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Zalando’s Q2 GMV and revenue rise, e-tailer ups guidance after About You buy

August 6, 2025Latest Newse-tailer, Q2 GMV, revenue rise, ZalandoAdmin

German online fashion e-tailer Zalando saw its gross merchandise volumes (GMV) rising in Q2, it said on Tuesday, when it also raised its full-year guidance to include newly acquired About You.

It’s working to grab an even bigger share of the €450 billion European online fashion sector and in Q2, GMV rose 5% to €4.1 billion, with revenue up by 7.3% to €2.8 billion. And adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (adjusted EBIT) reached €186 million after €172 million a year earlier, with a “stable” profit margin of 6.5%.

The company said its Business-to-Consumer (B2C) ops saw a 6.1% “surge” in the number of active customers, reaching a new high of 52.9 million. This resulted in a 6.8% rise in B2C revenues to €2.6 billion and an adjusted EBIT of €174 million, an improvement of €9 million year-on-year.

That was helped by continued investment in customer experience and it expects this week’s launch of its AI-driven discovery feed that it says will “deliver even more personalised inspiration and boost organic customer engagement” to help it further in Q3.

B2C growth in the second quarter was also supported by strong progress in its two other growth pillars, which are “differentiation through quality and lifestyle expansion”. Its upgraded loyalty programme reached more than 10 million customers at the end of the quarter as it rolled out to more markets.

It also delivered “over proportional growth” in its Lounge, Designer, and Beauty propositions, “making progress on building out more areas that address more lifestyle needs of customers, thus enabling Zalando to capture a higher share of customers’ wallets”.

Meanwhile Business-to-Business (B2B) maintained “strong momentum, driven by double-digit growth in ZEOS Fulfilment”. The launch of a new Shopify application that connects Shopify merchants directly to the ZEOS platform was also key.

B2B revenues increased 12.2% to €262 million. Adjusted EBIT was €11 million, with the margin increasing by 1.3 percentage points to 4.3%.

And there’s plenty of potential for this to rise. UK retailer Next is now leveraging Zalando’s fulfilment infrastructure for its largest mainland Europe market, Germany, after already using ZFS for the majority of its Zalando-based business. In the second half, it will expand the collaboration to include its own webshop and additional European marketplace business.

Finally, following the About You acquisition in July, the company has issued its first full-year 2025 guidance for the combined group. It expects annual GMV of €17.2 billion-€17.6 billion, revenue of €12.1 billion-€12.4 billion, and adjusted EBIT of €550 million-€600 million. Forecast GMV volumes up by 12%-15% will be a big step forward from the previously expected range of 4%-9%.

Author Credits- Sandra Halliday
FASHION NETWORK

Shein and Temu outpace global retail giants in South Africa’s fashion market

August 6, 2025Latest Newsglobal retail giants, Shein, South Africa, TemuAdmin

China-founded e-commerce retailers Shein and Temu have captured a combined 3.6% share of South Africa’s retail, clothing, textile, footwear and leather (CTFL) market, accounting for 7.3 billion rand ($405 million) in sales in 2024, a report showed on Tuesday.

Shein entered the market in 2020, followed by Temu in 2024. Both have disrupted the local retail landscape through aggressive pricing, strategic marketing, and using tax loopholes that initially gave them a competitive edge over local retailers.

Their appeal to price-sensitive consumers has impacted local retailers, who urged regulators last year to close the tax loophole, which eventually ended last year.

The Localisation Support Fund (LSF) report found that domestic retailers’ market share of CTFL declined from 75.3% in 2011 to 74% in 2024. Meanwhile, international brick-and-mortar brands like H&M (HMb.ST), opens new tab, Zara (ITX.MC), opens new tab, and Cotton On hold a combined 3.4% share.

Shein and Temu now command a combined 3.6% share of the CTFL market, and 37.1% of South Africa’s e-commerce CTFL market, with Shein alone accounting for 28% of online ladies’ CTFL sales.

“Those (international)retailers have acquired this market share over a period of 13 years, and Shein and Temu have managed to match and surpass this in just a five-year period,” said Sean Mercer, principal consultant at consulting firm BMA.

