UK retailer Tesco has chosen logistics specialists Whistl to provide warehouse, fulfillment, delivery and return management services for its new e-commerce offering, F&F Online.

As part of the partnership, Whistl has worked with F&F Online to jointly develop a bespoke and robust fulfillment solution, covering delivery and returns management. The development program included IT integration to ensure a seamless purchase experience for customers, including earning Tesco Clubcard points on their F&F Online orders.

Whistl has also invested £7.5m (US$9.9m) its Lutterworth site to increase capacity by over 14,900m2 through the construction of a multi-level mezzanine structure, with over 3,700m2 per floor, complete with automated conveyors which will enable the company to process around 250,000 pick and pack items per week.

Nick Wells, executive chairman, Whistl, said, “Winning F&F Online is a great result for the Whistl Group, and I want to thank everyone across the business for their hard work in getting us ready for launch, from building the new mezzanine to integrating the IT systems into our own warehouse management system.

“This is an exciting milestone in the development of our fulfillment business, and we are looking forward to supporting Tesco F&F as it grows its online presence in the coming years.”

Author Credits- HAZEL KING, Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

On July 1, Laetitia Toupet-Delon, currently global brands general manager of L’Oréal’s dermatological beauty division (which includes among others Vichy and La Roche-Posay), will become global brand president of L’Oréal Paris, the leading brand in the French beauty giant’s portfolio.

Toupet-Delon will succeed Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, who will assume the newly created role of chief innovation and prospective [sic] officer at the group. Viguier-Hovasse was named global brand president of L’Oréal Paris in 2019, the first woman to assume the role.

Toupet-Delon joined the L’Oréal group in 1998, working in the marketing department of L’Oréal Paris and later Garnier. In 2008, she moved to the group’s dermatological beauty division, then called ‘active cosmetics’. She was named global brand president of La Roche-Posay in 2015, and was later appointed global president of all the dermatological beauty division’s brands: CeraVe, Vichy, SkinCeuticals, Skinbetter Science and La Roche-Posay.

Toupet-Delon will take charge of L’Oréal Paris, part of the L’Oréal group’s mass-market division, with a revenue estimated at over €6 billion. L’Oréal Paris is present in 150 countries.

In Q1 2025, the L’Oréal group’s revenue rose by 4.4% to reach €11.73 billion.

Author Credits- Sarah Ahssen, FASHION NETWORK

Spar Group, the South African retail giant, is expanding into telecoms with the launch of Spar Mobile, a prepaid mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) built in partnership with megsApp and backed by MTN. The move deepens the convergence of retail and telecom in Africa’s most developed mobile market, where affordability and loyalty-driven models are reshaping competition.

The MVNO will offer prepaid voice, data, and SMS services, with a twist: shoppers can earn free mobile data by purchasing selected promotional items in Spar and Tops! stores. The company claims this model could cut mobile costs for customers by up to 50%.

“The Spar Mobile offering is anchored on simplicity, affordability, and trustworthiness, giving us a chance to create one-of-a-kind deals for our customers – linking groceries and Tops! Products with free data,” said Blake Raubenheimer, omnichannel executive at Spar Group.

Customers can buy Spar Mobile SIM cards in-store for R15 ($0.80), which come preloaded with 300MB of data and R10 ($0.54) in airtime. In addition to traditional SIM cards, Spar Mobile supports eSIM functionality and number porting, and will be integrated with the Spar mobile app to simplify top-ups and account management.

“Spar is well-positioned to run and operate an MVNO. We are building the network from very competitive pricing that is simple and easy for customers to understand,” said Raubenheimer.

The launch follows similar MVNO plays from South African retailers, including Pick n Pay, TFG Connect, and Boxercom, all of which have launched MVNOs using MTN’s network. Since launching its MVNO platform in 2020, MTN has become a key enabler of retail-led telecom services in the country, second only to Cell C in MVNO hosting.

South Africa’s MVNO market is projected to hit $90.91 million in 2025, according to industry estimates, driven by growing demand for flexible, low-cost mobile alternatives. Retailers are betting that bundling mobile services with everyday purchases will not only strengthen brand loyalty among existing customers but also attract new consumers looking for seamless digital access, particularly in price-sensitive markets.

If Spar Mobile proves successful in South Africa, there is potential for expansion into other markets where Spar and MTN both operate. Countries like Botswana and Zambia, where both entities have a presence, could benefit from similar retailer-driven mobile services. A Spar-branded MVNO could serve as a practical solution for consumers in these markets, particularly if the incentive-driven model of earning free data through shopping resonates well with South African customers.

