What: Mitchells stores, a luxury speciality retailer, reveals that women's sales now account for 56% of its business, surpassing men's sales, as it continues to expand and enhance its offerings across its eight-store chain.

Why it is important: This shift in sales dynamics highlights the growing importance of women's fashion and jewellery in the luxury retail sector, signalling a strategic evolution for Mitchells stores that could influence how other luxury retailers approach their product mix and customer engagement.

Mitchells stores, known for its legacy as a men's retailer, has seen women's sales rise to 56% of its business, driven by strategic expansions and a focus on high-quality, personalized shopping experiences. CEO Bob Mitchell credits the growth to the company's investment in women's fashion and jewellery, as well as loyalty-building efforts such as exclusive trips and in-store experiences. As the retailer continues to grow, with plans for new store openings and further digital integration, it remains committed to offering a curated, intimate shopping experience that sets it apart in the luxury market.

Mitchells Stores reveals women's sales surpass men's as luxury retailer expands and evolves

What: Macy’s Inc. shares fell sharply as the retailer lowered its sales forecast for 2024 despite exceeding second-quarter earnings expectations.

Why it is important: The decline in Macy’s stock highlights the challenges the retailer faces in a tough consumer environment, where even profitability isn't enough to offset concerns about weaker sales projections and the overall retail sector’s outlook.

Macy’s Inc. reported a profitable second quarter with net income of USD 150 million, surpassing expectations, but saw a 3.8% drop in net sales, prompting the company to lower its sales forecast for the year. The retailer cited a cautious consumer environment and increased promotional activity as key factors behind the adjustment. Despite implementing a "Bold New Chapter" strategy to transform its operations and close underperforming stores, Macy’s struggles to navigate economic headwinds, leading to a 12.9% drop in its share price following the news. The company remains committed to its long-term goals, including expanding its small-format stores and optimizing its store portfolio, though near-term consumer spending challenges persist.

Macy’s Inc. shares plummet after lowered sales forecast despite profit beat

What: Streetwear culture is evolving, with customers shifting from logo-heavy, hype-driven apparel to a more diverse wardrobe that blends streetwear with luxury, heritage, and traditional menswear brands.

Why it is important: This shift signals a move towards individualism and personal style in fashion, highlighting the changing priorities of younger consumers who are now seeking unique, meaningful connections with brands rather than simply following trends.

Streetwear is far from dead, but its consumers are evolving. Once defined by hype and brand loyalty, today's streetwear shoppers are now prioritizing individual style and personal expression over trend-chasing. This change is reflected in the mixing of streetwear with luxury and heritage brands, as well as a broader acceptance of diverse fashion choices. Despite a decline in spending on traditional streetwear brands like Supreme, the market remains active with new, niche brands gaining popularity. Retailers and brands must adapt to this more discerning, experience-driven consumer who values authenticity and craftsmanship.

The evolving landscape of streetwear: From hype to individualism

What: Walmart has launched "Your Dorm Your Way," an immersive virtual shopping experience targeting college students, allowing them to shop curated dorm rooms designed by digital creators.

Why it is important: This initiative leverages virtual reality to engage younger shoppers, particularly college students, enhancing their shopping experience and potentially increasing back-to-school sales. It demonstrates Walmart's commitment to innovative retail strategies and the growing trend of integrating gamification and personalization in e-commerce.

On July 30, Walmart introduced "Your Dorm Your Way" within its Walmart Realm platform, featuring five immersive dorm rooms created in collaboration with virtual reality developer Emperia. This back-to-school initiative includes mini games, social content, and shopping opportunities directly linked to Walmart's site. The initiative is part of Walmart's broader strategy to appeal to younger generations through engaging and innovative shopping experiences. Walmart Realm builds on previous virtual commerce efforts, aiming to shorten the path from inspiration to purchase while addressing challenges such as privacy concerns in the metaverse.

Walmart adds dorm shop to virtual shopping platform

What: Ikea has introduced a peer-to-peer marketplace, Ikea Preowned, allowing customers to buy and sell used Ikea furniture directly to one another.

Why it is important: This initiative aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and secondhand goods, reflecting Ikea's strategic shift towards digital innovation and circular economy practices. By facilitating a direct exchange between customers, Ikea not only enhances its digital presence but also strengthens customer loyalty through incentives like a 15% bonus voucher.

