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The latest news and analysis on omnichannel retail and distribution changes.
British delivery service fears uncontrollable Black Friday
London-based delivery service ParcelHero said that it’s forecasting an £8.49bn (€9.5bn-$11.5bn) monster Black Friday to Cyber Monday weekend. It warns that stores must learn from the disaster of Black Friday 2014 or delivery chains could snap once again this year. In 2019, Britons spent a £5.55bn (€6.2bn-$7.4bn) on Black Friday-Cyber ...
Italy’s main buying groups merge
Italy’s two main buying groups, Vision Group and Netcity, will merge on Jan. 1, but will maintain their offices and staff based in Milan and Prato, near Florence.
Contrasting consumer sentiment across Europe
The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is beginning to stifle the previously expected recovery of the European economy, particularly for the consumption of non-essential products and services. Fortunately, it has not yet led to the retail lockdowns of the first wave in the spring – except in Wales and ...
U.K. government under pressure over move to scrap tax-free shopping
The British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure from major retailers to reverse his decision to abolish duty-free shopping next year which they claim will lead to significant job losses.
U.K. threatens no-deal Brexit but talks to continue
Tensions on stalled Brexit trade talks intensified as Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, said Britons should prepare for a no-deal departure if the European Union (EU) did not compromise, raising the prospect of supply chain chaos across Europe.
Italia Independent opens a new showroom in Milan
Italia Independent opened a new showroom in Milan, in via Fiori Chiari, in the heart of the bohemian Brera district. The location is also the company’s sole flagship worldwide after the company underwent a restructuring that led to the closure of all stores managed directly or franchised. It also replaces ...
Alibaba in partnership with the duty free retailer Dufry in omnichannel drive
The Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba has entered into a partnership with the Swiss duty free retailer Dufry that will further integrate online and offline shopping. The parties will form a strategic joint venture in China, and Alibaba will become a minority shareholder in Dufry.
Strong expansion for the Hallmann chain with MPG’s help
The Austrian-based Michael Pachleitner Group (MPG) reported on a strong expansion of the network of Optik Hallmann stores since it acquired a minority stake of 19 percent in the German chain in 2015, supplying it with German-made lenses. From only 40 stores at the time of the acquisition, it has ...
Essilux to appeal Dutch court ruling on GrandVision
EssilorLuxottica has decided to file an appeal against a judgment dismissing its request for disclosure of information from GrandVision.
Executive Survey: Optical industry braces up for a difficult spring/summer 2021 season
The optical industry is expecting a significant decline in demand for spring/summer 2021 collections as the world economy still reels from the blow of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, many are maintaining comprehensive collections and relying on digital tools to defend or develop their businesses, according to an executive survey carried ...