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UK social commerce set to grow and accelerate

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Reports in recent years have highlighted the increasing importance of social commerce and now a new study from next-gen delivery management platform Scurri shows just how crucial s-commerce has become for retailers’ growth strategies.

Scurri

Almost 90% of British mid-market retailers believe social commerce is “democratising the sector, levelling the playing field for SME businesses”; 83% of retailers say social commerce is the UK’s fastest growing sales channel; but 89% also identify post-purchase experience as “crucial to building consumer trust and meeting expectations for delivery speed, tracking and returns”.

The company commissioned Savanta to conduct online research of a total of 123 UK retailers, including enterprise (large-scale businesses operating in multiple markets) and mid-market firms.

And 86% of them said social commerce is changing the retail landscape in a democratic way “by allowing mid-market businesses to compete against enterprise level companies and achieve commercial success regardless of size and resource”.

But larger businesses are “increasingly learning from the strategies of founder-led and SME brands that are delivering social commerce success, with 50% of enterprise retailers agreeing that social commerce is no longer an optional feature but a key driver of growth”.

Scurri said s-commerce in the UK is predicted to more than double in the next four years, rising from £7.4 billion to almost £16 billion by 2028, representing 10% of the total e-commerce market. That’s up from 6% in 2024, and growing at four times the rate of overall e-commerce sales.

As mentioned a huge majority of retailers say social is their fastest-growing sales channel in the UK and for the next 24 months, mid-market brands identified YouTube (55%), Instagram (54%), and TikTok Shop (54%) as the drivers of strategic growth opportunities. 

Enterprise retailers are more focused on Facebook (57%), along with Instagram (48%) and TikTok Shop (48%) as they look ahead to 2027.

The research reveals mid-market brands are more active than enterprise businesses in terms of shopper engagement activities on social commerce, including activation of paid partnerships (42% vs 29%), brand customer content (48% vs 39%) and live shopping events (46% vs 24%). Enterprise level respondents are more prevalent in activating partnerships with macro (32% vs 21%) and lifestyle (47% vs 37%) influencers.

But as mentioned, regardless of business size, 89% of retailers agree post-purchase experience is crucial to building trust with consumers who have very high expectations for delivery speed, tracking and returns when purchasing via social commerce. 

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Russia’s Alrosa diamond producer says it has paused production at less profitable mines

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Reuters

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March 18, 2025

Russian diamond producer Alrosa announced on Tuesday that it had decided to temporarily suspend operations at its less profitable deposits.

Reuters

The suspension will affect deposits with an annual production of less than 1 million carats, it said.
The company said it still planned to produce 29 million carats of diamonds in 2025.

In November 2024, Alrosa said that it might suspend some production in 2025 and reduce staff.

© Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.



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Dolce & Gabbana looks beyond fashion to safeguard independence

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By

Bloomberg

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March 18, 2025

Dolce & Gabbana Srl, the Italian fashion house known for bold, Mediterranean-inspired designs, says its beauty business now holds the key to an independent future in the rapidly shifting luxury industry.

Dolce & Gabbana – Fall-Winter2025 – 2026 – Womenswear – Italie – Milan – ©Launchmetrics/spotlight

Revenue from beauty products is expected to rise more than 20% for the 12 months through the end of March 2025, to €610 million ($665 million), Chief Executive Officer Alfonso Dolce said in an interview. That would lift total annual revenue to around €2 billion.

The company is also targeting €1 billion in beauty sales by the end of the 2027 financial year, following a shift from licensing to direct management of production and distribution of fragrances, makeup and skincare.

Dolce Gabbana’s pivot on beauty comes at a fraught moment for the fashion sector, where a global slump has raised questions about the standalone future of some of its rivals. 

Hong Kong-listed Prada SpA is nearing a deal to buy Gianni Versace Srl, while fashion icon Giorgio Armani rocked the industry last year when he said he no longer rules out a merger or listing once he exits the scene.