Ikea has launched a new peer-to-peer marketplace called Ikea Preowned, initially testing the platform in Madrid and Oslo with plans for global expansion. This platform enables customers to sell their unwanted Ikea furniture directly to each other, with Ikea offering additional features like AI-generated promotional images. Sellers can choose to receive payment or a voucher with a 15% bonus. This move is part of Ikea's broader transformation strategy, emphasizing sustainability, digital growth, and new business models that resonate with modern consumer demands.

Ikea Launches Secondhand Peer-to-Peer Marketplace: Ikea Preowned

What: Selfridges grapples with declining department store relevance, ownership uncertainties, and the impact of the UK's tourist tax removal.

Why it is important: The case of Selfridges demonstrates how luxury retailers are adapting to economic pressures, evolving consumer behaviour, and policy changes, which could influence strategies across the sector.

André Maeder, Selfridges' new CEO starting in November, faces significant challenges in revitalizing the iconic department store. The retail landscape has shifted dramatically, with department stores struggling to remain relevant in the age of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer brand strategies. Selfridges, caught between affordable and luxury segments, has seen a decline in consumer consideration from 30% in 2022 to 24% in July 2024. The company must differentiate itself through quality service, distinctive offerings, and compelling experiences to attract both customers and brands.

Ownership uncertainties add to the complexity, with takeover rumours circulating after co-owner Signa's bankruptcy. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has reportedly offered £1m for Signa's stake. Additionally, the UK's removal of tax-free shopping for non-EU tourists has impacted luxury retailers, including Selfridges, leading to job cuts and reduced international sales. Despite these challenges, experts believe department stores can still provide value through product curation and customer service. Maeder's 30 years of retail experience will be crucial in guiding Selfridges towards a position that appeals to both brands and customers in this evolving retail environment.

What is in store for Selfridges’ new CEO

What: As of 1st of August, Galeria, will have a new owner and will be off to a fresh start

Why it is important: This is the third time a new future is promised. Let sit back, relax, and watch the show.

The Essen District Court in Germany has terminated the insolvency proceedings for Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof as of July 31, marking the company's exit from its third bankruptcy in three and a half years. This decision follows the approval of a restructuring plan by the creditors in late May.

Insolvency administrator Stefan Deckshaus noted that significant cost reductions have been achieved across various segments of the department store chain, positioning it with a robust economic foundation and substantial liquidity. Deckshaus has requested a grace period of up to 300 days to implement new strategies under the new ownership structure.

As of August 1, Galeria will operate independently under the ownership of NRDC, a US investment company, and an investment company led by entrepreneur Bernd Beetz. This new consortium, which acquired Galeria in April, will continue with the restructuring efforts in collaboration with the existing management team led by Managing Director Olivier Van den Bossche. The focus will remain on modernizing local stores and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Despite saving 83 of its 92 stores, closures were unavoidable due to factors such as high rents and ties to the Signa insolvency network. The most substantial operational change includes relocating the headquarters from Essen to Düsseldorf by early 2025, which will result in approximately 900 job losses while retaining about 12,000 positions.

New start for department store chain Galeria

What: Marais, a multi-brand luxury boutique, celebrates 20 years of success in Melbourne, marked by the opening of its second location and a continued focus on experiential retail and customer loyalty.

Why it is important: In a challenging economic environment where many luxury retailers are struggling, Marais demonstrates resilience and growth by emphasizing customer experience, long-term relationships, and strategic business decisions. This success highlights the importance of community-building and adaptability in sustaining a luxury retail brand.

Marais, a leading luxury boutique in Melbourne, has thrived for 20 years by evolving with the fashion industry and focusing on customer loyalty and experiential retail. CEO Hiromi Yu attributes the brand's longevity to listening to customers, maintaining strong brand partnerships, and strategically expanding with a new store in Melbourne's CBD. Despite economic pressures, Marais continues to innovate and set high standards in luxury retail, with a strong emphasis on personal customer service and creating memorable shopping experiences.

Marais CEO on Cultivating Melbourne's Premier Luxury Destination Over Two Decades

What: Simon Property Group reported significant increases in leasing volumes, occupancy rates, shopper traffic, and retail sales volumes during the second quarter of 2024, achieving the highest Q2 real estate net operating income in its history.

Why it is important: This growth highlights the resilience of Simon's mall properties and the continued consumer spending, despite economic challenges, while revealing the struggles of its retailer portfolio like J.C. Penney and Sparc Group brands, which cater to lower-income shoppers.

