Chinese technology giants Alibaba and Meitu have announced a major partnership worth US$250 million, marking a significant move for both companies. The deal has sparked strong investor interest, with Meitu’s shares rising nearly 19% on Wednesday to close at HK$7.02—its highest since 2018. Alibaba’s shares also saw a modest rise, ending the day at HK$123.10. […]
Retailers Call on EU to Curb Rising Visa and Mastercard Fees
A group of European retail associations has sent a formal letter to the European Commission urging it to take action against what they describe as excessive and unjustified card payment fees charged by Visa and Mastercard. These fees, which retailers must pay every time a customer uses a Visa or Mastercard, have steadily increased over […]
Chinese e-commerce platforms Shein and Temu are redirecting their focus toward European markets
Notably the United Kingdom and France, in response to recent U.S. trade policy changes that have increased operational costs. In April, Shein increased its digital advertising expenditure by 100% in the UK and 45% in France compared to the previous year, while Temu raised its spending by 20% in the UK and 115% in France […]
Evri and DHL Merge to Form UK Delivery Powerhouse
In a significant move within the UK’s logistics sector, parcel delivery company Evri has merged with DHL’s UK e-commerce division. This strategic partnership aims to create a formidable delivery entity capable of handling over 1 billion parcels and an equal number of business letters annually. As part of the agreement, DHL Group has acquired a […]
Alibaba Rolls Out Early Launch of Taobao Fast-Delivery to Compete with JD.com and Meituan
Alibaba has quietly rolled out its new fast-delivery service on Taobao earlier than expected. This move is seen as a direct attempt to compete with JD.com and Meituan, two of China’s strongest players in the e-commerce logistics space. Originally planned for a later launch, the fast-delivery option is now available in select areas, allowing Taobao […]
TikTok Shop Expands Second-Hand Product Sales Across Europe
TikTok Shop, the shopping platform integrated into the popular short video app, is planning to expand its pre-owned product category into continental Europe. After setting up this feature in the United States and the United Kingdom, the platform is now preparing to introduce second-hand sales across the European Union. The move was revealed through a […]
France Pushes for EU-Wide Handling Fees on Low-Cost Imports
France is taking a strong stance against the flood of ultra-cheap goods entering the European Union by proposing a new handling fee on low-value e-commerce imports, specifically targeting platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. The proposal, backed by the French Finance Ministry, aims to introduce these fees as early as 2026 and is already gaining […]
Amazon Set to Launch Budget Platform ‘Haul’ in Europe to Rival Shein and Temu
In a strategic move aimed at capturing Europe’s growing demand for low-cost online shopping, Amazon is reportedly preparing to launch its budget-friendly storefront, Amazon Haul, across several European countries later this year. The platform, which has seen experimental rollout in select markets, is Amazon’s direct response to the meteoric rise of ultra-cheap e-commerce rivals like […]