French Connection Announces New US Licensing Partnership
French Connection Group has signed a long‑term licensing agreement with G‑III Apparel Group to develop and distribute its menswear, womenswear and accessories across North America, effective 1 February 2026. The partnership leverages G‑III’s design, sourcing and distribution capabilities and its established retail relationships. It is a cornerstone of French Connection’s growth plan under MIP Holdings, aiming to boost the brand’s presence in the U.S. market. The deal reflects both companies’ strategy to expand through strategic licenses.
ClearScore Enters Mortgage Market with Acquisition of Acre Platforms
ClearScore, the UK fintech known for free credit‑score checks, announced its entry into the residential mortgage market by acquiring Acre Platforms. The undisclosed deal equips ClearScore with Acre’s underwriting engine and cloud‑native loan‑origination system, enabling instant mortgage offers after a...
N Brown Group Chief Customer Operations Officer Leaves the Business
N Brown Group’s chief customer operations officer, Clare Empson, announced her departure after two years in the role. Empson, who previously spent 24 years at Ted Baker, oversaw the launch of a new distribution centre and an enterprise‑wide efficiency system during her tenure. Her...
Gen Z Fuels Resurgence of Physical Music in Canada as Vinyl and K-Pop Sales Surge
Physical music sales in Canada have rebounded, with overall record sales rising 19.1% YoY and physical‑media purchases climbing 34% between 2021 and 2023. The surge is driven largely by Gen Z, who value tangible collectibles such as limited‑edition vinyl and...
Gentle Fawn Leans on Longevity over Trends as Vancouver Fashion Brand Marks More than Two Decades
Gentle Fawn, a Vancouver‑based fashion label founded in 2003, has shifted its focus from wholesale‑only to a balanced omnichannel model, with its e‑commerce site now the largest sales channel. The brand serves roughly 600 retail partners across Canada and the...
Retail’s Busiest Streets Are Booming with New Investment, Flagships
Transaction volume in North America’s high‑traffic urban retail corridors jumped 82% from 2024 to 2025, signaling renewed investor confidence. Major retailers such as Uniqlo, H&M and luxury houses are opening flagship stores, with New York, Los Angeles and Miami accounting for 60%...
The $42.8B Retail Media Playbook
Retail media generated $42.8 billion for Amazon in Q1 2025, driven by a server‑side ad serving architecture that delivers native ads without latency or privacy trade‑offs. The eBook outlines a modern retail media stack featuring sponsored products, zero‑impact loading, full reach, built‑in...
The Future of Delivery: Key Trends Shaping 2026
Delivery logistics face a convergence of pressures in 2026, including AI-driven automation, stricter CO₂ emissions regulations, rising cross‑border demand, and the shift to zero‑emission fleets. Retailers and carriers must adapt to consumers who will abandon orders if delivery options are...
Subdued Goes Bold with Global Expansion
Italian fashion brand Subdued is teaming up with its tech partner for international expansion
Uber and DoorDash Lose Bid to Quash NYC Tipping Law
Uber and DoorDash lost a federal bid to block New York City’s new tipping law, which forces delivery apps to present a tip option and a suggested minimum of 10% at checkout. U.S. District Judge George Daniels rejected the companies’...
The Fraud Hiding in Email Signups
E‑commerce merchants are increasingly hit by fraud that begins with fake but technically valid email sign‑ups. Fraudsters use these accounts for low‑value card‑testing transactions and to harvest welcome coupons, driving chargebacks and an estimated $89 billion in annual coupon abuse losses....
Mercuryo and Visa Partner to Expand Global Crypto-to-Fiat Off-Ramping via Visa Direct
Mercuryo announced a strategic partnership with Visa to embed Visa Direct into its crypto‑payment platform. The integration will let wallet, exchange and Web3 users convert digital assets to fiat and have funds pushed to Visa cards, bank accounts or digital...
Elariosso Digital Ltd Combines Human Expertise and Smart Processes to Modernize Customer Support Operations
Elariosso Digital Ltd is positioning itself as a modern customer‑support outsourcing partner for e‑commerce, SaaS, fintech and other digital businesses. The firm blends skilled human agents with structured, technology‑driven workflows to deliver 24/7, multichannel assistance. Its model emphasizes clear escalation...
