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

✦ Partnerships & Payments

💳 Apple has teamed up with Klarna to launch Apple Upgrade, a lease-to-own programme for iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches. Lease terms run up to 24 months for iPhones and watches and up to 36 months for Macs and iPads, with the option to keep, return or upgrade devices at the end. The move comes as Apple raises prices amid an industry-wide memory chip shortage. (source)

🛍️ lululemon is taking Klarna from online checkout to the shop floor, extending BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) to its in-store experience. (source)

🤝 Depop has teamed up with Zara Larsson for a global campaign. (source)

📡 Asda has partnered with Amazon Ads for its George and grocery brands, becoming the first retailer outside the US to introduce Amazon Retail Ad Service to its online stores. (source)

✦ Revenue & Financial Updates

📈 Burberry posted Q1 retail revenue of £455m, up 5% year on year, with comparable store sales rising across womenswear, menswear, accessories and childrenswear for the first time in three years. The US market led with 12% growth and China rose 9%. (source)

📊 Allegro Group reported a 14% increase in GMV, as the Polish e-commerce platform continues to gain momentum across its international marketplaces. (source)

🎮 GameStop has acquired a 10% stake in eBay, following its rejected £41bn takeover bid earlier this year. (source)

✦ Regulatory & Legal

⚖️ Nike has been ordered to pay over $7.5m in a discrimination case following a jury verdict, while separately announcing plans to cut thousands of online distributors in China to strengthen brand control. (source) (source)

🚨 AliExpress has been hit with a record €550m EU fine over the sale of illegal and counterfeit goods on its platform. (source)

✦ Marketplaces & Platforms

🌍 Etsy has become the first marketplace to offer Royal Mail's EU duties paid service, while eBay has boosted international selling support for UK entrepreneurs, side hustlers and small businesses. Both moves aim to simplify cross-border selling for UK-based sellers. (source) (source)

🍷 TikTok Shop is piloting alcohol sales with three-stage age checks, marking a significant expansion of its product categories. (source)

🚀 Tesco has added Deliveroo and Uber to its q-commerce offering, expanding the ways customers can get rapid grocery delivery. (source)

✦ Content & Loyalty

🎬 Albertsons has launched a micro-sitcom as part of its retail media strategy, marking a new format in branded content for grocery retailers. (source)

📱 Yeo Valley Organic has launched its first loyalty app, developed by Apadmi, to deepen customer engagement with the dairy brand. (source)

💄 Sephora has launched its My Sephora loyalty programme in the Middle East. (source)

📺 M&S, Currys, Boots and Next have joined YouTube's Shopping Affiliate Programme as part of its UK launch, allowing creators to tag and earn from products in their videos. (source)

👗 Gap Inc. has launched a creator affiliate and social media programme, extending to employees as part of its broader push into social commerce. (source)

✦ International Expansion & Store Openings

🇦🇪 On, the Swiss sportswear brand, has opened its first UAE store despite the backdrop of Middle East tensions. (source)

🇬🇧 Lefties, the Inditex-owned value fashion brand, is set to open its first UK store at Liverpool One next month. (source)

🏬 Decathlon has launched Aldi-style middle aisle discounts in the UK and Ireland, initially for back-to-school season. (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