The Commerce Brief: Fri 16th May

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

🗓️ This week’s industry updates

🌍 Primark Expands to the Middle East:
Primark will open its first-ever Middle East store in partnership with Alshaya Group. The debut location lands in The Avenues Mall, Kuwait in October 2025, with Dubai stores to follow in early 2026. (source)

💎 LuxExperience Grows Luxury Revenue:
The parent company of Mytheresa reported a solid Q3 for FY2025, with net sales up 4% to £208.55M. A standout stat: average order value climbed 8.8% to £647.58—highlighting strong demand in digital luxury. (source)

📉 SHEIN Slashes Prices After Tariff Easing:
SHEIN has reduced prices for U.S. shoppers following a temporary tariff relief under a new U.S.-China trade agreement. A quick pivot from its earlier hikes. (source)

♻️ Nobody’s Child Launches Pre-Loved Program:
British fashion label Nobody’s Child teams up with eBay and Reskinned to launch a circular resale initiative - part of its broader sustainability strategy. (source)

💚 Holland & Barrett Sees Double-Digit Growth:
The wellness retailer posted a gross profit of £524.2M, up from £475.7M YoY, powered by “significant investment” in digital transformation. (source)

🛍️ Superdrug Enters Fashion via Marketplace Expansion:
Superdrug is adding 60 fashion brands to its online marketplace - including Regatta, Nike, and Blue Vanilla - as it blurs the lines between health, beauty, and lifestyle retail. (source)

📊 Frasers Group Debuts ‘Elevate’ Retail Media Network:
Frasers Group launched its own retail media network, Elevate, leveraging first-party data to drive new revenue streams and partnerships. (source)

📈 Walmart Warns of Price Hikes Ahead:
Executives at Walmart have confirmed that U.S. shoppers will see prices rise later this month, as Walmart contends with ongoing cost pressures from tariffs. (source)

🛒 Amazon Launches ‘Bazaar’ in Saudi Arabia:
Amazon.sa now features Bazaar, a budget-friendly section spotlighting affordable fashion, home, and lifestyle products - tailored to regional shoppers. (source)

👣 BIRKENSTOCK to Raise Prices Globally:
In response to the new 10% U.S. tariff on EU goods, BIRKENSTOCK will increase prices worldwide - despite recent strong sales and a more optimistic financial outlook. (source)

🧊 Iceland Foods Relaunches Retail Media Business:
Iceland is doubling down on retail media with a relaunch of its offering, joining a wave of grocers capitalising on brand ad budgets. (source)

The Commerce Brief