The EU has launched a formal DSA probe into Temu’s marketplace, citing concerns over illegal products, addictive design features, and transparency issues. A possible 6% global revenue fine looms for parent company Pinduoduo if violations are found. This action comes as part of the EU’s push to tighten oversight of online marketplaces and consumer protections, with Temu joining AliExpress in facing heightened scrutiny under the DSA. The EU’s decision to investigate follows concerns raised by various member states and consumer groups.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that selling pharmacy-only medicines via Amazon without obtaining explicit customer consent for data processing violates GDPR. Michael Spiegel, owner of Linden Pharmacy, has been selling drugs like Aspirin via Amazon since 2017, but competitor Hermann Vogel jr. contested this practice. The ruling affirms that health data protection must be prioritized, requiring clear consent before processing any sensitive health information.

The EU is increasing scrutiny on Temu, asking for proof of compliance with the Digital Services Act. Temu must show how it prevents illegal products and ensure seller traceability by October 21. If not, it could face steep penalties.

Showroomprivé has launched its marketplace in Belgium. After seeing 85% growth in France in 2023, the company is testing international expansion. Spain and Portugal are next in line, with launches expected by the end of 2024.

Amazon expands its “Climate Pledge Friendly” label to Belgium and Sweden, making sustainable products easier to find. Belgian customers get access to 70K products. Faict promises faster growth, aiming to help consumers make greener choices.

Google overturned a $1.6B fine from the EU's General Court, disputing a 2019 ruling on its digital ad practices. The court annulled the fine, citing errors in the European Commission's assessment of Google's contracts. The decision comes amidst broader regulatory scrutiny of Google’s business across the globe.

Shein has announced a €10M ($13.3M) investment in its new Designer Incubator Program. This initiative aims to support 250 emerging European designers over the next five years. Through Shein X, designers retain ownership of their work while accessing Shein’s global platform. Nearly 100 French designers have already benefited, including Mathilde Lhomme. Shein plans to further its sustainability efforts through this program, emphasizing circular fashion choices. The company’s EMEA president, Leonard Lin, stressed the importance of empowering European talent while advancing Shein's sustainability goals.

Deliveroo launches a pet food delivery service in partnership with Tom&Co. 262 pet products will be available in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, and Kortrijk. Wallonia is currently excluded, but expansion plans are in place.

An investigation revealed that Deliveroo and Uber Eats drivers in Belgium use fake accounts to dodge taxes and avoid legal issues. Some drivers use borrowed profiles to exceed tax thresholds, while others work without documentation or to maintain unemployment benefits.

The EU is probing Delivery Hero and Glovo over potential cartel behavior, including market division and sharing sensitive information. If found guilty, these companies could face fines of up to 10% of their global turnover.

TikTok has agreed to permanently stop its Lite Rewards program across the EU, following the European Commission’s concerns about potential risks to minors. This decision aligns with the new Digital Services Act and marks a significant regulatory win.

Billie has integrated its B2B BNPL services with Stripe's platform in Europe. This allows Stripe’s business customers to use Billie's deferred payment options. The integration is seamless, with services activated in just a few steps. By June 2024, Billie reached 500K business customers, partnering with big names like Alibaba and Samsung. Stripe's commitment to innovation supports this growth.

The EU is preparing to fine Meta up to $13.4B for linking Marketplace with Facebook. This decision may come before November as Meta faces accusations of unfair trading practices. CEO Mark Zuckerberg denies the claims.

The European Commission is probing Delivery Hero and Glovo for alleged anticompetitive practices. The investigation, which follows raids in 2022 and 2023, will examine if the companies shared market info and avoided poaching employees.

European beauty giant Douglas Group raises its sales growth forecast to 8.5% after strong Q3 results, with CEO Sander van der Laan citing significant progress and increased profitability.

EU plans to impose tariffs on goods from Chinese e-commerce giants Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. They will remove the current €150 duty-free threshold. In 2023, 2B packages below this value entered the EU. Reform aims to address cheap imports.

Shein is investing $270M in the EU and UK over five years. $216M will go to the Circularity Fund for textile recycling startups. The rest will support local businesses and the Shein X program for independent designers.

Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel criticizes EU rules allowing hotels to offer lower prices on their sites, calling it a competitive disadvantage. The $135B company might leave the EU due to these regulations.

The EU Commission informed Meta that its new “pay or consent” ad model violates the DMA. Users must pay or consent to personalized ads, which the Commission finds non-compliant. Meta must offer a less personalized equivalent service.

The European Union is planning to impose customs duties on low-cost imports from Chinese online retailers like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. Currently, items valued under €150 ($161) are duty-free, but this could change soon to counter the surge of cheap imports.

The EU has asked Amazon for more information about its recommender systems and ad transparency as part of its Digital Services Act enforcement. Amazon faces high stakes with potential penalties of up to 6% of its $574.8B revenue.

Shein and Temu must respond by July 12 to the European Commission's request for proof of Digital Services Act compliance. This includes how they meet the Notice and Action mechanism and other user protection measures.

