Some local businesses have responded with discounts and improved service, while others have raised prices in response to increased demand

AMMAN — Online orders to Jordan have faced unexpected disruptions in recent days, as rising tensions between Israel and Iran ripple across regional logistics networks.

While no official suspension of deliveries to Jordan has been announced by global e-commerce platforms, many Jordanians are reporting delays, particularly with popular services.

Social media platforms have been flooded with comments from customers expressing confusion and frustration.

“My order has been stuck in customs for days,” one user wrote. “There are so many people saying the same thing… orders from many applications just stopped arriving.” Another customer commented, “Everything is delayed.

Although many official retail websites still show that they deliver to Jordan, customers are facing disruptions due to changes in air freight routes or temporary blocks in regional airspace, particularly affecting carriers that transit through or near Israeli territory.

On the ground, Jordanian retailers are already feeling the effects of this shift.

“We have definitely noticed more customers coming in recently,” said Ibtisam Azzam, manager of a women’s boutique in Amman.

“Some of them would normally wait for their online orders, but with all the delays, they are buying locally instead. It is a strange situation, but it is helping shops like ours,” Azzam noted.

This sudden rerouting of demand towards domestic retailers has been welcomed by many in the “struggling” retail sector, which has faced “stiff” competition from international platforms offering cheaper prices and broader selections, Sultan Allan, President of the Textile and Readymade Clothes Syndicate, told The Jordan Times.

Some local businesses have responded with discounts and improved service, while others have raised prices in response to increased demand.

Economist Said Hussein, told The Jordan Times that the disruption is a double-edged sword.

“Local retailers are benefiting in the short term, but whether this will lead to a long-term behavioural shift among consumers depends on how competitive and reliable the local offering becomes. People still want value and variety,” Hussein highlighted.

Author Credits- Maria Weldali
ZAWYA BY LSEG

Amazon has deepened its commitment to Britain, with the e-commerce giant saying it plans to invest 40 billion pounds ($54 billion) over the next three years, a move the UK government hailed as a vote of confidence in its economic policies.

Elected in 2024, the Labour government has made boosting Britain’s anaemic growth a priority and wants to see a step up in foreign investment.

Amazon (AMZN.O) said on Tuesday its expansion in Britain, its third biggest market after the United States and Germany, would create thousands of jobs. It currently employs 75,000 in the UK, making it a top ten private sector employer.

Its plan includes building two new state-of-the-art fulfilment centres in the East Midlands, central England, expected to open in 2027, as well as previously announced new centres in Hull, northern England, and Northampton, central England, that will open this year and next year respectively.

The Hull and Northampton sites will each create 2,000 jobs.

Amazon also plans new delivery stations across the UK, upgrades and expansions to its existing network of over 100 operations buildings, investment to enhance its transport infrastructure, two new buildings at its corporate headquarters in London and the redevelopment of the Bray Film Studios in Berkshire, southern England.

The 40 billion pounds figure includes part of the 8 billion pounds announced by Amazon’s cloud computing arm in September 2024 for building, operating, and maintaining data centres in the UK from 2024 to 2028. It also includes salaries for Amazon employees.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose government on Monday detailed its industrial strategy, said Amazon’s plans represented “a massive vote of confidence in the UK as the best place to do business.”

On Friday, Britain’s grocery regulator launched an investigation into Amazon, probing whether it breached rules on timely supplier payments.

($1 = 0.7423 pounds)

Author Credits- James Davey
Reuters

As Prime Day approaches, Amazon is turning to luxury goods to help offset the impact of tariffs.

President Donald Trump’s trade measures have prompted some sellers — particularly those sourcing from China and other heavily taxed markets — to withdraw from the event, one of Amazon’s largest annual sales campaigns, in an effort to protect their margins.

Amazon Prime Day is now a four-day shopping event exclusively for Amazon Prime members, taking place this year from July 8 to July 11.

