This Week In Ecommerce

This wasn’t a normal year in retail. It was a stress test. In this solo episode, Mal breaks down the five forces that quietly reshaped retail and ecommerce this year — and why so many brands struggled at the same time . This isn’t a recap of headlines. It’s a post-mortem of business models that only worked when conditions were perfect. Starting with the most visible consumer shifts and counting do...

Black Friday has officially become Australia’s retail Super Bowl — but is that actually a good thing? In Episode 118, Mal and Alex unpack Australia Post’s biggest day ever ($1.5 billion in a single hit), why activewear keeps winning the sales race, and what it means when demand gets squeezed into just a few frantic days a year. From supermarkets racing for last-mile convenience to Lululemon’s very...

This week, Mal and Alex break down the biggest stories shaping Australian ecommerce and retail. From AI slip-ups to collapsing kids’ brands, booming APAC Black Friday numbers, and a world-first social media ban, this episode covers the signals founders need to be watching as we head into 2026. Bunnings AI Illegal Advice — Their chatbot gave unsafe electrical guidance, highlighting the risks of AI...

Black Friday may be done and dusted, but the retail news machine definitely isn’t. This week, Mal and Alex unpack everything from the world’s first streetwear IPO to the grim reality of Aussies spending nearly half their income just keeping a roof over their heads. Add in fashion inflation, a Shein copying scandal, and the FDA doing something very questionable with cosmetic safety… and you’ve got...

This week, Mal and Alex wade into a very marketplace-heavy news cycle — from Princess Polly jumping into physical retail, to the quiet death of flash-sale platforms, to the Iconic proving you don’t need to spend more to grow more. Then we get into the big stuff: Kogan’s New Zealand headaches, Myer’s surprisingly strong marketplace success, and why Australia’s supermarket shelves are suffering from...

Black Friday mayhem is in full swing, but Mal and Alex are keeping cool—and throwing the odd grenade—while the industry scrambles. In this episode, they unpack the week's biggest stories in ecommerce, from delivery duopolies to unexpected beauty wins. In this episode: Menulog exits Australia – UberEats and DoorDash now dominate as Menulog bows out, raising monopoly concerns. AI image theft – A fur...

This week on This Week in Ecommerce, Mal and Alex wade into the mayhem of “Black Friday month” — from the ACCC crackdown and a $6.8B spending forecast, to Coles’ AI-powered ecommerce surge and Shein’s controversial Paris store opening. Plus, they unpack the women’s workwear boom and why it’s the next billion-dollar opportunity hiding in plain sight. It’s a big week for Aussie retailers: consumers...

In this episode, Mal and Alex dig into what the latest retail news really signals — from job cuts at Amazon and Puma to quiet operational mastery at JB Hi-Fi and Starbucks’ long-awaited turnaround. They unpack the balance between AI efficiency and human experience, and debate whether Lululemon’s NFL partnership is a bold brand play or a case of chasing relevance. Key theme: The tension between foc...

With Alex off the grid for the Tinny Rally, Mal takes the mic solo to unpack the week’s biggest retail headlines — from LSKD’s global retail rollout to Amazon’s rising fulfillment fees and what the latest Australia Post data says about online fashion’s surprise comeback. In This Episode: Cyber Month begins: Why early “Black Friday-but-not-Black Friday” sales are flooding inboxes — and what it mean...

It’s another jam-packed week in retail as we edge closer to peak season. In this episode, Mal and Alex cover the biggest stories across the e-commerce landscape—from unpredictable collabs to timeless classics making a comeback, and the rising retail moment that is Halloween. 💡 In this episode: 🍦 Lovehoney x Billy Van Creamy : Why an unexpected collab between a sexual wellness brand and a cult ic...

This week, hosts Mal Chia and Alex Ross dive into one of the biggest news weeks of the year for global retail and ecommerce. From Simon Beard’s bold new Creator Army venture to the rise of Digital Product Passports and a 100% tariff on Chinese imports announced by Donald Trump , this episode covers everything Australian retailers need to prepare for. Plus, we look at Kooki's return to the UK ,...

In Episode 108 of This Week in Ecommerce , Mal and Alex dissect the biggest stories shaping ecommerce and brand strategy this week — from Gucci’s cinematic campaign to Shopify’s major AI integration with OpenAI. They unpack what brands get right (and wrong) when chasing attention, and how ecommerce leaders can stay ahead as the lines blur between product, performance, and content. 🔍 Key Topics:...

In Episode 107 of This Week in Ecommerce , Mal and Alex tackle a chaotic week in retail, tech, and consumer trust. From Meta’s live demo fail to another sunscreen brand getting caught with dodgy SPF claims, this episode dives into how trust, transparency, and timing are becoming critical differentiators for brands heading into Q4. 💣 Key Topics Covered: 👓 Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses live demo fa...

Q4 is coming in hot — and retail is already on fire 🔥 This week, Mal and Alex dig into a scandal shaking one of Australia’s biggest retail groups, the quiet downfall of viral sensation Labubu, and what TikTok’s rise as a search engine means for brands heading into peak. Also on deck: Aussie consumer confidence is defying global trends, David Jones’ web traffic spikes unexpectedly, and discoverabi...

In this episode of This Week in E-Commerce , Mal and Alex unpack the big trends shaping Q4 and beyond — from the slow fade of Lululemon’s dominance , to why fragrance is suddenly every brand’s favourite brand extension , and how Gen Z’s conscious spending habits are forcing a rethink on value . Whether it’s the rise of K-Beauty , the fall of dark UX , or the EU’s bold stance on fashion waste , one...

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 mat...

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 topic...

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...

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...

🎉 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 str...

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 plat...

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...

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-im...

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...

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...