.
Singapore Girl launches travel beauty line built around 30 climate conditions
Singapore-born beauty brand Singapore Girl makes its retail debut with a climate-focused travel collection, starting with a Singapore-specific set of 11 items. Its mapping system uses temperature and humidity to guide travellers.
Queen Alia International Airport opens concessionaire search
Airport International Group is inviting expressions of interest from operators for food & beverage, duty free and convenience concessions at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. The long-term partnership could run through 2039.
Chloé and Lagardère Debut Bouquiniste Fragrance Pop-Up at Geneva Airport
Coty and Lagardère Travel Retail have launched the Chloé Bouquiniste pop-up at Geneva Airport, marking the concept's first European travel retail appearance and putting the spotlight on Chloé's premium and ultra-premium fragrance lines.
China Gives Nostalgic Rural Co-op Stores a Modern Overhaul
Decades-old village supply and marketing cooperatives, known as gongxiaoshe, are being upgraded under a state plan that transforms nostalgic shops into anchors of food security and emergency logistics.
Frankfurt Airport video spotlights Terminal 3’s blend of art, retail and dining
Fraport has released a video featuring artist Tobias Rehberger and senior executives exploring how architecture, art, retail and dining shape the passenger experience at Frankfurt Airport’s new Terminal 3.
Chris Street appointed to lead Imperial Brands Global Travel Retail
Imperial Brands has named Chris Street as General Manager of its Global Travel Retail, Rizla & Nordics business, succeeding Pierpaolo Pascucci, as Davidoff cigarettes prepares to mark its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Avolta Provisionally Wins Guam Airport Specialty Retail and F&B Concessions
Avolta has been provisionally awarded the specialty retail and food & beverage concessions at A.B. Won Pat International Airport in Guam. Lotte Duty Free will continue running the retail concession until December 20 as final negotiations proceed.
Cartier Debuts in New Zealand with Auckland Boutique
Cartier has opened its first New Zealand boutique in a restored 1883 landmark building on Auckland’s Queen Street. The space combines Parisian luxury with local Māori and artistic craftsmanship.
Fragrance emerges as key driver of premium pricing in consumer goods
Fragrance is increasingly being used by consumer packaged goods brands to justify higher price points and stand out on crowded retail shelves, with mass-market fragrance sales outpacing other beauty segments.
Hangover-Prevention Supplements Move Into Mainstream Retail and Fine Dining
A new wave of gummies, jellies and drinks promises drinkers the fun of alcohol without the hangover, and the products are now appearing everywhere from big-box stores to upscale steakhouses.
DPT Antwerp scales travel retail to 118 doors as CEO stresses craft consistency
Antwerp-based jewellery house DPT Antwerp has grown its travel retail footprint by 38% year-on-year to 118 points of sale, with co-founder and CEO Edward Verté saying expansion must go hand in hand with craftsmanship and consistency.
Lululemon Q2 comp sales fall 9% as CEO transition looms
Lululemon’s second-quarter earnings missed expectations, with comparable sales sliding 9% and the Americas down 12%. Former Nike executive Heidi O’Neill takes over as CEO on Sept. 8.
CD Sales Stage Unexpected Comeback as Retro Tech Boom Drives Growth
U.S. CD revenue jumped 58.6% in the first half of 2026, according to new industry data, as a renewed appetite for physical media and simpler technology reverses last year's decline.
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.
Victoria Beckham opens first New York boutique in SoHo
Source signal: Victoria Beckham opens new boutique in New York City
Hong Kong retail property market rattled by foreclosure sale and collapsed shop deal
Hong Kong's retail property market is showing fresh signs of strain, with a Lan Kwai Fong foreclosure selling at a steep discount to its 2015 price and a North Point shop deal collapsing after two months.
Zegna Group’s H1 Revenue Rises to €987.3 Million, but Net Profit Falls
Ermenegildo Zegna Group grew first-half revenue 9 percent to €987.3 million, driven by strong direct-to-consumer sales, although net profit declined during the period.
Cartier Opens New Boutique at Mall at Millenia in Orlando
Source signal: Cartier opens new boutique in Orlando at Mall at Millenia
Brunello Cucinelli Debuts Paris Flagship on Rue Saint-Honoré
Brunello Cucinelli has opened a new flagship on Rue Saint-Honoré, designed as a private residence that blends Italian craftsmanship with Parisian elegance. The 2,800-square-meter space spans seven floors.
New York Fashion Week puts American heritage brands in the spotlight
The upcoming New York Fashion Week lineup features American legacy names including Ralph Lauren, Coach and Tommy Hilfiger, as these labels draw younger Gen Z shoppers despite broader global luxury sector challenges.
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.
Cartwright & Butler unveils premium-focused brand refresh for travel retail
British fine food brand Cartwright & Butler has launched a refreshed visual identity and a sharper focus on premium gifting, snacking and confectionery, building on two years of growth in global travel retail.
Birkenstock opens Shibuya flagship with footbed-inspired design
Birkenstock has opened a new 90-square-metre boutique in Tokyo's Shibuya district, located on the ground floor of a newly built ten-storey building.