The Seattle-based e-commerce company is hoping that recent sales growth in high-margin cosmetics in its Amazon Premium Beauty category will cushion the impact of tariffs on Prime Day sales revenue and consumer sentiment.

“Beauty has become, in the past few years, more of an essential item in consumers’ minds,” even in hard financial times, said Anna Mayo, vice president of NielsenIQ’s beauty vertical unit.

Amazon Premium Beauty was initially shunned by luxury cosmetic players who feared the platform would harm their image when it was launched in 2013. But those days are gone. Now, the online retailer is promoting products from top beauty and haircare brands, including Estée Lauder’s Clinique, Olaplex and L’Oréal’s Urban Decay.

During last year’s Prime Day event, U.S. shoppers spent $14.2 billion, up 11% year over year, according to Adobe Analytics. Top cosmetics brands can charge high prices and often do not offer steep discounts on Prime Day compared with electronics, apparel and home goods.

This year, beauty product deals are expected to feature “milder” discounts of 10% to 17%, compared to electronics promotions, which may range from 14% to 22% off, according to Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.

Thanks to smaller packaging and less aggressive markdowns, Amazon Premium Beauty merchandise typically yields higher margins than many other Prime Day offerings.

Amazon “doesn’t make a huge margin in most of the categories it sells online,” said Renee Parker, co-founder of consultancy firm Invinci and a former Amazon executive. “They are making a lot of money on premium beauty products because … (they’re) small and expensive, and you can ship a ton of them.” Vitamins and supplements are successful for similar reasons.

Amazon Premium Beauty sales gathered steam after the e-commerce giant began clamping down on counterfeits and top beauty companies needed new ways to reach customers, said Alfonso Emanuele de Leon, a beauty industry veteran and partner at FA Hong Kong Consultancy.

Amazon was previously viewed as a pariah by luxury beauty brands because of the cheap merchandise on the website, but is no longer perceived that way, said Emanuele de Leon.

‘Huge acceleration’

Sales at Amazon Premium Beauty rose by nearly 20% to $15 billion between April 2024 and April 2025, outpacing the 14% growth for beauty products outside the specialized e-commerce store, according to NielsenIQ. It also outpaced the year-over-year growth of 5% for online store sales in the first quarter, NielsenIQ said.

L’Oréal Chief Executive Nicolas Hieronimus said during the company’s annual meeting in April that having products on Amazon led to a “huge acceleration” in expanding its U.S. market share.

Estée Lauder has launched 11 brands on Amazon’s U.S. site since March 2024. More than 75% of Estée’s finished goods sold in the U.S. originate from the U.S. or Canada and are therefore protected by existing trade agreements, Roberto Canevari, Estée Lauder’s global supply chain executive vice president, said at a conference in June.

Lauren Gordon, vice president of Amazon at Estée Lauder, said that Prime Day and Amazon’s other “high-traffic shopping moments” give the company a chance to “attract both new and existing customers.”

Melis del Rey, general manager for health and beauty for Amazon U.S. stores, said her team has been “very proactive” in working with premium brands to determine tariff impacts.

“At a high level, most of the premium brands’ sourcing strategies are local, and therefore, the (tariff) impact is less imminent,” del Rey said.

Amazon Premium Beauty is an invite-only program for brands shipped and sold by Amazon and third-party sellers. The program has grown to more than 10,000 products, and brands’ eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Brands like Dyson and Estée Lauder’s Aveda pay an extra 15% commission to Amazon for every website sale, and the third-party seller approach allows major brands to control pricing and inventory.

By adding prestige brands like Unilever’s Dermalogica, Amazon has strengthened its position against established beauty retailers such as Ulta Beauty and LVMH-owned Sephora. The move is also helping the platform appeal to older, higher-income shoppers—just as TikTok Shop continues to capture a younger, trend-driven audience.

News Credits- FASHION NETWORK

Haulage firm Burgoynes, based in Herefordshire in the UK, has joined The APC network to offer overnight parcel delivery, strengthening its last-mile delivery services for local SME customers.

