What: The LVMH group’s sales portal, 24S, is set to hold its very first liveshopping session on 2 November called ‘Live Shopping in Paris’.

Why it is important: 24 winter pieces will be presented during the liveshopping session hosted by influencers responsible for presenting the latest trends and explaining different styling possibilities.

After the initial broadcast on 24S.com, the sequence will then be available there for replay. While this initial broadcast is focused on Western consumers and trends, 24S will shoot the following liveshopping episodes with a greater focus on Asian consumers.

24S to begin liveshopping

What: Saks Fifth Avenue has invested 250 million dollars to renovate the Manhattan flagship’s seventh floor to create an advanced designer men’s destination.

Why it is important: While the 40,000-square-foot floor is not yet complete, 15 new in-store shops are coming to compliment the more inviting aesthetic and demonstrated Saks' belief in partnering with brands to create unique experiences.

Some designer brands like Celine and Bottega Veneta are having their US debut in the space. 23 established and emerging brands will also be added to the mix.

The project is expected to be completed in February of 2023. The 250-million-dollar investment will also include a main floor focused on luxury leather goods and accessories and a multi-coloured escalator leading to an expanded beauty floor.

Saks renovates men’s designer floor at Manhattan flagship

Saks renovates men’s designer floor at Manhattan flagship - Source 2

What: To celebrate the power of food bringing people together, the meal-themed window displays also respond to the new owners’ vision of building a world-class food hall.

Why it is important: The holiday season decorations have been rolled out across its four stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester as well as online.

15 windows at the Oxford Street flagship are decorated with festive food displays such as a club sandwich tower in front of a fridge filled with silver designer bags and Brussels sprouts stacked on top of a car like a freshly cut Christmas tree. Santa will be making an appearance daily to interact with customers and host events starting 25 November.

There are plans to have a food market and restaurants. While Selfridges has a host of restaurants, they’re spread throughout the store, thus, the new joint owners plan to create a food hall offering luxury and organic options.

Selfridges unveils food-themed Christmas windows

What: TikTok is reportedly looking for employees to help in establishing an international fulfilment network with warehousing, customs clearing and supply chain systems that support the US and cross-border e-commerce efforts.

Why it is important: The social media platform is searching for supply chain, logistics and e-commerce managers to develop its service centres, order prediction capabilities and inventory management, with the apparent soon-to-be hub based in Seattle, Washington.

TikTok is also posting other less-senior roles to fill out their logistics, customer service and warehousing teams.

The news comes as TikTok continues to push live-shopping features to US consumers ahead of the holiday season.

TikTok plans US e-commerce fulfilment network

What: The vegetarian restaurant at its Maison Seoul location is helmed by French 3-star Michelin chef Alain Passard.

Why it is important: Retailers and brands are increasingly venturing into hospitality and are crafting tailored experiences.

Taking over the Gangnam flagship’s fourth floor, the restaurant featured a fall garden theme. Alain Passard’s vegetarian pop-up restaurant opened for lunch, tea time, and dinner, from September 17 to October 29 at Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul.

Louis Vuitton pop-up restaurant in Seoul

What: Battling e-commerce natives, dealing with high acquisition costs, unpredictable inventory and demand and difficult profit targets are leading some department stores such as Selfridges or Nordstrom to team up with other multi-brand retailers.

Why it is important: To combine merchandising prowess, share customer crossover and leverage each other’s scale or social reach, multi-brand retailers are partnering in different ways as a chance to experiment and improve connectivity.

Choosing the right partner is important, as is navigating the risks around stock management, cannibalisation and feasibility.

The trend of cross-retail partnerships is not new and has proved popular within beauty as can be seen through Sephora’s partnership with Kohl’s or Ulta’s Target shop-in-shops. For fashion retailers, Barneys New York’s example of a wholesale deal to sell its private label collection through the South Korean boutique Boon The Shop started in 2018 and ended only when the store closed in 2020.

Already, Selfridges has partnered with Machine A and Smets to offer a curated selection of products from the two external multi-brand retailers as part of its plan to inject new brands and styles in-store. Nordstrom has partnered with 11 Honoré, a luxury e-commerce platform, and Asos.

Multi-brand retailers team up for success

What: Forbes questions the future of return policies now that their cost is skyrocketing.

