Usave, Shoprite Group’s no-frills discount stores, recently introduced an advanced loss prevention system designed to reduce costs and boost operational efficiency in its supermarkets – helping the retailer to continue delivering the lowest prices to customers.
This is in response to South Africa’s rising energy prices.

Implemented in partnership with 100% South African tech company Azoteq, the customised system employs SmartSense technology to track power consumption and facilitate rotational switching of store equipment during power outages, utilising inverters and battery banks.

It is especially critical for Usave’s rural and peri-urban stores, where the electricity supply is often erratic and extended outages are a regular challenge.

“This pioneering work showcases how our real-time, proactive use of innovative, locally developed technology, combined with a strong focus on operational excellence and cost savings, helps us prevent unnecessary waste and reduce shrinkage-related costs – efficiencies that allow us to pass even more value and savings directly to our customers,” says Dewaldo Diedericks, general manager of Usave.

The system monitors temperatures in critical areas, like cold storage, freezer rooms, and the sales floor, and issues alerts when predetermined thresholds are surpassed, thereby preventing spoilage and optimising energy consumption of equipment in these areas.

Data is delivered through a user-friendly dashboard that equips management with real-time insights to enhance decision-making, ensure improved food quality, and prevent costly equipment failures.

Generator runtime and fuel levels are also tracked, enabling the business to follow more efficient servicing and refueling schedules. In this way, Usave avoids unnecessary maintenance, further reduces costs, and minimises the likelihood of unexpected outages in instances where a switchover to a generator is necessitated.

To generate additional savings, Usave supermarkets also regularly simulate power outages at supermarkets on time-of-use (ToU) tariff structures, switching over to battery during peak times when electricity is more costly, and charging the batteries during off-peak times.

“We have been able to respond and prevent freezer failures as they occur, achieving a 0% rate of stock loss across all stores where this system has been implemented to date. In addition, the seamless, automated transition from generator power to hybrid inverter and battery power during outages has saved the business more than 80,000 hours worth of costly services and fossil fuel consumption,” adds Diedericks.

Already running at 202 locations, Usave plans to equip all its stores with SmartSense technology, gradually replacing older uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.

As part of its sustainability efforts, the discount retailer is also gradually incorporating solar energy into its operational strategy at its already compatible hybrid system stores

News Credits- ZAWYA BY LSEG

Burberry’s CEO Joshua Schulman has earned almost £2.6 million in his first nine months at the business, with the figure including hundreds of thousands to relocate him to the UK and a £1 million+ bonus.

With former CEO Jonathan Akeroyd having received a payoff adding up to around £1.5 million following his July 2024 exit, the numbers come in stark contrast to the firm’s aim to cut costs, an aim that will include around 1.700 job cuts.

The firm’s annual report showed that Schulman could earn multi-millions this year if he meets key targets that will trigger bonus payments. And in future he could received £3.6 million if the company’s share price doubles in three years and it gets back into the elite FTSE 100 index that would see demand for its shares rising even further.

Earlier this month the company revealed a £66 million annual loss after profits had been close to £400 million in the previous year.

Burberry clearly believes that Schulman is the best person for the job and he already appears to have stabilised the business while boosting its share price that has risen almost 50% since he took over. That’s what triggered the £1.2 million bonus he’s already received.

While the payments to him are likely to come in for some criticism at a tough time for many at the business, Burberry said the three-year targets he has will stretch him and challenge him to deliver tangible growth.

Author Credits- Sandra Halliday
FASHION NETWORK

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) announced today that Michael Gonda will become Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of NIKE, Inc., effective July 7, 2025. In this role, Gonda will lead the global communications organization, overseeing all facets of the communications strategy, including storytelling, corporate and brand reputation, issues management, and employee engagement. As a member of the company’s Senior Leadership Team, Gonda will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Elliott Hill.

“Michael is a deeply strategic, emotionally intelligent, purpose-driven leader who understands the power of storytelling to move both brands and people,” said Hill. “His vision for driving impactful communications, his instinct for building high-performing teams, and his ability to form authentic connections will help Nike amplify the voice of sport and athletes around the world in bold and meaningful ways. I’m confident he’s the right leader for us as we put Nike back at the center of sport, and our team is excited for the vision and leadership he brings.”

Gonda joins Nike from McDonald’s Corporation, where he held several senior leadership roles, including Chief Impact Officer for North America—overseeing communications, public affairs, sustainability, community engagement and philanthropy for the company’s largest markets—and as Global Chief Communications Officer. During his tenure, he served on several leadership bodies, including the Global Senior Leadership Team.

