This Week In Ecommerce

Ecom Nation

🎙️ This Week in Ecommerce is your weekly download on the headlines shaping Australian retail. Hosted by industry legend Mal Chia and rising star Alex Ross, each episode dives into the biggest stories—from billion-dollar deals to platform updates, policy shifts, and consumer trends. Sharp insights, no fluff, and plenty of honest takes. New episodes every Wednesday. Powered by Ecom Nation.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Koala's IPO, The Iconic's Profit & The Dynamic Pricing Threat Facing Every Retail Brand

    Mal and Alex are back for a jam-packed, very Australian episode — recorded a day late thanks to the uneven chaos of state-based public holidays. From Koala's impending ASX debut to the Iconic finally turning a profit after 15 years, it's a week where the big stories reward anyone paying close attention to what they actually signal about the state of ecommerce and retail in Australia. This episode covers a lot of ground: geopolitical pressure on shipping costs, the dynamic pricing debate at Coles and Woolies, a snapshot of January's surprisingly solid retail data, and the tactical playbook brands need right now as conditions tighten heading into Q1. Whether you're a brand operator, a marketer, or just a retail nerd, there's something here for you. Koala IPO — Koala is targeting an April 1st ASX listing at a $300–305M market cap, backed by 42% revenue growth and a 280% jump in EBITDA, making a compelling case even in a muted IPO market dominated by AI capital flows.US-Iran Conflict & Retail Inflation — Ongoing conflict is pushing fuel and shipping costs higher, with New Zealand fashion sales already down 2.3% year-on-year and Australian petrol prices hitting record levels — bad news for discretionary retail.Lovisa & Cotton On Go Global — Lovisa has surpassed $500M in revenue across 1,100 stores in 50 countries, while Cotton On's rare push into India signals that international expansion is becoming a serious hedge against a soft Australian market.Coles & Woolies Dynamic Pricing — Neither retailer has ruled out demand-based pricing via their new electronic shelf labels, raising serious concerns about brand pricing control and consumer trust — all while both remain under ACCC investigation.ABS January Retail Data — Overall retail spending was up 5% year-on-year in January, but the data predates the February rate rise, making your own site's conversion rate a far more current indicator of business health.Brand Playbook for a Tough Market — With the in-market buyer pool shrinking, brands should shift budget toward upper-funnel demand generation, scenario plan at 70–80% of prior revenue, and prioritise newness and scarcity to drive urgency.The Iconic Finally Profitable — After 15 years, The Iconic has delivered $45.7M in adjusted EBITDA — achieved not through a single dramatic move, but by reducing discounting, going more premium, and growing its higher-margin third-party marketplace business.

    25 min

  2. 3 MAR

    Block's AI Cuts, More Store Closures & The Ozsale Comeback

    In Episode 127 of This Week in Ecommerce, Mal Chia and Alex Ross break down the biggest retail news in Australia, from store closures and collapsing margins to AI-driven job cuts and the escalating beauty wars between major players. If you’re a retailer, founder, marketer or ecommerce operator, this is what you need to know right now. 🔎 In This Episode: Accent Group shuts down Glue Store after an $8.6M loss — is mid-market retail officially dead? Maggie Beer Holdings returns to profit by focusing on operational efficiency instead of expansion. Ozsale relaunches under its original founder — can flash-sale marketplaces survive in 2026? Adore Beauty grows revenue 8.7% but sees profit drop 70% — can physical retail fix a margin problem? Sephora racks up $78M in Australian losses under LVMH — why is Australia so tough to crack? Block (owner of Square and Afterpay) cuts 40% of its workforce, explicitly citing AI efficiency. 📈 Key Themes: Margin pressure in ecommerce The collapse of mid-market retail Beauty industry competition in Australia AI replacing knowledge workers Marketplace viability in a discount-heavy world Retail strategy in 2026 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of the biggest ecommerce and retail news affecting Australian brands. #Ecommerce #RetailNews #AustralianRetail #BeautyIndustry #AIinBusiness #Afterpay #Sephora #AdoreBeauty #Ozsale #RetailStrategy

