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Ant Group’s cross-border payments arm will help wallets from across Asia-Pacific operate in mainland China during the 2022 Asian Games.

The news: Ulta Beauty acquired upscale UK beauty retailer Space NK for an undisclosed amount, the company said, as it turns to new markets to offset slowing US growth. Our take: The US beauty market is becoming increasingly saturated as more retailers lean on the category to boost sluggish sales. While expanding to new markets comes with its own set of challenges, Ulta’s decision to rely on acquisitions and distribution partnerships will help smooth its path.

If US tariffs on goods and services imported from Canada are rolled out broadly and maintained, immediate changes will be seen in our forecasts for retail sales, ecommerce sales, and cross-border buying. Still, the on-again-off-again trade decisions leave much uncertainty at this stage.

Cross-border concerns: Banks with operations near Canada are wary of potential disruptions to cross-border ties and economic relationships, and how the strained relationships could impact the local economy. Over the next few years, community bankers expect:.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a fast-growing and lucrative ecommerce market. To tap into growth in the country, retailers and brands need to understand what motivates consumers.

In our exclusive survey with ESW, data from shoppers in 18 countries reveals new twists in the path to purchase, the rising momentum of marketplaces, and the resilience of age-old fundamentals.

Latin America’s digital revolution is marching full steam ahead, with consumers spending more than a third of their day online. As social commerce and retail media propel the region’s digital economy to new heights, the runway for growth remains long.​

The EU proposed a fee on small shipments: The new tax would add to the growing challenges facing Shein and Temu.

Discounts are a primary motivator for TikTok Shop purchases: But that tactic may not be sustainable for sellers reeling from the impact of China tariffs.

Low-cost online marketplaces like Temu and Shein have surged in popularity across the US in recent years, and starting today, both retailers have enacted price hikes due to rising import costs As of January 2025, 44% of US adults have shopped on Temu, while 31% have purchased from Shein, according to data from Morning Consult. Competitive pricing is a key draw for consumers.

In the wake of slowing remittance volume, the company’s financial media network can help it diversify and boost revenues

At the same time, Alibaba’s cross-border influence is growing. International ecommerce revenues jumped 32% YoY to RMB 37.76 billion ($5.27 billion) as more overseas customers turned to the retailer’s AliExpress and Trendyol platforms.

Why this matters: Alipay and its cross-border counterpart, Alipay+, have been working to expand their payments volume and customer base by leaning into travel. Alipay has expanded its merchant acceptance internationally through partners like Adyen, which made Alipay+ accepted at its point-of-sale (POS) terminals in the US and Europe.

The North American automotive supply chain is deeply integrated—many car parts cross borders multiple times before final assembly. Tariffs could increase the cost of a new car by $3,000 on average, and $10,000 for larger vehicles imported from Canada and Mexico.

Temu parent PDD’s growth is slowing: The retailer is struggling to navigate sluggish domestic spending and external challenges to its business model.

The number of cross-border journeys is expected to rise 10% YoY as tourists take advantage of visa-free travel and favorable exchange rates. Our take: The decline in manufacturing may be just a seasonal blip, but China faces serious challenges as it tries to navigate the Trump administration while rekindling consumers’ interest in spending.