This week marks two years of This Week in E-Commerce and the hot takes are flowing as freely as ever.

Mal’s just landed in Sydney to deliver the IPX keynote, Alex is dropping a new webinar series, and the industry hasn’t slowed down one bit.

From Qantas’ fashion-forward makeover to Lorna Jane’s bold lifestyle play, and the relentless rise of TikTok Shop, Mal and Alex cover the stories that matter — with a healthy side of chaotic retail energy.

🧵 Topics this week:

• ✈️ Qantas taps Rebecca Vallance for new crew uniforms — and it’s about more than just looks.

• 🧘‍♀️ Lorna Jane acquires a luxury wellness retreat — the blueprint for lifestyle brand expansion?

• 🎟️ Aussies spending big on experiences — concerts > groceries?

• 🛍️ P. Louise breaks TikTok Shop records with $2.7M in 14 hours — and the rise of TikTok TV shopping studios.

• 💳 Harvey Norman loses appeal over “interest-free” advertising — and the court wasn’t subtle about it.

• 🧠 Retail’s mental health crisis — SDA report exposes shocking working conditions for frontline staff.

• 🤖 The AI backlash continues — is the hype bubble about to burst?

Mal and Alex also share their thoughts on building culture, respecting frontline retail workers, and the importance of designing marketing moments (not just new product drops).

In Episode 103 of This Week in E-commerce, Mal Chia and Alex Ross dive into the biggest trends, scandals, and pop culture crossovers shaking up retail this week.
From AI-generated “digital slop” to the Gen Z-led thrifting boom and the impact of Taylor Swift’s diamond ring, this episode explores how brand trust, creativity, and consumer behaviour continue to evolve in unexpected ways.

🔑 Key topics this week:

🧠 AI-generated ads and the backlash:

• J.Crew and Guess slammed for using AI models, sparking backlash over authenticity and even “digital blackface”

• Why customers feel deceived and what brands need to consider around trust, ethics, and creative integrity

• When it’s helpful to use AI (and when it crosses the line)

  
  

👛 The Thrifting Boom is Real:

• 87% of NSW adults shopped secondhand this year

• Why Gen Z loves the thrill of the find and personalised style

• Savers opens a “thrift megastore” and Vinny’s builds its tech stack

  
  

💎 Taylor Swift, Devil Wears Prada & Fashion Pop Culture:

• Devil Wears Prada 2 is already shaping editorial trends

• Swift’s natural diamond sends ripples through the engagement ring market

• Travis Kelce’s American Eagle collab and redefining masculinity in retail

  
  

🧢 Quickfire stories:

• Mosaic Brands hit with a $25M fine for failing to deliver nearly 740,000 orders

• Setire posts a $12M swing into the red and pivots to Asia

• HomeCo Ballarat sells for $54M, highlighting the importance of regional retail hubs

• The bag charm trend is officially mainstream

In this episode of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal Chia and Alex Ross tackle the biggest disruption to Australian retail logistics in years: Australia Post has abruptly halted all standard parcel shipments to the US.

With the end of de minimis on August 29 and tariffs of up to $200 USD per parcel kicking in, brands relying on AusPost are suddenly scrambling to find alternatives — or risk being cut off from the US entirely.

Mal breaks down what’s behind the move, who it hits hardest, and what urgent steps retailers need to take now — from switching to commercial clearance to investing in 3PL or local US warehousing.

Also in this episode:

• 🏬 Adore Beauty’s retail expansion & profit growth

• 🛠️ New Zealand’s Kitchen Things enters receivership

• 💄 Mini Cooper x TBH Skincare: a very pink brand collab

• 🚨 Naked Sundays pulls SPF products amid safety concerns

🔑 Key Topic: Australia Post Halts US Shipments

• Triggered by the end of de minimis and uncertain US tariff processing

• Impacts all standard AusPost parcels to the US and Puerto Rico

• Commercial carriers (e.g., DHL, UPS) still operational via clearance model

• Retailers face $80–$200 USD duties per parcel during transition

• Solution coming via Zonos partnership — but not in time for BFCM

• Small and mid-sized brands especially vulnerable

Mal also gives credit to the WhatsApp retail community for helping brands navigate the crisis — with shoutouts to Dean Salakas, Jethro Marks, and Justin Irvine for their early insights and support.

In Episode 101 of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal Chia and Alex Ross take on a packed week of retail stories — from beauty trends and licensing meltdowns to JB Hi-Fi’s record-breaking run. It’s a wild ride through the strategic, the strange, and the surprisingly successful.

The duo dives into how legacy brands like ASICs are quietly crushing it, why Funko Pop’s licensing-heavy model is falling apart, and how an Aussie distributor turned Pokemon cards into a $200M empire. Plus, they unpack Urban Decay’s eyebrow-raising OnlyFans ad campaign, and what it signals about changing norms in influencer marketing.

