Breaking News
Zalando shuts down Connected Retail
Zalando is consistently pushing its platform strategy and is discontinuing its Connected Retail programme – at the expense of its partners: all Connected Retail retailers must decide by May 15th whether to transition into Zalando’s Partner Programme by June 2027. If not, the partnership will already end this August. At the same time, Zalando is adjusting its fee structure, which could have significant implications for retailers’ margin calculations. The move itself is understandable – but the way it is being executed is not. See the full story on LinkedIn
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Better figures for Asos
The turnaround at Asos is slowly taking hold: In the first half of 2026 GMV declined again by 9% to £1.17 billion and revenue fell by 14% to £1.11 billion. However, operating profit improved from £42.5 million to £64 million, and margins increased from 45.2% to 48.5%. For the first time since autumn 2021, Asos also recorded new customer growth of 9% in March. Read more on Fashionnetwork
Temu and Shein cost the German economy €2.4 billion
Competition from China costs the German economy around €2.4 billion in value creation each year, including €1.3 billion in retail alone. Specifically, the German state loses around €429 million in tax revenue, and approximately 40,000 jobs are affected. The reason is unfair competition due to violations of applicable EU regulations. And the momentum continues: In Portugal, Temu has been named the leading international marketplace for the first time. See more on Einzelhandel (competition) und Fashionnetwork (Portugal)
EU reviews Ceconomy acquisition over Chinese subsidies
EU competition regulators are reviewing the $2.5 billion acquisition of electronics retailer Ceconomy by Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com for potential state subsidies from China. If concerns are confirmed by May 25, the EU could launch an in-depth investigation and demand concessions from JD.com. Find out more on Retail-Insight-Network
CMA reviews eBay–Depop deal in the UK market
The planned acquisition of Depop by eBay is also facing scrutiny. In the UK, the competition authority CMA has launched a public consultation to assess potential impacts on competition and consumers. Submissions are open until May 8, 2026, after which the CMA will decide whether to proceed with a formal investigation. Find out more on ValueAddedResource
Etsy adjusts operating fees
The handmade platform Etsy is adjusting the regulatory operating fees it charges sellers across several European markets. In France, Spain, Italy and the UK, fees have in some cases more than doubled, while they are being introduced for the first time in Hungary. In Turkey, however, fees are decreasing. Read more on ValueAddedResource
Success News
9 success factors behind Decathlon
While competitors struggle with shrinking margins and market share losses, sporting goods retailer Decathlon has developed strongly in recent years – its network of 1,800 stores across 79 countries alone is remarkable. According to Swiss consultancy Carpathia, key success factors include an excellent price-performance ratio, a strong omnichannel experience, and powerful private labels. Read the full story on Carpathia
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