The Commerce Brief: Fri 25th July

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

🗓️ This week’s industry updates

🤝 MediaMarkt in Talks with JD.com
MediaMarkt has confirmed it’s in “advanced” takeover talks with JD.com, following ongoing speculation about a possible deal with the Chinese eCommerce giant. (source)

📉 Frasers Group Sales Slide
Frasers Group reported a 7.4% drop in sales to £4.7B and a 24% fall in pre-tax profit, citing headwinds in the luxury sector and a retreat from gaming (including store closures for House of Fraser and Game). (source)

🛍️ Klarna x Poshmark Integration
Klarna users can now list past purchases directly on Poshmark, with item details and photos auto-filled. First-time sellers using Klarna will receive a $10 Poshmark credit. (source)

⌚ Amazon Acquires AI Wearables Startup Bee
Amazon is acquiring Bee, a $50 wearable that records and analyzes conversations. A subscription service is also planned. The deal is signed but not yet closed. (source)

🇯🇵 Trump Announces Trade Deal with Japan
A new “massive” trade pact will introduce 15% reciprocal tariffs on Japanese imports, including cars. Japan will also invest $550B into the U.S., with 90% of profits to flow stateside. (source)

📲 Temu Reclaims App Store Top Spot
After pausing its U.S. ad spend due to tariff hikes, Temu has resumed marketing - and surged back to the top of Apple’s App Store rankings. (source)

📦 B&Q Pilots Marketplace Click & Collect
B&Q is trialling a next-day click & collect service for items sold by third-party sellers on its website, bridging marketplace convenience with store-based pickup. (source)

⚠️ River Island Faces Collapse
River Island warns it could go under “within weeks” without support for its rescue plan. 33 stores are set to close, with rent cuts proposed for 71 more locations. (source)

🛒 BoohooMan Launches Marketplace
BoohooMan has rolled out a new multi-brand marketplace, Brand Locker, featuring 563 brands across fashion, fitness, accessories, and nutrition. (source)

💄 Charlotte Tilbury Opens Carnaby Flagship
The beauty brand is expanding its retail footprint with a 4,200 sq ft flagship on Carnaby Street—one of London's busiest retail gateways. (source)

🚚 Waitrose Introduces Delivery Subscription
The new ‘Waitrose Delivery Pass’ offers online shoppers flexible subscription plans (1-, 6-, or 12-month) for grocery deliveries via the app or web. (source)

🔍 M&S Rolls Out UV Recycling Tags
M&S becomes the first UK grocer to track milk bottle recycling using invisible UV tags. This tech, powered by Polytag, offers real-time packaging recycling data. (source)

⚡ John Lewis Pilots Uber Eats Delivery
John Lewis has partnered with Uber Eats to test rapid delivery of select items - blurring the lines between department store and on-demand service. (source)

📬 Evri Posts Record Parcel Volumes
Delivery firm Evri posted record results following a £57M operational investment aimed at service improvements and client growth. (source)

The Commerce Brief