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THG Ingenuity announces landmark deal with Google Cloud to power e-tail’s future

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October 23, 2025

End-to-end e-commerce platform THG Ingenuity has announced a new collaboration with Google Cloud with the bold aim being “to power the future of digital commerce”. 

THG Ingenuity/Google Cloud

While Google owner Alphabet is a very much larger company than THG Ingenuity, it appears to be a very big deal for both of the partners with them saying the “far-reaching collaboration [is] designed to transform the scale, innovation, and future growth of THG Ingenuity and its digital commerce platform”.

Reports also suggested it could eventually lead to Google holding a small stake in THG Ingenuity valued at $1 billion (£749 million) or more.

We’re told that by combining Google Cloud’s “cutting-edge generative AI and data analytics products” with THG Ingenuity’s “end-to-end commerce and fulfilment capabilities, the agreement represents a strategic milestone that will accelerate product innovation, deliver step-change outcomes for customers, and open new go-to-market opportunities worldwide”.

Central to this is “THG Ingenuity’s commitment to product innovation,” they said. “By harnessing Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform and Gemini models, [we] will build next-generation, AI-enabled services for THG Ingenuity’s e-commerce platform. From predictive demand planning and hyper-personalised product recommendations, to intelligent storefronts and automated fulfilment solutions, these innovations will give customers the ability to unlock new revenue streams, reduce operating costs, and deliver superior experiences at global scale”.

The partners will also collaborate on a go-to-market strategy to “accelerate digital transformation across industries”. They’ll target existing customers and aim to attract new ones by listing Ingenuity’s next-generation commerce and fulfilment solutions for purchase on the Google Cloud Marketplace with a focus on Europe and the US.

And they said brands working with Ingenuity “will gain direct access to the best of Google Cloud’s AI and data platforms, integrated seamlessly into Ingenuity’s digital commerce services”.

That should mean “faster innovation cycles and access to market-leading AI tools; smarter, AI-driven insights to grow revenue and reduce costs; more personalised and seamless shopping journeys for their end consumers; [and] greater resilience, scalability, and security in their global commerce infrastructure”. 

Also important, THG Studios will use Google’s Veo and Imagen models on Vertex AI “to create distinctive, high-impact visual assets for marketing and branding needs”. This includes blending product photography with AI-generated backgrounds and producing entirely original images and video content. Google’s AI tools will also be used to analyse market trends and consumer behaviour. 

THG Ingenuity will undertake a comprehensive migration of its e-commerce and fulfilment infrastructure to Google Cloud to help modernise its product offerings by transitioning its applications, including legacy systems, to Google Cloud’s platform.

The UK firm’s chairman Alistair Crane called it a “landmark collaboration with Google Cloud is a transformative moment for THG Ingenuity. Together, we are not only reimagining digital commerce through innovation, but also ensuring that customers have the products, tools and fulfilment solutions to drive their businesses forward. This is about shared growth, shared innovation, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of commerce.”

And Maureen Costello, VP UK, Ireland and Sub-Saharan Africa, at Google Cloud, added: “THG Ingenuity is at the forefront of revolutionising digital commerce, and we are proud to collaborate with them. By combining Google Cloud’s AI and data expertise with THG Ingenuity’s global commerce and fulfilment capabilities, we are enabling brands to modernise, innovate, and create exceptional customer experiences at scale. This collaboration sets the state for long-term impact across industries.” 

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Central bank body BIS raises concerns of gold and stocks double bubble

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December 8, 2025

The combination of gold and share prices soaring in unison is a phenomenon not seen in at least half a century and raises questions of a potential bubble in both, global central bank umbrella body, the Bank for International Settlements, says.

Gold seized included coins, bars, and jewellery (photo for illustrative purposes only) – REUTERS/ Ajay Verma/File Photo/File Photo

While equity markets continue to be driven by AI and tech gains, gold’s 60% surge this year is set to be its biggest since 1979, fuelling debate about whether its traditional role as a safe-haven asset has changed. “Gold has behaved very differently this year compared to its usual pattern,” Hyun Song Shin, economic adviser and head of the Monetary and Economic Department at the BIS said as it released its ⁠final report of the year on Monday. “The interesting phenomenon this time has been that gold has become much more like a speculative asset.”

Dubbed the central bank to the world’s central banks, the BIS has given regular warnings ⁠about potential stock market bubbles in recent years, but its concern around the co-movement with gold is two-fold. Where would investors shelter if stocks and gold both crash. And what could it mean for central banks and other reserve managers given some have been heavy buyers of gold.

The BIS’ analysis concluded that this year has been the first time gold and the ‍S&P 500 have ‌jointly exhibited “explosive behaviour” in the last 50 years. Not only is gold up 60% this year, it is up more than 150% since ⁠2022 when the post-Covid pandemic surge in inflation ‌began to impact markets, alongside Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions on Moscow.

Another possible bubble warning sign is ‌that retail investors have also been piling in. Gold exchange-traded fund (ETF) prices have been consistently trading at a premium relative to their net asset value (NAV) this year, signalling “strong buying pressure coupled with impediments to arbitrage,” the BIS said.

Central banks’ purchases have “clearly set a very firm tone in the price of gold,” Shin added. “Whenever you have prices actually doing quite well, you will see other investors jumping in, and certainly ‍retail investors have also taken part (in the rally), and not just in gold”.

