Kiabi Is Expanding Its Online Marketplace to Spain and Italy
Kiabi is extending its newly launched online marketplace beyond France to Spain and Italy, introducing third‑party brands alongside its own apparel line. The rollout adds complementary categories such as children’s products, baby gear, and home essentials, creating a broader family‑focused assortment. Third‑party sellers will manage fulfillment, customer service, and delivery terms, while the platform clearly labels external items for transparency. Kiabi plans to continue adding categories, further deepening its ecosystem across Europe.
Revlon Lands Licence for Salt Life’s First Fragrance
Revlon has signed a licensing agreement with Salt Life, the ocean‑focused apparel brand owned by Iconix International, to develop its first fragrance collection. The debut line, inspired by Salt Life’s “ocean‑driven lifestyle,” is scheduled to hit retail shelves in 2027....
Macy’s Inc. Ends Year on Encouraging Note, Q4 Sales Beat Expectations
Macy’s Inc. reported a stronger fourth‑quarter performance, with comparable sales increasing 1.8% and net sales of $7.6 billion, surpassing its own guidance. The company’s Bloomingdale’s division led growth, posting an 8.5% rise in net sales and 9.9% comparable‑sales growth, while re‑imagined...
UK Exclusive: Revive Collagen Signs Spice Girl Mel B as Ambassador for Menopause Range
Revive Collagen has appointed Spice Girls icon Mel B as the ambassador for its new menopause product range. The 50‑year‑old MBE, known for her advocacy of women’s health, said the brand’s focus on supporting women during menopause resonated with her. The...
Square Report Finds Group of Loyal ‘Regulars’ Generates 6x More Revenue for Canada’s Small Businesses
Square’s inaugural Local Economy Report shows that repeat customers—defined as shoppers who visit four or more times a year—generate nearly six times more annual revenue for Canadian neighbourhood businesses than one‑time visitors. In Montreal, regulars produce seven times the value,...
Seats and Sofas to Reimburse Customers Following Warranty Dispute
Seats and Sofas, a Dutch furniture retailer, has agreed to reimburse nearly 1,500 customers a total of €100,000 after the Dutch Consumer Authority ruled that its warranty‑related fees were unlawful. The disputed charges included €75 for home pick‑up, €49.95 for...
Battersea Power Station Director on Why Social Influence Is Redefining Retail Destinations
Battersea Power Station’s leasing director says social influence has become a critical leasing KPI, reshaping how landlords curate retail mixes. Gen‑Z now turn to social media before search engines, prompting landlords to prioritize brands with strong digital followings. Battersea leverages...
Supplier Performance Exposed as GNFR’s Golden Quarter Weak Link
Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) is the operational glue of retail, yet it remains a blind spot for many leaders. New research of over 100 retailers shows 38% view supplier performance as the biggest GNFR weakness during the peak "golden...
Harrods Launches Circular Fashion Initiative to Tackle Textile Waste
Harrods has unveiled a circular fashion programme in partnership with charity retailer Traid to curb textile waste. The scheme will collect surplus clothing and materials, then sort them for reuse, repurposing or redistribution, keeping items out of landfill. Employees will...
Increase in DIY and Hardware Retailers Offering Same Day Delivery
New Gophr research shows UK hardware and DIY retailers increased same‑day delivery adoption from 22 % to 32 % year‑on‑year. Yet speed remains uneven: only 26 % can fulfil orders within an hour and 46 % impose conditions such as cut‑off times or location...
Kingfisher Partners with Google Cloud to Roll Out AI-Powered Shopping Across Europe
Kingfisher has entered a multi‑year partnership with Google Cloud to embed Vertex AI across its B&Q, Castorama and Brico Dépôt e‑commerce platforms in Europe. The collaboration replaces traditional keyword search with AI‑driven, conversational discovery and introduces agentic assistants that can...
Amazon vs Perplexity: The Court Ruling that Just Put Agentic Commerce on Trial
A federal judge granted Amazon a preliminary injunction preventing Perplexity’s Comet browser agent from accessing Amazon’s systems, citing likely violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The court distinguished user permission from platform authorization, ruling that even with a...
