Executive Summary

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” is the first of two where we look back at the retail year in review. This week, we discuss 2017’s notable retail mergers, acquisitions and investments.
• In some US apparel categories, private labels combined account for 20% of the market, according to The NPD Group, which means that store brands in aggregate are larger than any single brand.
• French commercial property giant Unibail-Rodamco is set to buy Australian mall operator Westfield in a cash and share deal valued at $24.7 billion.
• Mobile payment and lifestyle platform Alipay has launched its latest Double 12 Global Shopping Festival in 15 countries spanning four continents. Alipay will introduce campaigns for its strategic partners’ local e-wallet users for the first time.