Ceconomy, parent of MediaMarkt and Saturn, saw a 4.1% rise in sales to €22.4B ($23.7B) in FY ending Sept 30. After four years of steady growth, profitability is up for the seventh quarter, expected to hit $305M. CEO Wildberger cites success from smaller Xpress shops, closing unprofitable locations, and expanding online. Over 66% of stores have been modernized, with a goal of 90% by 2026. More conversions from Saturn to MediaMarkt, shop-in-shop models, and department store placements with Galeria will fuel growth. Online marketplaces also add to this positive trend.

HelloFresh sold fewer meal kits last quarter, yet saw sales rise 1.4% to $1.9B, driven by a 40% increase in ready-to-eat meals. CEO Dominik Richter highlighted this category as the primary growth driver, with the company refining marketing for higher profitability. Adjusted EBITDA rose 4.2% to $77M, surpassing targets. The company is aiming for moderate sales growth this year, targeting up to 1.7%, while strengthening the ready-to-eat sector.

Lidl is doubling down on fresh produce and simplicity in its latest U.S. rebrand, led by CEO Joel Rampoldt. Known as “The Super-est Market,” Lidl aims to retain its European roots while catering to American tastes. The brand, with 170 stores, recently opened in the Bronx, and is honing its approach for Atlanta, NYC, and D.C. Lidl's plan involves compact, 25,000-square-foot stores with 4,000 SKUs. Rampoldt emphasizes that Lidl wants to be the first choice for fresh produce, not competing with bigger supermarkets on selection size. The goal? To build awareness among American shoppers.

Deichmann has acquired rights to Esprit for US and Europe. This move will return Esprit to retail through shoe stores like VanHaren, while clothing rights go to Theia Brands. Esprit’s owners sought buyers after bankruptcy issues in April, but no acquisition price was disclosed.

Otto Group's new logistics hub in Ilowa, Poland, blends robotics and AI for next-day delivery. The center can manage 110M orders annually and will create 1,900 jobs. The $300M investment highlights Otto’s European commitment, positioning Poland as a key logistics point. Deputy PM Gawkowski praised the move as vital for Poland’s economy, emphasizing local job creation and regional growth.

MediaMarktSaturn introduces a GenAI voicebot to its customer hotline. Launched in Germany in September, it's now being tested in Austria and the Netherlands, with a planned rollout in Spain by early 2025. The AI voicebot uses website FAQs to answer queries quickly, even outside normal hours, reducing wait times. The initiative is part of MediaMarktSaturn’s digital strategy to improve customer service efficiency. If the bot can't handle a request, calls are transferred to a human. Vice President Henny Steiniger says the goal is to offer innovative, always-available service.

DPD and GLS partner to expand their delivery services with a new network of parcel shops and lockers across Germany. With 8,000 drop-off points each, the companies plan to reach 20,000 out-of-home locations by 2027. They will launch 1,000 shared lockers by 2025. This initiative aims to enhance customer convenience and reduce delivery distances. Both companies invest equally in this nationwide expansion, providing an alternative to closed systems and supporting sustainable growth. Customers will enjoy more flexibility, with lockers situated close to everyday routes and retail locations.

Lieferando now delivers pharmacy items in 18 German cities. Partnering with GetCURE, it offers over 500 over-the-counter medicines and cosmetics. The service follows successful partnerships in the UK, Spain, and the USA.

ABOUT YOU and Netflix launch the "NETFLIX COLLECTION" on Oct 28, 2024, exclusively on ABOUT YOU. Inspired by popular Netflix series, the first drop offers two limited pieces priced between $42-$73. A larger collection is planned for December.

Shein launched 'Shein Exchange' in Germany, following its earlier launches in France and UK. The platform allows consumers to buy and sell used Shein items. More than 4.2M new US customers joined in 2023.

Bauhaus is launching its online marketplace in mid-2025, focusing on the DIY market in Germany. Sellers must be German-registered, managing their own shipping. The platform, powered by Mirakl, will initially be separate from physical stores.

DHL Express introduces its Label-Free service for returns. Available in over 50 countries, this eco-friendly solution allows consumers to return packages using a QR code, removing the need for printed labels. The service targets industries like fashion and technology.