($1 = 18.0270 rand)

Author Credits:- Siyanda Mthethwa
Reuters

Levi Strauss & Co. debuts The Denim Cowboy with Beyoncé

August 5, 2025Featured, Latest NewsAdmin

The Levi’s® brand, in collaboration with global icon Beyoncé, today debuted The Denim Cowboy, the final instalment of the year-long Levi’s® REIIMAGINE campaign. The film weaves together the three previous chapters, revealing the campaign as more than a reinterpretation of iconic Levi’s® advertisements – it is the creation of a new narrative centred on empowerment and rewriting the rules. Shown throughout The Denim Cowboy are Levi’s® icons and hero pieces from the new BEYONCÉ x LEVI’S® denim collection that serve as the film’s uniform and latest cornerstone of the partnership with Beyoncé, highlighting the brand’s denim lifestyle leadership.

Set to an exclusive edit of the “Levi’s Jeans” soundtrack from the Grammy Award-winning album, Cowboy Carter, the 90-second film includes new scenes and extended cuts from the previously released Launderette, Pool Hall and Refrigerator films – all inspired by classic Levi’s® advertisements from the ’80s and ’90s. Once again, the Levi’s® brand partnered with Grammy Award-winning director Melina Matsoukas to bring this vision to life.

Recontextualising the previous chapters and unveiling new details, The Denim Cowboy reveals that Beyoncé’s winning prize from the pool game is none other than the local shark’s 501® jeans, played by award-winning actor, Timothy Olyphant (Justified, Deadwood). Beyoncé stuns in a crystalised ’90s Shrunken Trucker paired with the 501® Curve jeans, a new and ground breaking 501® silhouette designed to celebrate and fit curves without compromising the authentic straight-leg silhouette that makes the 501® so timeless and enduring. Channelling the bold glamour first unveiled in Pool Hall, the Western Crystal ’90s Shrunken Trucker and Western Crystal 501® Curve jeans emerge as the standout statement pieces of the BEYONCÉ X LEVI’S® denim collection.

“The Denim Cowboy marks the culmination of the ground breaking Levi’s® REIIMAGINE campaign, marking the final celebration of a partnership that has explored reinvention and reinterpretation at every turn,” said Kenny Mitchell, Global Chief Marketing Officer of the Levi’s® brand at Levi Strauss & Co. “The campaign represents a new level and scale of collaboration that has put women at the centre of the narrative, and set in motion a new, iconic chapter in Levi’s® history that continues to reaffirm the brand’s place at the centre of culture.”

The partnership reached a dazzling crescendo during Beyoncé’s final performances of COWBOY CARTER TOUR in Las Vegas where the icon’s entire dance crew lit up the stage in the shimmering new pieces from the BEYONCÉ X LEVI’S® denim collection – looks inspired by the bold spirit of the ongoing REIIMAGINE campaign.

The BEYONCÉ X LEVI’S® denim collection – including the Western Crystal ’90s Shrunken Trucker (250 dollars) and the Western Crystal 501® Curve (150 dollars) – along with two other head-to-toe denim sets will be available starting August 4th on Beyonce.com and globally August 7th on Levi.com and select Levi’s® stores.

The Denim Cowboy launches with a fully integrated global campaign, including television, digital, social media, and out-of-home. The campaign maintains the Levi’s® tradition of working with the most celebrated creative talents of our time. Matsoukas collaborated with Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Marcell Rév and acclaimed photographer Mason Poole to capture the visual essence of the REIIMAGINE campaign, adding another layer to the rich tapestry of iconic Levi’s® campaigns.

News Credits- FASHION NETWORK

Temu partners with Austrian Post on PUDO service expansion

August 5, 2025Latest NewsAdmin

E-commerce retailer Temu has announced that it will introduce a convenient pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) service with Austrian Post this year and will expand the service into new markets including Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria.

Commenting on the partnership, which began in 2023, an Austrian Post spokesperson said, “We’re pleased to bring our PUDO service to more Temu customers. Beyond providing reliable and flexible delivery services in Austria, we look forward to expanding our collaboration into other regions.”

