The Commerce Brief: Fri 17th Oct

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

🗓️ This week’s industry updates

🛒 Walmart partners with OpenAI for ChatGPT shopping
Walmart is deepening its AI ambitions with a new partnership with OpenAI, allowing consumers to shop directly through ChatGPT. Shoppers can browse, plan meals, restock essentials, and check out instantly, all within the chatbot. Linked to users’ Walmart accounts, the feature supports both first-party and third-party sellers. The move marks a major step in personalised, conversational commerce, as Walmart uses AI to better anticipate customer needs and make shopping more proactive. (source)

🚀 Wolt Ads expands into off-platform advertising
Wolt Ads has announced a major expansion with five new ad-tech partnerships - teaming up with Koddi, Magnite, Skai, and StackAdapt to extend reach beyond its app. The new collaborations will allow advertisers to campaign across social media, search engines, and connected TV, linking off-platform activity directly to in-app purchases. (source)

💄 e.l.f. Cosmetics pioneers live shopping on Twitch
e.l.f. Cosmetics has become the first brand to integrate native live shopping on Twitch, powered by Amazon Ads. Viewers can now buy products directly from livestreams on the brand’s channel, e.l.f.YOU!, without leaving their stream. (source)

🇬🇧 TikTok launches £750k Shop Local programme
TikTok Shop has launched Shop Local, a £750k initiative supporting British small businesses by helping them reach new customers through TikTok’s “discovery commerce” model. The scheme aims to help UK SMBs drive sales organically through videos, livestreams and creators without shoppers leaving the app. (source)

🎨 Tesco Media invests in creative effectiveness
Marking 30 years of Clubcard, Tesco Media has unveiled a new Tesco Media Creative Studio, designed to simplify and speed up ad production for brand partners. The new platform aims to help advertisers create higher-performing campaigns and make the most of Tesco’s first-party shopper data. (source)

👟 Google introduces AI shoe try-ons
Google has expanded its virtual try-on tool to include footwear, letting shoppers preview how shoes look on their feet using “state-of-the-art AI” for shape and depth analysis. The feature will roll out in Australia, Japan, and Canada, making online shopping more interactive and personal. (source)

🇪🇺 Temu doubles EU profits
Temu’s EU operations more than doubled pre-tax profits to nearly $120 million, despite employing only eight people. Profits surged 171% year-on-year, but the company paid just $18 million in tax, reigniting debate around global tax fairness for digital giants. (source)

🔐 Mango hit by cyberattack
Fashion retailer Mango has confirmed a data breach via one of its external marketing partners, which exposed “limited” customer data. The company says it has taken immediate action to strengthen security measures. (source)

🛍️ Nasty Gal joins Amazon Fashion
Nasty Gal is now available via Amazon Fashion, expanding its U.S. presence as part of parent company Debenhams Group’s growth strategy in the American market. (source)

🧥 Asos launches premium menswear label
Asos has unveiled Asos Collective, a new premium menswear line that blends elevated design with trend-forward styling - marking a strategic move into the higher-end fashion segment. (source)

🔧 Screwfix debuts loyalty programme
Screwfix has launched a new loyalty scheme offering member-only discounts, rewards, and benefits, building stronger connections with its trade and DIY customers. (source)

🦮 Tesco pilots Be My Eyes tech for blind shoppers
In a UK-first, Tesco has partnered with the Be My Eyes app to help blind and partially sighted customers shop independently. Through the app, users can connect with Tesco colleagues via live video for real-time support, currently being piloted in select UK stores. (source)

👜 John Lewis launches new supplier brands platform
John Lewis has partnered with Russell & Bromley and tech company Mirakl to introduce a supplier brands platform, allowing faster onboarding and listing of new premium brands. The move accelerates the retailer’s shift towards digital-first operations and luxury partnerships. (source)

🌍 Zalando expands in Southern Europe
Zalando has launched a dedicated Portuguese website and introduced beauty products in Spain, while expanding its AI-driven discovery feed to 16 more markets. New customer profile pages now let users follow brands, create style boards, and share personal edits, making the in-app experience more social and tailored. (source)

🪑 Ikea sales dip amid global expansion
Ikea’s global sales dipped slightly to €39 billion last year, down from €39.6 billion, despite higher customer traffic and product volume. The group continues to grow its store network, including compact city formats, and saw online traffic up 4.6% year-on-year. (source)

⚽ Decathlon opens compact Brussels city store
After a five-year pause, Decathlon has returned to expansion, opening a new urban-format store in Brussels focused on accessibility and convenience rather than its traditional megastore model. (source)

💋 Superdrug partners with Korean beauty retailer
Superdrug has teamed up with Pure Seoul, adding hundreds of Korean beauty products to its assortment. The collaboration marks Superdrug’s first major step into international beauty brands amid rising UK demand for K-beauty. (source)

💅 THG reports strongest quarter in four years
THG, owner of Lookfantastic and Cult Beauty, has reported its best quarterly performance since 2021, with 6.3% organic sales growth to £405.2 million. The results pushed THG’s share price up 3% as the group focuses on strengthening its digital-first beauty and nutrition portfolio. (source)

The Commerce Brief