Sylvain Langrand

Analysing AI with Benben Li & Xuchen Zheng of Vmake.ai

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#SXSW Session with Jere Calmes, CEO of THE ICONIC, on impact of AI in fashion retail. Top points are how AI will supercharge product discovery through personalisation - beyond customer surveys, using AI to sift through customer behaviour data and produce targeted customer insights. Also, using AI to revolutionise the supply chain and control levels of waste and over production through more accurate demand prediction. We all know the issues of last season's stock taking up space in the back of the warehouse.... They're employing AI LLM in on-site search so customers can ask "what to wear to a dinner" vs search for "black jacket". But, I wonder how to intersect these two, LLM search and personalisation, to get the answer to "what should *I* wear to a dinner"? That's the holy grail.

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Who What Wear’s has a new Intelligent Shopping Assistant, ISA! An interactive chatbot using generative artificial intelligence trained on Who What Wear’s industry-leading editorial expertise, ISA provides shoppers with tailored fashion and beauty product recommendations for every budget. ISA has been specifically built for digital audiences looking for trusted shopping recommendations, what's trending and more! Who What Wear continues to innovate and lead by finding new ways to merge content and commerce. So excited for this next chapter! Reach out if you'd like to learn more!

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People asked me three times yesterday about what's happening in the digital commerce space and the latest developments in the UK market compared to the rest of EMEA. A great place to start is the following report by Shopify. It's been interesting for us to see some of our customers in the region hitting their record sales, while few others have been slightly struggling with demand generation and related topics. What have you experienced yourself? #emea #commerce #digitalcommerce #ecommerce #enterprise #shopify #report

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The Future of Retail? Early Signal. Saks+NeimanMacus+Amazon+Salesforce > 1. 2.6B transactions. Amazon + Salesforce Buy access to data with invenment 2.Online LuxCommerce Consolidation 3. Where is the Bank/Payment 4. Apollo in... long term finance. Luxury Powerhouse Distribution, still needs Design like LV to be verocallly integrated. Luxury goes Digital and CRM... plus the best luxury dataset ever??? #cpg #lux #iaprediction perplexity.ai --->>> Saks Global is a new entity being formed through the $2.65 billion acquisition of luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus by HBC, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue. The deal, which is being financed with $2 billion from existing HBC investors and $1.5 billion in debt financing from Apollo Global Management affiliates, will create a luxury retail powerhouse with combined annual revenues of approximately $10 billion[2][4][5]. As part of the agreement, Amazon and Salesforce will take minority stakes in Saks Global, bringing not only financial investment but also technological and logistical support to the new venture[4][5]. Marc Metrick, the current CEO of Saks and Saks.com, is set to lead the merged operations[2][5]. The implications of this deal are significant: - **Reshaping the luxury retail landscape**: The consolidation of Saks and Neiman Marcus creates a major player in the high-end department store sector, with a collective network of 75 stores (including prestigious outlets like Bergdorf Goodman) and 100 off-price stores[2]. The primary competitors to Saks Global in the U.S. will be Macy's (which includes Bloomingdale's) and Nordstrom[2]. - **Strengthening negotiating power**: Although the merger doesn't match the scale of luxury conglomerates like LVMH and Kering, it gives the combined entity stronger negotiating power with smaller luxury brands[3]. Operational synergies are expected, with potential for enhanced investments in both Saks and Neiman Marcus[2]. - **Adapting to evolving market dynamics**: The deal comes amid challenges faced by traditional retailers and luxury e-commerce platforms. It underscores a shift towards innovative partnerships and digital advancements in the retail sector as companies aim to stay relevant in a changing market[4][5]. - **Attracting regulatory scrutiny**: Analysts expect the Saks-Neiman deal to face antitrust scrutiny from regulators, given the FTC's increased challenges to mergers under Chair Lina Khan. In April, the FTC sued to block a deal in the fashion accessories sector for the first time[5]. Overall, the formation of Saks Global through this acquisition marks a significant development in the luxury retail industry, with the potential to reshape the competitive landscape and how high-end department stores operate in the evolving market. The involvement of Amazon also adds an interesting dimension, as this represents one of the tech giant's first investments in a physical retailer since its Whole Foods acquisition in 2017[5].

