Welcome to MarketMaze, the #1 newsletter in the Marketplace and E-commerce space that keeps professionals ahead of the curve by keeping them up to date with latest insights in just 5 minutes weekly.

Today’s edition is brought to you by… Packhelp, the leading European packaging marketplace! With us you can design any packaging online in a few clicks, order low MOQs or wholesale orders. If you have not checked us yet, now is good time with 10% off on 2 custom products.

🙋‍♂ Was this forwarded to you? 👉 Sign up to MarketMaze email newsletter and receive access to deep dives and resources for free.
💌 Did you like this issue? 👉 Sharing this link is caring! Help me reach a wider audience so we can benefit from the community.
💁 Have feedback? 👉 Post review on google or fill out an anonymous survey to shape MarketMaze!

1️⃣ E-Commerce Explosion 📈
As reported last week, Walmart's e-commerce surge to $100B in 2024, not only underscores critical milestone, but finally means Walmart outpaces Amazon's growth from more than a decade ago. With a blend of digital and physical retail, Walmart is setting new benchmarks in shopper experience and global reach. "Our e-commerce strength...is an engine for our business," stated Doug McMillon, Walmart's CEO, reflecting on the journey.

2️⃣ Marketplace Momentum 🚀
Amidst this digital surge, Walmart's marketplace has become a formidable force, with a 20% increase in sellers and a 22% rise in Walmart Connect advertising sales. McMillon (Walmart’s CEO) emphasized the strategic blend of marketplace dynamics and advertising, "enabling us to grow our bottom line faster than our top line," he noted, heralding a new era of retail competitiveness.

3️⃣ Membership Magic ✨
Walmart Plus is redefining membership value, with members spending nearly twice as much as non-members. "Delivery has been a key source of share gain among upper-income households," highlighted John D. Rainey, CFO, underpinning the service's success in bolstering Walmart Plus membership through enhanced store-fulfilled delivery, which saw a near 50% increase in the U.S.

4️⃣ Futuristic Focus 🌐
With an eye on the future, Walmart projects a 3-4% net sales growth for the fiscal year 2025. "We're seeing more customers—and we're seeing them more often," Rainey (Walmart’s CFO) shared, envisioning a future where Walmart continues to lead with an integrated retail experience, powered by technology and omnichannel capabilities, setting new standards in consumer satisfaction and digital innovation.

1️⃣ The Digital Wave 🌊
The US Census Bureau just dropped some eye-popping numbers: ecommerce sales in Q4 soared to a record $325 billion, marking a 7.2% jump from last year. Remember the lockdowns? When we all turned our living rooms into malls and yoga studios? That's when the ecommerce explosion began, skyrocketing sales by 44% from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020. Fast forward to Q4 2023, and we're up 82% from 2019. I guess we really liked shopping in our PJs.

2️⃣ Record-Breaking Ecommerce Share 📈
The share of US ecommerce in total retail hit a new high of 17.1% in Q4 2023, overtaking the previous record since the pandemic's peak. From a modest 12.4% in Q4 2019 to 16.7% in Q4 2020, the climb has been steady. The pandemic shifted consumer preferences significantly towards online shopping, and it seems there's no going back. We've all embraced the convenience of click-to-cart, making ecommerce an indispensable part of our shopping rituals.

3️⃣ A Tale of Two Countries 🌍
While the US has seen impressive growth, the UK's ecommerce landscape underwent even more dramatic swings, peaking at a 35% penetration rate during lockdowns. However, unlike the US, which returned to its long-term growth trend, the UK's growth has begun to plateau, hovering around 30% ecommerce penetration of retail. This indicates a maturity in the market, contrasting sharply with the exponential growth phases seen elsewhere. It's a fascinating comparison, highlighting different consumer behaviors across the pond.

▶ 🇮🇳 Amazon gears up to unveil Bazaar in India. Amazon's Bazaar aims to revolutionize value fashion with items under $7.2, zero extra charges for sellers, and a promise of hassle-free delivery. Facing off against Flipkart, Ajio, and Meesho, Amazon's move could reshape the fast-fashion e-commerce landscape in India.

▶ 🇨🇳 Moonshot $1B Alibaba-led round shatters records. Moonshot AI's recent $1B funding round, led by Alibaba and HongShan, marks the largest single financing for a Chinese AI startup since the generative AI funding surge began. Valued at $2.5B, Moonshot released its chatbot Kimi in October 2023, setting a new precedent in AI development.

▶ 🇬🇧 JD.com eyes Currys for fast-track Europe entry.  JD.com's pursuit of Currys signals a strategic move to dominate UK and European markets, leveraging Currys' extensive network. Amidst stiff domestic competition, JD's international ambition contrasts with its modest global footprint, challenging giants like Amazon with a bold leap.

▶ 🇮🇩 TikTok's e-commerce dance dodges Indonesian rules. In a bold move, TikTok's acquisition of a 75% stake in Tokopedia for $840M signals its return to the e-commerce game in Indonesia. However, despite the promising prospects for SMEs, the platform's persistence in allowing in-app transactions flouts the nation's regulations, drawing governmental ire and threats of action.