“Nike has always been more than a brand—it’s a storyteller, a cultural force, and a catalyst for belief,” said Gonda. “I’m deeply honored to join a company that has shaped how people see themselves and the world around them, and am humbled to help Nike tell the stories that matter, connect even more deeply with athletes and communities, and write the next ambitious chapter with Elliott and this team.”

Prior to McDonald’s, Gonda held senior leadership roles at Chobani, a purpose-driven food company, and communications agency Weber Shandwick. An avid runner and traveler, Michael has lived across the United States, Kenya, and China. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in English with Honors from Brown University.

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Converse, a wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiary brand, designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE, Inc.’s earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at https://investors.nike.com/. Individuals can also visit https://about.nike.com/and follow NIKE on LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

News Credits- businessWire

FSN E-Commerce Ventures reported 193 percent surge in consolidated net profit at Rs 20 crore for the quarter ended March, against Rs 7 crore in the year-ago period.

Shares of FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd, the parent of beauty products retailer Nykaa, sank on Monday, June 2, after the e-commerce giant reported a strong earnings show for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

The Nykaa parent reported 193 percent surge in consolidated net profit at Rs 20 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. It reported consolidated net profit of Rs 7 crore in the year-ago period.

The firm’s consolidated revenue rose 24 percent to Rs 2,062 crore in Q4FY25 as against Rs 1,668 crore in Q4FY24. The firm’s consolidated EBITDA rose 43 percent year-on-year to Rs 133 crore and EBITDA margin in Q4FY25 was 6.5 percent as compared to 5.6 percent a year ago.

Further, Nykaa reported consolidated beauty operations sales of Rs 1,895 crore in Q4FY25 as compared to Rs 1,520 crore in Q4FY24. The firm’s consolidated fashion revenue rose to Rs 161 crore in March quarter from Rs 145 crore a year ago.

At 9.20 am, shares of the firm were quoting Rs 202.28 apiece, lower by half a percent on the NSE.

Should you buy, sell, or hold Nykaa shares?

The beauty and personal care segment continued to deliver strong double-digit growth along with improving profitability. Management indicated fashion business shall report demand traction in Q1FY26 as most of the industry headwinds have bottomed out, noted Nuvama Institutional Equities. The broking house hiked its target price to Rs 235 per share, from Rs 205 earlier, while retaining its ‘buy’ rating.

“Nykaa’s focus on onboarding new global brands, expanding stores and product curation should continue to drive strong revenue growth in BPC. But margin improvement thus far has been slow and needs to pick up for us to turn more constructive. In Fashion, the focus on improving profitability is positive, esp. given the highly competitive segment,” said Nomura.

The Japan-based broking house reiterated its ‘neutral’ rating, but hiked its target price to Rs 216 per share, up from Rs 190 earlier.

HSBC downgraded Nykaa shares to a ‘hold’ rating, cutting its price target to Rs 200 per share. The brokerage said there is limited clarity on the earlier commitment of the management to break-even in the fashion business EBITDA margin by FY26. The brokerage sees risks to the consensus margin improvement expectations of 150 basis points.

News Credits- Money Control

Industry bellwether LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, which reported weaker-than-expected sales in the latest quarter, was accused of selling a Dior bag that costs about $60 to make for $2,800. Meanwhile, Tapestry Inc.’s Coach is cashing in on cool with its $495 Tabby bag — a viral hit that costs a fraction of a similar shoulder bag from Dior or Chanel.

That’s just one example of how mid-tier luxury brands are weathering the current economic uncertainty better than their ultra-luxury and fast-fashion counterparts, as consumers seek quality and value without the sky-high prices amid a weaker global economy.

“There’s a bit of a backlash going on,” said Fflur Roberts, head of luxury goods at Euromonitor International. Consumers are questioning the true value behind the price, including how items are made and the cost versus what they’re really worth, she said.

As wealthy consumers trade down, mid-tier brands are performing increasingly well. Tapestry, which also owns the Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman brands, recently raised its forecast for the year after reporting quarterly results ahead of analyst estimates.

Amer Sports Inc., which owns premium sportswear brands Salomon and Arc’teryx, also increased its projections for the full year, while Michael Kors owner Capri Holdings Ltd. and Hugo Boss AG both outperformed market expectations.

Ralph Lauren Corp. is another winner, offering a broad price range and maintaining appeal through its classic design, according to Bloomberg Intelligence senior retail analyst Mary Ross Gilbert. Same-store sales rose 13% in the three months through March 29, nearly double what analysts expected.

Meanwhile, luxury giants Hermès International SCA and Gucci owner Kering SA joined LVMH in disappointing investors in the most recent earnings season, while privately-held Chanel Ltd.’s profit plunged.