Simon Property Group experienced a robust second quarter, with a notable rise in leasing activities, occupancy, shopper traffic, and retail sales volumes, leading to a 5.2% year-over-year increase in net operating income from its North American properties, reaching USD 1.3 billion. The company signed over 1,400 leases, with 30% being new deals, and saw a 5% increase in traffic and a 2% rise in total sales volumes. However, the retailer portfolio managed by Sparc Group, which includes brands like Forever 21 and Aéropostale, saw a significant decline in net operating income by 76% to USD 6.5 million, due to the economic pressures on lower-income consumers. Despite these challenges, CEO David Simon remains optimistic about future consumer spending trends.

Simon Malls report Q2 gains in occupancy, traffic, and retail sales

What: John Lewis is investing millions in technology and restructuring to streamline processes and improve customer service across its stores.

Why it is important: The restructuring efforts, while potentially disruptive in the short term, aim to position the company for long-term success and profitability.

John Lewis is embarking on a multi-million-pound investment program aimed at streamlining processes, implementing new technology, and restructuring staff to enhance customer service across its stores. This initiative includes a GBP 5 million investment in digital headsets to improve communication and reduce wait times, GBP 1 million for mobile printers to replace missing shelf labels, and the distribution of devices to 5,000 staff members for mobile payments on the shop floor. The company is also adapting staff roles and hours to ensure more employees can work on the shop floor during peak periods. However, this restructuring could lead to around 150 job redundancies. These changes follow similar measures implemented at Waitrose earlier in the year and are part of John Lewis's broader strategy to simplify operations and improve customer experience.

This investment comes at a crucial time for John Lewis, which recently returned to profit after several years of losses. The company has been grappling with rising costs due to inflation, which has impacted its ambitious transformation plan. Despite these challenges, John Lewis remains committed to its physical stores, noting that predictions of the high street's demise are "overstated." The retailer has seen a decrease in online sales from 81% during the pandemic to 57% in the past year, with in-store visits increasing by 8%. The company's focus on technology and in-store experience aligns with its goal of becoming a "brilliant retailer" and marks a shift away from previous diversification efforts into areas like financial services and build-to-rent projects. This renewed emphasis on core retail operations reflects John Lewis's strategy to adapt to changing consumer behaviours and maintain its position in the competitive UK retail market.

John Lewis plans multimillion pound tech investment to boost in-store customer service

What: Falabella Group has signed a USD 200 million agreement to sell its Open Plaza Kennedy shopping centre in Las Condes to Parque Arauco.

Why it is important: This transaction is significant for both companies; it allows Parque Arauco to increase its rentable shopping centre space by 5%, while Falabella Group, the parent company of Falabella Retail, strengthens its financial position as it focuses on improving profitability.

Falabella Group, the parent company of Falabella Retail, has agreed to sell the Open Plaza Kennedy shopping centre in Las Condes to Parque Arauco for approximately USD 200 million. The deal, subject to the usual conditions for such transactions, will add about 5% to Parque Arauco’s rentable shopping centre area. For Falabella Group, this sale is part of a broader strategy to enhance its financial performance, following a reported 135% increase in profits for the second quarter of 2024. Open Plaza Kennedy, a 70,000 square meter complex, offers a mix of retail, supermarket, home decor, and entertainment spaces, and has recently been modernized with environmentally friendly initiatives.

Falabella Group sells Open Plaza Kennedy to Parque Arauco for USD 200 million

What: Target's second-quarter sales rose by 2.7%, reaching USD 25.5 billion, with significant contributions from its fashion and beauty categories, boosting the retailer's share price by over 11%.

Why it is important: This growth highlights Target's successful strategy in discretionary categories like fashion and beauty, demonstrating resilience and market adaptability amidst a competitive retail landscape, contrasting sharply with struggles seen in other major retailers like Macy's.

Target Corp. reported strong second-quarter results, with total revenues of USD 25.5 billion, up 2.7% year-over-year, surpassing Wall Street expectations. Net income also saw a significant rise to $1.19 billion, with adjusted earnings per share increasing by 40%. The retailer's success was largely driven by its fashion and beauty segments, with apparel sales growing by 3% and beauty seeing high-single-digit gains. This performance led to an 11.2% surge in Target’s stock price, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s strategy and its potential for sustained growth in discretionary categories. Despite the positive quarter, Target maintains a cautious outlook for the year, balancing optimism with prudent business planning.

