Inditex’s Zacaffé initiative hits a snag as Italian brand Zicaffè opposes its EU trademark registration, claiming risk of confusion and brand misuse.

The French sports retail giant is finalizing its Buenos Aires launch after 20 years. Partnering with Grupo One, it aims for 20–30 stores by 2025-end, per La Nación.

Regional grocers can still thrive by focusing on hyperlocal products, loyalty programs, and innovative fulfillment strategies, according to industry experts.

Bukalapak will stop selling physical goods by Feb 9, 2025, shifting to virtual products like mobile credits. Its market cap has fallen to $750M after fierce competition.

Costco plans a $32M store in Siero, sparking debate on large retailers' role in Asturias. New laws ease approvals, but unions oppose the project.

Decathlon Germany has upgraded its platform with faster speeds, rentals, used goods, and services like coaching. Customers can mix rentals, purchases, and bookings into one cart. A step towards a seamless, sport-focused future.

Loop acquires Wonderment to integrate real-time tracking, AI tools, and seamless returns, benefiting 6,000 Shopify brands. CEO Hannah Bravo aims to enhance transparency, boost retention, and streamline commerce operations. Deal announced Dec 10, 2024.

Meta has been fined €251M ($267M) for a 2018 data breach that exposed 29M accounts, including 3M in Europe. The Irish regulator cited multiple GDPR violations. Meta claims it acted swiftly and plans to appeal the decision.

MediaMarkt's online marketplace revenue doubled in 2023-24. The retailer is now expanding to Belgium, Poland, and Turkey. Ceconomy aims for $800M in marketplace GMV by 2026, driving growth with new sellers, products, and services.

New EU rules, effective Dec 13, force UK sellers to stop EU sales. The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) mandates local EU representation, leaving many unprepared. Analysts warn of widespread impact, including in Northern Ireland.

By 2025, Instagram will generate over 50% of Meta's US ad revenue, driven by Reels and potential gains from a TikTok ban. Feed and Stories dominate now, but Reels is growing fast, expected to claim 9.6% in 2025.

Google's DeepMind launched Project Mariner, an AI agent that performs actions like humans online. Tested with Gemini tech, it navigates websites, shops, and manages forms. Though limited, it hints at a web-use revolution. Released to testers on Dec. 11, 2024.

PayPal will raise fees for U.S. merchants using its services like BNPL and advanced card payments. The BNPL fee jumps to 4.99% + $0.49 per transaction. The changes start Jan. 13, 2024, under CEO Alex Chriss's focus on profitability.

Google stops a hotel-search test after EU's DMA concerns, claiming traffic fell 10% for hotels. The EU is investigating Google’s compliance with DMA rules, with potential fines of 10% of global revenue looming. Stakes remain high for all.

Google ended its “blue links” test in the EU, citing a 10% drop in hotel traffic. This move aims to counter DMA rules, which could fine Google up to 10% of global revenue for breaches. Lobbying for less strict EU oversight continues.

Amazon has launched Amazon Freight and Amazon Shipping in India. These services offer businesses streamlined logistics, covering 14K+ pin codes. They aim to simplify B2B and B2C shipping with reliable, cost-effective solutions.

Royal Mail will roll out 250 exclusive parcel lockers by early 2025, starting in London. These lockers will enhance convenience for online shoppers, sellers, and returns, offering 24/7 access in high-traffic areas.

DHL Supply Chain launches AI tools to clean data, speed up quotes, and enhance legal and customer support. Developed with BCG X, these innovations ensure efficient logistics and personalized services, enhancing customer satisfaction globally.

Australia plans a tax on Big Tech platforms like Meta and Google, forcing them to pay for news content or face penalties. Starting Jan 2025, companies earning over $227M USD must comply to safeguard Australian journalism.

Shopify's Winter '25 Edition, dubbed the "Boring Edition," improves integration, AI tools, POS updates, and tax automation, driving global growth and empowering merchants with seamless functionality. Key focus: Europe, POS, and personalization.

eBay partners with Klarna to expand BNPL options across Europe, offering flexibility for buyers in 7 key markets. New resale features empower users, aligning with eBay's growing focus on convenience and sustainability.

Mirakl reached $10B GMV in 2024 and achieved $100M GMV on Black Friday, up 30% YoY. In Europe, GMV rose 43%, while DACH regions led with 61%. Personal shopping and premium items like gift cards drove growth.

A U.S. court ordered Automattic to restore WP Engine's access to WordPress.org. The ruling ends a ban that disrupted plugins and users. WP Engine says it restores stability to the WordPress ecosystem. Automattic plans to appeal.

FedEx’s new flight connects Asia, India, and Europe faster. It runs 5 times weekly, cutting delivery time by a day. Businesses in tech, auto, and e-commerce will benefit from quicker and seamless logistics.

Mollie and PayPal join forces to simplify marketplace payments across Europe, offering seamless options like BNPL, local methods, and gift cards, with reduced operational costs through Mollie Connect’s streamlined support and integration.

DHL acquires a majority stake in Brandpath Group, a cross-border eCommerce fulfilment provider. The deal offers access to DHL's global logistics network and infrastructure, enhancing services for SMBs worldwide.

