Meta Platforms, Inc and EssilorLuxottica have introduced the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to the Indian market, combining wearable technology with eyewear. The glasses offer a range of AI-enabled features, including hands-free photo and video capture, music streaming, real-time live streaming, and voice-assisted interactions.

Pre-orders for the smart glasses launched on May 13 and, from May 19, shoppers will be able to purchase the frames across Ray-Ban’s website and numerous optical outlets in India, the business announced in a press release. Available in Wayfarer, Wayfarer Large, and the newly launched Skyler frame, the collection is priced from Rs 29,900.

Equipped with an ultrawide 12 MP camera, the Ray-Ban Meta glasses enable users to take high-quality portrait videos and photos. Open-ear speakers with noise suppression enhance the audio experience, while five built-in microphones support smooth transitions between calls and media playback, designed to keep users connected to their surroundings.

The glasses also feature livestreaming capabilities, enabling creators to broadcast directly to Instagram Live or Facebook Live for up to 30 minutes. Through voice commands, users can activate Meta AI by saying “Hey Meta” to receive local recommendations, translate signs, control features, or get recipe suggestions.

Meta AI is expected to roll out live translation features later this spring, enabling offline conversations across multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Italian. The glasses will also receive continuous software updates for added functionality.

Author Credits- Isabelle Crossley, FASHION NETWORK

As e-commerce competition continues to intensify, Chinese logistics giants JD Logistics, SF Express and Cainiao (Alibaba’s logistics arm) are steadily extending their reach into the European market. Although their presence is still emerging, these early moves hint at a broader strategic ambition: to secure a stronger role in supply chains, enhance delivery speed and gain direct access to European consumers.

This push is likely to be accelerated by geopolitical pressures, primarily the fallout from the US-China tariff war initiated under President Trump, which will accelerate Chinese efforts to diversify trade routes and reduce reliance on American logistics infrastructure.

Indeed, given the uncertainty surrounding trade with the US, it’s no surprise that Chinese courier, express and parcel (CEP) players are turning their focus toward Europe. With over 500 million consumers across the EU, UK, Switzerland and Norway, the region presents a vast and comparatively stable market – making it an increasingly attractive target for strategic expansion.

A two-way supply chain play

JD Logistics has launched a cross-border express delivery service, covering much of Europe. Originating from hubs in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, it offers one-hour pickup and full tracking via its WeChat-based JD Express platform.

The company is actively pursuing partnerships to deepen its European footprint. Collaborations with France’s GeoPost and the UK’s Evri are geared toward creating a seamless two-way logistics corridor between China and Europe.

Notably, JD is reported to have considered participating in the £2bn (US$2.6bn) acquisition of Evri by Apollo Funds, a move that would have marked one of the most significant Chinese takeovers in the European CEP space.

Infrastructure is also a priority. JD has invested in a cutting-edge logistics center in Venlo in the Netherlands, employing autonomous vehicles and robotic arms to boost operational efficiency and scalability.

In Poland, JD Logistics has been a key player with major clients such as Biedronka. The company recently opened its second warehouse in Warsaw, bringing its total to three warehouses in Poland. Additionally, JD operates an almost 30,000m2 fully automated warehouse in Poznań, reinforcing its commitment to scalable and high-tech logistics solutions in Central Europe.

As JD Logistics expands its European network, it continues to create new opportunities for Chinese businesses seeking fast, reliable and tech-driven access to European consumers, strengthening trade links and enabling smoother market entry across the continent.

“I see Europe as a strategic opportunity for smart, efficient and borderless logistics. Our investments in Poland and beyond reflect our long-term commitment to creating seamless connections between Chinese innovation and European demand,” says Veysel Isik, European local sales director at JD Logistics.

Building physical and digital bridges

SF Express, sometimes described as ‘China’s FedEx’, is using a combination of air freight and regional distribution hubs to establish a pan-European presence. It recently launched a direct B747 air cargo route between Europe and China, aiming to accelerate shipments of high-value goods such as electronics.

Crucially, SF Express possesses substantial capacity for air freight to China and the surrounding region through its subsidiary, SF Airlines, which operates a fleet of 90 dedicated cargo aircraft, making it China’s largest all-cargo airline. This gives SF a strong strategic edge in offering high-frequency and reliable air cargo services between Asia and Europe.

