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

✦ Store Openings & Physical Retail

👗 Marks & Spencer has confirmed its debut appearance at London Fashion Week this September, presenting a "see now, buy now" womenswear and menswear collection to mark the retailer's 100th anniversary in fashion. (source)

🏬 New Look has opened its largest-ever concept store at Metrocentre in Gateshead on 9 July, marking a milestone in the brand's investment in connected shopping experiences and cementing its 20-year presence at the destination. (source)

🛍️ Damson Madder has opened its first permanent retail space at Selfridges' Oxford Street flagship, representing the London fashion label's largest physical retail presence to date. (source)

✦ Revenue & Financial Updates

🏆 Walmart has retained the top spot on the NRF Top 100 Retailers list for 2026. (source)

📊 Bernard Arnault and his family, who control LVMH, have reclaimed first place in France's ranking of largest business fortunes, according to Challenges, displacing the Hermès heirs who had held the top position the prior year. (source)

👖 Levi Strauss & Co. reported Q2 sales of $1.6bn, up 8% year-on-year across all channels and regions, lifting its full-year guidance. (source)

✦ Content & Loyalty

🎯 Dick's Sporting Goods has introduced a new paid membership tier, ScoreCard+, priced at $99 per year, offering members free shipping on all orders, 20% off in-store services, and additional benefits alongside updates to its free loyalty programme. (source)

🏠 Home Depot has added new rewards for its Pro Xtra members through a Rewards Hub, including partnerships with 7-Eleven, Jimmy John's, Tecovas, and Rosie's AI Answering Service, available regardless of spending or membership tier. (source)

✦ International Expansion

🌍 Tesco is exploring options for its operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia as it considers selling its Central European business to focus on its home market. (source)

🌐 Herbert Levine has launched its e-commerce platform a year into its relaunch, developing a direct-to-consumer strategy alongside its international growth ambitions. (source)

🌏 Represent has announced it will open a store in Cape Town, South Africa, marking the British streetwear brand's first retail location on the continent. (source)

🇮🇳 lululemon has announced its first store in India, opening at DLF Promenade in New Delhi this autumn under a franchise agreement with Tata CLiQ. (source)

✦ Marketplaces & Platforms

📚 TikTok Shop has reported more than 250% year-on-year growth in the UK books category over the last 12 months, with the platform now established as the third-largest online e-commerce platform in the UK. (source)

🇰🇷 The Hyundai, the South Korean department store, has launched an experimental e-commerce platform featuring more than 3,000 brands, generating approximately $35.3m in gross merchandise value since its soft launch in April. (source)

✦ Deals & Acquisitions

💰 Kroger is acquiring Giant Eagle in a $1.65bn deal, marking one of the most significant grocery consolidation moves of 2026. (source)

🤝 L'Oréal and Gucci have signed an exclusive 50-year licensing agreement for L'Oréal to develop and distribute Gucci Beauty products, taking effect next summer following the early termination of Gucci's existing licence with Coty. (source)

That's a wrap for this week! If you found this useful or if you have any feedback, hit reply and let me know, or share it with someone in the industry who'd enjoy the read. See you next Friday. 📬

Thanks - Sue