Yazılar

Shein’s UK Sales Surge to $2.8 Billion in 2024

Shein’s British business generated £2.05 billion ($2.77 billion) in sales in 2024, marking a 32.3% increase from 2023, according to a recent filing. The UK represents Shein’s third-largest market after the United States and Germany as the fast-fashion e-commerce giant prepares for an initial public offering in Hong Kong.

Shein Distribution UK Ltd reported a pretax profit of £38.25 million in 2024, up 56.6% from £24.4 million the previous year. The filing highlighted milestones including a pop-up shop in Liverpool, a Christmas bus tour across 12 UK cities, and the opening of two new offices in Kings Cross and Manchester.

The retailer is known for low prices, constant promotions, and rewards programs that encourage repeat purchases. Shein has captured market share from competitors such as ASOS (ASOS.L) and H&M (HMb.ST), especially as rising inflation has pushed consumers toward bargain hunting. Its UK site offers items ranging from £7.99 ($10.84) dresses and £15 ($20.36) jeans to toys, craft supplies, and storage products.

Shein has benefited from customs duty exemptions on low-value e-commerce shipments, allowing goods to be shipped directly from Chinese factories largely tariff-free. However, these exemptions are being phased out, raising costs and prices, particularly in the U.S. The Trump administration eliminated the “de minimis” exemption for parcels under $800, and the EU plans to remove its duty waiver for parcels under €150. The UK is also reviewing its policy on low-value imports amid complaints that it favors online retailers like Shein and Temu.

Amazon Expands Same-Day Delivery to Perishable Foods to Compete with Instacart and Walmart

Amazon Prime subscribers can now receive perishable items—including strawberries, milk, meats, and frozen meals—on the same day they order, as the company expands its fast-delivery service. The option is free for Prime members on orders over $25 and available to non-members for a $12.99 fee. Previously, perishable groceries were delivered via Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods, often requiring an additional subscription fee.

The service is currently available in over 1,000 U.S. cities, with plans to expand to 2,300 by year-end. Analysts say the lower order threshold and inclusion of groceries in Prime could attract more members and pressure competitors like Instacart, Walmart+, DoorDash, and Uber Eats. Amazon has invested $4 billion to expand same-day and next-day delivery across rural U.S. communities.

Sea Ltd Beats Revenue Estimates on Shopee and Gaming Demand

Sea Ltd (SE.N) reported stronger-than-expected quarterly revenue on Tuesday, driven by robust performance in its Shopee e-commerce platform and gaming division Garena, lifting its U.S.-listed shares nearly 19% in early trading.

Shopee revenue surged 33.7% to $3.8 billion in the April-June quarter, with gross merchandise value (GMV) rising 28% to $29.8 billion. The company attributed growth to competitive pricing, enhanced customer experience, and social engagement features like live-streaming and mini-games offering redeemable rewards. Sea now expects Shopee’s annual GMV growth to exceed its prior 20% forecast.

Garena, Sea’s digital entertainment unit, saw revenue climb 28.4% to $559.1 million, fueled by its popular mobile game “Free Fire”, which added 17.8% more paying users and recorded a 23% increase in bookings for the quarter. CEO Forrest Li projected bookings growth for the year to exceed 30%.

Sea’s digital financial products segment, including its Monee app, contributed $882.8 million, up 70%, reflecting rising demand for payment and credit services.

Overall, Sea posted total Q2 revenue of $5.26 billion, up 38.2% year-on-year, surpassing analyst estimates of $4.98 billion. CEO Li highlighted that the company has reached a stage where it can pursue growth opportunities while improving profitability.