The company will use its existing 1,858m2 warehouse to support its parcel service operations and will leverage The APC’s nationwide reach to help local businesses connect with new customers across the country.

Debbie Spencer, depot principal at Burgoynes, commented, “Burgoynes has been a trusted name in Herefordshire for over a century, and we are incredibly proud to be expanding our services with The APC. We’ve always prioritized strong relationships with our customers, and the introduction of our parcel division means we can now offer them a truly integrated logistics solution.

“The APC’s commitment to exceptional service and supporting SMEs around the country aligns perfectly with our values, and we’re excited to see how this partnership will help us support even more local businesses.”

As part of Burgoynes’ service expansion, it has appointed Charlie Mason as parcels manager to oversee the firm’s parcel operations. Mason will lead the new division and manage a newly recruited team of five dedicated to operations and customer service.

Author Credits- HAZEL KING
Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

A major Australian supermarket chain is ready to tough it against Coles and Woolworths as the major players wage war to lure cash-shy shoppers to their stores.

A major Australian supermarket chain is ready to tough it out against Coles and Woolworths as the two giants wage war to lure cash-shy shoppers to their stores.

Metcash, the parent company of IGA and Foodland, on Monday revealed an 8.9 per cent sales lift for the 12 months to April 30, while net profit jumped 10 per cent.

The company’s boss Doug Jones said Metcash was ready for some heightened competition in the supermarket space as the two major players embark on a price war.

“We absolutely are able to compete with them,” Mr Jones told The Australian.

“We are very clear that our processes of monitoring their (Woolworths and Coles) pricing and adjusting our own will continue to be effective.

“And we’re able to react quickly, and we do, and so we feel confident that we can and do continue to be highly competitive in what we offer our shoppers.”

In its financial results, Metcash said food sales (excluding tobacco) jumped 20 per cent in part due to the company acquiring restaurant, cafes and canteens supplier Super Foods and opening 22 new IGA stores in the year.

The solid sales boost comes as Metcash makes about seven per cent of the supermarket sales in Australia, according to estimates from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Aldi has nine per cent of the market while Coles has 29 per cent and Woolworths controls about 38 per cent.

Woolworths in May struck the first blow in the new price war by vowing to slash the costs of more than 400 groceries in a $100m move.

It claimed a family that spends $150 on their weekly shop could save about $15 per week when purchasing the discounted products, which include Greek yoghurt, frozen berries, rice, chicken schnitzel and more.

The leading supermarket giant’s play follows Coles outperforming Woolworths in terms of sales growth over recent months.

Coles struck a blow at Woolworths earlier this month when it revealed plans to cut prices on more than 300 items including household staples in part of its latest “Down Down” campaign.

The latest CHOICE quarterly report on supermarket prices across Australia showed Aldi continues to be the cheapest of the major stores while IGA was the most expensive.

In December, the consumer group recorded the prices of 14 common groceries across 104 Coles, Woolworths, IGA and Aldi stores.

CHOICE chief executive Ashley de Silva said Coles and Aldi had both shown price drops over the 12 months to December, while a Woolworths shop had increased in price.

“From March 2024 to December 2024, Aldi’s basket price with specials remained almost unchanged, decreasing by just 0.3 per cent. In March, Aldi’s basket was $51.51, compared to $51.36 in December,” Mr de Silva said.

“The Coles basket with specials cost on average $68.52 in March, compared to $66.84 in December – a 2.5 per cent decrease.

“The Woolworths basket with specials increased by 3.7 per cent, with the price going from $64.93 in the first quarter to $67.34 in the latest quarter.”

Coles and Woolworths were found to be some of the world’s most profitable supermarket businesses in the world.

An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry also determined some supermarket’s promotions can also make it tricky for customers to judge whether they are getting a good deal.

A final report put forward 20 recommendations, which included greater transparency for suppliers, regulations on promotional practices, and improving competition in the supermarket sector.