    24 min

  3. 24 FEB

    Tariff Chaos, TikTok’s Backflip & The Return of Retail Reality

    From Trump’s tariff whiplash to TikTok’s strategic retreat and Lovisa’s share price tumble, this week’s episode unpacks the volatility shaping retail in 2025. Mal and Alex break down what’s noise, what’s signal, and what Australian retailers actually need to pay attention to — especially as global trade tensions resurface and consumer confidence remains fragile. If you’re exporting to the US, relying on TikTok Shop, or still operating on an old-school fast fashion model… this episode is a wake-up call. 📰 In This Episode TikTok walks back mandatory Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) TikTok reverses its plan to force sellers onto its fulfilment network, signalling limits to platform power in early-stage social commerce. ACCC announces 2026–27 enforcement priorities The regulator sharpens focus on misleading pricing, digital platforms and consumer protection — with tougher enforcement expected. Bunnings launches on Uber Eats 30,000 products now available for delivery, marking another step toward “everything commerce” and on-demand retail. eBay acquires Depop A major move in recommerce consolidation, as eBay doubles down on Gen Z resale and secondhand fashion. US Supreme Court overturns Trump’s global tariffs The initial tariff framework is struck down — but quickly replaced with a new 15% flat tariff under alternative legislation. What the new US tariffs mean for Australian exporters Increased volatility, margin pressure and renewed urgency around supply chain diversification. Lovisa shares drop ~30% after weak results Slower growth and margin compression highlight the pressure on fast-fashion retail models. The risks of constant newness in fashion Inventory cycles and discount dependency continue to challenge brands reliant on rapid product turnover. The counterfeit crisis accelerates A new study shows 78% of brands lose at least 5% of annual revenue to counterfeits — with AI and online marketplaces amplifying the issue. Platform consolidation and shifting retail power From TikTok to eBay, major platforms are redefining the rules — and brands must decide how much control to give up.

    24 min

  4. 17 FEB

    Barbecues Galore, Insolvencies & Luxury’s Surprise Winner

    This week, Mal flies solo while Alex recovers from a big weekend, but the headlines are anything but quiet. From a 38% surge in business-related personal insolvencies to the strategic voluntary administration of Barbecues Galore, retail stress is no longer theoretical — it’s structural. Plus: US daily online shopping drops 12% Social commerce declines sharply Valentine’s Day spending underperforms Hermès defies the luxury slowdown with 12% growth This episode breaks down what’s noise, what’s signal, and what retailers should actually be doing right now.

    14 min

  5. 10 FEB

    Bunnings Wins Facial Recognition Case, Cosette Collapses, and the Return of Topshop

    This week, Mal and Alex return to unpack a massive week in Australian retail. From job cuts at Peloton and controversy at Nike to Cosette’s dramatic closure and JB Hi-Fi launching a retail media network, Episode 125 breaks down the headlines that matter. 🔹 In this episode: Peloton Cuts 11% of Staff The pandemic darling continues its post-boom correction with major layoffs. Is AI taking over engineering jobs, or is this just poor pandemic planning coming full circle?  Nike Investigated for “Reverse Discrimination” The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is probing Nike for alleged discrimination against white employees. A bizarre case that may have ripple effects for diversity hiring everywhere.  Topshop Returns to Myer, Rhode Launches at Mecca Two brand launches with very different energy. While Topshop leans into nostalgia, Rhode rides a wave of influencer-fueled anticipation. What’s the play for each retailer?  Cosette Collapses After 11 Years in Australia The luxury reseller shuts down its Australian operations amid mounting legal complaints and trust issues. Mal and Alex break down what went wrong—and what it means for secondhand retail.  JB Hi-Fi Joins the Retail Media Boom JB Hi-Fi has launched its own omnichannel retail media network in partnership with Retail Media Works. Why this is a smart move—and a worrying sign for indie retail.  Facial Recognition at Bunnings Gets the Green Light In a landmark decision, a tribunal has ruled that Bunnings can use facial recognition tech in stores—if customers are notified. A slippery slope for retail privacy, or necessary for security?

