Industry News & Headlines | January 2026

February 15, 2026

A quick look back first of all on December – and it’s fair to say that things didn’t slow down as much as expected, with new vacancies continuing right through the month. That momentum carried straight into January, making for a very busy start to the year for the Simply Commerce team, as well as many of our clients.

Early signs suggest retail delivered a strong peak trading period, reflected in increased spend and a more confident tone in post-Christmas trading conversations. While caution hasn’t disappeared completely, investment feels more targeted and closely tied to performance and scalability.

Platform discussions continue to evolve. Shopify remains the clear leader in ecommerce and we expect that trend to continue through the year. That said, Salesforce Commerce Cloud is coming up more frequently in UK conversations, particularly for brands beyond the £60m turnover mark where total cost of ownership is under closer scrutiny.

AI continues to dominate the agenda. No surprise there perhaps, although the pace of change is forcing businesses to act, not just explore, which is already shaping hiring and investment decisions early in the year.

From our side, the data reflects that momentum. New jobs are up 15% on January last year, with a significantly stronger qualified pipeline to match. An encouraging start, and a strong signal of what’s to come. Happy new year indeed!

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Amazon confirmed plans to significantly increase AI infrastructure investment in 2026, triggering sharp market reaction. The move highlights both the scale of AI ambition and ongoing investor caution around spend versus return READ MORE
  • Tesco tech report highlights digital transformation trends – Tesco’s 2026 “We Know the Nation” report emphasises AI-enabled personalisation and streamlined online experiences as key drivers of customer loyalty and long-term ecommerce growth READ MORE
  • Game is to close its final standalone stores. After entering administration, the Frasers Group-owned gaming retailer confirmed it will shut its last high-street shops and focus solely on ecommerce and concessions in 200+ Sports Direct and House of Fraser stores READ MORE
  • eBay confirmed increases to final value and per-order fees for UK and Germany sellers, marking one of the platform’s most significant policy changes in recent years. The move has prompted debate among merchants about profitability and marketplace competitiveness in 2026 READ MORE
  • TikTok Shop is rolling out Fulfilled by TikTok across Europe (including Germany, France, Spain and Italy), letting sellers ship into local warehouses with TikTok handling warehousing, delivery and returns. The move reflects social commerce evolving into a full-blown ecommerce and logistics proposition READ MORE

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Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | November 2025

December 20, 2025

Early signs online and the latest spend data suggest the Black Friday weekend in the UK delivered a solid performance, with total spend coming in just under £4 billion, up 4.5% on last year. As expected, online continued to dominate as the primary channel, reinforcing just how embedded digital purchasing now is across consumer behaviour.

I think it’s fair to say that market conversations more generally remain varied and encouraging. While retail continues to be heavily led by data, we’re seeing some of the bigger transformational programmes taking shape outside of traditional retail, particularly within non-profit organisations and utilities companies. Across retail, the most agile organisations are likely to be the ones that pull ahead. Being able to access, understand, and act on data quickly remains absolutely critical.

I heard an interesting comment last week that “businesses have the money, they just don’t want to write the cheque.” I’d challenge that slightly based on our own conversations, but it does underline that caution is still present when it comes to signing off on project budgets. Confidence is building, but diligence remains high.

That said, the pipeline for next year is really starting to take shape. We’re already seeing early demand across testing and engineering, with product owners and senior sales professionals also emerging as key areas of focus. With our expansion across the broader digital transformation space, both B2B and B2C, we’re well placed to support organisations as hiring plans begin to firm up, whether that’s scaling technical delivery teams, strengthening product functions, or bringing in senior commercial talent, with encouraging momentum already building into the new year.

On a personal note, a final thank you for the continued support this year. I hope you have a restful Christmas and a happy, healthy, and successful New Year.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Jo Malone London launched an AI-powered “Scent Advisor” tool, a new online experience built with Google Cloud AI, designed to help customers discover their perfect fragrance through a conversational journey that ’emulates the feel of an in-store consultation’ READ MORE
  • Morrisons launched its “Talking Tills” initiative – a temporary slower-checkout option designed to combat loneliness, while reinforcing the growing focus on differentiated in-store customer experience alongside the rise of automation and ecommerce READ MORE
  • Lloyds Banking Group explores using AI and blockchain to speed up the UK home-buying process, with the aim of cutting paperwork, reducing delays and simplifying mortgages and conveyancing for buyers and lenders alike READ MORE
  • BT has launched a sovereign data platform for UK public-sector and business customers, enabling data, cloud, AI and voice services to be stored and processed within the UK for enhanced security, compliance, and resilience READ MORE
  • eBay has teamed up with InPost so UK buyers and sellers can now send and receive parcels via their 12,000-strong locker and parcel-shop network, offering 24/7 convenience and boosting flexibility for online shopping fulfilment READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | October 2025

November 13, 2025

Conversations across the digital commerce world are as lively as ever, with plenty happening across both B2C and B2B. The themes may sound familiar – data, transformation, and platform growth – but the energy behind them feels stronger than it has in months.