Why Ecommerce Businesses Fail Without Clear Cost Structures
E‑commerce brands often chase sales without a transparent cost structure, leading to shrinking margins and cash‑flow strain. Hidden expenses—shipping, platform fees, returns, taxes, and software—can turn seemingly profitable products into losses as order volume grows. Clear cost tracking converts revenue...
DAZN’s Hugh Cashmore on Unlocking the Power of Brand Milestones
DAZN’s global brand lead Hugh Cashmore explained how the streaming service turns brand milestones into growth engines. He emphasized selecting moments that genuinely reflect the brand, balancing scheduled sports events with agile, reactive activations, and grounding decisions in a strong...
Modern Retail Podcast: The High Cost of Free Returns
The Modern Retail podcast examines the escalating cost of free returns, noting that 72% of brands now impose return fees. Hosts Melissa Daniels, Samantha Gold of Motette, and Arin Schultz of Naturepedic discuss how retailers can redesign policies to protect...
Justice Department and Live Nation Clash Over Allegations of Illegal Monopoly
The U.S. Justice Department told a federal judge that Live Nation has been pressuring venues to keep Ticketmaster as their ticketing platform, using the threat of withdrawing concerts as leverage. The DOJ cites eight alleged incidents over the past 15...
Saks Global’s eCommerce Units Gets Permission to Hire Liquidator Amid Bankruptcy
Saks Global’s eCommerce arm, Saks OFF 5th Digital, received court approval to hire a liquidator and sell its remaining inventory while the parent company remains in Chapter 11. The liquidation order applies only to the online unit; the company’s brick‑and‑mortar...
21st Century HealthCare Launches Direct-to-Consumer Ecommerce
21st Century HealthCare Inc., a veteran vitamin and supplement manufacturer, has opened its first direct‑to‑consumer ecommerce store built on Shopify Plus by web agency Fyresite. The new site offers the full product line, subscription ordering, bundled offers and mobile checkout,...
TikTok Deal Finalised: U.S. Joint Venture Secures App’s Future Amid Security Concerns
ByteDance has finalized a U.S. joint venture that transfers TikTok’s American operations to a partnership with domestic investors. The arrangement places all user data on U.S. servers and gives U.S. regulators oversight, addressing longstanding security concerns. ByteDance will retain a...
Brunello Cucinelli Launches a New AI-Powered Ecommerce Site
Brunello Cucinelli unveiled Callimacus, an AI‑powered ecommerce site built on its in‑house Solomeo platform. The site lets shoppers enter natural‑language prompts, delivering real‑time, personalized product recommendations that echo the brand’s boutique experience. Executives say the technology will bolster both brand...
With More Institutions on Board, FedNow Notches Volume and Value Gains
The episode highlights FedNow’s rapid expansion to 1,600 participating institutions, driving a 460% YoY rise in daily transactions to nearly 30,000 and a total transaction value of $853.4 billion, with average payments soaring to $101,435. It contrasts FedNow’s broader network reach...
Target Adds Former Nike Innovation Chief to Board
Target announced that former Nike chief innovation officer John Hoke will join its board in March, while ex‑HanesBrands CEO Steve Bratspies will come aboard in April. Both will serve on key committees—Hoke on governance, sustainability, compensation and human‑capital, Bratspies on audit,...
The Weekly Closeout: Reebok Teams with Karol G and Will January Storms Ice Out Retail Sales?
Reebok announced a multiyear partnership with Grammy‑winning Colombian star Karol G, naming her a global brand ambassador and co‑designer for upcoming Classics‑inspired footwear and apparel. Hasbro bolstered its board with former Nintendo of America president and COO Doug Bowser and...
Caleres Taps Interim CFO; Details Saks Bankruptcy Impact
Caleres named its chief accounting officer, Daniel Karpel, as interim CFO after Jack Calandra resigned effective Jan. 15 and will leave by Jan. 30. The company launched an external search for a permanent finance chief. Caleres also revised its Q4 guidance, flagging...
