Week 2026-W01

This week's cover

Dec 28 - Jan 4, 2026• Built Jan 11, 2026 21:49

Cartier reports UK sales exceeding £250 million, reflecting strong demand in the luxury sector. In contrast, Pragnell experiences a profit squeeze despite achieving record sales of £100. 5 million.

Key themes this week

Cartier UK salesPragnell record salesprofit squeezeAI-powered shoppinglast-mile delivery partnerships

86 articles processed this week

Show:per category

37# of articles processed

Ecommerce & Retail Tech

Breakthroughs and trends shaping online commerce, retail, and emerging tech.

Recap: The biggest retail mergers and acquisitions of 2025

Digital Commerce 360•Dec 29

AI summary: In 2025, major players in online retail, fulfillment, and technology engaged in mergers and acquisitions, reshaping the retail industry for 2026. Some deals were driven by bankruptcies, while others focused on expansion strategies.

Ecommerce faces a structural reckoning in 2026

Digital Commerce 360•Dec 30

AI summary: Ecommerce is undergoing a structural reset in 2026 due to AI-powered shopping, autonomous network operations, and tariff changes reshaping supply chains, leading companies to focus on operational agility for competitiveness.

Recap: How last-mile delivery partnerships changed fulfillment in 2025

Digital Commerce 360•Dec 31

AI summary: In 2025, U.S. retailers have utilized last-mile delivery partnerships to enhance their fulfillment networks, leveraging physical stores as key assets. Leading online retailers have started utilizing services like Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats for delivery.

How brands shifted marketing and media strategies through the year of tariffs

Modern Retail•Dec 29

AI summary: Marketers discuss their strategies for adapting to tariffs and regulatory changes in the ever-evolving landscape of ecommerce and retail tech in 2025.

The winners and losers of tariffs

Modern Retail•Dec 29

AI summary: In 2025, tariffs had a significant impact on the retail industry, with Modern Retail highlighting the major winners and losers of the changes in tariff policy.

The revenge of the ’90s mall brand

Modern Retail•Dec 30

AI summary: In 2025, '90s mall brands such as Gap and Victoria's Secret are working on turnaround plans to revive their reputation, but success requires more than just short-term growth.

New Ecommerce Tools: December 31, 2025

Practical Ecommerce•Dec 31

AI summary: Practical Ecommerce's article on "New Ecommerce Tools: December 31, 2025" highlights the latest offerings in mobile apps, hosting, business accelerators, avatars, review management, email marketing, agentic commerce, and video creation for ecommerce businesses.

6# of articles processed

Jewellery Industry

Key updates and articles across jewellery brands, trade, and supply chain.

Cartier UK sales top £250 million for the first time

Professional Jeweller•Jan 2

AI summary: Cartier's UK sales exceeded £250 million for the first time, with a growth rate double that of its parent company, Richemont. Operating profit also saw a significant increase of 25% to £15 million in the financial year ending in March 2025.

Pragnell sales top £100 million for first time

Professional Jeweller•Jan 2

AI summary: Pragnell achieved record sales of £100.5 million in the 2024-25 financial year, marking the first time sales surpassed £100 million. Despite a 6% revenue increase, operating profit declined by 11% to £8 million due to rising costs and investments in expanding its retail network.

Laings sales rise to £74m but profit squeeze continues

Professional Jeweller•Jan 2

AI summary: Laings' sales increased to £73.7 million in the 12 months ended May 2025, but operating profit dropped by over 40% to £1.9 million, marking a third consecutive year of declining returns.

Charm Ruby – Glamorous Terminal Libraries for Ruby

Hacker News•Dec 30

Leonardo’s wood charring method predates Japanese practice

Ars Technica•Dec 29

38# of articles processed

Artificial Intelligence News

The latest advances and strategies in artificial intelligence and business transformation.

Visa reports 4.2pc rise in US holiday retail spending

Luxury Daily - Research•Jan 2

AI summary: Visa's report shows a 4.2% increase in US holiday retail spending, with artificial intelligence playing a significant role in shaping consumer behavior by influencing product discovery and price comparison.

The Psychology of AI SERPs and Shopping

Practical Ecommerce•Dec 29

AI summary: AI-driven "zero-click" searches are changing the landscape of product discovery and decision-making, hinting at the impact of AI on shopping behavior.

3 SEO Predictions for 2026

Practical Ecommerce•Dec 30

AI summary: AI is predicted to dominate search results in 2026 with the rise of Generative AI and AI Overviews, making traditional SEO strategies less effective.

Amazon accelerates AI and data center spending with multibillion-dollar commitments

Digital Commerce 360•Jan 2

AI summary: Amazon is significantly boosting its investment in artificial intelligence and data center infrastructure, with a focus on expanding cloud capacity to meet the growing demand for AI computing in government and commercial markets. The company's cloud unit, Amazon Web Services, is spearheading these multibillion-dollar commitments.

The Modern Retail Podcast’s 2026 predictions

Modern Retail•Jan 3

AI summary: In 2026, Modern Retail predicts increased AI shopping, disruptions in the creator economy, and potential shifts in the products brands will sell.

2025 Top 25: Our Most Popular Posts

Practical Ecommerce•Dec 31

AI summary: AI was a dominant topic in Practical Ecommerce's most popular posts of 2025, with 17 out of the top 25 articles focusing on AI and strategy.

The Wirecutter Show: Tips for Using A.I. Smartly With Kevin Roose

NYTimes Technology•Dec 30

AI summary: "The Wirecutter Show episode with Kevin Roose discusses the benefits of chatbots and offers tips on using AI smartly."

5# of articles processed

Fashion & Luxury

Innovations and changes in luxury and wider consumer products, experiences, and brands.

Looking for friends, lobsters may stumble into an ecological trap

Ars Technica•Dec 30

Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick exits

Retail Dive•Jan 2

AI summary: Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick exits, with Executive Chairman Richard Baker stepping in amid bankruptcy speculation at the luxury retailer.

Singapore Study Links Heavy Infant Screen Time to Teen Anxiety

Hacker News•Dec 30

Nicolas Guillou, French ICC judge sanctioned by the US and "debanked"

Hacker News•Dec 30

Crowd avoidance, off-peak trips to drive next 12 months of luxury travel: Virtuoso

Luxury Daily - Research•Dec 29

AI summary: Luxury travelers are opting for off-peak trips to avoid crowds and uncomfortable temperatures, with Virtuoso predicting this trend to drive the next 12 months of luxury travel in 2026.