The Commerce Brief: Fri 21st Nov

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

🗓️ This week’s industry updates

👢 Dr. Martens delivered a steadier first half as it continues shifting toward a consumer-first growth strategy, with group revenue dipping slightly to £322m for the 26 weeks to 28 September, but overall sales rising 0.8% thanks to a stronger performance in the Americas. (source)

💎 LuxExperience reported a strong start to fiscal 2026 across Mytheresa, Net-A-Porter, Mr Porter and YOOX, with Mytheresa leading the momentum as GMV grew 13.5% and net sales rose 12.2% to €226.3m (£199.7m), doubling adjusted EBITDA to €7.9m. As part of restructuring efforts, the group agreed to sell the assets powering The Outnet to The O Group LLC for $30m (£26.5m), with completion expected in Q1 2026. (source)

👟 Clarks, celebrating its 200th anniversary, has expanded its global digital reach by launching across major marketplaces including Shein, TikTok Shop, Secret Sales, Walmart and Target, with Dress for Less coming soon. (source)

🔎 Google is rolling out new AI-driven shopping tools ahead of the holiday season, enabling U.S. Gemini app users to receive shoppable recommendations, comparison tables, pricing insights and product images. Its updated AI Mode lets users describe what they want and get detailed product suggestions, while a new Let Google Call feature phones local stores to confirm stock, pricing and promotions. (source)

🎯 Target will release a beta version of its new shopping app on OpenAI’s ChatGPT next week, allowing customers to make multi-item purchases including fresh food and choose fulfillment options like drive up, pickup or shipping. (source)

🇩🇪 Primark is pushing to return to growth in Germany, opening its first new store in five years and planning two additional locations as it works to reverse declining sales in the market. (source)

♻️ Vinted continues its strong 2025 trajectory, with revenue up 40 percent to over €1bn and GMV surpassing €10bn. However, its recent UK and US marketplace linkage has faced backlash from UK users unhappy with the experience. (source)

👟 JD Sports warned that full-year profit will land at the lower end of expectations amid weakened UK consumer confidence. Like-for-like sales were down 1.7 percent in Q3 and down 3.3 percent specifically in the UK. (source)

🍔 Restaurant Brands International and Chinese investment group CPE have formed a $350m joint venture to expand Burger King in China, aiming to grow the chain from 1,250 restaurants to more than 4,000 by 2035. (source)

💄 Superdrug has partnered with Just Eat to offer rapid delivery of more than 8,000 health and beauty products in as little as 30 minutes. (source)

💪 Myprotein has teamed up with Mars to launch Snickers flavoured protein powders available online and in stores. (source)

💍 Oura is suing Reebok, claiming the brand’s new smart ring infringes eight patents by copying its design, sensor technology and sizing kit. The company frames the case as part of a wider pattern of copycat competitors. (source)

🛒 John Lewis has introduced a new premium retail media proposition within its redesigned Bluewater store, strengthening its in store advertising capabilities. (source)

🏬 Frasers Group has acquired Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow, adding another major site to its expanding retail real estate portfolio. (source)

🏋️ Flannels has partnered with wellness operator HiiClub to open a fitness and recovery destination inside its Leeds Briggate flagship. (source)

🇦🇺 Marks and Spencer is expanding its international presence by partnering with an Australian retailer to sell a curated selection of its food products overseas. (source)

📈 Walmart is moving its share listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq in a shift that reflects its increasing focus on technology and digital growth. (source)

The Commerce Brief