Alibaba launches Pic Copilot in the US, an AI design tool for SMEs. It enhances imagery, supports virtual try-ons, and saves $200/user. Black Friday users generated 80K images, boosting sales. Now offers 50 free credits for US SMEs.

Google is testing keywordless search ads, replacing traditional keywords with search themes and audience signals. Advertisers can input themes like “recliners” instead of bidding on keywords. The full launch may come in 2025.

Mirakl named leader in Forrester Wave™ Q4 2024 report. Recognized for AI, Retail Media, seller onboarding. Helps businesses like Saks and Coca-Cola Hellenic innovate with marketplaces. Scored highest in 21 of 33 criteria, simplifying eCommerce growth.

Etsy promotes Kruti Patel Goyal to chief growth officer, names Lanny Baker CFO, and appoints Brad Minor as CMO. The shakeup follows mixed Q3 results, including $662.4M in revenue but a $30.5M net income drop.

Alibaba formed a unified e-commerce group, combining Taobao, Tmall, Lazada, and others. The move enhances supply chain synergies, global market access, and AI integration. Alibaba aims to boost SMEs and drive 29% annual revenue growth internationally.

GameStop is closing all stores in Germany by January 2025, affecting 500 employees. The exit follows closures in Ireland and Switzerland. Online pre-orders for 2025 titles remain uncertain. Shifting gamer habits drive GameStop's struggles.

Temu's pricing cuts Anker headphones by 20% below Amazon. Temu's strategy of no fees helps sellers maintain profits. Meanwhile, Huakai Yibai's Q3 revenue from Temu hit $12.64M, though profits dipped 40% due to rising costs.

Australia's House of Representatives passed a bill banning children under 16 from social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram face $33M fines for violations. The law awaits Senate approval but faces criticism over privacy and enforcement.

Starting 2025, DPD Germany will expand its cooperation with myflexbox, rolling out over 1,000 parcel stations nationwide. This partnership boosts DPD’s out-of-home strategy and aligns with GLS to offer 20,000 points by 2027.

ChannelEngine and Aramex announced a partnership to expand marketplace access in the Middle East. The collaboration combines ChannelEngine’s integration platform with Aramex’s logistics expertise, streamlining e-commerce operations and enhancing reach.

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are promoting Amazon stores to guarantee holiday deliveries. With tight shopping timelines, brands like Geologie, Foria, and Manscaped use strategies like Prime's two-day shipping to attract last-minute shoppers.

Budapest Airport processes 95M parcels in 2024, 95% from China. Key platforms like Temu and SHEIN rely on its Ferihegy terminal for Central European distribution. Logistics firms thrive, but parcel operators face challenges with the growing volume.

CIRRO Fulfillment teams up with Loop to enhance returns for retailers. With Loop’s portal, customers can handle returns faster, saving time and costs. This partnership supports over 4,000 brands, improving logistics and customer satisfaction globally.

Decathlon partners Myntra to expand its online reach across India, focusing on Tier 1, 2, & 3 cities and the Northeast. This partnership will boost access to sportswear, footwear, and gear, promoting an active lifestyle.

InPost is expanding its Locker Shops to more UK urban areas after a successful pilot in Camden. New sites include London’s Liverpool Street and Manchester in 2024, with more to come in 2025. The aim: faster, simpler parcel services.

TikTok introduces Symphony Creative Studios globally, allowing advertisers to create AI-powered video ads in minutes. Features include text-to-video, digital avatars, translations, and royalty-free music. Part of TikTok's broader AI strategy.

CommerceIQ has launched Nexis, an AI-powered omnichannel teammate for ecommerce. It reduces reporting time by 75%, creates executive reports, and performs data analysis at MBA-level speed. Currently in beta, it will expand to the public in Q1 2024.

PhaseZero introduced five commerce-ready AI agents to optimize sales, pricing, inventory, and marketing. These tools enhance ROI and efficiency, integrate with its CxCommerce™ platform, and ensure privacy for users. Launched Nov. 14, 2024.

shöpping.at expands to Germany, offering Austrian products online. Retailers get $6/order bonuses in Nov-Dec 2024. German shoppers enjoy free shipping. This launch aims to capture holiday sales and boost Austrian exports with EU retailer onboarding.

Google Lens now helps shoppers in stores compare prices, read reviews, and check local inventory using AI. This new feature is backed by Shopping Graph and Gemini models. Available on Google and Chrome apps in the U.S. from November 19, 2024.

Therabody revamped its mobile strategy ahead of a record holiday season. With mobile sales projected to hit 53% of holiday online spending, brands like Therabody are optimizing for quick checkouts, engaging ads, and minimal steps to purchase.

Perplexity launches AI-powered shopping for Pro users in the U.S. Users can search for items, view detailed cards, and order with one click. The tool features unbiased recommendations and free shipping for Pro subscribers.

Starting Nov 14, 2024, Google Maps lets users search for local products easily, making holiday shopping simpler. Customers can now find nearby stores with available items, alongside checking travel disruptions and delays.

Etsy's CEO Josh Silverman emphasizes AI's role as key to growth. Etsy now has 7M sellers and 90M buyers. AI helps improve search and product handling. Silverman acknowledges mixed feelings from sellers but affirms the commitment to artists.