This Week In Ecommerce

🎉 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.

In Episode 95 of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal Chia flies solo to break down the biggest shifts in the retail landscape. From Amazon Prime Day’s increasingly disruptive influence to the quiet rebellion against free shipping and returns, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the post–EOFY slowdown. Mal also unpacks Lululemon’s lawsuit against Costco, the growing importance of micro-moments in retail, and the global fallout from Trump’s new $3 trillion deficit bill.

Grab a coffee and strap in — it’s a sharp, insightful solo session packed with strategy and real talk.

Retailers Reconsider Free Shipping & Returns:

• New Shippit data shows brands like H&M and Uniqlo are reversing free return policies.

• Returns in marketplaces can be as high as 50%, significantly eroding margins.

• Mal’s advice: be transparent with customers, use loyalty incentives, and reset expectations before it’s too late.

The Power of Micro Moments:

• A good product isn’t enough—memorable moments matter.

• Mal highlights brands like Apple, Frank Green, and Amino Z for nailing end-to-end customer experience.

• Personalised touches and post-purchase surprises create long-term brand equity.

Trump’s $3 Trillion Deficit and Tariff Fallout:

• New U.S. legislation could push interest rates higher and strengthen the USD.

• This risks increasing import costs for Australian retailers sourcing in USD.

• Recommendations: explore FX tools (Airwallex, Revolut), rethink pricing strategy, and consider reshoring or nearshoring

Lululemon vs Costco: The War on Dupes:

• Lululemon sues Costco for copying its Align leggings and promoting them as dupes.

• Implications for premium and luxury brands trying to protect their image.

• Mal calls on brands to protect IP, build community, and highlight what makes their product really different.

PLUS: Online Retailer Conference is around the corner!

Mal will be hosting the NORA stage at ORC Sydney, July 23–24. Use the code MalChia for a free show floor pass.

https://www.onlineretailer.com/en-gb/register.html?cat=retailer&ct=U2FsdGVkX19lx0W5QMdQQ70KvdPKNrC74XrRblRub4nMH0x7/8QIRGidKg+LF5Yk

Follow Mal

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malchia

Website: malchia.com

In Episode 94, Mal Chia and Alex Ross dive into a jam-packed week for Australian retail. Recording on the road, Mal and Alex cover:

💎 Billionaire Bling & Excess Culture — What Jeff Bezos’ $150M wedding says about the rise of flashy consumerism, the return of “swaggy and braggy” style, and its impact on luxury retail and jewellery trends.

🛍 Fit Tech & Virtual Try-Ons — Google’s standalone “Doppl” app and the future of virtual fitting, plus why solutions like MagicFit may offer better accuracy for apparel.

🎀 Labubu's Everywhere — From Uniqlo partnerships to airport sightings, why Labooboo’s rise keeps accelerating.

🍔 Barbie Cafés & Third Spaces — Barbie’s café concept lands in Melbourne, alongside trends like Netflix’s planned IRL stores and laundromat-cafés as new consumer hubs.

🏠 Omnichannel in Action — What retailers can learn from Kookai x Hawthorn’s merch collab and the success of brands blurring online and offline.

This episode explores how popular culture and retail continue to collide — and what smart retailers can do to stay relevant.

Is EOFY being overshadowed by Prime Day? And what does a $100 million penalty say about retail culture?

In this week’s episode, Mal Chia and Alex Ross unpack the headlines that are reshaping Australian retail—from Amazon’s 4-day Prime Day blitz to the fallout at Optus and bold acquisition plays closer to home.

🔍 This Week’s Topics

• Amazon Prime Day expands to 4 days

  What Aussie retailers can learn from the US giant’s precision-timed sales machine—and why LeBron is now the face of Prime.

• Optus fined $100 million

  A damning ruling for targeting vulnerable customers. Mal breaks down what this says about leadership, accountability, and the ethics of sales culture.

• DigiDirect buys M-Wave

  Another under-the-radar acquisition from the camera and tech retailer. What’s the strategy here—and how does it differ from Mosaic’s model?

• AMART and Freedom form a $1B furniture empire

  More PE-backed consolidation. But will it work? And what lessons does retail need to learn from Mosaic’s unraveling?

• The risk and reward of founder content

  Inspired by the Shameless podcast, a look at why founder-led storytelling is dominating—and how burnout, brand-building, and visibility intersect.

💬 Quote of the Week

“You’re either a faceless brand or you’re someone people connect with. Founder content builds trust—but it also doubles the stakes.” – Mal Chia

This week marks a fresh chapter for This Week in Ecommerce as Alex Ross officially joins as co-host! In this packed episode, Mal and Alex dive into three major stories shaping retail right now:

1. The ACCC Cracks Down: Major Aussie retailers like Michael Hill and Hairhouse have been penalised for misleading Black Friday discounts. What this means for trust, and how brands should rethink their promotional strategies.

2. The Fall (and Pivot) of Alchemy Brands: With the closure of National Geographic stores and the pivot toward Lego and General Pants, Mal and Alex explore the deeper strategy behind brand licensing and experiential retail.

3. The Rise of Labubu: From viral TikToks to $250K plush toys, the hosts dissect the Labubu phenomenon and how novelty, scarcity, and celebrity seeding are fueling a new wave of “dopamine shopping.”

Key Takeaways:

• Why urgency-based EOFY offers are working—and where brands get it wrong.

• The cost of consumer mistrust and why compliance is non-negotiable heading into Black Friday.

• What the closure of NG stores tells us about brand reach, licensing power, and cultural relevance.

• How Labooboo and fruit charms are driving a “lipstick effect” resurgence in novelty shopping.