Data has dominated much of the conversation this quarter. Governance, security, and the challenge of managing first- and third-party sources are still top of the list, as businesses look for smarter ways to use information, not just collect it.

Internally, Q4 got off to a slower start than expected, but we’re far from discouraged. The opportunities are there – they’re just taking a little longer to convert. Contract demand remains buoyant across every region we cover, and our teams have had a busy few weeks of face-to-face meetings across the UK and Benelux, with plenty of productive conversations.

The Dutch market continues to show real momentum heading into 2026, while Germany still feels behind the curve on transformation; though the appetite for change is growing. We’re also seeing an uptick in demand for near-shore resources as businesses balance capability, cost, and proximity in smarter ways.

All told, there’s a lot to be positive about. The market feels active, conversations are meaningful, and confidence is slowly but surely translating into action. Here’s to a strong finish to the year!

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Waitrose unveils its first “Home of Food Lovers” concept store in Newbury – 27,000 sq ft, powered by a record £50m tech investment, featuring specialist food counters and AI/digital in-store tools READ MORE
  • Tesco has boosted its rapid-grocery delivery service Whoosh via a new partnership with Just Eat Go, enhancing fulfilment speed and capability ahead of key trading periods READ MORE
  • Marks & Spencer has launched on TikTok Shop, making its most-loved beauty and home-fragrance products instantly shoppable in-app; a strategic move to meet younger customers where they discover and buy READ MORE
  • Frasers Group’s new Sports Direct flagship in Liverpool opened last month, combining retail, wellness and media-driven innovation. The 65,000 sq ft, three-storey site integrates its proprietary ELEVATE platform and an in-store gym (Everlast Gyms+) to transform the physical store into a dynamic brand experience READ MORE
  • Morrisons is rolling out electronic shelf labels (ESLs) across its entire supermarket estate of 497 sites, in partnership with Vusion Group, making it the first major UK grocer to adopt this technology at scale READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | September 2025

October 29, 2025

Conversations across the digital commerce space remain strong, particularly with those delivering services into both B2C and B2B. The topics may sound familiar, but they continue to dominate – data, AI, and Shopify are still front and centre.

Data accuracy and accessibility are proving critical as businesses focus on turning information into insight. AI remains impossible to ignore, driving real-world efficiency gains and reshaping how we’ll search, shop, and check out, with tools like OpenAI’s checkout and Agents leading the way.

Meanwhile, Shopify’s enterprise momentum continues, with seven-figure builds and ambitious partner growth targets creating new opportunities across the ecosystem.

Personalisation also remains a key theme, as brands look to deepen relationships, improve customer lifetime value, and increase average order size.

Internally, Team SC is seeing the impact of this market confidence firsthand. We’re managing the highest number of live vacancies per head in two years (long may this continue!) and contract demand continues to grow at pace, particularly across project-driven roles.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Shein launches brand incubator “Xcelerator” – a brand incubation programme to support emerging labels, increasing its footprint in the UK retail ecosystem READ MORE
  • Selfridges has expanded and upgraded its Birmingham Beauty Hall into a 30,000 sq ft destination (the largest outside London), adding 37 new counters, 160 brands, and new experiential spaces as part of its wider investment in beauty READ MORE
  • Morrisons is trialling AI-enabled trolleys that scan items as you shop, track totals in real time, and let customers skip checkout queues. The pilot begins in early 2026, marking Instacart’s first UK rollout READ MORE
  • At RetailX’s Autumn Festival, Debenhams’ CEO shared that the brand is aiming to become the “Spotify of retail,” using a new Pinterest integration to reimagine online discovery; shaking off its “digital dinosaur” past READ MORE
  • Asda is piloting AI-powered shelf-scanning cameras from retail automation specialist Focal Systems across five UK stores. The technology monitors shelves in real time to flag gaps, misplaced products, and potential waste, forming part of Asda’s wider investment in smart store innovation READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | August 2025

September 18, 2025

The market picture through Q3 has been encouraging, with sentiment across retail and digital commerce continuing to strengthen. Businesses that paused during the uncertainty of 2023 and 2024 are now moving quickly to catch up, and the conversations we’re having have shifted noticeably from “should we?” to “how do we?”. Transformation is firmly back on the agenda, with new workstreams beginning to gather pace as companies push forward on areas such as unified commerce, supply chain modernisation, and data-driven growth.