All that — and yes, salmon sperm makes an unexpected appearance too.

🔑 Key Topics:

👟 ASICs’ Massive Growth

• Revenue up 17.7% to $2.74B; net profit margin at 13%

• Performance footwear is booming — and so is ASICs’ R&D-fueled product strategy

• Why it’s winning without trend-chasing

🧸 Funko Faces Collapse

• Sales down 22%; 20% of staff laid off

• Tariffs + margin squeeze from licensing = a business model under pressure

• Why relying solely on IP you don’t own is risky

🛒 JB Hi-Fi’s Unstoppable Streak

• FY25 revenue up 10% to $10.5B

• Outperformed ASX by 54%

• New CEO incoming — but can they keep the momentum?

🎴 Pokémon Cards = Big Business

• Aussie distributor Banter Toys turned a 2007 handshake into $200M

• What it tells us about licensing, nostalgia, and the kidult economy

• Pokémon is still the most-searched item on eBay

💄 Urban Decay x OnlyFans

• Is sex selling again — or just evolving?

• Risks, rewards, and what this means for brands chasing reach through controversy

🍣 Beauty Trend of the Week: Salmon Sperm Facials

• Yep, you read that right.

🎉 We made it to 100! In this special centennial episode of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal Chia and Alex Ross reflect on the ever-evolving world of retail — and prove once again there’s never a quiet week.

From Yotpo’s shock email/SMS shutdown, to Zara’s banned ads, to the rise and potential fall of Crocs, Labubus, and kiddulting, this episode is packed with insights on trend cycles, product strategy, and the power of focus in a crowded market.

Plus: we dive into the under-recognised brilliance of the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, and whether Australia’s fast fashion giants are simply… running out of steam.

🔑 Key Topics:

📉 Yotpo Pulls the Pin on Email/SMS

• Abrupt shutdown of its messaging product & sale to Attentive

• What it says about the all-in-one stack model

• Why best-in-class still beats bundle-and-hope in MarTech

🚫 Zara’s Ads Banned in the UK

• Ads featuring ultra-thin models pulled for breaching standards

• How editing, posing, and lighting all play into body image

• The growing push for healthy representation in fashion marketing

📉 AKA Brands Plateau in Australia

• Culture Kings & Princess Polly struggle with relevance

• A demographic with less cash and higher expectations

• Can these brands age with their audience—or will they fade out?

🌈 The Rise of Kiddulting (and Maybe the Fall?)

• Labubu, Jellycats, Pokémon collabs & the “lipstick effect”

• Is nostalgia the new luxury?

• Signs the resale bubble may be popping

🩴 From Crocs to Havianas: Are Chunky Shoes Over?

• Crocs shares tumble 30%

• Shift to “barely there” shoes like mesh flats & slides

• What this trend says about post-pandemic style psychology

🌿 National Indigenous Fashion Awards

• A must-watch moment for Australian fashion

• Representation, authenticity & cultural storytelling

• Why it deserves mainstream attention (and retail support)

In Episode 99 of This Week in Ecommerce, Mal Chia flies solo as Alex recovers—but there's no shortage of big headlines and big numbers. With Q2 earnings dropping across the tech giants, Mal breaks down what it all means for retailers and brand owners.

From Amazon’s surprise exit from Google Shopping to Shein’s €1M greenwashing fine, and the continued rise of retail media and AI-driven ad platforms, this episode is a crash course in what’s shaping e-commerce in Q3 and beyond.

Mal also revisits the Tigerlily x Seafolly comeback story, and gives a sharp, honest take on brand positioning, DNA, and why some brands should stop chasing "luxury" and get back to what made them great.

🔑 Key Topics:

🛒 Amazon Quietly Exits Google Shopping

• Global pullback from Shopping ads = less competition for independents

• More impressions, lower CPCs… but more pressure to differentiate

• What this tells us about Amazon’s growing internal search power

🧾 Q2 Earnings Breakdown: Big Tech’s Big Bets

• Amazon: $167B in revenue, $18B profit, ad business outpacing marketplace

• Meta: 22% revenue growth driven by AI-powered ad tools (Advantage+)

• Google: $96B revenue; search still strong despite GenAI threats

• Klaviyo & Shopify: Enterprise focus and AI bets continue

🌏 Shein Fined for Greenwashing

• €1M fine by Italian watchdog for vague/misleading sustainability claims

• France’s fast fashion law could hit them harder—up to €190M

• A sign that regulators are finally holding fast fashion accountable

👙 Tigerlily’s Relaunch Under Seafolly

• Back to prints, brand DNA, and margin-sharing via backend ops

• A case study in the dangers of “going premium” without positioning

• Lessons from Riderwear and how brand dilution hurts growth

In this special emergency episode of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal Chia and Alex Ross are joined by Justin Irvine (The Aggregate Co) to break down the seismic news shaking Australian retail: the end of the U.S. de minimis exemption — with just 30 days’ notice.

