Weekly Insights Apr 15, 2016

Executive Summary

• This week, the Fung Global Retail & Technology team attended the World Retail Congress 2016 in Dubai, and we published individual flash reports following each day of the three-day conference. At the end of the second day of the event, we also received a guided tour of the impressive Mall of the Emirates.
• Digital publishers are beginning to shift away from traditionally built websites and are focusing on publishing content directly on social media, as that is where young consumers are increasingly spending their time.
• Amazon UK customers may soon be able to use Barclays Bank branches as delivery collection points. According to reports, the bank has been trialing delivery lockers at a few sites across London, and a full rollout is expected should the initiative be a success. Amazon says it already operates over 13,000 pickup locations across the UK.
• French luxury brand Chanel has expanded its e-commerce offering to customers in Belgium and the Netherlands. The online product range is limited to beauty products, and includes perfumes, skincare and makeup. Shoppers get free shipping for orders that exceed €100, but orders below the limit will incur a delivery fee of €10.