On the other end of the spectrum, fast fashion also struggling. “We’ve seen a more difficult environment,” said BI senior analyst Charles Allen. Higher Zara prices and fewer H&M promotions are deterring shoppers, he added.

Zara owner Inditex SA, Hennes & Mauritz AB and Primark, owned by Associated British Foods Plc, all reported slower growth or missed targets, while JD Sports Fashion Plc’s same-store sales fell 2% in the first quarter and are expected to drop again.

Tariffs — a key reason for the luxury slowdown — leave retailers targeting value shoppers little wiggle room. Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing Co. already warned these could hurt future earnings, while H&M said it may raise prices to offset the impact, which could push shoppers further away.

Still, some consumers may be returning to stores. Primark US sales grew in April — partly due to the Easter holiday shifting to the month — after shrinking the previous two months, according to observed sales data collected by Bloomberg.

Meanwhile, US wages continued to grow in April, and the country is still at a full employment level with the unemployment rate at 4.2%. US spending in April, however, ground to a halt.

“If people have money and see something tempting, they’ll spend,” Allen said. “People don’t always behave how they say they will.”

News Credits- FASHION NETWORK

As part of its wider goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, Amazon is now transporting parcels by high-speed train between the cities of Lyon and Paris, with over 500,000 packages set to travel this way in 2025.

Through a partnership with Rail Logistics Europe (RLE), SNCF’s freight division, Amazon has secured dedicated storage areas on ultra-fast trains that will transport parcels along this route at a speed of 320km/h.

The operations will take place six days a week and follow a successful pilot project last year. Once the parcels reach Paris, up to two-thirds of last-mile deliveries will be made using electric vehicles, cargo bikes or on foot.

According to Amazon, the high-speed train transportation is part of a €250m (US$281m) investment to decarbonize its transportation network in France and the company has plans to expand similar initiatives across Europe.

Author Credits- HAZEL KING
Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

DFI Retail Group has sold its 22.2 per cent stake in Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc (RRHI) for US$270 million as the company refocuses investment on its core operating businesses across Asia.

The transaction was completed via a special block sale on the Philippine Stock Exchange and involved 315.31 million shares priced at $0.90 per share – a 36.2 per cent premium to RRHI’s current market price.

GCH Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of DFI Retail Group, first became a shareholder in RRHI in 2018 following the Philippine retailer’s acquisition of Rustan Supercenters.

Scott Price, Group CEO of DFI, said the divestment would enable the company to redeploy its capital more effectively.

“This transaction represents a step in our evolution as an operating company, enabling us to redeploy capital to support growth and enhance shareholder returns across our subsidiary businesses,” said Price.

DFI Retail Group operates a broad portfolio of banners across Asia, including Wellcome, Food World, and Cold Storage supermarkets; 7-Eleven convenience stores; and Mannings and Guardian health and beauty outlets.

Founded in 1980, RRHI operates a wide range of retail formats in the Philippines, including supermarkets, department stores, drugstores, and DIY chains.

The company said in a recent filing that the buyback aligns with its capital allocation strategy and reflects confidence in its long-term prospects.

“The ongoing share repurchase program reflects the company’s belief that current market prices do not fully reflect the underlying financial strength and long-term growth prospects of RRHI.”

RRHI CEO Stanley Co credited DFI with supporting the group’s expansion into new categories.

“Our acquisitions of Rustan Supercenters in 2018 and Rose Pharmacy in 2020 enabled us to enter the premium food retail segment and strengthen our drugstore network,” said Co.

“The partnership also allowed RRHI to become the exclusive distributor of DFI’s private-label brands, Meadows and Guardian. We are deeply grateful for the partnership we have forged with DFI.”

Despite DFI’s exit, RRHI will continue to exclusively distribute Meadows and Guardian products in the Philippines.

Author Credits- Kaycee Enerva
Inside Retail

Meesho, an e-commerce startup, has emerged as India’s third-largest online retail platform by GMV, positioning itself for a potential public market debut.

Backed by a sharp focus on small towns and low-cost sellers, e-commerce startup Meesho has emerged as the country’s third-largest online retail platform by gross merchandise value (GMV), positioning itself for a potential public market debut.

According to a recent report by brokerage firm CLSA, Meesho has reached a GMV run rate of $6.2 billion for FY25. The report projects Meesho’s market share will climb from 8.5% to 10% over the next six years, even as larger rivals Amazon and Flipkart see marginal declines.

Founded in 2015, Meesho carved a unique path through India’s crowded e-commerce landscape. Instead of targeting premium urban customers, it targeted price-sensitive consumers in Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural regions. This differentiated approach has built strong traction among first-time Internet shoppers and small-scale sellers. Today, Meesho boasts over 187 million annual transacting users and has achieved profitability—an uncommon milestone for horizontal e-commerce players.