In Spain, the firm has opened a 30,000m2 self-operated warehouse and established robust last-mile capabilities across Iberia. SF Express has also struck a strategic partnership with GLS, integrating IT systems and delivery networks to offer a more unified customer experience throughout the EU. Moreover, there are rumors that it is currently hiring in Central and Eastern Europe, which would imply a stronger presence in what is one of the key gateways from China into the European Union.

It will be especially interesting to see what SF Express does next; there are still a few local heroes on the market, but with its own airline capacity to China and the region, it’s likely to be in high demand, both as a service provider and possibly as an acquirer.

Locking down Europe

Cainiao is pursuing a full-spectrum European strategy, from parcel lockers and sortation centers to weekend delivery. At the heart of its European operation is the Liege eHub in Belgium, which acts as a logistics nerve center linking air freight, rail and sea routes. While I have some doubts about its parcel locker joint venture with DHL, it demonstrates that Cainiao understands the need for partnerships to achieve its strategic goals.

The company’s ‘five-day delivery guarantee’ now spans multiple EU countries, with weekend deliveries operational in Spain’s major cities. In Poland, Cainiao has joined forces with DHL to invest €60m (US$67m) in one of the largest parcel locker networks in the country, bringing self-service convenience to urban and rural consumers alike.

More tellingly, Alibaba has recently moved to take full ownership of Cainiao, underscoring how central the logistics unit is to the group’s overseas growth plans, particularly as it faces rising competition from Shein and Temu. While large CEP acquisitions have not been the case to date, this may change in the face of the new competitive environment.

“Our expansion in Europe reflects Cainiao’s commitment to building a smarter, faster and more consumer-centric logistics network,” explains Dennis Li, general manager of cross border parcels at Cainiao Network Europe. “From the Liege eHub to our parcel locker investments, we’re laying the foundations for a truly integrated cross-border infrastructure – one that empowers merchants and delights customers across the region.”

Strategic implications for Europe

The Chinese dragon is no longer at the door – it’s already setting up shop. These moves signify more than just faster delivery. Chinese CEP players may well help reshape Europe’s logistics ecosystem, bringing advanced automation, high-frequency delivery models and aggressive investment strategies that could challenge established incumbents like Geopost/DPD, DHL and GLS/Royal Mail.

For European businesses and consumers, the benefits may include faster shipping, greater convenience and better cross-border options. But for regulators and local operators, the growing influence of Chinese logistics firms also raises strategic questions about data, infrastructure ownership and long-term market control.

Author Credits- MAREK ROZYCKI, parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

Integration enables Zid merchants to instantly integrate their stores onto Trendyol and access its three million-strong customer base in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / Dubai, UAE – Trendyol, one of the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce marketplaces, and Zid, Saudi Arabia’s leading e-commerce enablement platform, have partnered to accelerate growth opportunities for merchants in the Kingdom and UAE by providing local merchants with the tools to increase reach, scale, and grow digitally. This strategic partnership with Zid enables sellers to connect their stores to Trendyol, giving them instant access to over three million customers on the platform.

“Our focus has always been on empowering local businesses and enhancing the regional e-commerce ecosystem,” said Mohamad ElAnsari, CEO, Trendyol Gulf. “Zid shares many core values with us – from being a digital-first business to aiming to make a real impact on the local community and contributing towards the economic development of the region. This partnership opens new doors for brands and entrepreneurs to grow and marks an important step toward our longer-term ambition of enabling two-way commerce to and from Saudi. We’ve already welcomed 1,000 local SMEs to our platform in a short time, and with Zid, we’re well positioned to expand that reach and support even more businesses in their digital journey.”

Zid supports sellers to grow through a unified approach to digital and physical retail. The integration with Trendyol delivers on Zid’s Total Commerce vision, enabling merchants to manage every sales channel – online, offline, physical stores, and social commerce – through a single platform.

“With Trendyol as a key sales channel, Zid merchants can now set up their store and seamlessly sync their inventory, product listings, logistics, and payments, gaining access to one of the region’s fastest-growing digital marketplaces with millions of active, purchase-ready shoppers. Through Zid’s unified dashboard, they can manage all sales channels in one place, online and offline. “This powerful integration expands access to high-growth markets while equipping merchants with the tools and insights they need to scale. It reflects our commitment to being a catalyst for growth, unlocking regional opportunities for our merchants.” added Mazen AlDarrab, CEO of Zid.