AI continues to dominate discussions, but it is no longer an abstract theme. Retailers and brands are actively exploring how AI can enhance SEO, merchandising, and customer service, while also driving real efficiency gains across engineering and software development.

Shopify’s sustained push into enterprise continues to gather momentum, with several established high street names considering replatforming as part of their digital strategy. At the same time, the rise of “phygital” retail is becoming harder to ignore, as brands including Topshop and Laura Ashley return to physical stores, underlining the ongoing value of bricks-and-mortar within a digital-first landscape.

For Simply Commerce, this confidence is translating into another strong quarter. Permanent and contract hiring both performed well in August, and the pipeline for Q4 looks particularly robust. October and November are traditionally high-activity months for us, and all signs point to that pattern continuing.

Almost every conversation we’re having suggests optimism for the final stretch of the year and a positive start to 2026. Indeed, the businesses that choose to be bold now are the ones that will be best placed to capture the opportunities ahead.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • UK retail sales rose 3.1% year-on-year in August, helped by warm summer weather and back-to-school demand for food, furniture and tech READ MORE
  • Laura Ashley will open its first standalone UK store in over five years at Lakeside Shopping Centre on 26 September, offering homeware, fashion and interior design services READ MORE
  • John Lewis reported H1 sales up 4% to £6.2bn, with Waitrose +6% and department stores +2%, and said it expects full-year profit growth despite widening losses READ MORE
  • Topshop will relaunch physical retail via John Lewis, with collections in 32 stores from February, while Topman will feature in six READ MORE
  • Nike has launched its Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL) tool at Oxford Circus, offering head-to-toe running consultations using motion capture. The aim is to personalise product recommendations and bring elite sport science to the high street READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | July 2025

August 13, 2025

Q3 got off to a strong start, particularly in terms of permanent hiring, and early signs suggest that momentum will carry through August and into the autumn. While the short-term pipeline has softened slightly (no surprise given we’re still deep in summer), there’s a clear appetite for continued hiring in the second half of the year. Growth is firmly back on the agenda it seems.

Almost every conversation we’re having points to a solid first half and a confident outlook for H2. Across the board, businesses are talking about modernising supply chains, pushing forward with unified commerce strategies, and making better use of data; all areas where projects are beginning to build.

Unsurprisingly, AI continues to dominate the conversation. But it’s not just talk: for many businesses, real investment and practical action are now required to bring AI ambitions to life.

After a stop-start couple of years, we’re also expecting a more aggressive catch-up cycle, especially from retailers who hit pause in 2023 and 2024. Many are now moving fast to make up for lost time.

One emerging trend to watch is the increasing use of nearshore resources. There’s a clear shift in thinking here: while the cost savings aren’t what they were a few years ago, the quality of talent and technical output is incredibly strong; leading more companies to tap into these markets as they build delivery capability.

Momentum’s building – now it’s about keeping it going.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Next saw full‑price sales climb 10.5% in the 13 weeks to July 26, helped by warm weather and spillover from Marks & Spencer’s cyber‑attack disruption. The retailer increased annual pretax profit expectations by £25m to £1.105bn READ MORE
  • WHSmith has agreed a £24m deal to sell its Funky Pigeon division to Card Factory. The transaction is expected to complete by year’s end, further focusing WHSmith on its core travel‑retail business READ MORE
  • UK supermarket sales rose 5.8% year-on-year in the four weeks to 12 July. Ocado (+13.1%), Lidl (+10.3%), Sainsbury’s (+5.0%) and Waitrose (+4.8%) outperformed, while Asda saw a 2.3% decline READ MORE
  • B&M reported UK revenue up 4.7% in the quarter to June 28, with demand for garden, DIY, toys and furniture lifted by dry spring weather. The retailer plans to open 45 new UK stores in the year ahead READ MORE
  • Footfall across UK retail destinations climbed 1.5% week‑on‑week in early July, with high streets up 1.3%, retail parks up 2.9%, and shopping centres up 0.9% – boosted by warm weather and high-profile summer events including the Oasis concerts READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | June 2025

July 16, 2025

“The market’s good”

One of the first questions I get asked, after nearly 15 years recruiting in the digital commerce space, is always the same: “How’s the market?”