New Rules Proposed to Hold Temu, Shein Accountable in SA
South Africa’s consumer regulators have released a joint position paper proposing new rules to hold offshore e‑commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein accountable. The draft guidelines would require foreign sellers moving significant volumes into the country to register locally,...
Q & A: Ben Collier, Co-Founder, Ocasta
Ben Collier, co‑founder of Ocasta, describes a frontline operations platform that unifies communications, task management, knowledge, inspections, and coaching to eliminate guesswork for retailers. Built around real‑world store moments rather than head‑office assumptions, the system provides instant task tracking, photo...
Miss Amara Rebuilds Online Store, Updates Brand Identity
Miss Amara, an Australian rug retailer, has launched a refurbished e‑commerce site and refreshed its brand identity to better align with its design‑led, customer‑obsessed strategy. The new platform offers streamlined navigation, richer educational content, and a smoother purchase journey across...
IPO-Bound Udaan to Kickstart Reverse Flip to India in Weeks: CEO
Udaan, the Bengaluru‑based B2B e‑commerce platform, will initiate a reverse flip to shift its corporate domicile from Singapore to India within weeks, a prerequisite for its upcoming IPO. The company aims to reach break‑even by mid‑next year while targeting an...
In a Play for Profitability, Kraft-Heinz Kicks Off Five-Year Alliance with the NFL
Kraft Heinz announced a five‑year deal to become the NFL's official condiment partner, giving roughly 20 of its brands high‑visibility placements at games and related events. The agreement arrives as the company has paused a planned split into two publicly...
Luxury Unfiltered: The Conflict in Iran Is a Wake-Up Call for Luxury
The Iran war is accelerating a structural shift in luxury spending, exposing the fragility of the Gulf’s luxury model built on perceived regional stability. Travel disruptions and revised risk assessments are forcing ultra‑high‑net‑worth wealth to redirect away from Dubai and...
Lanvin Group Steps on the Gas in Luxury Reset
Lanvin Group is accelerating its multi‑year transformation as global luxury demand softens, reporting FY25 revenue of €240.5 million—a 17.6% year‑on‑year decline. After divesting the Caruso label, the group is concentrating on four core brands—Lanvin, Wolford, Sergio Rossi and St John—while tightening its...
Wellness Briefing: How Top UK Wellness Brand Ancient + Brave Is Cracking the U.S. Market One City at a Time,...
UK‑based wellness brand Ancient + Brave launched its U.S. entry with a multi‑week pop‑up in Los Angeles, backed by influencer partnerships and out‑of‑home advertising. Head of U.S. marketing Hannah Rowe highlighted strong foot traffic, social engagement spikes, and valuable brand...
Some Creators Don’t See Immediate Value in Instagram’s Controversial ‘Shop the Look’ AI Test
Instagram tested an AI‑driven “Shop the Look” feature that automatically tags products in creator posts, aiming to boost social commerce. The rollout, launched in February, sparked backlash as tags appeared without creators’ consent, linking followers to unvetted items and knockoffs....
Why Parker Thatch Transformed Its Strip-Mall Storefront Into a Livestreaming Studio
Parker Thatch, an eight‑figure luxury handbag DTC brand, has turned its Orinda strip‑mall store into a hybrid retail‑studio space for weekly livestreams. The Friday broadcasts reach 179,000 Instagram followers and 101,000 YouTube subscribers, driving sales spikes of up to 50%...
The Real Winners of March Madness? Brands that Move Fast on NIL Deals
Brands are racing to sign college athletes for NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals as March Madness draws record viewership, turning the tournament into a high‑impact marketing platform. Companies from footwear to fast‑food chains have partnered with stars like Azzi Fudd,...
What Will Define CX in Retail in 2026?
The 2026 Australian Retail Outlook highlights that AI is compressing digital transformation cycles, forcing retailers to innovate continuously. Leaders like David Jones’ Alex Carter and Outcast Clothing’s Airi Sutherland stress that the next year will demand hyper‑personalised, purpose‑driven experiences that...
5 Best Identity Verification Software Providers for Marketplaces
Marketplaces face coordinated identity fraud that threatens payouts, chargebacks, and brand trust. A specialized identity verification layer can quickly approve legitimate buyers and sellers while blocking malicious actors. The article ranks five top providers—AU10TIX, Jumio, Entrust IDV, Trulioo, and Shufti Pro—highlighting...