This collaboration reflects Trendyol’s ongoing commitment to building a localized, inclusive marketplace that meets the evolving needs of Gulf consumers and businesses. As the company continues to grow its partner ecosystem, it remains focused on enabling more brands to scale seamlessly and succeed in the digital economy, as well as grow across borders.

About Trendyol

Founded in Istanbul in 2010, Trendyol is one of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms with a multi-category offering that includes its own private label brand, Trendyol Collection. It connects more than 250,000 sellers and well-known global brands with over 40 million customers on dedicated local language apps in Türkiye, Germany, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.

About Zid

Founded in 2017 by Mazen AlDarrab and Sultan AlAsmi, Zid is Saudi Arabia’s leading omni-channel e-commerce SaaS platform, headquartered in Riyadh. Serving over 13,500 local merchants and offering consumers more than two million SKUs, Zid provides a comprehensive suite of solutions that enable businesses to efficiently launch, manage, and scale their operations. Zid’s services includes online payments through ZidPay, in-store point-of-sale solutions with ZidPOS, and streamlined shipping via ZidShip. Additionally, its mobile app marketplace, Mazeed, aggregates top-tier products and stores to deliver seamless customer experiences. With a team of 250 employees, Zid is at the forefront of driving digital transformation and growth in Saudi Arabia’s retail sector, aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Zid is backed by local and regional investors including IMPACT46, Wa’ed Ventures (Saudi Aramco’s VC fund), Endeavour.

News Credits- ZAWYA BY LSEG

Evri, one of U.K.’s largest dedicated parcel delivery companies, and DHL eCommerce, the e-commerce logistics specialist of DHL Group, announced a transaction that will see the merger of DHL eCommerce UK with Evri.

“The merged Evri business will deliver over one billion parcels and a further one billion business letters annually. As part of the transaction, DHL Group will acquire a significant minority stake in Evri,” says an official release from DHL.

Rebranded Evri Premium – a network of DHL eCommerce, this will remain a dedicated and secure, separate network that will offer fast, time-sensitive deliveries with enhanced shipping security protection for high-value and large items for B2B and B2C parcel services, the release added.

“The new group will include an expanded international capability for inbound and outbound parcels to complement Evri’s own international network by making use of DHL eCommerce’s extensive expertise in cross-border parcel shipping and out-of-home network of nearly 150,000 global access points. This includes faster transit times across the world with access to DHL’s own eCommerce network in Europe, the U.S. and selected Asian markets such as India.”

Evri is entering the U.K. business letter market for the first time with DHL’s UK Mail retained in the new combined group and offering a best-in-class mail service, the release added. “This will also offer e-commerce businesses more options for sending lighter-weight items. In addition, customers will benefit from the Group’s new combined out-of-home shop and locker network parcel delivery and collection which will be the U.K.’s largest.”

Martijn de Lange, CEO, Evri says: “We are excited that DHL eCommerce UK will merge with Evri to bring together two highly complementary U.K. businesses – committed to innovation and offering customers and clients the best possible service. By combining Evri’s scale and innovation and DHL eCommerce’s best-in-class premium van network, we are creating the pre-eminent parcel delivery group in the U.K. Over the last decade, Evri has grown ten-fold in size, and this transaction will further expand our access into the European and global e-commerce markets. Since Apollo-managed funds came on board as our owners, they have backed our intent to drive forward and grow to become the UK’s premier parcel delivery business.”

Pablo Ciano, CEO, DHL eCommerce adds: “DHL eCommerce and Evri both stand for top service quality, reliability, and sustainability, which makes this partnership a great fit for our customers. Together, we’ll be able to offer more efficient, far-reaching and innovative solutions to keep up with the fast-paced e-commerce market. By joining forces in the U.K, we’re creating a one-stop shop for all our customers’ parcel needs here and giving them better delivery options from around the world.”

de Lange will lead the combined business in the U.K. with Stu Hill, currently CEO, DHL eCommerce UK, becoming MD of Evri’s Premium DHL network business. On completion of the deal, the combined Group will bring together a team of over 30,000 couriers and van drivers and 12,000 colleagues with a fleet of 8,000 vehicles.

Evri will continue to be majority owned by Apollo-managed funds. The businesses of DHL Express, DHL Supply Chain and DHL Global Forwarding in the U.K. are unaffected by this transaction and will continue to operate as they do at present, the release added.

News Credits- STAT TIMES

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