Global and UK e-commerce order volumes rose year on year in Q1, boosted by Valentine’s and Mother’s day spending, according to new data from  e-tailer delivery management platform Scurri.

It said that gifting, homewares and cosmetics were the strongest-performing categories.

Data from Scurri’s platform showed that in Q1 the volume of shipments with the UK as the final destination climbed 5% year-on-year, with the key gifting days driving up performance.  

Gifting shipments were up 39% in the period with homewares up 34% (after a challenging 2024). Shipments of cosmetics rose 17%, building on a 7.3% rise for health & beauty last year. 

Globally, online order volumes rose 19% and outside of domestic UK shipments, the highest volume shipment destinations were Germany (up 45% compared to Q1 2024), Poland (+24%) and Ireland (+18%).

“The increase in shipments to Ireland from the UK is indicative that brands looking to diversify recognise its closest neighbour is an expanding e-commerce market, with trading being facilitated by an ecosystem of partners committed to overcoming the post-Brexit complexities of moving goods into Ireland,” Scurri founder and CEO Rory O’Connor said.

Express ‘with signature’ services saw a 35% increase in Q1 volumes compared to 2024, “reflecting some consumer concerns around security and parcel theft”, but also a reduced willingness to wait. Next Day delivery volumes increased 33% in the quarter compared to 2024.

O’Connor added: “We continue to see a strong demographic split when it comes to delivery speed vs spend. Two-thirds (65%) of 18-24-year-olds say they are happy to pay for premium delivery services, but the cost of home delivery is a key cart abandonment trigger for nearly half (44%) of shoppers aged 55-64.” 

Stella McCartney is celebrating Earth Month and has just launched a Future of Fashion innovation installation at its 23 Old Bond Street flagship in London – “platforming the luxury pioneer’s legacy today and next-gen materials of tomorrow, including the brand’s most sustainable collection ever”, the Summer 2025 offer.

“Led by a ‘Save What You Love’ call-to-action for the planet and its creatures, the edit is crafted with 96% conscious and 100% cruelty-free materials,” the company said.

With fashion estimated to be responsible for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the fact that the industry will continue to grow as a result of increased population and consumption patterns, the label sees an urgent need for action.

Previous editions of the Future of Fashion have been hosted at the COP26 and COP28 UN climate conferences, Dubai Design Week and Salone del Mobile in Milan. The current iteration platforms McCartney’s innovations from its Summer 2025 collection, including Ryder bags in fungi-based Hydefy vegan alternatives to leather; Peekaboo recycled and recyclable nylon yarn; Keel Labs’ Kelsun seaweed-based yarn and more. All materials and supplies have been repurposed from previous activities to minimise waste.

The designer has also launched a pop-up in Milan’s Rinascente department store that runs until early next week with the space centred around the ‘Save What You Love’ message. Visitors can enjoy complimentary ice-cream and receive copies of the Stella Times – the third in a series of limited-edition newspapers featured on the Summer 2025 runway during Paris Fashion Week.

In addition to the Bond Street and Milan activities, the label will next month launch its Summer of Love 2025 capsule collection, described as “a sensual edit of ready-to-wear and accessories exploring the escapism, hedonism and romanticism of a warm-weather holiday”.

Made with “100% conscious materials”, there are bags handwoven from responsibly sourced raffia in Madagascar by ethically compensated female artisans.

Limited-edition Logo and Falabella basket bags are handmade by Tanora in a “state-of-the-art atelier and fair-trade compensation scheme, offering additional support to the women’s families and communities”.

There are also hand-painted cherries on fluid dresses and separates, plus sleeveless baby tees. Red stripes “bring a coastal cool to forest-friendly viscose satin vacation essentials” while “crisp organic cotton poplin reimagines classic men’s shirting in feminine silhouettes, alongside light crochet knits”.