Delivery Hero has outpaced Just Eat Takeaway in 2024. Analyst Benjamin Kohnke predicts a 60% upside for Delivery Hero in the next 12 months, while Just Eat will only see a 17% rise. With a focus on profitability, Delivery Hero is positioned for continued growth.

DocMorris' dmr Advertising teams up with LiveRamp to enhance its retail media network. The partnership focuses on using first-party data to boost targeted ad campaigns. New tools will improve ad measurement across social media and ensure data privacy.

Zalando launches ‘Cultural Ties,’ a streetwear map for Amsterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Paris, Stockholm, and Warsaw. With exclusive interviews, hotspots, and a December adidas Originals drop, it's streetwear's new frontier in Europe.

Zalando enhances its virtual fitting room with 3D avatars, allowing customers to try on Levi’s clothes with accurate body measurements. Available in 14 countries, this tech promises a 40% drop in return rates.

Amazon is accused of using deceptive discounts on product pages in Germany. The consumer center Baden-Württemberg argues that Amazon’s reference prices violate EU law by not showing the lowest price from the last 30 days. Legal action is underway.

Richemont sold Yoox Net-A-Porter (YNAP) to Mytheresa for $610M, securing a 33% stake in Mytheresa. The transaction is expected to close in 2025. Richemont also provides YNAP a $106M credit for 6 years.

Otto Group will deploy Boston Dynamics' Spot and Stretch robots in over 30 locations, focusing on automating logistics. This partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency and ease labor shortages in the e-commerce giant's warehouses.

Lidl plans to relaunch in the U.S. on Oct. 16, investing $15M in a marketing campaign. The chain, with around 170 stores, aims to boost recognition, which currently stands at just 58%. Lidl’s growth lags behind competitors like Aldi.

Zalando raised its full-year profit forecast as sales surged 5% in Q3, bringing adjusted EBIT to $95M. Customer base grew to 50M, and gross merchandise volume jumped to $3.5B. The new strategy is paying off.

Online retailer Galaxus starts building its largest logistics center in Neuenburg am Rhein. 1,000 new jobs will be created by summer 2025 to support its growing operations in Switzerland and Germany.

Wolt and Alnatura partner in Germany, offering 600+ products through Wolt Market. Alnatura discontinues its own service as part of a strategy shift. Deliveries will happen in 35 minutes, expanding into Berlin.

Ceva Logistics announces 350 layoffs as Zalando lets its contract with the company expire. The Neuendorf site will close, impacting 212 permanent and 138 temporary workers. The Unia union is demanding job security and negotiations to prevent mass layoffs.

Zalando rolls out its AI-powered assistant to 25 markets, offering local language support. Trend Spotter adds Amsterdam, London, Warsaw, and Zurich to help customers discover emerging styles in 10 European fashion capitals.

Distribusion, a Berlin-based ground transportation marketplace, raised $80M in Series C funding led by TQ Ventures. The company aims to expand globally and enhance its technology. Distribusion already supports 2,000+ transport companies and partners with 150+ distributors like Google and Booking.com.

German retailer Kik pushes forward with its digital expansion by launching a new online store in Czechia. This follows a successful start in the Netherlands. Kik plans to link its online and offline presence, aiming for 5K stores across Europe.

Cariqa, a Berlin-based startup, raised $1.1M to create the first consumer-facing EV charging marketplace. By connecting EV drivers directly with charge point operators, it promises transparent pricing and better utilization of 420K stations across Europe.

Mytheresa is boosting its Chinese presence with a new brand name '美遴世' and a WeChat Mini Program, aiming to strengthen its position in the luxury market. This move comes as other Western retailers are exiting the region.

Zalando has unveiled a new unified platform called "Zalando Partner" to centralize its partner services, including wholesale, marketing, and logistics. This move aims to enhance the usability of its offerings and foster a leading European fashion ecosystem.

Shein's Swiss platform now offers products from major brands like Adidas, Nike, and Tissot. This move follows a trend of increasing brand availability on Shein's platforms, sparking concerns among the brands themselves. Prices on Shein are significantly lower, drawing comparisons to Amazon's past controversies. While Germany lags, the Swiss site stands out for its high-quality presentation and broader range, raising questions about Shein's growing influence in the online fashion market.

