The Commerce Brief: Fri 8th August

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

🗓️ This week’s industry updates

🌐 Al-Futtaim Acquires Stake in Cenomi Retail
Al-Futtaim has signed an agreement to acquire a 49.95% stake in Saudi Arabia's Cenomi Retail, valuing the deal at over $670M. The deal is based on an $11.73 share price and awaits regulatory approvals. (source)

💼 E.l.f Beauty Grows Despite Tariff Pressure
E.l.f. Beauty reported a 9% increase in net sales to $353M in Q1, driven by strong retail and eCommerce performance, despite a 2% contraction in gross margin due to tariffs. After a successful launch in Sephora Mexico, the mass beauty brand will also continue its expansion with Sephora in the Middle East. (source)

📅 Otto Group Exits Netherlands
After 46 years, Otto is exiting the Dutch market due to unprofitable operations, affecting 70 employees. The brand's marketplace model failed to gain traction outside Germany. (source)

💰 Zalando Ups Forecast, Launches AI Discovery Feed
Zalando has raised its full-year guidance after 7.3% revenue growth and a successful About You acquisition. A new AI-powered discovery feed is launching across six markets to enhance personalization and drive ad revenue. (source)

🌇 Sunglass Hut Boosts Store Visits via CTV
Sunglass Hut saw a 6x increase in store traffic and 76% drop in cost-per-visit with its connected TV campaign using QR codes and 3D try-on filters. (source)

📱 Primark Launches First Mobile App
Primark has debuted its first customer mobile app in Ireland and Italy, allowing customers to browse collections, check stock in real-time, and use personalized features. UK rollout to follow within 18 months. (source)

🏠 JD.com x IKEA Launch in China
JD.com and IKEA have launched a flagship store on JD’s platform, offering 6,500+ products, including exclusive gaming furniture. (source)

✨ Debenhams Launches AI Skills Academy
Debenhams Group is equipping employees with practical AI skills via its new AI Skills Academy, funded through its £1.35M Apprenticeship Levy. (source)

🏋️ THG Expands Myprotein in South Korea
Myprotein will enter offline channels in South Korea for the first time through a licensing deal with SG Safety Corporation, part of CJ Group. (source)

📈 Next Raises Guidance After Strong Q2
Next reported 10.5% YoY growth in full-price sales, beating guidance by £49M. Sales were boosted by strong weather and M&S’s cyber incident. (source)

🚚 Deliveroo Sees Growth Ahead of DoorDash Deal
Deliveroo reported 8% revenue growth to £1.05B and a surge in orders ahead of its planned £5B acquisition by DoorDash later this year. (source)

👗 Adanola Secures Investment at $530M Valuation
UK womenswear brand Adanola has sold a minority stake to LA-based private equity firm STORY3 Capital Partners. (source)

⛔️ Shein Fined for Misleading Sustainability Claims
Italy’s AGCM fined Shein €1M for "deceptive" green marketing in campaigns such as #SHEINTHEKNOW and evoluSHEIN. (source)

👩‍💻 Puma Hires Adidas CIO as COO
Andreas Hubert, CIO at Adidas, has been appointed COO at Puma, overseeing sourcing, sustainability, IT, and logistics. (source)

😷 Boots Expands At-Home Health Tests
Boots is launching 9 new DNA and blood test kits for health insights, including cholesterol, hormone levels, and food intolerances. (source)

The Commerce Brief