Target's Q2 growth driven by fashion and beauty sectors

What: Macy’s has partnered with the technology firm Rokt to enhance its Macy’s Media Network by leveraging AI and machine learning to personalize post-purchase offers to customers on macys.com.

Why it is important: This partnership is a strategic move for Macy’s to boost its media network revenue by improving customer engagement through highly targeted and personalized advertising, further integrating advanced technology into its retail strategy.

Macy’s has expanded its Macy’s Media Network through a partnership with Rokt, a New York-based tech company specializing in AI-driven personalization. The collaboration, which began testing last fall and is now fully scaled, allows Macy’s to present tailored offers from non-endemic advertisers to customers after checkout but before order confirmation. This initiative has already contributed to the media network’s growth, with Macy’s Media Network generating USD 155 million in revenue last year and showing a significant increase in the first quarter of this year. The partnership may also extend to other Macy’s initiatives, such as Bloomingdale's website and the retailer's loyalty programs.

Macy’s partners with Rokt to enhance Media Network

What: Marks & Spencer (M&S) is trialing a new retail strategy by opening a clothing-and-beauty-only store in Battersea Power Station, diverging from its recent focus on food-only spaces.

Why it is important: This trial signifies a potential shift in M&S's strategy, focusing on fashion and beauty as standalone offerings. If successful, it could lead to more clothing-only stores across the UK, highlighting the retailer's renewed confidence in its fashion segment after years of restructuring and improving its clothing lines.

Marks & Spencer is testing a new retail model with a clothing-and-beauty-only store set to open in Battersea Power Station this autumn. This trial represents a shift from M&S's recent strategy of prioritizing food-only spaces, reflecting the company's renewed focus on its fashion and beauty offerings. The store will feature a curated selection of premium women's and menswear, along with beauty products. CEO Stuart Machin emphasized that the store will showcase M&S's best in clothing and beauty, aiming to capitalize on the recent success of its fashion collections. If the trial proves successful, M&S may expand this concept to other locations across the UK.

M&S Explores New Strategy with Clothing-Only Store Trial

What: Japanese and South Korean department stores are undergoing significant transformations to remain relevant and profitable in the face of changing consumer behaviors, demographic shifts, and economic challenges.

Why it is important: These changes reflect broader trends in global retail, highlighting the need for traditional department stores to adapt to survive.

Department stores in Japan and South Korea are implementing major changes to address declining profitability and changing consumer preferences. In Japan, the Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store, under new ownership by US investment group Fortress, is undergoing a significant redesign. Key changes include moving away from gender-segregated floors to create unified shopping spaces, expanding luxury and cosmetics sections, and enhancing the popular basement deli section.

These changes reflect a broader trend among Japanese department stores to leverage their strengths, such as heritage buildings, integration with public transport, customer service, and digital capabilities. Some stores are focusing on 'gaisho' sales, targeting high-net-worth individuals, and capitalizing on duty-free sales to tourists.

In South Korea, department stores are focusing on creating experiential retail offerings, such as audio listening rooms and tennis courts in-store. They're also strengthening Food & Beverage offerings and introducing young, trendy fashion brands to attract Millennial and Gen Z consumers. These strategies aim to provide experiences that can't be replicated online and to attract younger generations who previously shopped primarily through online channels.

Despite these efforts, experts predict that about 10% of Japan's 196 department stores may close in the next 5-10 years, particularly regional stores underperforming compared to flagship locations.

The success of these transformations could determine the future viability of the department store model in these countries and provide valuable lessons for retailers worldwide grappling with similar challenges in the evolving retail landscape. By adapting to changing consumer preferences and leveraging their unique strengths, these department stores are striving to remain relevant in an increasingly digital and experience-driven retail environment.

How department stores are reinventing themselves in Japan and Korea

What: SM Prime, the real estate branch of SM, is experiencing significant financial success.

Why it is important: This performance demonstrates that the mall format is not declining universally, as SM Prime's mall division has shown robust growth and remains a key revenue driver.

SM Prime, a prominent Philippine property developer, has reported a consolidated net income of USD 397.8 million (Php22.1 billion) for the first half of this year, marking a 13% increase from USD 348.6 million (Php19.4 billion) in the previous year. The income growth has been predominantly driven by its mall division, SM Malls, which contributed 58% of the total revenues. The mall business saw a 9% rise in rental income, reaching USD 576 million (Php32 billion) compared to USD 529.2 million (Php29.4 billion) last year, with total mall revenues hitting USD 675 million (Php37.5 billion) for the period.