Author Credits- Sakhile Dube, techcabal

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the UN Trade and Development have signed an agreement aimed at enhancing the formulation of e-commerce and digital economy policies in the Kingdom.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the agreement will help build a framework in the Kingdom’s e-commerce sector by implementing a survey to assess the current situation and disseminating the data in accordance with international best practices.

The agreement was signed by the Kingdom’s Vice Minister of Commerce, Eman Al-Mutairi, during the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-Commerce and the Digital Economy in Geneva on May 12.

In a separate statement, UNCTAD said that Saudi Arabia has committed $1.4 million to support its work on measuring e-commerce and the digital economy.

UNCTAD has estimated that global e-commerce sales reached over $27 trillion in 2022, based on the latest available data covering businesses in 43 developed and developing economies.

Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce sector is also witnessing rapid momentum, with 40,953 businesses registered across the Kingdom by the end of 2024, representing a 10 percent year-on-year rise.

“This partnership with UNCTAD will further solidify the Kingdom’s leadership in the digital domain, enabling us to effectively measure and harness the vast economic potential of e-commerce for our businesses, thereby reinforcing our global competitiveness,” said Al-Mutairi, who is also the CEO of the Kingdom’s National Competitiveness Center.

She further added that the Kingdom is steadfastly advancing its ambitious transformation agenda by positioning itself as a diversified and competitive economy across economic, social and cultural spheres.

UN Trade and Development Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan said that measuring the actual value of e-commerce opportunities remains “a great challenge.”

She added: “Under this agreement, we will be able to develop the evidence base needed to understand the current ‘state of play’ regarding e-commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also improve measurement at the global level.”

UNCTAD said that the collaboration with Saudi Arabia consists of two tracks – domestic and international.

The domestic track will focus on assessing the degree of digital trade uptake and value of e-commerce transactions in Saudi Arabia — one of the largest economies in the Middle East.

The international track will support the work of a dedicated task group convened by UNCTAD, comprising experts from more than 25 countries and fellow international organizations.

Saudi Arabia’s National Competitiveness Center has several partnerships with international organizations to benefit from their practices and experiences in the areas of improving and developing the Kingdom’s competitiveness, and UNCTAD is one of its most important partners.

Author Credits- Nirmal Narayanan, ARAB NEWS

E-commerce logistics provider InPost has parented with online fashion retailer ASOS to provide next-day delivery service to lockers across the UK.

Shoppers will be able to select InPost lockers as their primary out-of-home delivery option at the checkout, and the service will be free for ASOS Premier customers.

David Flavell, director of delivery solutions at ASOS, commented, “We know that customers come to ASOS for the latest fashion when they want it. Adding InPost’s extensive network of over 16,000 lockers and parcel shops to our offering, with a next-day delivery, gives customers even more choice and convenience in how they get the fashion they love. We’re delighted to have InPost as our exclusive locker partner.”

Neil Kuschel, UK CEO of InPost, added, “This launch is a game changer for out-of-home delivery in the UK. By introducing the first nationwide next-day locker service, we’re setting a new standard for delivery. ASOS is the perfect partner to launch with – a brand that shares our commitment to innovation and putting customers first.”

The launch follows a series of strategic moves by InPost to accelerate its growth and enhance its infrastructure in the UK, its fastest-growing market. In April, InPost announced the acquisition of UK parcel delivery firm Yodel, expanding its last-mile capabilities.

Author Credits- HAZEL KING, Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

Dabur reported a net profit of Rs 313 crore for the fourth quarter of the 2025 financial year, marking an 8.4% year-on-year decline. The company’s revenue for the January to March quarter remained stable at Rs 2,830 crore, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation fell by 8.6% to Rs 426.8 crore.

Dabur’s advertising expenditure for the quarter stood at Rs 176.4 crore, down 3.9% compared to the Rs 183.65 crore spent in the same period last year, Indian Retailer Bureau reported. The sequential drop was more pronounced, with a 22.2% decline from Rs 226.7 crore in the October to December quarter. The cutback may reflect a reassessment of marketing priorities or efforts to enhance cost efficiency amid economic headwinds.

Despite the quarterly dip, Dabur’s total advertising investment for the full year increased modestly to Rs 864.6 crore, up 1.8% from Rs 849 crore in the previous year. This suggests the company maintained its focus on long-term brand visibility across its product categories.

The fluctuation in advertising spend comes as Dabur continues to navigate pressures on both growth and profitability in the competitive fast moving consumer goods market. The company’s annual marketing strategy appears geared towards balancing operational costs with brand-building initiatives, reflecting a cautious yet consistent approach to consumer engagement.

Author Credits- Isabelle Crossley, FASHION NETWORK

Springtime may be nearly two months in (and with recent sunny weather, Britons may already be thinking of summer) but Burberry has linked up with the King and Queen’s private residence, Highgrove to “welcome springtime” via a capsule collection.