Why it is important: There is neither a one-size-fits-all solution nor even one known answer to date on how to address the rising costs of such policies, apart from making sure that customers pay more attention when placing their orders. This is where data and tech might be helpful.

Forbes reviews the thorny question of 100% satisfaction guarantee policies in the US, where no-questions-asked returns became a common currency on the market. This has become an increasingly painful question with the rise of e-commerce, with some retailers even paying for the privilege of customers shipping back their items.

However, this might be coming to an end, as the related costs are too high: Kohl’s is no longer paying for return costs, LL Bean, Dillard’s, J.Crew, REOI and Zara even charge customers who decide to return items. Some are even thinking about writing off on the goods that customers want to return, instead of taking them back.

Cost is the main issue: is represented 16,6% of total US sales last year and $751billion (to be compared with 10,6% and $428bn in 2020), and this figure might even be underestimated, as it needs to take into account hidden costs.

Retailers are therefore in a difficult position, not willing anymore to sacrifice their already thin margin to provide a service that customers take for granted. Nudging might be one of the solutions, thanks to the help of tech, using data as a way to influence customers’ behavior (and make sure they buy the right size or color). One thing is for certain, it will not be easy anymore to return items in the future.

Are the 100% satisfaction guarantee policies a thing from the past? 

What: Westfield has opened its Les Ateliers Gaîté shopping mall this month as part of a revitalisation initiative for the Montparnasse area.

Why it is important: The project represents Westfield’s mission to regenerate cities through the retail developer’s projects that work to improve neighbourhood traffic flow, profit and overall appeal for local customers instead of acting as shopping destinations.

Les Ateliers Gaîté has added a pedestrian crossing, a green square and favoured bike paths while retaining 70% of the original building structure in Montparnasse. The mixed-use space is more than a shopping centre, bringing 310,000 square feet of shopping, 140,000 square feet of office space, 62 social housing units, a city library, a daycare centre and the biggest food court in Europe all anchored to the 950-room Pullman hotel and conference centre.

The goal is to fulfil the Montparnasse neighbourhood’s needs through a bakery, wine shop, hardware store, fitness centre and local artisanal shops. Claire’s is the sole international mall chain store.

Westfield opens Parisian mixed-use mall 

What: Changes in corporate management and hiring as well as cost-cutting have supported the evolving digital strategies aimed at regaining relevance and capturing new customers.

Why it is important: The Macy’s Group has been reworking the private brand portfolio, adding additional Bloomies and Market by Macy’s off-mall speciality stores to become less dependent on traditional big box stores.

In the Q2 of 2022 for Macy’s Group brick-and-mortar represented 70% of sales and 30% for digital sales. Expectations for the holiday season are positive according to Macy’s CEO due to a better inventory profile and having 55% of the assortment being new content.

Macy’s CEO shares details on retail transformation

What: Following Asos' share price decline, Frasers Group has increased its stake.

Why it is important: Frasers’ recent investment in Asos makes it the fourth-biggest shareholder in Asos, yet the Group seems more focused on Hugo Boss as it increased its stake to 32.8% of the fashion company’s share.

The 32.8% of Hugo Boss shares owned by Frasers Group are divided into 4.3% direct holding in common stock and 28.5% through the sale of ‘put options’.

Frasers increases investments in Hugo Boss and Asos

Frasers increases investments in Hugo Boss and Asos

What: M&S has announced the rollout of its Sparks loyalty scheme globally across 26 targeted online markets including the US, Australia and India.

Why it is important: For the UK and Ireland, the Sparks programme will remain digital-first, however, customers are now able to purchase and be rewarded through the scheme via its international flagship websites as well as through the Sparks app.

Customers who sign up will have access to personalized rewards and offers. Those shopping in one of the 94 India-based M&S stores will also have the chance to instantly win a free shopping spree.

Marks & Spencer takes loyalty programme international

What: Despite growing concerns regarding a global recession, LVMH remains bullish on the future due to a 19% increase in revenues.

Why it is important: After the close of the Paris Bourse, LVMH reports a 28% increase year-over-year for the first nine months of 2022 which was driven by the fashion and leather goods division. The outlook for the final quarter of 2022 remains positive as the luxury conglomerate expected continued growth.