AI is revolutionizing the fashion industry, transforming how brands design, market, and engage with customers. On May 23rd, the Fashion Innovation Vernissage in Paris, presented by Limitless Innovation in collaboration with The Sandbox during Viva Technology, showcased the latest breakthroughs in fashion technology. This event highlighted how AI is set to revolutionize the online shopping experience for brands and their clients. Thanks to Stefano Galassi, Francesca Rossi, Matteo Zaccagnino for the great organizaton and M. Raquel Silva, Robert Martin Kimberger, Ooli Shannon de Villèle (formerly Spanhake), Blake Lezenski, Svetlana Yakunina, Andrea Marangoni, Perry Kamel and Dongsoo Han for the fruitfull conversations. Allways a pleasure! I had the honor of giving a speech about the capabilities of AI in fashion and luxury. Reflecting on my journey, I started my career 24 years ago as a software developer and have led more than 1000 digital transformation and software projects. It has been an incredible ride, but the developments with AI are truly topping everything. Key Learnings: 1️⃣ Inspiration for Designers: AI can generate unlimited visual ideas for new collections, providing endless inspiration for fashion designers. 2️⃣ Marketing Efficiency: AI helps create visuals for campaigns, generate marketing texts, and provide translations, streamlining the marketing process. 3️⃣ Enhanced Customer Experience: AI improves product search and discovery for customers and offers 24/7 support through virtual assistants, enhancing the overall shopping experience. The future of fashion is here, and it is powered by AI. Embracing AI technology can transform your brand's creative process, marketing efficiency, and customer engagement. How do you see AI transforming the fashion industry? Share your thoughts in the comments or send me a DM for a deeper conversation. #FashionInnovation #AIinFashion #DigitalTransformation #FashionTech #Fashion #VivaTech #Luxury #AI #Innovation #RemoteNative

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Shein is expanding onto Amazon's turf by offering products beyond fast fashion. 1️⃣ Shein, a China-based fast-fashion platform, is expanding beyond fashion and apparel by wooing brands such as Colgate-Palmolive, Hasbro, and skincare brands to sell their products on its marketplace. 2️⃣ The company aims to create a platform that is everything to everyone and is taking steps to diversify its offerings to gain a bigger slice of the e-commerce pie. 3️⃣ Shein's use of AI and electronic monitoring helps it identify online trends and deliver goods fast. However, it has faced allegations of copyright infringement, data scraping, and the proliferation of counterfeit product listings. 4️⃣ Shein's expansion beyond fashion is a natural next step due to its efficient infrastructure, and this move could help it compete with industry leader Amazon. 5️⃣ While regulatory bodies have tried to put checks and balances on the company to stymie its questionable business practices, Shein's strategy of incorporating more brand names onto its platform could help dodge increased attention.

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Today marks the release of our report at World Retail Congress in Paris. Our panel, moderated by co-chair of the report, Judith McKenna, featuring Ulrika Biesèrt from Ingka Group, Jo Whitfield from Matalan and KultraLab's Amy Charlotte King will take to the stage this afternoon to discuss the importance of customer-centric behaviours as the retail landscape evolves to offer more experiential and personalised customer experiences. We'll also be unveiling the 'Magic Six'; the non-negotiable behaviours that high-performing teams consistently get right to create high team engagement, exceptional customer experiences and strong revenue performance. If you’re at WRC, make sure you get yourself along to Track 3 at 2:40pm. I'd like to say a big thank you to all of the amazing partners involved in the study:  Tesco, Levi Strauss & Co., Albertsons Companies, IKEA, Ann Summers, Primark, Boots UK, British Airways, JOE & THE JUICE, Pret A Manger, Majid Al Futtaim, SSP Group plc, AllSaints, END. CLOTHING LIMITED, JD Sports Fashion, inBeta | BCorp, The University of Manchester. To get your copy, click here: https://lnkd.in/eB_RHJ_b #secretdnaofhighperformingteams #managerbehaviours #highperformanceinretail

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Interesting shift in the US online fashion market! According to ECDB, Shein, a fast-fashion retailer from China, has become the third biggest player, surpassing established names like Macy's and Nike. Here's the breakdown: Top Dogs: Amazon and Walmart remain the leaders with apparel net sales of $12.3 billion and $8.9 billion respectively in 2023 (no surprise there!). New Challenger: Shein disrupts the scene with $10.3 billion in sales, specializing in trendy items at rock-bottom prices. They're constantly refreshing their stock, but their business practices have also drawn criticism. Traditional Brands Left Behind: Macy's and Nike follow with $6.4 billion and $4.5 billion respectively. #shein #ecommerce #ultrafastfashion