It celebrates the label’s “relationship with Highgrove Gardens, which surround the private residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Honouring our British heritage as a proud Royal Warrant holder, the Highgrove x Burberry collection promotes the work of The King’s Foundation, which acts as custodian of Highgrove Gardens, and reflects King Charles III’s long-standing interest in environmental conservation”.

The company said the 28-piece capsule is “full of British charm, [it] celebrates the vibrant designs of artist Helen Bullock. Taking her cues from the natural world, Bullock has created four artworks inspired by the Kitchen Garden at Highgrove – a walled oasis where nature’s design meets careful cultivation”.

She’s drawn inspiration from its trees, arbours and cascading flowers – alongside its honeybees and fountain for menswear, womenswear and accessories and said she “fell for the tangled sway of wildflowers and that special combination of dancing poppies and cosmos”.

As well as the natural inspiration from Highrove the collection also speaks of “Burberry’s deep-rooted relationship with the outdoors” and the main material of each piece is made from either certified wool, organic cotton or organic silk.

It’s the fourth joint collection from the label in conjunction with the charity and Scott Simpson, retail director for The King’s Foundation, hailed the “strong relationship between Burberry and Highgrove”.

The supporting campaign showcases the Highgrove x Burberry collection alongside a selection of core pieces, in a series of family moments amid “the beauty of a British country house and garden”.

Actors Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael and Sope Dirisu wear a selection of pieces in a portfolio of portraits, shot by photographer Camille Summers-Valli. The use of McGovern and Carmichael is likely to add to the appeal as they’re known for their roles in the acclaimed TV series Downton Abbey (much loved by British heritage fans globally), while Dìrísù recently played the title character in period drama film Mr Malcolm’s List.

In-store selected locations will feature window displays with “a standout display in Qingdao, China, inspired by the work of Helen Bullock”. Bespoke installations can also be seen in Miami, Sanlitun in Beijing, and Regent Street, London, which will also feature, adorned with florals and benches reminiscent of a British country garden.

Author Credits- Sandra Halliday, FASHION NETWORK

News Credits- ZAWYA BY LSEG

The retail chain, which is expanding aggressively, is set to cross 1,100 stores soon and aims to become EBITDA-positive with ₹60 crore profit in FY’26

Amazon and Samara Capital-backed supermarket chain More Retail is planning to raise around ₹2,000 crore through an initial public offer (IPO), which is expected to hit the market in the calendar year 2026, a top company official said on Monday.

The proposed fund-raise plan will be mostly through fresh capital infusion, with no significant offer-for-sale component, as promoters, Samara Capital and Amazon, who hold 51% and 48% stake respectively, are unlikely to offload their shares, he said, adding that the remaining stake is held by family offices.

“We are looking at an IPO in 12–18 months, depending on valuation and market conditions. We hope to raise ₹2,000 crore, and the current promoter dilution could be about 10%,” More Retail Managing Director Vinod Nambiar said.

He said the funds will be used primarily to expand the store count to 3,000 by 2030 and to make the company nearly debt-free.

The current debt stands at about ₹500 crore, consisting of loans and non-convertible debentures (NCDs), the company official said.

Both promoters have a long-term commitment to the business and pumped in ₹900 crore over the past five years in addition to the acquisition cost of ₹4,300 crore.

“More Retail raised ₹150 crore in the last 120 days from family offices to benchmark valuation,” Nambiar said.

The retail chain, which is expanding aggressively, is set to cross 1,100 stores soon and aims to become EBITDA-positive with ₹60 crore profit in FY’26, he said.

The company reported a ₹65 crore EBITDA loss in FY’24, as per Ind AS accounting standards.

“It will take two years to achieve PAT-level profitability,” he added.

The retailer is also deepening its partnership with Amazon Fresh. Currently, 270 of its stores serve Amazon Fresh, and this number is expected to rise to 370 by July, and further to 500–600 stores by the end of the current fiscal year, Nambiar said.

The company’s offline and hybrid store count is projected to exceed 1,100 by FY’26, while the number of ‘dark’ outlets will also grow from the existing 40 to 100 by then.

‘Dark’ stores only cater to online orders.

Most of the expansion will take place in smaller towns, and during the current fiscal, Jharkhand and Odisha will be added to its footprint, Nambiar said.

More Retail currently has a strong presence in South India, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana, and the NCR, having exited from Delhi city and Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Nambair said West Bengal is a key market and the company is the largest in West Bengal in terms of the number of stores.

The company has 109 stores in Bengal and will add 90 outlets in the next two years.

News Credits- THE HINDU