Author Credits- James Harrison
Sky news.COM.AU

Meta (META.O), said on Friday that it has teamed up with Oakley to release AI-powered smart glasses, expanding its push into wearable tech after the success of its Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

The social media company is expanding its partnership with Oakley and Ray-Ban-parent EssilorLuxottica (ESLX.PA), amid growing consumer interest in AI-powered wearable devices.

Meta has sold millions of Ray-Ban Meta glasses since their launch and said its “Oakley Meta HSTN” will feature a hands-free high-resolution camera, open-ear speakers, water resistance and Meta AI capabilities.

The limited-edition product will be available for preorder starting July 11 at $499, with additional products starting at $399 launching later this summer.

Meta said the product line would roll out in North America, Australia and several European countries, with plans to expand to Mexico, India and the United Arab Emirates by the year-end.

The Oakley Meta HSTN will debut this month at several major sporting events including Fanatics Fest and UFC International Fight Week.

Smaller rival Snap (SNAP.N) said earlier this month it would launch its smart glasses, called Specs, for consumers next year. Companies such as Google are also exploring similar investments.

News Credits- Reuters

Prada announced on Sunday that its CEO Gianfranco D’Attis will leave the Italian luxury brand at the end of the month.

The company said the chief executive’s departure was by “mutual agreement,” as reported by Reuters.

Prada Group CEO Andrea Guerra will take on the role of CEO of its signature brand on an interim basis until a successor is found.

D’Attis was appointed to CEO at the Milan-headquartered firm in 2022, a newly created role at Prada, which sits alongside sister brand Miu Miu, as well as Church’s, Car Shoe, Marchesi 1824, and Luna Rossa, in the Prada Group fold. In April, the group also confirmed it was acquiring fellow Italian luxury label Versace from Capri Holdings for 1.25 billion euros.

Reporting to Guerra, D’Attis’s recruitment came at a time of significant restructuring for the company, which saw the now former CEO ​replace chairman Patrizio Bertelli and Miuccia Prada, who were previously co-CEOs of the group and of the Prada brand.

Prior to Prada, the luxury veteran served as president of Christian Dior Couture Americas, following a stint ​as international managing director of Jaeger-LeCoultre, part of the Richemont group, where he spent most of his early career.

From 2003, D’Attis worked for watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen for eleven years, first as brand director for the Middle East, India and Turkey, before taking over as head of the United States and Canada from 2011. In 2014, he moved to Richemont’s fashion darling Chloé as international director, where he led the strategic development of the French brand, as well as its commercial growth worldwide.

Four years later, in August 2018, he returned to the watchmaking sector, this time working for another Richemont brand, Jaeger-LeCoultre.

D’Attis’s departure comes just hours after the Prada brand showcased its latest men’s collection for the Spring/Summer 2026 season as part of Milan Fashion Week on Sunday. Tellingly, the CEO was not present.

In its most recent trading update, Prada Group saw first-quarter net revenue rise 13% at constant exchange rates, held up by Miu Miu, which retail sales soar 60% year-over-year. Prada sales, however, were relatively flat during the three months.

News Credits- FASHION NETWORK

Amazon India launches at-home diagnostics in 6 cities, completing its integrated healthcare offering with pharmacy and virtual doctor consultations. Discover how Amazon is simplifying healthcare access in India.

Amazon India is set to revolutionize the way Indians access healthcare, announcing on Sunday, June 22, 2025, its foray into the at-home diagnostics space. This strategic move marks the completion of Amazon’s ambitious healthcare service trifecta in the country, seamlessly integrating lab testing with its existing online pharmacy and virtual doctor consultation offerings. Now, a comprehensive outpatient journey, from consultation to testing to medicine delivery, can all be managed conveniently through the ubiquitous Amazon app.