Local-to-local model

Temu recently began inviting local sellers in Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK onto its platform and enabling local warehouse fulfillment. The company expects up to 80% of sales will come from this local-to-local model, bringing customers a wider selection, faster deliveries and supporting local businesses. European sellers will also gain opportunities to reach global markets.

“Reliable and flexible logistics are key to the consumer experience,” said a Temu spokesperson. “By partnering with Austrian Post, we are enhancing our fulfillment capabilities in Eurasia and providing more delivery options for our customers.”

Author Credits- HAZEL KING
Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

Saudi’s e-commerce start-up Salasa secures $30mln to scale business

August 5, 2025Latest NewsAdmin

Saudi Arabian start-up Salasa has secured $30 million from various investors, including Aramco’s venture capital fund, to scale operations.

The Series B funding round was led by Artal Capital, with participation from Saudi Venture Capital Company, Wa’ed Ventures, 500 Global and Alsulaiman Group.

Salasa is an e-commerce fulfillment platform catering to more than 1,000 merchants, including major businesses like Noon and Amazon.

The company intends to use the fresh capital to further leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in creating a more predictive and automated logistics system. It also looks to expand its cross-border reach.

News Credits- ZAWYA BY LSEG

Watches of Switzerland hit by Trump’s new 39% Swiss import tariff

August 4, 2025Featured, Latest NewsAdmin

Shares of Watches of Switzerland Group Plc fell as much as 6% after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 39% tariff on imports from Switzerland — one of the steepest rates introduced so far in the escalating trade war.

The retailer, known for selling Rolex and other Swiss timepieces in the U.K. and U.S., has been hit hardest by the latest tariff measures. Financial markets in Switzerland were closed for a public holiday, initially sparing listed producers such as Richemont and Swatch Group AG from immediate share price reaction.

Swiss watch exports had already surged earlier this spring, as Trump threatened a 31% levy. Importers rushed to bring in inventory ahead of potential tariffs, before volumes eased in anticipation of a possible compromise.

If the 39% tariff proceeds, it could lead to U.S. retail price hikes of more than 20%, according to analysts at Jefferies led by James Grzinic. However, there remains a possibility that the measure won’t be implemented.

“The one-week hiatus until implementation suggests this could be a negotiating tactic,” Grzinic said in a note.

Swiss watch exports fell by nearly 10% in May, largely driven by a drop in shipments to the U.S.

“The rise of ‘luxury fatigue,’ a declining ‘feel-good factor’ from luxury purchases, and worsening consumer sentiment all contribute to a less optimistic outlook,” Vontobel analyst Jean-Philippe Bertschy wrote in a note last month.

News Credits- FASHION NETWORK

Menzies Aviation appoints its first-ever head of e-commerce

August 4, 2025Latest NewsAdmin

Lawrence Tse has been appointed as the first-ever head of e-commerce at Menzies Aviation, a leading partner for airport and airlines around the world.

He will be responsible for developing and implementing a joint e-commerce strategy for Menzies Aviation and Air Menzies International (AMI) with the aim of positioning group as a leading provider of e-commerce cargo solutions globally.

Tse brings with him a wealth of industry knowledge and leadership experience in e-commerce and air cargo, having held senior director roles at several major logistics firms. He joins Menzies from CEVA Logistics, where he managed global key accounts within the e-commerce division.

Beau Paine, executive vice president of cargo at Menzies Aviation, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Lawrence to the team. His expertise in both e-commerce and air cargo, combined with his experience leading strategic initiatives at global logistics firms, makes him an ideal fit.

“The creation of this new role reflects our commitment to scaling our e-commerce capabilities across the Menzies network. With Lawrence’s leadership, we’re well-positioned to meet the demands of this fast-moving sector and deliver strong, customer-focused solutions.”

Tse added, “I’m excited to join Menzies at such a transformative time for the cargo and e-commerce industries. The opportunity to shape and drive a global e-commerce strategy across both Menzies Aviation and Air Menzies International is one I’m excited to take on. I look forward to working with teams across the business to deliver customer-centric solutions that unlock new growth.”