    20 min
  6. Crying Horses, TikTok Trouble & Meta’s Master Plan

    3 FEB

    Crying Horses, TikTok Trouble & Meta’s Master Plan

    It’s chaos out there – but in the best possible way. This week, Mal Chia is recording live from Sydney and joined by Alex Ross for a fast-paced round-up of stories shaking up ecommerce, tech, and retail. From viral toys in China to the TikTok/Meta power struggle, this episode covers the cultural trends, algorithm shifts, and economic forces every ecommerce brand should be watching. They unpack a factory error turned viral sensation (the crying horse plushie), why Facebook Marketplace is teaming up with Netflix, and what TikTok’s ownership shake-up could mean for creators and ecommerce sellers alike. They also break down inflation woes, the quiet rise of Threads, and whether Harris Farm is making a risky move by partnering with Amazon. In this episode: The crying horse toy going viral in China – a happy accident with big brand lessons Bridgerton x Facebook Marketplace – clever collab or cultural cash-in? TikTok’s US split: censorship accusations, user decline, and Meta’s moment to shine Inflation bites: what rising rates mean for discretionary spend and discounting Why ecommerce brands need to stop relying on breakneck Black Friday sales Reporting season reveals some surprising wins for big-name Aussie brands Harris Farm partners with Amazon – genius move or future regret? This ep is packed with cheeky banter, hard truths, and actionable insights for any retailer looking to navigate 2026 with smarts (and sanity) intact.

    25 min

  7. 27 JAN

    Trust Issues: AI Ads, Supermarket Pricing & the Cost of Cutting Corners

    Trust is taking a beating in Ecommerce — and this week, Mal and Alex unpack exactly why. From AI-powered shopping ads and supermarket pricing games, to brands relaunching without soul and others doubling down on transparency, this episode explores how easily trust is lost… and how hard it is to win back. There’s plenty for retailers to think about as 2026 trends start creeping into today’s decisions. In this episode, we cover: 🛒 AI shopping ads are coming Why OpenAI-style shopping ads feel inevitable — and whether “best result” will soon mean “highest bidder”. 🇦🇺 The Buy Australian Made push A big government budget, but can it really change behaviour without fixing price and quality fundamentals? 👖 Jeans West’s AI-led comeback When heritage brands relaunch with soulless, uncanny creative — and why it instantly damages trust. 🦺 Trademutt’s high-vis swap campaign A masterclass in human, sustainable, trust-building retail done right. 🫑 The Capsicum Paradox How supermarkets pricing produce per item online (instead of per kilo) creates opacity — and why the ACCC may start paying attention. 💰 Smarter ways to show value From cost-per-serve to cost-per-wear, and why helping customers do the mental maths matters. 🧵 Levi’s teaching Gen Z to repair clothes Selling less as a confidence play — and why longevity is becoming a status symbol. 🧠 The complexity tax Why many brands don’t need more channels, tools or hires — they need better fundamentals. If you’re building, scaling, or fixing an Ecommerce brand in 2026, this episode is a timely reminder: trust isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s the business model.

    19 min

  8. 20 JAN

    Woolies Goes AI, The Oodie vs News, and Store Closures Galore

    This week, Mal and Alex are back with a scorching episode of This Week in Ecommerce, breaking down the biggest stories shaping retail in Australia and abroad. From Woolworths jumping headfirst into AI to the fading glow of The Oodie, the duo tackle retail shakeups, brand resurrections, and what happens when luxury loses its sparkle. Here’s what’s in store: 🏆 Inside Retail Awards 2026: A refreshing mix of finalists with nods to Ergo Pouch, Nobby, and the ever-dominant Appliances Online. We celebrate the standouts (and hint at the PR machines behind them). 👖 Sass and Bide: Fashion Fade or Phoenix Rising? Maya hits pause on the heritage label, but will it rise again—or is it time to retire the skinny jeans? 🎮 EB Games Exits NZ: 38 stores shut down in a flash. We unpack the decline of physical media and why collectibles couldn’t save the day. 🩲 Bonds & Co. Up for Sale: Hanes might be offloading Aussie staples like Sheridan and Burley. Is it smart restructuring or the start of a fire sale? 💸 Saks Files Chapter 11: The US luxury retailer’s fall from grace—and what it means for premium department stores down under. 🛋️ The Oodie Gets Too Comfy? Adelaide’s fluffy export is reportedly slipping into the red. But is the press blowing hot air or is the novelty finally wearing off? 🧠 Woolworths x Google AI: From interpreting handwritten recipes to filling your cart—Mal and Alex debate if it’s a smart move or a sneaky upsell trap.

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

🎙️ This Week in Ecommerce is your weekly download on the headlines shaping Australian retail. Hosted by industry legend Mal Chia and rising star Alex Ross, each episode dives into the biggest stories—from billion-dollar deals to platform updates, policy shifts, and consumer trends. Sharp insights, no fluff, and plenty of honest takes. New episodes every Wednesday. Powered by Ecom Nation.

Information

  • Creator
    Ecom Nation
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ecom Nation
  • Show Website
    This Week In Ecommerce

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