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📢 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱’𝘀 €𝟱𝗕 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱-𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 As Europe’s leader in second-hand fashion, Vinted’s recent €5 billion valuation, led by TPG and other key investors, underscores the rapid growth and potential of Europe’s second-hand fashion market. Here’s why this matters: ➡ 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: With 61% revenue growth and profitability achieved in 2023, Vinted proves that circular business models and profitability can go hand in hand. ➡ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻𝘀: This investment will fuel Vinted’s move into new product categories, including electronics, broadening the scope of sustainable and circular options available to consumers. How will circularity shape the electronics sector’s unique challenges and opportunities, especially in extending product life cycles? Rich Bulger, Ben Whitaker, Esel Shemmeri, Peter C. Evans, PhD your thoughts? ➡ 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Over the last year, Vinted expanded into new markets like Finland, Greece, and Croatia and introduced a verification service for luxury and designer items, now active in 10 countries, to enhance user trust and security. ➡ 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲’𝘀 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆: As the largest second-hand fashion platform in Europe, Vinted aligns strongly with the EU's push for circularity, supporting regulations focused on transparency, accountability, and sustainability in fashion. ➡ 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲: This share sale rewards employees and investors, highlighting how inclusive growth in sustainable business can drive industry progress. ✅ 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁: Vinted’s growth shows how strong logistics, strategic expansion, and clear consumer benefits are driving the evolution of the second-hand market. This approach underscores the potential of resale platforms to achieve large-scale impact and set new standards for sustainability across industries. ▶️ With new EU regulations on transparency and eco-design accelerating this trend, will we see more independent platforms like Vinted thrive or will major fashion brands step in to lead the resale market? 💬 #CircularEconomy #SecondHandFashion #EURegulations #Innovation #Vinted #Investment

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Insane business potential for Immersive video ads: Roblox expands Immersive Video Ads Access to All Advertisers - this move signals a shift for brands seeking to engage Gen Z. Unlike traditional advertising, video ads within Roblox aren't mere interruptions; they're integrated experiences within the platform. Watching or interacting with ads can reward players or even invite them to "enter the ad". A new study shows that 78% of Roblox users enjoy brand integrations and 75% notice Roblox ads more than elsewhere, enabling a deeper brand connection and forging lasting brand loyalty via immersive storytelling. Revenue and traffic-wise, Roblox has 71m daily active users, mostly Gen Z. With 57m mobile downloads in Q1 2024, Roblox is generating around $220m in revenues through in-app purchases worldwide (57% from the US). Metaverse gaming revenue growth is expected to grow by about 46% annually in the next couple of years. (Statista) Besides advertising, Roblox provides a fresh way to enhance omnichannel marketing and sales by taking phygital (physical + digital) e-commerce to the next step. A recent collaboration with Walmart allows customers to enter an experience where they would be greeted by a new storefront showcasing virtual replicas of select physical items sold at Walmart stores. Purchases made through this experience would translate into real-life items shipped directly to the customers' doorsteps. #Roblox #Metaverse #GenZMarketing #ImmersiveAdvertising #Advertising #marketing #CommerceEvolution

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Hot take: How brands deploy Digital Product Passports will determine whether they take hold among the general population or just become a regulatory burden: • RIMOWA added NFC-powered Certificates of Ownership to their luggage. (Aleksija Vujicic had an interesting write-up last month about the opportunities they missed, though.) • Coach uses DPPs to facilitate access to end-of-life options (reuse/resell/recycle). • HUGO BOSS customers can use the digital ID embedded in their jackets to access IRL events, take ski lifts, and pay contactless. These are, in different shapes and forms, applications that have usefulness in the customer’s day-to-day. For the customer, they’re one more window into the brand’s universe; for brands, they’re a vehicle of customer engagement and a source of zero-party and first-party data. As DPPs become mandatory in Europe, I think players such as the Aura Blockchain Consortium, Seamm, and Arianee will play an increasingly important role in not simply enabling compliance, but showing brands how to use a regulatory shift to their advantage. More on this on the Nebulab blog in a couple of weeks! #retail #dpp #fashion #blockchain #luxury