Meesho began its journey as Fashnear, a hyperlocal fashion discovery app. However, it quickly pivoted upon recognising the dominance of unbranded goods in e-commerce. It then launched a platform enabling informal resellers—often homemakers and small entrepreneurs—to sell products via WhatsApp and Facebook, bypassing the need for inventory or capital investment.

“What struck us was their hands-on insight that 90% of fashion commerce in India involves unbranded goods, a massive reality that Amazon and Flipkart were ignoring,” said Arjun Malhotra, general partner at Good Capital, an early investor. “Indian commerce is fundamentally relational, not transactional,” he said.

In 2021, Meesho eliminated commission fees, making it the lowest-cost platform for online sellers. This seller-first model attracted over 400,000 transacting sellers annually. On the buyer side, the company built a lightweight app with regional language support, optimised for low-end smartphones and patchy mobile data—key to driving adoption in rural India.

“Over a third of Meesho’s user base comprises first-time online shoppers,” noted Lavanya Ashok, Partner at Trifecta Capital, which invested in the company through its growth equity fund. “Their tech-led approach—AI-driven cataloguing, personalised interfaces, and vernacular support—has been crucial to onboarding new buyers and retaining trust among sellers.”

To support its low-cost operations, Meesho has also developed its own logistics network. Its delivery arm, Valmo collaborates with 6,000 regional partners to deliver across more than 15,000 pin codes. Valmo now manages over half of Meesho’s deliveries.

This model—enabling rather than replacing existing networks—has allowed Meesho to keep customer acquisition costs significantly lower than its peers. “We saw other startups burn through millions trying to build marketplaces from scratch,” said Malhotra. “Meesho’s model of enhancing existing behaviour was not only more capital-efficient but more culturally aligned,” he added.

The company’s disciplined execution is beginning to reflect in its financials, too. In FY24, Meesho generated ₹197 crore in free cash flow and cut adjusted losses by 97% year-on-year. Annual order volume crossed 1.3 billion, with home & kitchen and beauty & personal care emerging as key growth drivers.

Despite this scale, Meesho’s growth potential remains vast. Only 5% of India’s 63 million micro, small and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, are fully digitised, pointing to a large untapped market. “Maintaining trust at scale is hard,” said Malhotra, “but Meesho’s engagement-led model creates a strong moat.”

The broader market backdrop is also favourable. A January 2024 report by Wazir Advisors projects India’s value retail market—excluding food and groceries—will grow from $111 billion in FY23 to $170 billion by FY26. Meanwhile, Bain & Company analysts noted early this year that hyper-value commerce has expanded from 5% of India’s e-retail GMV in 2021 to over 12% in 2024.

With profitability, scale, and a differentiated model, Meesho is poised to become a defining force in India’s next wave of digital commerce.

Author Credits- Ayanti Bera
FINANCIAL EXPRESS

The company expanded its store network to 137 stores and now serves over 15 million customers across India

Citykart has raised INR 538 crore in Series B funding round, co-led by TPG NewQuest, a secondary private equity platform for Asia within TPG, and A91 Partners, a homegrown investment firm specialising in growth investments.

Investcorp, an early backer of Citykart, has made a full exit, while India SME Fund continues to hold a minority stake. EY India acted as the exclusive financial advisor to the transaction.

Of the total funding, about INR 120 crore is primary capital, with the remaining INR 418 crore being towards secondary transactions. The primary infusion will enable the company to accelerate expansion in both footprint and product assortment.

“This new round of funding is a significant milestone in our journey. We are delighted to welcome TPG NewQuest and A91 Partners as long-term partners who believe in our vision of making affordable fashion accessible to Bharat. The capital infusion will help us grow deeper and wider, invest in innovation, and build a strong, future-ready organisation focused on scale and operational excellence. We’ve been fortunate to have had the support of Investcorp and India SME Fund in our earlier stages, their belief in our model helped us build a strong foundation,” said Sudhanshu Agarwal, Co-founder Citykart.

The company expanded its store network to 137 stores and now serves over 15 million customers across India. Growing at more than 40 per cent, the company is now targeting revenue of INR 1300 Cr.

“Citykart has demonstrated an exceptional ability to scale profitably in one of the most challenging and underserved segments of Indian retail. Their deep customer understanding, disciplined execution, and strong leadership team make them well-positioned to drive value fashion retail across India. We are excited to partner with them in this next phase of growth,” said Bharati Agarwal, TPG NewQuest.

News Credit: Entrepreneur