Other segments of SM Prime also showed positive performance: the residential business unit, comprising 29% of revenues, brought in USD 180 million (Php10 billion); the office segments generated USD 63 million (Php3.5 billion); and the hotels and convention centres contributed USD 61.2 million (Php3.4 billion) in revenues.

Mall business leads SM Prime to double-digit profit increase

What: Hong Kong is experiencing a resurgence in luxury retail, marked by significant investments from high-end brands and a series of grand events and flagship store openings.

Why it is important: This revival underscores Hong Kong's status as a global luxury hub, attracting wealthy consumers and boosting the local economy despite ongoing economic challenges.

Hong Kong's luxury retail sector is bouncing back with significant investments from top brands and a series of high-profile events. Louis Vuitton's dazzling runway on the Avenue of Stars and Chanel's planned Cruise Collection show signal the city's resurgence. Luxury brands like Cartier, Chanel, Hermes, and Prada are expanding their footprint, with Prada opening an 8000 sqft flagship store at K11 Musea. Sotheby's has also opened its first retail location in Hong Kong, further cementing the city's status as a global art and luxury hub. This influx of investment is driven by favorable leasing conditions, the high concentration of wealthy individuals, and supportive government policies. However, challenges such as currency fluctuations and changing consumer behaviors remain. The city's ability to attract younger wealthy demographics and recover tourism, especially from Mainland China, will be crucial for sustaining this momentum.

 The art of luxury retail: How Hong Kong is reclaiming its name as a VIP hotspot

What: Marks & Spencer (M&S) has partnered with fashion-tech company Sojo to launch a dedicated clothing repair service, allowing customers to easily book repairs for M&S garments through a new online platform.

Why it is important: This collaboration supports M&S’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, making clothing repairs more accessible and convenient for customers. By offering this service, M&S aims to reduce waste and help consumers lower their carbon footprint, aligning with growing consumer demand for sustainable practices.

M&S has launched a new clothing repair service in partnership with Sojo, enabling customers to book repairs for M&S garments via a simple online hub. The service, which starts at GBP 5, is part of M&S's broader circularity initiative, "Plan A - 'Another Life'," designed to promote sustainability. This move reflects M&S’s commitment to extending the life of its products and supporting consumers in their efforts to reduce waste and their environmental impact.

M&S partners with Sojo to launch official clothing repair service

What: Walmart's recent strong financial performance suggests that it may not be an accurate indicator of the overall U.S. retail sector.

Why it is important: While Walmart's growth is impressive, it often comes at the expense of other retailers. Its unique business model, particularly its massive grocery operation and diversified revenue streams, sets it apart from competitors like Target, Macy’s, and Gap. As a result, Walmart's success may not translate to similar gains for other retailers, potentially leading to misguided investor expectations.

Walmart, the largest brick-and-mortar retailer in the U.S., reported robust second-quarter results and raised its full-year guidance, highlighting its ability to thrive in the current economic environment. However, Walmart's business model, dominated by its low-margin grocery segment and supported by profitable side businesses like digital advertising and membership schemes, makes it an outlier in the retail sector. While Walmart's stock has surged, the same cannot be said for other retailers, whose shares might not benefit similarly from Walmart's success. Investors should be cautious about using Walmart as a bellwether for the entire U.S. retail industry, as what benefits Walmart often does not extend to its rivals.

Why Walmart might not be a good proxy for U.S. retail

What: Decathlon Hong Kong offers a unique lifetime returns policy to its loyalty program members, significantly enhancing customer confidence and satisfaction.

Why it is important: This policy stands out in the retail industry by fostering strong customer loyalty and trust, which translates into increased sales and customer retention. The policy's success in Hong Kong suggests that innovative return policies can be effective marketing tools, even if not universally adopted by all markets.

Decathlon Hong Kong's lifetime returns policy, exclusive to its loyalty program members, allows customers to return products indefinitely, provided they are in good condition. This policy has proven effective in building customer trust and loyalty, as evidenced by low rates of abuse and high customer satisfaction. The seamless integration of their returns process with Adyen’s system has minimized errors and fraud, contributing to a notable decrease in return rates from 5% to between 3% and 4%. While this initiative has positively impacted Decathlon Hong Kong's bottom line, there are no immediate plans to implement it in other markets.