Previously, parcels under $800 could enter the U.S. tariff-free. Now, all shipments will be subject to duties, clearance fees, and new red tape — no matter where they’re from. This change, fast-tracked by an executive order from Donald Trump, will have immediate consequences for any Aussie brand selling to the U.S., especially those relying on low-cost international shipping or postal hacks like Australia Post.

Justin unpacks what it means, who it hits hardest, and how retailers can still sell into the U.S. — but only if they act fast.

In Episode 98 of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal Chia and Alex Ross return fresh from the Online Retailer Conference to unpack the most fascinating stories across retail, brand partnerships, AI commerce, and luxury’s crumbling facade.

From the $150M acquisition of TikTok Shop darling Phleur, to LVMH’s luxury fall from grace, to the rise of ChatGPT-powered shopping, this episode is full of high-impact insights. Mal and Alex also explore the dangers of building in public, influencer fallouts, and how fandom-fueled collabs are rewriting the rules of product drops.

🔑 Key Topics:

🛍️ TikTok Shop’s First Big Exit

• Fleur, a beauty brand born on TikTok, acquired by TSG Consumer.

• Launched in 2022, now doing $150M in annual retail sales.

• What it tells us about social-first commerce and marketing-led brand growth.

📉 LVMH’s Luxury Slump

• Fashion and leather goods down 9.2% YoY.

• Ongoing issues: data breach, labour scandal, and luxury goods used for money laundering.

• Has the dream lost its magic—and its moral compass?

🧠 ChatGPT Checkout & Discovery

• The future of shopping: ask, recommend, buy—all without visiting a store.

• What this means for product data, storytelling, and discoverability.

• Will this bring the magic back to online retail, or just recreate the ad-driven mess of Google?

🎮 Fandom x Collab = $200M in One Day

• Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering sells $200M in a single day.

• Mal breaks down the power of licensing and superfans.

• Why niche + nostalgia might be the most underrated sales combo in ecomm.

🤝 When Partnerships Go Bad

• The fallout between influencer Sarah’s Day and fragrance brand Who Is Elijah.

• Why founder/influencer alignment matters—and what to do when the public gets involved.

• Lessons from The Daily Edited and other brand-influencer blowups.

In Episode 97 of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal Chia and Alex Ross are recording live from Sydney ahead of the Online Retailer Conference—and the energy is high. They unpack a packed agenda of the latest retail news, including:

• Temu’s aggressive push into the Aussie market with a new local seller program

• Amazon’s $4B last-mile investment and what it signals about growth plateaus in cities

• Moonpig’s quirky entry into Australia’s print-on-demand gifting scene

• Loro Piana’s luxury labour scandal, and

• The “emotional ceiling” holding e-commerce back from its next growth curve

Plus: Alex and Mal discuss why Miss Amara and Go-To Skincare are winning the emotional loyalty game—and what retailers can do to create “micro-moments” that build real brand love.

In Episode 96 of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal and Alex are back to unpack the biggest stories shaking Australian retail. First up, Amazon Prime Day isn’t just a mid-year sale—it’s a multi-billion-dollar juggernaut that’s disrupting spending patterns and leaving local retailers in the dust. Then, the shock exit of heritage brand Country Road from New South Wales raises deeper questions about brand perception, cost pressures, and consumer loyalty. Finally, a rare bright spot: City Chic’s surprise turnaround from multi-million dollar losses to profitability shows what’s possible when brands refocus on their core customer.

Whether you’re trying to protect margin, earn back trust, or plan for peak season, this episode is packed with practical insight.

1. Amazon Prime Day Crushes Competition:

• Prime Week in Australia saw 72% of online shoppers take part.

• U.S. shoppers spent $24.1 billion—a 28% YoY increase.

• Many local retailers saw flat or declining sales as spend was consolidated with Amazon.

• The takeaway? Brands must now rethink whether to fight the marketplace model or join it.

2. Country Road Retreats from NSW:

• Iconic Aussie fashion brand to shut down all NSW stores, including its QVB flagship.

• Rising rents + falling discretionary spend blamed for the retreat.

• TikTok backlash reflects deeper issues: perceived quality drop and pricing disconnect.

• Mal and Alex ask: can a heritage brand survive cost-cutting without damaging its identity?

3. City Chic’s $12 Million Swing:

• From an $8M loss to up to $6M EBITDA in 12 months.

• Turnaround driven by a strategic exit from the U.S. and renewed focus on their core shopper.

• In a climate where many fashion brands are contracting, City Chic’s disciplined focus sets a powerful example.