The Mall Supply Chain: Why Retail’s Most Visible Channel Is the Most Operationally Fragile
Gen Z’s preference for experiential, in‑store shopping is reviving malls, turning them into multi‑purpose omnichannel hubs. Retailers now use mall locations not just for sales but also for BOPIS, returns, same‑day pickup, and last‑mile distribution. However, the freight flow into...
MyFitnessPal Wants To Start The Health And Wellness Subsector Of Retail Media
MyFitnessPal has launched a data‑driven advertising business, expanding beyond its legacy mobile display unit to include video, interstitials, full‑screen takeovers, newsletter sponsorships and branded recipe integrations. The platform will leverage its opt‑in food‑logging data—averaging 16 items per user per day—to...
MyFitnessPal Wants To Start The Health And Wellness Subsector Of Retail Media
Former user Amit Patel, now CRO, is steering MyFitnessPal into retail media. The health‑tracking app will shift from a single third‑party display ad to a direct‑sales suite that includes video, interstitials, home‑screen takeovers, newsletter sponsorships and branded recipe units. It...
Best Buy's Spring Sale Is Live, Ahead of Amazon's 'Big Spring Sale'
Best Buy launched its Tech Fest spring sale on March 16, running through March 22, positioning the event as a direct counter to Amazon's upcoming Big Spring Sale. The week‑long promotion features a Deal of the Day and deep discounts...
Afresh AI Platform Now Covers All Grocery Departments
Afresh announced its AI platform now supports all grocery departments, adding center store, frozen foods, general merchandise, and health & beauty to its fresh‑food focus. The single AI engine uses separate data models and workflows per department to manage replenishment,...
What’s the Missing Link in Consumer AI Agents?
Consumer AI agents are moving from pilots to live retail interactions, handling tasks like refunds and bookings. While context graphs help preserve memory and relationships, they remain infrastructure rather than true intelligence. The article argues that without stateful, outcome‑focused reasoning,...
This Grocery Chain Is Offering Free GLP-1 Starter Kits
ShopRite’s parent Wakefern is distributing free "Wellness Your Way" GLP‑1 starter kits to customers who fill their first GLP‑1 prescription at in‑store pharmacies. The blue mailer includes a diet guide from a registered dietitian, sample protein shake and collagen powder,...
Meghan Markle’s As Ever to Launch Collaboration With High Camp Supply
The Duchess of Sussex’s lifestyle label As Ever is teaming with San Francisco‑based luxury flower purveyor High Camp Supply to release a limited‑edition Bloom Box. The box contains 18 gardenia, peony, mint and jasmine stems paired with As Ever’s peppermint tea and sage honey....
EXCLUSIVE: On Wants to Resell Your Used Sneakers in Circularity Evolution
Swiss‑based sneaker brand On is revamping its Cyclon circularity program, replacing the 2022 subscription model with a resale‑donation‑recycling ecosystem. The new platform lets consumers trade in pre‑loved shoes, accessories and apparel for credits ranging from $20 to $55, with items...
Barrows Connected Store Partners with QSIC
Barrows Connected Store and QSIC announced a strategic partnership that merges Barrows' in‑store digital video network with QSIC's intelligent audio platform. The combined solution delivers synchronized, multi‑sensory campaigns measured against real‑world transactions, offering brands predictive targeting and closed‑loop attribution. By...
PHL Unveils Travel Essentials Store
Philadelphia International Airport launched the Onsite Travel Essentials market between Terminals B and C, adding a new retail space that sells snacks, grab‑and‑go meals, electronics, toiletries, and a curated selection of local Philadelphia brands. Operated by PHL Food & Shops, the store also...
As Retail Media Enters Its Second Act, Savvy Brands Diversify Networks and Tactics
Retail media is evolving from a bottom‑funnel, search‑only model to a full‑funnel ecosystem that includes video, display, and off‑site formats. Amazon’s share of retail media spend dropped from 56% to 46% as marketers allocate more budget to Walmart and mid‑size...