Ulta Continues Middle East Expansion with UAE Debut
Ulta Beauty is debuting in the United Arab Emirates with a flagship store at Mall of the Emirates on Jan. 29, marking its first UAE location. The expansion is executed through a franchise partnership with Alshaya Group, which also oversees Ulta’s...
Affirm Seeks Nevada Bank Charter
Affirm Holdings has filed applications with Nevada’s Financial Institutions Division and the FDIC to obtain a state charter for an industrial loan company, dubbed "Affirm Bank." The move aims to expand its buy‑now‑pay‑later (BNPL) offerings and diversify beyond merchant‑only financing....
Verifone Tackles Identity Challenge
Verifone is tackling the biggest friction in omnichannel commerce—consumer identity—by unifying identification, loyalty and payment into a single transaction flow. The company highlights that while digital shoppers can be recognized with cookies and device fingerprints, in‑store shoppers remain anonymous until...
Iceland Bolsters Retail Media with ‘UK First’ Sensor Technology
Iceland Foods has partnered with Stratacache to roll out Walkbase sensor technology across its 766‑store retail media network, making it the first European retailer to use camera‑free, privacy‑safe audience measurement. The sensor solution will provide real‑time, closed‑loop attribution for in‑store...
M&A Advisor on Ecommerce Valuations
Frank Kosarek, co‑founder of BizPort, explains that ecommerce valuations now hinge on seller discretionary earnings (SDE) rather than top‑line revenue, with multiples typically 2×–2.5× and up to 5× for subscription‑heavy brands. He notes that buyers prefer companies generating recurring sales,...
HiStone Refreshes Flagship Portfolio
HiStone unveiled a refreshed flagship POS portfolio at NRF 2026, featuring five models powered by Intel’s 12th‑ and 13th‑Gen Core processors. The new devices—HK568A, HK578A, HK600A, HS330A and HK968A—offer clock speeds up to 4.6 GHz, expanded Smart Cache, DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 4...
Banks Without Invoicing Services Are Missing a Small Business Opportunity
The episode highlights how small businesses now view invoicing as a core part of their payments experience and why banks are uniquely positioned to capture this market. Ian Benton explains that effective invoicing tools—ranging from simple payment requests linked to...
Hike in Retail Sales in November: Statistics Canada
Canada's retail sales grew 1.3% in November, reaching $70.4 billion, with core sales up 1.6% after two months of decline. Food and beverage stores led the rebound, posting a 3.0% increase, driven by a 14.3% surge in beer, wine and liquor...
Amaze Announces Expanded Partnership with Contend to Scale the Next Generation of Creator-Led Commerce
Amaze Holdings announced an expanded strategic partnership with Contend, elevating the studio from advisor to fully integrated partner. The collaboration will combine Contend’s storytelling expertise with Amaze’s global commerce platform to deliver end‑to‑end creator‑led product launches. Throughout 2026 the duo...
Canadian Holiday Shoppers Getting Savvier: NerdWallet
NerdWallet Canada’s Harris Poll reveals that 2025 holiday shoppers spent an average of $828 on gifts, $120 more than the $708 they expected in October. Only 7% attribute the overspend to poor planning, while 43% point to inflation as the primary...
OnePay Integrates Rakuten Card-Linked Offers to Make Rewards Easier and More Valuable
OnePay, the Walmart‑backed fintech, has teamed up with Rakuten’s Card‑Linked Offer Network to embed merchant cashback offers directly within its app. The integration delivers automatic, card‑linked rewards at the point of sale, eliminating the need for coupons or manual redemption....
UK to Spend £1 Billion on Influencers, but 59% Can’t See a ROI
The UK is on track to spend more than £1 billion on influencer marketing by 2029, yet 59% of marketers say proving return on investment remains a major hurdle. Consumer trust is eroding, with authenticity, product use and clear sponsorship disclosure...
How to Sell It Well: Expert Tips for Mid‑Winter Success
eBay released a mid‑winter selling guide to help sellers boost listings during January’s slow period. The guide highlights AI‑driven photo listings, detailed item specifics, seasonal product focus, optimized titles, and pricing research. It also advises on choosing the right sale...