Wanna cross-promote/sponsor? 👉 Check Partners page or write to me 

▶ 🌍 Shein targets Boohoo's suppliers in global chase.  Shein's aggressive expansion includes courting Boohoo suppliers and appointing Gemma Dunne, ex of PrettyLittleThing. With £1B UK sales and a booming US presence, Shein's strategy reflects its ambition. Meanwhile, India becomes a circular fashion hope, lifting Shein's ban for a sustainable future.

▶ 🇩🇪 Zalando revamps marketing to align with EU standards.  Zalando, the Berlin-based fashion giant, is ditching misleading sustainability badges for real eco data. By April 15, 2024, expect to see clear info on recycled materials instead of vague green symbols. It's a makeover that's not just skin-deep.

▶ 🇪🇸 Zara fights Shein with budget brand Lefties.  In the fast-fashion arena, Zara's owner Inditex unleashes Lefties, targeting Gen Z with low prices to tackle Shein's dominance. With 17.99-euro jeans and 5.99-euro handbags, Lefties expands globally, aiming to reclaim the budget-conscious consumer.

▶ 🇮🇹 Prada joins forces for a sustainable fashion future.  Prada Group steps into the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Fashion Task Force, aiming at a greener future. They're rolling with the big names like Burberry and Stella McCartney, pushing for sustainable fashion with digital passports and regenerative agriculture. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about doing good.

▶ 🇯🇵 Uber brings robot deliveries to Japan. Uber, Mitsubishi Electric, and Cartken unveil a groundbreaking service in Tokyo, launching end of March. Using Cartken's Model C robots, they aim to tackle the logistics crisis with innovative solutions.

▶ 🇺🇸 Instacart 's valuation plummets to $13B amid IPO plans. Instacart has faced its third valuation cut this year, plummeting to $13B from a high of $39B in 2021. The company's move to slash valuation and lay off 250 workers signals a strategic pivot as it prepares for an IPO in a volatile market.

▶ 🇩🇪 Delivery Hero calls off Foodpanda's SE Asia sale. After months of intense negotiations, Delivery Hero's deal to sell its Foodpanda business in key Southeast Asian markets falls through. CEO Niklas Östberg cites failed agreement terms as the core issue, yet remains optimistic about the region's growth potential.

▶ 🇺🇸 DoorDash sees growth but faces larger losses. Despite hitting a 52-week high, DoorDash's Q4 earnings reveal a 39-cent-per-share loss, overshooting analyst expectations and leading to a 9.5% share drop. Yet, the company highlights record user growth and international expansion, betting on future profitability.

Wanna cross-promote/sponsor? 👉 Check Partners page or write to me 

▶ 🌍 Wix partners with Global-e, boosting global sales. Wix.com Ltd. collaborates with Global-e Online Ltd., offering merchants a cross-border eCommerce solution. This partnership allows for localized shopping experiences, including payment, shipping, and tax optimizations, facilitating global market access.

▶ 🌍 Klarna streamlines shopping with new login service. Klarna's "Sign in with Klarna" simplifies online purchases, offering personalized experiences while ensuring data privacy. Now in 23 countries, it's a hit in Sweden and a challenge to tech giants.

▶ 🇨🇭 SwissPost aids digital literacy with personal advice. Despite 97% of the population having internet access, a quarter lacks digital literacy. Swiss Post's advisory service in selected branches aims to bridge this gap, offering guidance on digital issues, from phishing to smartphones.

▶ 🇳🇴 Aviant launches drone delivery in Norway, covering 17km. Aviant's autonomous drones now deliver groceries, medicines, and meals directly to doorsteps in Lillehammer, making life in remote areas a bit less remote. With a 17km reach, they're setting a new standard for accessibility and sustainability.

▶ 🇩🇪 The Platform Group acquires Hood Media. The Cologne-based Hood Media, known for its Hood.de platform with over 4,900 active dealers across 20+ product categories, now joins The Platform Group's "consumer goods" segment. This strategic move is part of TPG's broader ambition to dominate the ecommerce space, with Hood Media being one of several acquisitions aimed at expanding TPG's presence in both B2B and B2C sectors.

▶ 🇳🇱 Sparqle secures €1.2M to elevate European deliveries. Bagging €1.2M with help from top industry angels, Sparqle aims to expand its tech and green delivery network. With e-cargo bikes and a vision for cleaner cities, they're riding into a sustainable future.

▶ 🇰🇷 Techtaka secures $9.5M for its fulfillment leap. In a Series B round led by Altos Ventures, Techtaka, a South Korean logistics innovator, has just landed a whopping $9.5M. Founded by e-commerce veterans, the startup is revolutionizing the fulfillment game with AI and next-day delivery, already boasting over 170 customers and a strategic partnership with Naver’s SmartStore.

That’s all. See you next week in the 🌀Maze!