The Commerce Brief: Fri 10th Oct

Welcome to another exciting week in the world of eCommerce and retail 🛍️

🗓️ This week’s industry updates

🇦🇺 Kookai returns to UK retail
Australian womenswear brand Kookai is returning to the UK high street for the first time in more than a decade. The brand is finalising a deal for a new central London flagship, marking a major step in its international comeback strategy. (source)

🎥 Asos launches live shopping experience
Asos Live has officially launched, a new interactive video commerce feature that blends creator-led content, live streaming and instant shopping. Customers can shop products in real time or on demand, combining entertainment and e-commerce within the Asos app. (source)

👗 Victoria Beckham x Net-a-Porter
Net-a-Porter has launched an exclusive capsule collection with Victoria Beckham, expanding its luxury designer portfolio and tapping into the continued strength of elevated, minimalist womenswear. (source)

♻️ Vestiaire Collective appoints new CEO
Luxury resale platform Vestiaire Collective has named former investment banker Bernard Osta as its new CEO, succeeding Maximilian Bittner after seven years at the helm. The leadership change comes as Vestiaire continues its global push in the fast-growing luxury resale sector. (source)

🧥 Uniqlo owner hits record earnings
Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, has reported its fourth consecutive year of record profits. Annual revenue rose 9.6% to £16.6 billion, with profit up 13.6% to £2.69 billion. The group plans to open 11 new Uniqlo stores in the U.S. next year, continuing its aggressive international expansion. (source)

💄 The Body Shop re-enters the U.S.
After exiting brick-and-mortar in the U.S., The Body Shop is reentering the market via e-commerce and Amazon, offering a mix of heritage products and new fragrances. The move reflects the brand’s renewed digital-first strategy after recent restructuring efforts. (source)

🪄 Stitch Fix unveils AI styling tool
Personal styling platform Stitch Fix has launched Stitch Fix Vision, a beta feature that uses generative AI to visualize customers wearing curated outfits. The new tool allows shoppers to see style recommendations based on their personal profile and the latest trends. (source)

👶 Hanna Andersson celebrates loyalty success
Children’s brand Hanna Andersson is celebrating two years of its Hanna Rewards programme, which now counts nearly 1 million members. The points-based system has driven higher engagement and repeat purchase rates across online channels. (source)

🚛 Ikea invests in AI logistics
Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ikea’s parent company, has acquired U.S.-based logistics tech firm Locus. The deal gives Ikea access to an AI-powered platform for real-time route optimization, vehicle efficiency, and smarter capacity management across its global supply chain. (source)

💎 Frasers Group buys stake in The Webster
Frasers Group has taken a majority stake in luxury multibrand retailer The Webster, known for its highly curated fashion edit and influential U.S. clientele. The acquisition signals Frasers’ continued expansion into high-end retail. (source)

📲 Matalan revamps app and loyalty
Matalan is set to overhaul its loyalty programme and mobile app, replacing “Matalan Me Rewards” with a more personalised, data-led rewards experience as part of its ongoing business transformation. (source)

🏢 N Brown Group job cuts
N Brown Group, owner of brands like JD Williams and Simply Be, has announced a 45-day consultation that could impact 270 roles, including 200 at its Manchester head office, as it streamlines operations amid challenging trading conditions. (source)

🧘 Alo Yoga expands across the UK
U.S. activewear brand Alo Yoga continues its global retail rollout, confirming four new UK stores across Leeds, Manchester, Westfield London and Battersea Power Station. The expansion follows a strong debut in 2023 and rising demand for premium athleisure. (source)

The Commerce Brief