Europe, the US and Japan benefitted from strong local demand and an upturn in tourism leading to positive performance in the third quarter. Asia is also improving as COVID-related restrictions partially lift. However, LVMH’s CFO warns of China’s recovery being uncertain as lockdowns and supply chain disruptions continue. In addition, a distinction must be made between affluent customers and the brands that serve them as not reflecting the general economy due to being less affected by NGDP volatility.

LVMH reports revenue growth in Q3

What: M&S will close 67 stores over the next five years as the retailer aims to cut operational costs with the potential of fast-tracking closures within three years.

Why it is important: During an investment meeting, the CEO of Marks & Spencer said that the retailer will downsize from 247 stores to 180 ‘full-line’ shops by 2028 to save close to 400-million pounds in overhead.

In addition to addressing operational costs from physical stores, M&S will tackle inefficiencies in its supply chain to maximize flows for its clothing and homeware categories. As well, there are plans to slim down and automate the UK distribution network.

The list of locations that will be closed has yet to be disclosed.

Marks & Spencer to cut cost through 67 store closures

What: Amazon accelerates on the UK personal finance market with the launch of an insurance price comparison engine.

Why it is important: the company continues to build a super-app similar to what can be found in China or India, by proposing an aggregate of various services without leaving its ecosystem. It is coming as a challenge for some department store companies which have managed to grow in a similar manner (El Corte Inglés, Falabella)

Amazon has launched a portal for buying insurance in the UK, in order to allow customers to compare prices. This follows Apple’s launch of a saving account in partnership with Goldman Sachs.

Amazon already offers online payments, co-branded credit cards, gift cards and instalment-lending services in the UK. Some of the products it sells also come with extended warranties, however the launch of an insurance aggregator in the UK could show an acceleration of the strategy into personal finance products.

Its portal will allow customers to compare and purchase insurance from providers without leaving its website, and Amazon will collect a commission on each sale.

Amazon breaks into the insurance market 

What: Nike Korea is looking to depose resellers by cancelling orders if there are indications of intent to resale, along with new terms and conditions.

Why it is important: Nike is pushing for greater direct-to-consumer operations, having cut ties with several retailers while warning that greater restrictions would follow should resellers continue to acquire limited edition sneakers only to sell them for huge profits on platforms such as StockX.

The issue at hand appears to be the way resellers purchase the shoes; frequently using bots to speed through e-commerce transactions faster than manual check-outs. Ultimately, Nike customers miss out on purchasing while resellers profit.

Econotimes reports that the adjustment of terms and conditions is likely to have a greater influence on traders rather than resale between individuals. For now, it is unclear if other countries will follow Nike Korea's path.

Nike looks to ban resellers

What: Selfridges has backed M&S in their plans to demolish the Oxford Street store as part of a plan to redevelop the location.

Why it is important: M&S and its neighbour Selfridges will be required to defend the controversial redevelopment plan against environmental campaigners and historic building fans.

Arguments from the opposition are likely to focus on the 90-year-old building being refurbished rather than demolished. In terms of environmental impact, opponents say the redevelopment would release almost 40,000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.

M&S has addressed the opposition by stating that the new building will use a quarter of the current building’s energy as well as be built using 95% of existing materials. In addition, the retailer has argued that a refurbishment would not deliver the kind of experience modern shoppers want which it believes could potentially influence customers to move away from Oxford Street.

Marks & Spencer to demolish Oxford Street store

What: Customers can bring any Zara garment into one of its 60 UK locations or send it online to be repaired for a fee that covers the service and shipping.

Why it is important: Zara is also entering into the resale market by offering customers the ability to sell their pre-owned Zara garments through their own platform.

Customers can scan the barcode on either the hangtag or interior tag to have the photos and product information automatically uploaded. Sellers do not have to pay, but buyers will be charged a 5% service charge and a 1-pound fee.

In addition to the platform and repair services, Zara is extending its clothing collection and donation program.

Zara UK launches repair and resale services

What: Previously having used only selected staff as influencers, the move of adding an AR-powered virtual influencer has left customers divided.

Why it is important: As part of a strategy to reach younger and ‘tech-obsessed’ consumers, the retailer has launched one virtual influencer to join M&S Insiders (covering menswear, kidswear, home, fashion and beauty), which includes store assistants, stylists, buyers and designers.

