The Commerce Brief: Fri 19th Sept

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

🗓️ This week’s industry updates

📈 Financial & Business Performance

• Boden has returned to profit with higher revenues, citing a “resoundingly positive” response to refreshed product ranges. (source)

• Next reported a 13% YoY jump in operating profit to £555m for the six months to 31 July 2025, boosted by overseas growth. (source)

• Ssense remains under founder control after winning the first round of a legal battle with creditors. The company secured protection under Canadian law to advance its restructuring plan. (source)

• Sainsbury’s has confirmed talks to sell Argos to JD.com have collapsed, ending hopes of offloading the £1bn acquisition made in 2016. (source)

• Puma shares rose nearly 5% amid growing speculation that rival Adidas could be considering a takeover. (source)

🌍 Expansion & Market Moves

• Tala is set to open its second UK store in London this autumn, building on the success of its Carnaby Street location. (source)

• Amazon has opened its first fulfilment centre in Abu Dhabi, with capacity for 8 million products, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. (source)

• Primark is marking a decade in the U.S. with plans to expand, signing 18 leases including four new locations and entering Minnesota for the first time. (source)

• Pimkie is partnering with Shein to launch on its platform in 160 countries as part of Shein’s new “Xcelerator” program, despite criticism from the wider fashion industry. (source)

🤖 Tech & Innovation

• Moonpig has credited AI-driven product personalisation and services for its “strong” start to the year. (source)

• Shein has opened its supply chain to external brands via its marketplace, offering access to its rapid 5–7 day turnaround production. (source)

• Phia, an AI-powered price-comparison app co-founded by Phoebe Gates (daughter of Bill Gates) and backed by Hailey Bieber, raised $8m in seed funding led by Kleiner Perkins. (source)

• Pinterest is testing where-to-buy links on image ads, connecting users to multiple retailers directly and driving higher engagement in trials. (source)

• Sephora is launching MySephora Shoppable Storefronts, allowing creators and influencers to curate product recommendations and earn through affiliate links. (source)

The Commerce Brief