Executive Summary

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” discusses Amazon’s options and opportunities for Whole Foods Market once the acquisition of the grocery chain closes in the second half of this year.
• UPS plans to charge retailers extra fees to deliver packages during the busiest weeks before Christmas, creating a new challenge for an industry already coping with a shift away from traditional stores.
• eBay said it would match top competitors’ prices for a number of popular products in an effort to lure customers. The news follows a string of initiatives by the marketplace to catch up to e-commerce rivals and, ultimately, set itself apart as a haven for finding treasures online rather than commodity products.
• German retailer Zalando has rolled out a new supply chain service called Zalando Fulfillment Solutions for retailers that sell through its website. The new service will allow retailers to store products in Zalando’s warehouses and deliver products from them.