Author Credits- HAZEL KING
Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

Colgate-Palmolive beats quarterly estimates on steady demand for essentials

August 4, 2025Latest NewsAdmin

Colgate-Palmolive (CL.N) beat first-quarter sales and profit estimates on Friday, as resilient demand for its essentials such as oral and personal care products overcame rising prices and tariff uncertainties.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Colgate-Palmolive joined peers such as Procter & Gamble(PG.N) and Kimberly-Clark (KMB.O) in posting upbeat sales growth, unlike the broader retail sector that has been struggling with a slowdown in discretionary spending.

The Trump administration’s shifting trade policies have forced several companies to hike prices, pushing shoppers to focus on essentials.

CONTEXT

Colgate has raised prices over the past few quarters to counter tariff impacts and higher advertising and marketing costs. The marketing campaigns have helped increase the sales.

The company, which makes U.S. toothpaste in Mexico, now expects incremental costs from tariffs to be about $75 million, lower than $200 million projected earlier, as it expects more favorable rates.

It also outlined a five-year cost cutting plan.

BY THE NUMBERS

Sales rose 8% in Africa and 7.8% in Europe from a year ago.

The company expects organic sales growth to be at the low end of its forecast range of 2% to 4%.

Its prices rose 2% in the quarter ended June 30 and total organic volumes slipped 0.2%, compared with a year ago.

Colgate-Palmolive’s adjusted profit of 92 cents per share in the first quarter topped analysts’ estimates of 90 cents per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

It posted quarterly net sales of $5.11 billion, beating estimates of $5.03 billion.

MARKET REACTION

Shares of the company were flat in premarket trading.

News Credits- Reuters

Saudi: Azad Properties, Apparel Group to introduce leading international and regional retail concepts to Souq7

July 31, 2025Latest NewsAdmin

Under this partnership, 13 retail and dining destinations will be introduced at Souq7, collectively spanning approximately 9,000 square meters of gross leasable area

Saudi Arabia – Azad Properties has signed a landmark leasing agreement with Apparel Group, one of the region’s leading retail conglomerates, to bring a curated portfolio of globally recognized and high-performing retail and F&B concepts to Souq7 in Jeddah.

Under this partnership, 13 retail and dining destinations will be introduced at Souq7, collectively spanning approximately 9,000 square meters of gross leasable area. The mix includes established favorites such as Wings Stop, R&B, Tim Hortons, Allo Beirut, Nando’s, Skechers, Grand Centre, Cold Stone, BBZ, Crocs, Babies and More, Sushi Library, and Beverly Hills Polo Club.

Set to open in Q4 2025, these new retail experiences are part of a phased activation strategy that reinforces Souq7’s positioning as a next-generation urban destination, where local culture meets global retail. The integration of these brands reflects a commitment to delivering a differentiated shopping and dining experience tailored to the expectations of Jeddah’s dynamic consumer base.

“Partnering with Apparel Group, one of the region’s most influential retail forces, elevates Souq7’s experience and offering, as we continue our journey to shape a destination where cultural relevance, community connection, and curated experiences come together.” said Ayman Al Burti, CEO of Azad Properties.

This agreement builds on Azad Properties’ strategic growth agenda and underscores Apparel Group’s confidence in Souq7’s unique offering and long-term potential as a cornerstone in Jeddah’s evolving retail landscape.

News Credits- ZAWYA BY LSEG

Adidas reports over $13.9 billion in revenue for the first half of 2025

July 31, 2025Latest NewsAdmin

In the second quarter of 2025, Adidas reported a 12% year-over-year increase in revenue at constant currency. In U.S. dollar terms, revenue rose by 2% to $6.84 billion, with a $345 million negative impact due to the strengthening of the euro.

For the first half of the year, revenue at constant currency climbed 14%, while dollar-denominated revenue increased by 7% to $13.92 billion. Operating profit reached $1.33 billion, up from $784.3 million, and net income more than doubled, rising by 112% to $933 million.

The German sportswear group expects to continue gaining market share and anticipates strong sales growth throughout 2025, forecasting a high single-digit increase in revenue at constant currency.

This outlook is supported by sustained double-digit growth of the Adidas brand. The company has reaffirmed its full-year guidance for operating profit, which is projected to range between $1.96 billion and $2.07 billion.

News Credits- FASHION NETWORK