The retailer says they beat external influencers with an average 30% higher engagement rate. Mira, the virtual personality for the brand, will create M&S content for fashion and home. She has received a mixed review on Instagram despite around a quarter of British consumers reporting the positive impact of social media on their likelihood of purchasing products.

Marks & Spencer launch virtual influencer

What: The Nikeland metaverse hosted by Roblox has gained huge popularity despite rumours that digital worlds of this kind are losing steam.

Why it is important: Launched in November 2021, the Nikeland metaverse is a symbol of the continued interest consumers have in experiencing brand universes within gaming platforms as the space has already welcomed 21.6 million visitors.

Nearly 119,000 Roblox players have saved the space in their favourites folder.

Nike’s metaverse welcomes 21 million visitors

What: The oldest Indian retailer is accelerating with a number of new stores planned to open each year.

Why it is important: India is the new land of opportunities: many international retailers and online players are looking at this market which has also given birth to some of the most powerful “everything apps” such as Jio. It is interesting to see Shopper Stop accelerate their development in this context.

Shopper Stop is ramping up its expansion in India by opening 12 to 15 new stores every year, in addition to 15 to 20 beauty stores as well (under the brands SS Beauty and Estée Lauder Company). The retailer, founded in 1991, is the oldest department store company in India and operates 87 stores in the country, usually on a format which is less than 10,000 sqm.

Shoppers’ Stop to open 15 stores per year 

What: RH is unveiling its exclusive RH Guesthouse in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, starting at 3,500 dollars per night and available only by approved request.

Why it is important: The RH Guesthouse represents both the newest entry into hospitality for companies in the home and fashion sectors as well as the retailer’s latest quest in becoming a luxury brand across various formats and disciplines.

Surprisingly enough, there will be no RH furniture among all the luxurious offerings. The retailer has strategically chosen not to use the space as a promotional showroom but instead to start a network of residential properties under the RH brand that deliver exclusive experiences and services to a handful of affluent customers.

The lodging property has five stories which start with the cellar-level speakeasy-style Champagne and Caviar Bar, a restaurant on the ground floor, six guest rooms, three suites, an owner’s apartment and a rooftop pool and lounge area that looks out at the nearby Whitney Museum and Highline.

Booking a room must be done through request which will then be approved by RH. There are no children, no pets, no bad attitudes and no photos allowed.

The RH Guesthouse is not a promotional showroom

What: Flipkart is experimenting with Web3 to supercharge its customer experience by launching a metaverse offering for consumers to discover and shop new products more interactively.

Why it is important: The offering is called Flipverse and is a gamified, interactive and immersive experience for its consumers. They will be able to collect the company’s loyalty points — Supercoins — as well as digital collectables from partner brands as they make purchases. Flipverse also features several casual games.

Flipkart is increasingly broadening its offerings to reach new customers in the South Asian market and retain loyal base, Flipverse is part of this initiative.

The launch of Flipverse will continue to have an impact on innovative industries like e-commerce and enhance the customer experience while delivering a gamified and immersive shopping experience, especially in light of the adoption of the metaverse and web3 platforms by multiple brands in India.

Flipverse is still in the pilot stage and aimed to garner interest during the festive season this month.

Walmart-backed firm launches metaverse shopping experience

What: Decathlon renamed its e-shop, social media handles, and the front of three stores in Belgium to ‘Nolhtaced’ to bring awareness to the idea of ‘reverse shopping’.

Why it is important: The retailer has taken a loud approach to alert customers of its shift into reselling and second-hand by changing its name for October.

Customers can now bring back articles to give them a second life through repair or recycling. The initiative also opens the possibility of targeting clients with a smaller budget by selling used equipment at a lower price. Customers who participate by bringing back sporting goods from all brands will be rewarded with vouchers valid for two years.

In Belgium alone, they have already collected 26,000 products.

In Belgium, Decathlon renames itself for second-hand awareness 

What: Off-price expects to get a fair share of the Christmas cake.

Why it is important: Customers are expected to be more price-point conscious and gravitate to flash promotions during the coming Christmas due to economic pressures.

Saks Off 5th Chief believes in the power of the assortment as relevant and seasonally appropriate being a major advantage this holiday season as customers flock to stores with the best deals. As part of its holiday push, the retailer is offering an expanded assortment of fine jewellery which is a differentiating category for Saks Off 5th within the off-price sector.

Saks Off 5th expects strong gift-giving