Sephora’s Zena Arnold on Navigating Trends, Shaping Discovery, and Marketing at the Speed of Culture
Sephora’s U.S. chief marketing officer Zena Arnold explained how the retailer distinguishes fleeting fads from genuine behavioral shifts, using systematic trend‑filtering processes. She highlighted the shift to continuous beauty discovery, where brands must appear across creators, culture and community. Arnold...
Target Consolidates Spring Savings Event Into 3 Days
Target is consolidating its spring savings promotion into a three‑day "Target Circle Deal Days" event running March 25‑27, 2026, down from the week‑long Target Circle Week held in 2025. The shortened format aims to deliver high‑impact deals on toys, women’s apparel,...
The US Consumer Is Hitting a Rough Patch
U.S. consumers showed surprising resilience in January, with discretionary retail sales climbing 6% year‑over‑year despite a dip in sentiment. Analysts, however, warn that rising credit‑card debt, higher delinquency rates and mounting fuel costs could erode that strength by 2026. Forecasts...
Grocers Face State and Federal Lawmakers’ Scrutiny over ‘Surveillance’ Pricing
U.S. grocers are under increasing scrutiny as state and federal lawmakers target dynamic, or “surveillance,” pricing enabled by electronic shelf labels (ESLs). More than 100 price‑transparency bills have been filed in 33 states, while the UFCW’s national campaign backs the...
EE and Samsung to Deliver Free AI Training Sessions
EE and Samsung are launching free AI masterclasses at EE’s Westfield White City studio, running daily through 5 April. The 20‑minute sessions, limited to eight participants, demonstrate Galaxy AI features on the new Samsung S26 Ultra, covering photography, translation, note‑taking and...
Brands Briefing: Inside Cotopaxi’s Plans to Double Its Store Count by 2029
Cotopaxi, the outdoor‑gear brand known for its socially‑driven products, announced a plan to double its North American store footprint from 20 to 40 locations within the next three years. CEO Lindsay Shumlas said the expansion will push physical‑store sales—currently under...
Refurbed Hits €3 Billion GMV as Refurbishment Becomes Mainstream
refurbed has crossed €3 billion in cumulative GMV in under a year, following a €50 million funding round and its first profitable year. The marketplace expanded into 12 additional European countries, doubling its footprint and reaching an addressable market of roughly 486 million...
Banana Club Targets 50 Stores by 2026 Amidst Aggressive Retail Expansion
Banana Club, the Bengaluru‑based men’s fast‑fashion label, announced a plan to grow its physical footprint to 50 stores across India by the end of 2026, up from the current 17. The expansion is a core pillar of its long‑term growth...
M&S: Why Brand Health Is the Ultimate Insurance Policy
Marks & Spencer retained its position as the UK’s strongest brand in the YouGov Best Brand Rankings 2026, even after a ransomware attack that erased £300 million of profit and £750 million of market value. The retailer’s long‑term brand strategy—modernising stores, shifting...
Cape Cod Cafe Pizza Hits 400-Plus Target Stores
Cape Cod Café announced that its frozen pizza line is now stocked in over 400 Target stores nationwide, marking the company’s largest retail expansion to date. The rollout covers the Northeast, Mid‑Atlantic and Southeast, introducing cheese, pepperoni, buffalo chicken and...
Malabar Gold & Diamonds Announces ₹1,580 Cr Expansion
Malabar Gold & Diamonds announced a ₹1,580 crore expansion plan that will add 20 new showrooms across India by March 31. The rollout will lift the company’s global footprint to 445 stores in 14 countries and 22 Indian states and union territories....
Amazon Adds 1-Hour and 3-Hour Delivery Options in the US
Amazon announced nationwide one‑hour and three‑hour delivery options, initially covering more than 90,000 SKUs. Prime members pay $9.99 for a one‑hour slot and $4.99 for three‑hour delivery, while non‑Prime customers face $19.99 and $14.99 respectively. The service launches in hundreds...
Sign up to Sell on eBay Live – New Categories
eBay has reopened its eBay Live seller program, adding new categories such as fashion, electronics, toys, and more. Existing interested sellers must re‑register even if they previously signed up. The platform targets creators with streaming or social‑media experience who can...