Between April and August 2024, Otto.de saw 1,178 seller accounts disappear, a 17% drop. Rising fees led 500 partners to quit, while Otto terminated 150 more over alleged violations. The company's own revenue fell by 4.7% to $6.5B, pressured by rivals like Temu.

Migros is in the middle of a major restructuring, leading to the closure of several online stores. The Café Royal online shop will close on September 25, 2024. Other closures include SportX, which will cease operations by February 2025, and Bike World by March 2025.

Axel Springer’s media assets, including Politico and Bild, will split off in a €13.5B deal. KKR takes control of classifieds, while Mathias Döpfner and Friede Springer lead the digital news arm. The deal aims to create a global digital media giant.

SupplyX, launched by the Otto Group on September 13th, aims to optimize global supply chain management. With roots in Otto Group Logistics GmbH, it promises enhanced customer-centric services in e-commerce, freight forwarding, and supply chain resilience.

Mytheresa saw a 9.8% increase in net sales in 2024, reaching €840.9M. However, the gross profit margin fell to 45.7%, down from 49.6% in 2023, leading to a 6% drop in share prices. The luxury retailer expects further growth of 7-13% in 2025 but continues to face challenges in balancing supply and demand in the market.

Flink raises $150M, valuing the company at nearly $1B. The Berlin-based startup will use the funds to focus on Germany and the Netherlands, projecting $600M in 2024 revenue. The funding includes $115M in equity and $35M in debt.

GLS Germany partners with hey circle to offer reusable shipping options. By using hey circle’s durable packaging, companies reduce up to 76% CO2 emissions and 94% waste. Costs are comparable to single-use boxes, making it an eco-friendly switch.

Migros approves a multi-year budget for Galaxus to expand its European operations until 2029. With a focus on Germany, Galaxus plans to build on its success, already serving 2.5M customers and generating $286M in sales.

Zalando evolves its Plus programme, now free to join, with a points-based system. It rewards purchases and other actions, unlocking benefits like birthday vouchers. After a successful test in Spain, it expands to France and Austria.

Zalando has launched its new brand identity alongside its Fall/Winter 2024 campaign. The new positioning enhances its role in fashion e-commerce with a focus on style, quality, and inspiration. A vibrant orange color scheme, improved accessibility, and new storytelling features aim to engage customers across all touchpoints.

Amazon launches a pilot project in Frankfurt, Germany, using trams to transport packages across the city. The goods are carried by electric vans to a tram, then moved to cargo bikes for final delivery. This fits Amazon's green logistics push.

Amazon Aggregator SellerX, founded in 2020, will be auctioned on Sept 17. Despite $900M in investments, financial struggles led to Blackrock pulling its $400M loan. This highlights broader issues with the Amazon Aggregator model.

Alnatura shuts down its delivery service on Sept. 30, 2024. The company struggled with technical issues, high costs of electric vehicles, and scattered customers. Alnatura will now focus on its core in-store business.

Delivery Hero is planning to list its Talabat unit on the Dubai stock market, aiming to raise $1B. Emirates NBD, Morgan Stanley, and JPMorgan are handling the IPO. Talabat's valuation could exceed €5.4B.

REWE has teamed up with Lieferando to provide 45-minute grocery delivery in 40+ cities. Customers can choose from over 3,000 products with orders starting at $21. Delivery fees vary from $2, but are free for large orders.

Kaufland Marketplace launched in Austria on September 4, 2024. This is the fourth country for its e-commerce platform, which is already available in Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia. Kaufland aims for rapid growth.

The Federal Cartel Office is investigating Amazon's price control mechanisms and brand gating. It surveyed 2,000 third-party retailers to understand the impact of Amazon's algorithms, which can limit competition on its marketplace.

Delivery Hero shares jumped 10% following news of its plan to IPO Talabat on the Dubai Financial Market. CEO Niklas Ostberg says this move aims to attract local investors. Talabat operates in key Middle East countries and is a major revenue driver.

Delivery Hero cut its net loss to $798.6M in H1 2024, down from $855.4M last year. Revenues rose to $6.1B, with 6.3% GMV growth. The company projects FY 2024 revenue growth of 18%-21% and plans to list talabat in Dubai in Q4 2024.