Decathlon Hong Kong’s lifetime returns policy: A customer loyalty game changer

What: Central Retail Corporation has partnered with Alipay+ to boost digital transactions and attract more international tourists by accepting payments from 13 mobile apps across its extensive store network.

Why it is important: The partnership with Alipay+ is crucial as it broadens payment options for international tourists, thus making shopping more convenient and accessible. This initiative reflects Alipay's growing global influence and its potential to significantly boost transaction volumes and sales for Central Retail.

Central Retail Corporation in Thailand has formed a strategic partnership with Alipay+ to enhance digital transactions and attract more international tourists by accepting payments from 13 different mobile apps across its 3,000-store network. This collaboration, initiated in July 2023, has already shown positive outcomes, with transaction volumes through Alipay+ partners doubling in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter. Tourists from Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Korea have notably increased their spending, utilizing apps like AlipayHK, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, GCash, and Kakao Pay.

Anticipating the year-end travel surge, Central Retail is setting up targeted marketing campaigns within the app to attract tourists and improve customer service experiences. Special promotions, including the Amazing Thailand Card, Summer and Golden Week Campaigns, and a Year-End Campaign, are planned in collaboration with Alipay+ to further drive tourist spending and sales, particularly noted in supermarkets like Tops where transactions have increased more than fourfold from the first to the second quarter of 2024.

Central Retail partners with Alipay+ to boost tourist spending 

What: John Lewis has opened a pre-owned childrenswear concession at its Oxford Street flagship in partnership with The Little Loop.

Why it is important: This initiative promotes sustainable shopping practices by offering affordable, second-hand clothing for children and encourages customers to recycle outgrown clothes, aligning with increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly retail options.

John Lewis has introduced a pre-owned childrenswear concession at its Oxford Street flagship store, in collaboration with The Little Loop. Located on the fourth floor within the new childrenswear department, the concession will operate for 12 months. Shoppers can buy second-hand dresses, jumpers, jackets, and t-shirts for children up to six years old, with prices starting at £5. Additionally, customers can collect a pouch to fill with their children's unwanted clothing items, which they can send to The Little Loop for a £5 credit. Danielle Gagola, John Lewis's innovation lead, emphasised the importance of promoting sustainable shopping practices through resale options like The Little Loop, which help customers purchase more affordably and sustainably while trading in outgrown clothing for store credit.

John Lewis launches pre-owned kidswear concession at Oxford Street flagship

What: Regional department store company Belk is launching a new advertising platform, Belk Media Network, to offer retail media services for its partners.

Why it is important: As retail media networks become a critical revenue stream for retailers, Belk's entry into this space reflects a broader trend among U.S. retailers to capitalize on advertising opportunities within their platforms.

Belk, a regional department store chain with about 300 locations across 16 Southern states, is launching an advertising arm named Belk Media Network this fall. Neal Sheridan, formerly with Macy's, has been appointed to lead this new division, aiming to integrate it with Belk's IT, e-commerce, merchant, and marketing teams. Despite the retail media market being dominated by Amazon, which captures 74% of the USD 140 billion spent, Belk is attempting to claim its share. However, retail media experts express concerns about Belk's competitiveness due to its regional focus and the saturation of retail media networks, which now number over 200. The initiative is part of a broader strategy under Belk’s private equity owner, Sycamore, which took over the company in 2015 and has significantly cut its debt. Despite the competitive landscape, experts believe Belk could attract brands that target the Southern U.S. market specifically.

US department store chain Belk enters retail media

What: Walmart has opened its ocean shipping service, Walmart Cross Border, to all Walmart Fulfillment Services sellers, enabling them to transport goods from China to the U.S. using the retailer’s freight service.

Why it is important: This move significantly enhances Walmart's marketplace by offering sellers a streamlined logistics solution, further integrating Walmart's extensive supply chain capabilities with its e-commerce platform. This initiative strengthens Walmart's competitive edge in the marketplace arena, particularly against other major e-commerce players like Amazon.

Walmart has made its ocean shipping service from China to the U.S. available to all sellers on its Walmart Fulfillment Services platform. Initially rolled out as a pilot, the service exceeded expectations in both feedback and volume, prompting Walmart to expand its availability. This service is part of Walmart's broader strategy to leverage its supply chain infrastructure to support third-party sellers, offering them a competitive edge in logistics and fulfilment. By integrating this ocean freight service with its U.S. fulfilment centres, Walmart aims to simplify international shipping for its sellers and enhance its marketplace operations.

Walmart expands ocean shipping network to marketplace sellers