Given how the last couple of years have gone, I’m pleased to say… it’s good. Actually, better than good. It’s taken a while to get here, and if it feels like it’s been a long time coming – that’s because it has.

Let me break it down:

There’s budget again: not reckless spending, but cautious investment is happening. That hasn’t been the case for a while.

Hiring sentiment is up: companies are planning, talking about, and forecasting growth in this financial year.

New projects are gaining traction: Commerce, PIM, CMS, Search… I’ve heard of multiple new initiatives signed off in Q2 alone.

Industry-wide data shows a 20% increase in digital commerce job adverts in Q2 2025 vs Q2 2024.

Simply Commerce-specific stats from Q2: Most new jobs added in a single quarter for two years. Most placements made in a quarter for two years. Most revenue booked and billed in a quarter for two years.

So yes, we’re feeling positive, and hopefully that helps explain why. But (and there’s always a but), we’re also staying grounded. Summer can be slower. And with ongoing global instability, we know things can change quickly.

Meanwhile, AI continues to dominate every conversation,and rightly so. There’s no sign of that slowing down so if you’re looking for a smart area to upskill in, AI is the obvious choice. Just make sure you do your homework first.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Nike has reported an 86% drop in quarterly profits as it grapples with a sharp decline in sales, a costly corporate revamp, and a $1bn hit from US tariffs READ MORE
  • Boots UK has continued to outperform the high street, reporting a 5% increase in total sales for the three months to the end of May – its 17th consecutive quarter of market share gains READ MORE
  • ASOS.com cracks down on serial returners, closing accounts that breach its fair use policy. The retailer said a “small group” of customers will be impacted READ MORE
  • Marks and Spencer restarted online sales following a cyber-attack over the Easter weekend in April, which is expected to cost (gross) around £300m. The retailer reintroduced key clothing lines, with more products to follow READ MORE
  • River Island may close 33 stores (from 250) and attempt to cut rents on 71 more as part of major restructuring plans, putting jobs at risk. The retailer reported a £33.2m pre-tax lose in FY23 as sales fell 19% READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | May 2025

June 15, 2025

Last month, I mentioned the “choppiness” of 2025 so far, with April proving slower than expected. Thankfully, May brought a solid bounce back for Simply Commerce, and June is already off to a strong start.

New vacancies are now at a yearly high, and the pipeline is looking healthy across a variety of roles and sectors. We’re also seeing real momentum behind some of the wider services we offer, particularly around sales enablement and project delivery. Over the past six weeks, there’s even been a noticeable rise in demand for project management and business analysis roles, which suggests that new workstreams are kicking off.

In retail, the sentiment seems consistent. Budgets are available, but the focus is on how and where to spend them. Right now, we’re seeing investment in both operational efficiency and more innovative areas like unified commerce, frontend re-designs, and personalisation.

Outside of retail, B2B remains a major talking point. It’s clear that work is on the horizon, especially for those with strong B2C leadership backgrounds, as B2B companies go through significant transformation. If you’re aiming to break into this space, networking with groups like The B2B Organisation will be well worth your time.

Shopify continues to dominate the commerce conversation, but Adobe Commerce is stepping up, too. Its new SaaS products and the launch of Commerce Optimiser are interesting moves as it looks to regain market share. Time will tell how this plays out.

Optimism is always part of the job, but this time it feels justified. There’s a new energy in the market, conversations are flowing, and the challenges of 2023 and 2024 finally feel like they’re behind us.

Let’s hope that continues.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Gymshark launched its first loyalty programme, offering customers “experience points” for purchases, sharing content, and completing workouts via its app READ MORE
  • Morrisons expanded its More Card loyalty scheme to include over 300 partner retailers such as eBay, ASOS.com, and Expedia Group READ MORE
  • Holland & Barrett has reported double-digit sales growth for the second year running, driven by its customer-focused strategy and rising demand. Sales rose by 10% year-on-year in 2024, reaching £884.5m, up from £806.1m in 2023 READ MORE
  • The Walt Disney Company will open a limited-time pop-up at Westfield White City in June, featuring immersive designs, daily ceremonies, and exclusive product ranges tied to its Lilo & Stitch film and summer collection READ MORE
  • H&M Group acquired a minority stake in Swedish ecommerce firm Centra following a successful partnership with brands including COS and ARKET READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | April 2025

May 12, 2025

AI, AI… and Action Figures.