Dolce Gabbana’s reaction has been to double down on its independence by broadening its revenue streams. Along with the decision to directly manage the beauty business, it’s also testing the waters in real estate and hotels.

“We asked ourselves, what more do we have to say to the fashion industry after 40 years at the top?,” said Dolce, 60, who holds the top job at the firm his brother Domenico and Stefano Gabbana founded in 1985. 

Dolce Gabbana Holding Srl, which encompasses the group’s offerings in clothing, furnishing accessories and beauty, reported about €1.9 billion in revenue for the 12 months through March 2024, up 19% at constant exchange rates compared with the previous year, driven by an almost five-fold increase in beauty. 

But the company’s earnings before interest and taxes are still just a fraction of its Italian rivals. Dolce Gabbana posted €4 million in Ebit at the end of the last financial year, compared with €1.28 billion for Prada on sales of €5.4 billion. 

The jury is still out on the firm’s other big diversification bet, property and hotels.

“The success in beauty is a good testament of the brand strength,” said Luca Solca, a senior analyst at Bernstein.  “I don’t think that hospitality/hotels will play a big role for them.”

The firm is seeking additional funding, including for its real estate ventures, which cover residences in Marbella, Spain, in Miami and in Dubai, as well as hotels in the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.

That’s another change in tack for a group that’s traditionally financed investments internally, Dolce said. A €300 million term loan that’s about 25% repaid dates back to 2022. The fashion house also has a €100 million working capital facility. 

It’s now in talks with bank lenders for as much €150 million. A decision by those creditors is still on hold.

The diversification moves were prompted by what the CEO acknowledged was over-reliance on visitors to the Mediterranean, and the group’s post-Covid rebound was short-lived, he said.

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine shaved off more than €100 million from the top line, while sales to Chinese customers tumbled as the country’s economy dipped and consumer tastes shifted.

Still, Dolce insists his firm can thrive as an independent. “If the macroeconomic environment deteriorates further, we have our own properties, our warehouses and we can always cut ad spending, which is twice as high as our peers,” he said.

Dolce also remains adamant about not wanting outside investors, at least for now.

“We listen to everyone, investment banks, family offices, private equity firms,” the CEO said. “But our response is always the same, at the moment we’re not interested in opening our capital.”
 



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LilySilk launches capsule collection with stylist Elizabeth Stewart

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Silk brand LilySilk has teamed up with Hollywood stylist Elizabeth Stewart to launch a capsule collection.

LilySilk launches capsule collection with stylist Elizabeth Stewart. – LilySilk

“We’re excited to unveil our exclusive collaboration with Elizabeth Stewart, the celebrated Hollywood stylist known for her exceptional eye for elegance,” said David Wang, CEO of LilySilk. 

“This partnership redefines the essence of effortless sophistication and timeless allure, merging LilySilk’s luxurious silk with Elizabeth’s unmatched styling artistry.”

The collection combines LilySilk’s commitment to sustainable luxury with Stewart’s signature styling expertise. It features six curated looks with 11 versatile pieces, rooted in luxury, comfort, and sustainability. 

Among them is the Denim Dossier, a fitted denim-inspired suit with a cropped jacket and high-waisted wide-leg pants. Urban Voyager offers a modern take on leisurewear with an oversized bomber jacket and jogger pants, while Versatile Vogue pairs a refined sweater with a satin skirt. 

Modern Mosaic presents a bold statement blouse that can be styled with tailored pants for work or jeans for a more casual look. Playful Palette showcases vibrant bowling shirts matched with tailored culottes, and Patchwork Paradise, offers a one-of-a-kind pajama set crafted from deadstock fabrics. 

“I work with many brands, and I’m always seeking out companies that truly consider their environmental impact,” added Stewart. “That’s why I’m thrilled to collaborate with LilySilk—our shared commitment to sustainability and quality makes this collection truly special.”

Earlier this year, LilySilk opened its first-ever U.S. concept store, in the Meatpacking District in New York. 

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