The Commerce Brief: Fri 28th Nov

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

🗓️ This week’s industry updates

🏷️ Lululemon has taken an unusually bold legal step by securing a trademark application for the term ‘LULULEMON DUPE’ in the US - a move that hints at a new strategy to reclaim control over the rapidly growing “dupe culture” surrounding the brand. (source)

🤖🛍️ OpenAI has introduced a new “shopping research” feature in ChatGPT, positioning the chatbot as a personal shopping advisor. Users can now describe what they’re looking for - from home appliances to niche beauty products - and receive tailored buyers guides complete with comparisons and rationale. This expands ChatGPT’s utility beyond Q&A and productivity into retail decision-making, representing another step toward AI-powered shopping journeys. (source)

📦 InPost has deepened its UK footprint through a new partnership with eBay that allows consumers to both send and receive parcels via InPost’s nationwide lockers and parcel shops. With parcel delivery costs rising, this collaboration provides a low-friction and more affordable shipping alternative for eBay buyers and sellers, while also supporting InPost’s ambition to grow its out-of-home delivery ecosystem. (source)

📈 Debenhams Group (formerly Boohoo Group) reported a significant improvement in profitability in the six months to 31 August 2025. The uplift signals that the retailer’s long-term turnaround strategy is gaining momentum, with its pivot toward a marketplace model beginning to deliver operational efficiencies and margin recovery. (source)

🔁 ASOS will relaunch its brand next year as the final phase of its strategic review, following a difficult FY25 where revenue declined 15% to £2.5bn. The business is doubling down on creators and product-led storytelling in an effort to revive relevance and win back younger shoppers. (source)

🚫 France is calling for online retailer Shein to be suspended across the country for three months after banned weapons and childlike sex dolls were found on the platform, Reuters reports. The push represents one of the strongest regulatory responses yet to Shein’s marketplace oversight issues and underscores mounting political pressure on fast-fashion platforms operating at scale. (source)

🚲👗 Fashion rental app By Rotation has partnered with e-bike operator Lime to promote more sustainable holiday-season behaviour in London. The collaboration encourages consumers to travel via micromobility and rent rather than buy outfits for festive events - combining two growing movements: circular fashion and greener urban transport. (source)

🎥✨ Topshop is advancing into AI-powered retail experiences by partnering with THG Studios to launch an immersive, AI-driven catwalk show in Manchester on 26 February 2026. (source)

🐆 China’s Anta Group - owner of Wolfskin and Fila - is exploring a potential bid for Puma, with Asics and Li Ning also reportedly evaluating the opportunity as Kering prepares to divest its longstanding stake. A deal of this scale would reshape the global sportswear landscape, particularly in Asia, where competition for premium athletic brands is intensifying. (source)

 🚚 Temu continues its rapid European expansion through a series of new logistics deals, including partnerships with Royal Mail in the UK and bpost in Belgium. These agreements will support faster and more reliable delivery across key markets as the ultra-low-cost platform ramps up its competitive pressure on Amazon, Shein and local ecommerce players. (source)

📊 India’s online marketplace Meesho is preparing to raise up to $605 million via an IPO, joining a wave of high-growth tech companies tapping into India’s booming public markets. (source)

👓 Alibaba has entered a rare consumer hardware push by launching its new Quark smart glasses in China, powered by its Qwen AI models. The device underscores Alibaba’s ambition to integrate AI agents into everyday life, providing real-time translation, information retrieval and productivity tools directly through eyewear. (source)

🛒🇦🇪 Dubai has extended its annual 3 Day Super Sale for Eid Al Etihad, rolling out discounts of up to 90% across more than 500 brands and 2,000 stores from 28 November to 2 December. The event is expected to generate a major uplift in footfall and spend, continuing Dubai’s strategy of using large-scale shopping festivals to boost tourism and retail activity. (source)

🍽️✨ Deliveroo has become the first delivery platform to integrate Nectar points, one of the UK’s largest loyalty programs. This move expands Nectar’s ecosystem while giving Deliveroo users added value on everyday orders - a strategic lever for retention in the highly competitive food delivery market. (source)

💼💎 TikTok Shop is accelerating its push into luxury retail, now hosting high-value authenticated resale items including $11,000 handbags from Hermes and Chanel, as well as premium sneakers and watches from brands like Rolex and Cartier. Most listings come from vetted second-hand resellers, signalling TikTok’s ambition to transform its marketplace into a credible destination for both Gen Z shoppers and luxury enthusiasts. (source)

The Commerce Brief