Vinted's research shows 65% of members have at least 25% second-hand items in their wardrobes. Over 40% of members in the UK, Germany, France, and Poland report over 50% second-hand wardrobes. CEO Thomas Plantenga sees great potential for second-hand fashion growth.

Meta delays its AI launch in the EU due to Irish DPC's concerns over data privacy. Meta's global privacy policy director expresses disappointment, while privacy advocates call for stricter commitments.

Vinted has made pricing clearer after complaints led to negotiations with the European Commission. Now, the second-hand platform shows the total price upfront, including buyer protection. More clarity is needed on shipping costs.

Amazon extends its generative AI-powered product listings to sellers in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. The tools generate descriptions, titles, and details, speeding up the listing process. Over 30,000 sellers now use these tools.

Decathlon's new resale platform allows Belgians to sell sports gear directly to each other. The service is aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices. Initially available only in Belgium, it might expand to Europe if successful.

Foxintelligence reported last week on BNPL impact on average order amount in e-fashion.

Last week, ECDB revealed the critical data on rising cart abandonment rates in Europe.

Consumer groups in the EU accuse Temu of breaching the Digital Services Act, risking fines up to 6% of parent company Pinduoduo's $35B revenue. Complaints include failure to meet transparency and safety requirements. BEUC seeks VLOP designation for Temu.

Bolt, the shared mobility giant, has raised €220M in a new credit facility, signaling its preparation for an IPO. With a customer base over 150M in 45 countries, the company continues to expand its diverse mobility services.

EU Commission investigates Meta, including Facebook and Instagram, for not adhering to EU laws, amid concerns of disinformation campaigns influencing the upcoming EU election.

EU-Parliament approves Right to Repair directive with 584-3 vote, expanding repair rights to smartphones, tablets, appliances. Manufacturers required to offer repairs during 2-year warranty, extendable by 1 year. Consumers to benefit from transparent repair costs.

New EU rules aim to reduce packaging waste with targets set for reduction and recycling. By 2030, certain single-use plastic packaging will be banned. The regulation emphasizes reuse, refill options, and recycling to build a circular economy.

Shein, a big online player in the EU with 45M users, now has to fight counterfeit goods within 4 months under the DSA.

Alibaba.com aims to boost gender equality in business with a new academy. Starting this fall, 40 women will gain vital skills and networking opportunities.

Ikea's training initiative for 3,500 employees in AI literacy aims to embed technology understanding deeply within its culture. This program is a part of Ikea's broader strategy to integrate AI across various business operations.

While it's commonly understood that inexpensive products often use lower-quality materials, the chart from Johannes Stefan using EDITED data offers a revealing perspective. Still material cost is not the only point of differentiation between typical brand sourcing from Bangladesh and Shein

The era of marketplaces is upon us, with recent data from FoxiIntelligence and Emarketer illuminating the role these platforms play in European ecommerce. Let's dive in:

Chrono24 introduces a new authentication service, "Certified," for luxury watches over $1K, bolstering buyer confidence in the used watch market.

Bolt Food announces open-source 'Unshakeable Bag' innovation, ensuring spill-free deliveries and leveraging gyroscope technology. A game changer for food delivery!

Temu, the Chinese e-commerce giant, now under closer scrutiny by the EU, could face stringent content-moderation rules after reaching 75 million European users. The EU's concerns include privacy and consumer misinformation.

As part of an agreement with the European Commission in March 2020, Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group, and TripAdvisor started providing data on their performance to Eurostat. The initiative aims to understand better and analyze the trends within the EU's short-term rental landscape.

Apple, Meta, and Google face EU scrutiny for possibly flouting the Digital Markets Act. With fines up to 10% of annual turnover looming, these tech giants could feel a pinch. Investigations follow a €1.8bn fine on Apple and a US monopoly lawsuit.

AliExpress, Alibaba’s powerhouse, is set to electrify UEFA Euro 2024 as its first e-commerce partner. Kicking off on June 14 in Germany, it's a golden chance for merchants with a traffic surge and 2.7M fans anticipated.

The EU Parliament has taken decisive action, revamping its Customs Code to handle the surge in e-commerce and enforce standards on imported goods. Simultaneously, it targets misleading environmental claims by requiring verification of terms like "biodegradable."

Following Belgium's lead, the EU compromise empowers member states to decide employment status for gig economy workers, affecting companies like Uber and Deliveroo. This landmark decision introduces legal clarity, albeit with mixed reactions from various stakeholders.

Shein, the fast-fashion titan, now under EU's regulatory microscope with 108M EU users. The Digital Services Act aims to curb illegal content, affecting Shein's plans, including a U.S. IPO.

The EU is cracking down on Alibaba's AliExpress for spreading illegal content under the new Digital Services Act. This move marks a significant shift in how digital platforms are policed, aiming to create a safer online environment. AliExpress vows to align with the DSA, enhancing safety and compliance. This investigation could set a new standard for e-commerce.

Wish teams with Remarketed for a tech trade-in program in Europe, starting in the Netherlands. Instant cash for old gadgets promises to cut e-waste and refresh tech arsenals, making second-hand the new gold.