From “Buy Now” integrations to LinkedIn feeds full of AI-powered action heroes, the artificial intelligence hype machine is still in overdrive. Whether the use cases are game-changing or just gimmicks, AI once again stole the show last month. I’d bet not many of you are reading this without thinking about the prompt you used to generate your own?!

On a more serious note, April was slower than we’d hoped – likely a combination of tariffs and the Easter break. That said, we’re expecting activity to ramp up quickly in the coming weeks.

As always, we had a presence at Retail Tech Show last month. The general consensus? Retail isn’t standing still. While spending is cautious, there’s a clear appetite for investment –  especially in areas that drive efficiency and optimisation. Hiring was very much on the agenda for many vendors we spoke to.

Interestingly, Europe seems to be a step ahead of the UK when it comes to pressing ‘go’ on transformation projects. We’ve also heard whispers of some major retail programmes kicking off later this year.

On the upside, our pipeline is looking incredibly strong across engineering, architecture, and customer success/account management roles.

At the start of the year, I said 2025 would be choppy – and April proved just that. But with fresh budgets in place and positive early signals, May is already shaping up to be a better month.

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • Asda will open 25 new convenience stores in the second half of 2025, stepping up its local presence after launching just 12 last year READ MORE
  • JD Group test-launched UK website Joybuy.com, offering groceries including Morrisons own-label products. The site features food, drink, household and personal care items READ MORE
  • SHEIN and Temu have informed US customers to expect higher prices starting next week due to the tariffs imposed on China by Trump READ MORE
  • Amazon submitted a bid to acquire TikTok’s US operations as the platform faces a forced sale READ MORE
  • Superdrug is rolling out 500 digital screens across UK stores to support its Retail Media Network, Optimo. The screens aim to deliver tailored promotions in real time, enhancing customer experience and supplier advertising READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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Industry News & Headlines | March 2025

April 10, 2025

Last month’s update landed at a time when things were starting to pick up – and we’re pleased to say that momentum hasn’t slowed. April has already seen a steady flow of positive conversations, new instructions coming through, and long-standing vacancies being filled – exactly what we like to see.

March set the tone, and so far, April is following suit.

📈 CVs sent are the highest this year.

📈 Interviews taken place is the highest this year

On top of this – and while it’s a slightly more subjective metric – we’re finding more people are open to having conversations about hiring. Why does that matter? Well, if hiring wasn’t even on the radar, it’s unlikely anyone would spend 15–20 minutes on a call discussing it when there are a million and one other things demanding their attention, especially in a time where efficiency is everything.

Unsurprisingly, data remains the hottest topic right now. From driving internal efficiencies to boosting revenue through smarter loyalty programmes and personalisation, nearly every business is reviewing their data strategy. It’s not just retail either – we’re seeing increased demand across the insurance sector as well.

Outside of data, Shopify continues to lead the commerce platform space. Interestingly, Q1 saw several agencies from North America and the Nordics move into the already crowded UK market – including Woolman, ROIROI, Domaine, and Lazer Technologies (who landed last year). A few consultancies with enterprise transformation credentials have also secured Shopify Partner status. Given the demand for skilled technical Shopify professionals, it’s no surprise this has been a busy area for us throughout Q1.

To summarise, Q1 has been strong – both for us and across the wider recruitment space. Jobs are picking up across the digital commerce landscape. With fresh budgets now in play for many, we’re expecting to see new projects kicking off quickly as we move further into April.

 

Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month

  • WHSmith has sold 480 high street stores to Modella Capital (Hobbycraft owner) in a deal worth £76m. Stores will be rebranded TGJones and WH Smith retains its brand to focus on its travel shops READ MORE
  • Fortnum & Mason partnered with Zapp to launch 24/7 on-demand delivery in London, offering rapid access to products like hampers and teas READ MORE
  • Holland & Barrett opened its first experience-led store in Cardiff, featuring wellness activities like yoga and pilates, health checks, and personalised wellness solutions. The 3,710 sq ft store is part of a £70m investment in transforming retail experiences READ MORE
  • ASOS.com has upped its profit outlook for H1 amid its ongoing turnaround strategy, expecting a “significant improvement” in profitability READ MORE
  • Vinted opened its first luxury second-hand fashion pop-up, House of Vinted, in London’s The Adria Hotel on 22 March. Invitation-only guests were able to explore curated wardrobes featuring brands like Gucci and Prada Group READ MORE

Each month we send out the latest industry news and headlines, plus sector insight such as this via our newsletter, The Pulse. This also includes the latest jobs and internal news… click HERE  to subscribe

 

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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