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.
Simon Property Group launches retail media network powered by mall location data
Simon Property Group has launched Simon Media Network, a retail media business that lets brands target shoppers across its U.S. malls using Wi-Fi-derived location data and consumer engagement insights.
Hermès Posts Steady First-Half Sales Amid China Stabilisation
Hermès reported first-half revenue of €8.2 billion, with growth of 6.1% at constant exchange rates, while noting that China is not showing signs of recovery yet.
Ace Hardware's RedVest Media Expands Retail Media Offerings With DoorDash, Influencer and Weather-Targeting Tools
Source signal: Ace Hardware adds influencer, DoorDash and weather features as it builds out a retail media strategy
Pomelo operator KCG turns clothing donations into loyalty driver
PT Kurnia Ciptamoda Gemilang, which runs fashion brand Pomelo in Indonesia, collected 231 kilos of clothing in the first month of a store-based reuse and recycling programme aimed at environmentally aware younger shoppers.
APAC beverage brands shift to everyday wellness, Mintel finds
New Mintel research shows beverage and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific are moving from single-function positioning to holistic wellness, with distinct consumer expectations emerging in India, Thailand and Australia.
Quince’s First Sample Sale Draws Hours-Long Lines and Sells Out Early
Quince’s inaugural sample sale in San Francisco on Aug. 14-15 drew block-long queues and two-and-a-half-hour waits, with all merchandise gone six hours before closing.
Paradies Lagardère opens five locally inspired retail concepts at Portland International Airport
The travel retailer has partnered with Port of Portland to launch five new stores at PDX, spotlighting Oregon brands, independent makers and community institutions.
Beluga Vodka and Heinemann launch Art Deco pop-up at Hamburg Airport
Beluga Vodka has teamed with travel retailer Heinemann on a summer activation at Hamburg Airport, featuring guided tastings and a branded passport cover gift. The Art Deco-inspired pop-up runs through 31 August.
Four Seasons Maui at Wailea Opens Pantry Maui Café With Madhappy
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has opened Pantry Maui, a new café created with Los Angeles fashion brand Madhappy, offering island-inspired drinks, grab-and-go fare, and resort-exclusive retail.
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.
Gebr. Heinemann and Berlin Brandenburg Airport Extend Partnership with Major Retail Expansion
Gebr. Heinemann has renewed its duty-free and travel value contract with Berlin Brandenburg Airport, planning to expand Terminal 1 retail space to around 3,800 square metres.
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.
Laura Geller Returns to Brick-and-Mortar With Nationwide Sephora at Kohl's Launch
Laura Geller is re-entering physical retail with a nationwide launch at Sephora inside Kohl's, bringing its hero products to 854 stores and setting up further expansion in the U.K. and Canada.
Bubba bets on Lollapalooza to debut revamped brand identity
Bubba brought its rebranded water bottles to Lollapalooza, and the festival appearance paid off with a social media lift from a Zara Larsson post.
Sephora to Debut Perfumer-Centric Brand Anecdotes by Artists
A new fragrance brand centered on perfumers' personal stories is arriving at Sephora, with an inaugural trio of scents by Mane perfumer Patricia Choux.
Tennis-Themed Pop-Ups Bring U.S. Open Energy Across New York City
As U.S. Open ticket prices reach record highs, Evian, Sephora and Lavazza are opening tennis-themed pop-ups across New York City so fans can join the action without heading to Queens.
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.
HSBC moves Causeway Bay flagship to Capitol Centre as Hong Kong retail rents soften
HSBC will open a new flagship branch at Capitol Centre in Causeway Bay, reflecting a broader trend of banks and fashion retailers taking advantage of lower prime-area rents in Hong Kong.
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.
Rising Raw Material Costs Squeeze Sticker Makers and More
Vinyl prices have climbed nearly 6% in 2026, part of a broader increase in oil-derived materials like PVC and resin that is pressuring product manufacturers.
Sol de Janeiro Brings ‘Make Life Cheirosa’ Pop-Up to Antalya Airport
L’Occitane Travel Retail and ATÜ Duty Free have launched a major Sol de Janeiro activation at Antalya Airport Terminal 2, featuring an immersive wellness lounge and digital experiences through April.
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.
Proya Cosmetics Expands US Presence with Ulta Beauty Partnership
Chinese premium beauty brand Proya has secured a major partnership with US retailer Ulta Beauty, making two of its hero skincare lines available in 400 stores and online from November. The agreement marks a milestone in the company’s shift from product export to brand globalisation.
Byredo expands to Sephora U.S. stores and online
Niche fragrance house Byredo will launch at 24 U.S. Sephora locations and on Sephora's website starting September 3, marking a major retail expansion beyond its own boutiques.
Bath & Body Works Tops Q2 Expectations Despite Sales Slip
Bath & Body Works reported a 2.3 percent decline in second-quarter sales to $1.5 billion, but still beat Wall Street estimates. Digital sales grew 3 percent, the first increase since 2021, while in-store sales fell 5.4 percent.
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.