King’s Cross Reports Sales Growth Driven by Coal Drops Yard Retailers
London’s King’s Cross retail district posted double‑digit sales growth in 2024. Coal Drops Yard recorded a 20% year‑on‑year increase, while the wider estate saw total sales rise 13.5%, driven by a 16% jump in retail and a 10% lift in...
Gr4vy and Ecommpay Partner to Simplify Global Payments Through Single Integration
Fintech platforms Gr4vy and Ecommpay announced a partnership that delivers a single‑integration solution for global payments. The joint offering merges Gr4vy’s payment orchestration layer with Ecommpay’s extensive acquiring network, giving merchants access to over 200 payment methods in more than...
Retail Brand Monitoring: Protect Your Reputation
Retailers face instant brand reputation shifts as social media amplifies reviews, influencer posts, and viral content. Distinguishing brand monitoring (mention tracking) from reputation monitoring (sentiment and impact analysis) is essential for omnichannel consistency, product refinement, and crisis prevention. The article...
Exclusive: The Nue Co. Brings Its Functional Fragrances to Ulta Beauty
The Nue Co., a wellness brand known for functional fragrances, is launching its scent line at Ulta Beauty, expanding to 1,100 stores by April. The partnership introduces exclusive discovery kits, travel‑size 10 ml bottles, and full‑size options within Ulta’s new wellness‑focused...
Top Reasons Why Fintech Companies Struggle to Succeed in the Competitive Digital Landscape
Fintech firms face mounting obstacles that impede growth in an increasingly crowded digital arena. Tight regulatory regimes, persistent cash‑flow constraints for SME clients, and fierce competition for talent and technology stack integration are among the primary culprits. Recent moves—Qonto’s credit‑card...
Gen X Spending Patterns Are Shifting as Costs Rise
Gen X, the 46‑61 age cohort, remains the highest‑spending group, averaging $96,941 in 2024. Rising inflation and living costs have forced 67% to trim grocery budgets and 52% to postpone major purchases such as cars or furniture. Financial strain is...
Eight in 10 Small Businesses Want Credit and on Their Terms
A PYMNTS Intelligence survey of 514 U.S. small‑to‑medium business leaders shows that 83% are confident they will be approved for a new business credit card, shifting the market focus from basic access to product flexibility. More than half of card...
Razorpay Secures RBI PA-P Licence, Expanding Fully Regulated In-Store Payments Across India
Razorpay has been granted the Reserve Bank of India’s Payment Aggregator‑Physical (PA‑P) licence, allowing its point‑of‑sale solution to function as a fully regulated aggregator for in‑store transactions. The approval comes as physical retail remains the dominant purchase channel in India,...
Waterstones Enjoys Healthy Sales Both In-Store and Online
Waterstones reported a 7% sales increase to £565.6 million for the 53 weeks ending 3 May 2025, with like‑for‑like sales up 5%. Growth was broad‑based across regions and channels, driven by strong fiction titles and higher demand for stationery and children’s educational toys....
Luxury Briefing: Inside Burberry’s Outerwear-Led Recovery
Burberry’s latest fiscal third‑quarter results show a clear rebound driven primarily by outerwear sales, rather than a sweeping brand reinvention. After years of repositioning under the Burberry Forward framework, the company shifted focus from scarves—used to boost store traffic—to high‑margin...
Fabletics Is Turning Its Stores Into Membership Growth Hubs
Fabletics is repurposing its 120‑store footprint as a primary engine for VIP membership acquisition, with roughly half of in‑store shoppers signing up. The VIP program now accounts for more than 95% of the brand’s revenue, supporting a $1 billion revenue milestone...
How First Thing Built a Defensible Position in a Noisy Market
First Thing, an Australian intimates brand founded by Georgia Gazal, has carved a defensible niche by focusing on comfort‑first, everyday wear rather than high‑glamour marketing. Its flagship strapless bra, sold out six times and purchased every 34 minutes, solves long‑standing...