The BIS gave a broader warning too about the “growing fragility” of the risk-on environment amid the concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) valuations and the recent 20% dives in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. The European Central Bank and ‌Bank of England have both raised ⁠their ​own AI bubble concerns in recent weeks and the risk of an abrupt burst if investors’ rosy expectations ⁠are not met.

Shin ​said the profits being made by the AI firms- now spending enormous amounts on data centres- was an important difference between now and the “dotcom bubble” of the early 2000s when firms weren’t making money. The “fundamental question,” however, is whether those expenditures will be seen as being justified ​in the long run, Shin said, adding that the other key determinant for markets will be how the global economy holds up next year. “So far, activity has been surprisingly resilient,” Shin said.

The BIS is also watching where ⁠the dollar goes from here. This year it is headed for its ⁠biggest annual drop since the Lehman Brothers collapse in 2007. “After the April episode (when US President Donald Trump announced sweeping trade tariff plans), the dollar has been relatively stable,” Shin said. “I think the hedging behaviour of non-US investors is going to be a very, very important input into how markets will co-move from here.”

© Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.



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Ex-Levi Americas president buys Dr Martens shares

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December 8, 2025

Share purchases in key companies are always interesting but we wouldn’t normally mention anyone buying a relatively small amount of shares, especially not an amount adding out to ‘only’ £75,000.

Image: Dr Martens

But given that the company concerned saw fit to announce the purchase itself and given that the company is in the middle of a major turnaround, it’s of more interest than it might usually be.

Dr Martens announced on Monday that Robert Hanson, who joined the board as an independent non-executive director in March, has purchased 96,000 shares in Dr Martens – worth over £75,000.

Share purchases by insiders are particularly significant given that those insiders tend to have the best view of how the company is faring with its turnaround and an individual committing a significant sum of their own money is particularly interesting.

Hanson currently serves as CEO of The Duckhorn Portfolio. His previous roles include EVP and president of Constellation Brands’ Wine & Spirits, president of Americas at Levi’s as well as CEO roles at American Eagle Outfitters and John Hardy. 

He purchased 96,000 ordinary shares at a price of £0.7886 per share. The buy suggests he believes that the shares, which are much lower than their all-time high of £5+, represent good value and should rise. 

Dr Martens is currently working through a recovery from a major period of weakness and it seems to be yielding results. Its first half update in November showed progress, with America recovering in particular even though EMEA still showed weakness.

A week later, it also announced the opening of its new Soho, London flagship and that’s a key development. The store “represents the most elevated expression of the… brand to date”. The first-ever ‘beacon’ store is on Brewer Street with its two floors spanning 3,400 sq ft to make it the brand’s biggest UK flagship – “built to bring the people and product of Dr Martens together”.

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Boss presents inaugural ‘Boss Award’ in Miami Beach

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December 8, 2025

Boss is further deepening its role as a patron of the international art scene and as a partner of Art Basel. At the inaugural Art Basel Awards Night in Miami Beach last week, the fashion house presented the Boss Award for Outstanding Achievement for the first time. The 2025 award goes to the artist Meriem Bennani, whose multimedia practice is renowned for its innovative, humorous, and critically engaged storytelling.

Meriem Bennani is known for weaving humour, pop-cultural aesthetics, and digital language into her storytelling. – BOSS

The Moroccan-born New Yorker works across a variety of artistic media, including video, sound, animation, sculpture, and large-scale installations. She is known for combining humour, pop-cultural aesthetics, and digital language in her narratives to create immersive, playful yet incisive works that resonate with audiences.

The prize was presented by CEO Daniel Grieder and creative director Marco Falcioni. The award will continue to recognise artistic practices that open up new perspectives and spark relevant social dialogue.

“I am deeply honoured to have my work recognised by such an iconic brand that has long championed innovative art that speaks to a wider public. This award inspires me to continue creating works that challenge perspectives and celebrate the beauty of collective experiences,” said Meriem Bennani at the award ceremony.

The highlight of the ceremony was the installation of an immersive catwalk entitled “1995–2025: 30 Years of Arts Sponsorship,” which spotlighted the brand’s arts patronage over the past three decades. Milestones included the “Paper Suit” by artist James Rosenquist from 1998, which marries the timeless craftsmanship of tailoring with the ephemerality of paper. Also featured were the Hugo Boss Prize, awarded for many years in collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum, and a retrospective of the Hugo Boss Asia Art Award, launched jointly with the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai.

“Art has been an integral part of our DNA for over 30 years, and our partnership with Art Basel takes our commitment to a new level. We are proud to present the inaugural Boss Award for Outstanding Achievement to its first recipient, Meriem Bennani. This award marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and we look forward to shaping the future of art together,” said CEO Daniel Grieder.

The Art Basel Awards, launched in February, honoured 36 medallists from the contemporary art sector in nine categories. Bottom right, Meriem Bennani holds the Boss Award.
The Art Basel Awards, launched in February, honoured 36 medallists from the contemporary art sector in nine categories. Bottom right, Meriem Bennani holds the Boss Award. – HUGO BOSS

“Fashion is an integral part of our everyday lives and serves as a bridge between the individual and society, often blurring the line between functionality and art. From our beginnings to our latest fashion show, Hugo Boss has been committed to the dialogue between fashion and contemporary art, as it continues to inspire innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking ideas,” added creative director Marco Falcioni.

The Boss Award is endowed with $100,000 and supports both future projects and a charitable initiative of the laureate’s choice. The award is open to living artists working across all media, with a particular focus on emerging talents who are shaping discussions within and beyond the art world.
 

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