Around The World In Commerce 320

Instant Commerce is a battle ground in China between Alibaba, JD, and Meituan, Temu launches a 3P warehouse in South Africa and more

Hendrik

Jul 15, 2025

Dear Readers,

It's the middle of July, so what are the three questions on my mind this week?

Can anyone please tell or convince me that Prime Day, over four days, was a success? Bloomberg decided that an article on the first day's result was a good idea, but I tend to believe that consumers waited until the last day to see all the deals before making any purchases. Days one and two were down. Extending events leads to dilution of demand from consumers. In China, marketplaces are simplifying and shortening shopping holidays.
A trend I am starting to see is that private equity-owned companies are beginning to acquire AI-based bolt-ons. Is this a good thing or desperation by PE funds to help their assets scale and then sell? I suspect that we will see a lot of PE money going into logistics and CPG, which will start buying AI companies that need an exit.
Did multinational marketplaces such as Alibaba, Amazon, and others miss out on the Middle East? I ask because the Jahez acquires a 76.56% stake in Qatar’s Snoonu in a $245 million deal, which features entrepreneurs and investors, but there's no mention of Western investment or technology. I wonder if this is a second-order effect of the success that Delivery Hero has had with Talabat that has led to this acquisition?

Onwards, Hendrik

Marketplaces

Africa

Jumia replatforms its retail media program to Mirakl Ads to enhance marketplace advertising. Temu launches warehouse in South Africa. For China’s Cross-Border Retailers, Africa Is the New Southeast Asia. Takealot is bringing more exclusive early “Black Friday” deals. MaxAB-Wasoko bets on fintech over e-commerce in push for profitable growth across Africa.

China

China’s ‘instant commerce’ price war sees $0.30 drinks and billions in subsidies doled out. - CNBC

Competition between these companies has intensified this year, with all three expanding their delivery networks and pledging billions in subsidies to merchants and consumers.

Can JD.com Win Abroad Without Playing Temu's Game? Meituan hits new record with 120M daily delivery orders. JD.com’s $1.4 billion plan heats up on-demand delivery battle with Meituan and Alibaba. Richard Liu and 20 things he wants you to know about JD.com’s future.

Pinduoduo seizes Meituan's exit to boost group buying amid market challenges. Pinduoduo's split from SF Express sparks logistics chaos: 4-hour queues at pickup points. Shein files for Hong Kong IPO to save London listing, FT reports. Taobao Instant Commerce and Ele.me orders top 80 million a day. Cainiao, STO partner on driverless delivery.

Europe

Amazon and GoPuff launch 15-minute grocery deliveries in the UK. TikTok Shop sees EU summer sales surge. AliExpress launches hourly delivery in the UK. ASA Ruling on GoBrands Euro Intermediate Holdings SARL t/a GoPuff. Wolt now sees itself at €5 billion in local commerce [in German] Temu opens Nordic door as furniture firms eye broader European reach. Temu attacks: The online discount giant would also break into the European food market. Wildberries Begins Testing AI Shopping Assistant on its Marketplace. Wildberries pilots its own taxi service in Belarus.