The Ecommerce Weekly - 25 April 2022

Filed in:
News

Elon Musk has bought Twitter but we are still thinking about the Netflix story - a litmus test for our times?  Another example of a digital business that is found wanting now that the pandemic (or exogenous factors if you want to sound more like Homo Economicus) is over?

Netflix is losing subscribers because...

• It has poor content?
• It is thinking of introducing ads? (it may do in a few year's time but hasn't yet)
• It has lost 700 million subscribers in the former USSR?
• There is a cost of living crisis?
• It has increased subscriber prices?
• It is really no longer differentiated from other offers like Disney+?
• Go woke, go broke (Netflix has just launched a Japanese drama/comedy about a cisgender male having a baby)

Maybe, more accurately, the heart of this story is about share prices.  Netflix has dropped to a PE ratio of a mere 20X earnings.  It had forecast a growth of 2.5M not a drop of 200,000.  

Just one thing to point out...it still makes a surplus of $1.6Bn!

And finally, here are this week's top news stories from ecommerce and digital to enjoy.

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UK ECOMMERCE NEWS - John Lewis, JoJo Maman Bébé, Mano Mano...

John Lewis launches online kids bike subscription service.
(Retail Gazette)

Tesco grows online share to 34%.
(Internet Retailing)

Next and group of investment firms buy JoJo Maman Bébé.
(The Guardian)

Resale start-up Loop Generation announces investment.
(Fashion United)

ManoMano launches dedicated online marketplace for UK trade professionals.
(Retail Week)

The Body Shop takes top spot in ecommerce website ranking.
(Charged Retail)

 

INTERNATIONAL ECOMMERCE NEWS - Walmart, Lululemon, Victoria's Secret...

Walmart preps mealtime inspiration with shoppable Snapchat lens.
(Marketing Dive)

Hugo Boss to launch resale platform.
(Fashion United)

Lululemon expands resale program nationwide.
(Retail Dive)

Lululemon wants to double revenue by 2026, thanks to men's and digital.
(Retail Dive)

Flipkart pumps $116 million into its Myntra fashion platform
(Business of Fashion)

Target is selling used clothing in partnership with ThredUp.
(Retail Dive)

Victoria's Secret debuts inclusive, digital-only 'Happy Nation' tween brand.
(Retail Dive)

Banana Republic to permanently shut websites in Europe.
(Retail Dive)

 

DIGITAL NEWS - Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube...

Snapchat adds new assistive device animations for Bitmoji characters.
(Social Media Today)

TikTok set to surpass combined ad revenues of Twitter, Snapchat.
(Marketing Dive)

Stripe partners with Twitter in crypto expansion.
(Charged Retail)

Instagram is updating its ranking algorithm.
(Social Media Today)

Apollo Global Management is considering participating in a bid for Twitter.
(Private Equity News)

YouTube Shorts now allows creators to splice in long-form videos.
(The Verge)

Twitter's edit option looks set to have as 'edit history' element.
(Social Media Today)

 

IN THE MARKETS - Shopify, Instabox, Pollen...

Shopify to acquire ecommerce startup Deliverr.
(Charged Retail)

Ultrahuman acquires wearable company LazyCo.
(Fashion United)

Instabox packs up $190 million.
(Tech EU)

Tencent buys stake in UK fintech Previse.
(AltFi)

London-based Pollen has raised $150 million.
(Tech EU)

Wagestream raises $175M to expand its financial wellbeing app.
(Business Wire)

HR platform Oyster raises $150M.
(PYMNTS)