This latest expansion builds upon Amazon’s growing presence in India’s health-tech landscape. Three years ago, Amazon Pharmacy made waves by bringing online medicine delivery to doorsteps across the nation. Just six months prior, the company introduced Amazon Clinic, a virtual doctor consultation service catering to over a hundred health conditions, making expert medical advice more accessible than ever.

Jayaramakrishnan Balasubramanian, Category Leader for Amazon Diagnostics, emphasized the significance of this launch. “Diagnostics truly closes the outpatient loop,” he explained, highlighting how the new service connects testing directly with doctor consultations and medicine delivery, all effortlessly accessible within the familiar Amazon ecosystem.

For this crucial expansion, Amazon Diagnostics has forged a partnership with Orange Health Labs, a company established in 2020-21, known for its focus on responsive and reliable diagnostics. The at-home testing services are initially rolling out in six major cities: Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Covering over 450 pin codes, these services will be operational from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, promising unparalleled convenience.

While the diagnostic services are beginning with a focused reach, Amazon is confident in its ability to scale, drawing parallels with its online medicine delivery service, which is currently its fastest-growing offering and boasts widespread functionality across a majority of pin codes nationwide.

Patients can now choose from an extensive menu of over 800 diagnostic tests. What truly sets this service apart is the promise of doorstep sample collection in under 60 minutes and, for routine tests, digital reports delivered in as little as 6 hours. This focus on speed and efficiency aims to address long-standing challenges in India’s fragmented diagnostics market, such as long wait times and accessibility gaps.

Mr. Balasubramanian reiterated Amazon’s commitment to a holistic healthcare experience. “With Amazon Pharmacy, customers gain access to a wide array of prescription medications and healthcare essentials, coupled with free telemedicine consultations and delivery benefits for both Prime and non-Prime members,” he stated. He added that Amazon Clinic empowers customers to consult licensed doctors for various primary healthcare needs through a streamlined digital experience. “The addition of Diagnostics brings lab testing into the same continuum of care. With all three services now integrated, a connected outpatient journey, from consultation to testing, is offered in a single interface on Amazon Medical in a full-stack health model,” he proudly affirmed.

Acknowledging the presence of established players like Tata-1MG and PharmEasy in online pharmacy, and Practo in virtual consultations, Amazon Medical firmly believes in the vast untapped potential of the Indian healthcare market. “The market is largely fragmented. While there are several established players, it’s not about speed alone, but about how your ecosystem is built,” Mr. Balasubramanian explained, hinting at Amazon’s integrated approach as a key differentiator.

While Amazon Medical chose not to disclose the financial investment poured into building this comprehensive healthcare suite, Mr. Balasubramanian shed light on the reach and efficiency of their existing services. “For Pharmacy, we receive a significant number of orders even from Tier two and three towns,” he noted, highlighting their wide accessibility. He elaborated on their robust fulfillment model, which involves working with multiple accredited sellers operating over twenty-five warehouses and licensed pharmacies. “When an order is received, the seller ships it, and Amazon delivers it to the customer,” he clarified, emphasizing strict compliance and extensive delivery coverage. Same-day delivery is available in 23 cities, with standard delivery covering other areas, offering prescription and chronic medications, wellness products, and medical devices. Auto-refill and subscription options, with discounts up to 25% on select categories and additional savings for Prime members, further enhance convenience and affordability.

Regarding Amazon Clinic, Mr. Balasubramanian revealed that consultations have already reached “thousands” since its launch, starting at a competitive ₹299. Patients can consult licensed doctors across various specializations, including general physicians, dermatologists, gynecologists, and pediatricians. The average end-to-end consultation time is remarkably efficient at around 13 minutes, complemented by free 7-day follow-up support for every consultation.

Amazon Medical views its venture into India’s healthcare services as a long-term commitment. “Growth in healthcare services is measured in a multi-decadal manner. It’s not a limited scope runway,” Mr. Balasubramanian concluded, signaling Amazon’s intent to be a significant and enduring player in shaping the future of healthcare in India.

News Credits- BIZZ BUZZ