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The Paradox of Choice (Barry Schwartz): “There’s no question that some choice is better than none, but it doesn’t follow from that, that more choice is better than some choice.” Retail needs to enter its less-is-more era. The era of the endless aisle is over. Shoppers want to be told what to wear — and the retailers that get it right will win. Interesting reading. #BusinessStrategy #AI #Retailing

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The fashion retail landscape is abuzz with major moves, and staying informed is crucial. Here are some key takeaways from today's business section: 🛍️ Tapestry-Capri Holdings Limited Acquisition: The FTC's challenge to Tapestry Inc.'s takeover of Capri Holdings underscores the growing scrutiny of mega-mergers in the fashion industry. This development, reminiscent of Europe's LVMH challenges, signals a potential shift in the competitive landscape, impacting future deals and reshaping industry dynamics. 📱 ByteDance TikTok Shop Dilemma: Despite regulatory uncertainties surrounding TikTok, brands like Rare Beauty and Beachwaver Co. are doubling down on TikTok Shop, leveraging its social commerce potential. While opportunities abound, diversifying marketing channels remains essential to mitigate risks associated with regulatory changes. 💼 Frasers Group Strategic Move: Frasers Group's repurchase of MATCHES intellectual property assets highlights the evolving retail environment. As independent brands seek to recover from Matches' collapse, this strategic acquisition showcases the importance of adaptability and resilience in today's market. 🛒 Consumerism Trends: With the rise of ultra-cheap retailers like Shein, consumer culture shows no signs of slowing down. Despite sustainability concerns, affordability continues to drive purchasing decisions, shaping the competitive landscape for retailers. #RetailTrends #FashionIndustry #BusinessInsights #RetailStrategy

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🎉 Big News From Pacvue! - As I teased a few weeks back, we’ve just added a powerful new offering to our platform!  Pacvue has released our new #iROAS Dashboard, part of our Incrementality Console, to tackle one of the biggest challenges in retail media… #Measurement.🚀 Understanding the incremental impact of advertising efforts is critical to planning budgets and measuring the effectiveness of campaigns - yet remains one of the most ambiguous areas, causing uncertainty in digital marketing. Our new incrementality model enables brands to see the impact of advertising on sales, optimize their budgets, and make better data-driven decisions on overall marketing strategy. Pacvue’s iROAS model leverages years of deep industry expertise combined with dozens of inputs and data sources to bring brands the most accurate measure of incremental revenue growth. 👇 Check out the link below for more details. https://lnkd.in/g_KRiHs3 #incrementality #retailmedia #commercemedia #martech 

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Hopefully the recent change in leadership at Burberry will help them rediscover that elusive combination of brand heritage and modern styling. Either way, they need to move back to the affordable luxury space that they had performed so well in over the years, and Schulman is the right person to lead this change. Their share price has suffered over the past year due to a mix of poor direction and macro issues. My views in this This Is Money piece, and full comment here: ‘Burberry’s issues in part stem from a struggle to find a true brand identity, with a number of CEO’s and creative directors over the years trying and failing to combine the brand’s heritage with more modern styling. Symptomatic of this is their more recent move upmarket, married with discounting - the latter impacting any high end brand equity they had built up. This muddled approach - combined with a slowdown in demand from China, the removal of VAT refunds for tourists in the UK, and the rise in the cost of living globally - together have led to falling like for like sales and a potential loss in their forthcoming November results. The recent appointment of Schulman as CEO will signal yet another reversal in strategy given his ‘affordable luxury’ background - though this is really the space Burberry should always have been playing in.’ #burberry #thisismoney #luxury #retail #jdmretail https://lnkd.in/ejvPJd8P

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🧵 Digital Product Passports: Fashion's Game-Changer or Another Flash in the Pan? I’ve been thinking about digital product passports—or digital twins, as I used to call them—since 2015. Almost a decade later, the European Commission has formalized a mandate that aligns with these ideas, and I’m eager to see how it will evolve from here. By 2024, the EU is rolling out Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for nearly all consumer goods—and fashion is right in the spotlight. What started as a concept to bring more transparency to the industry is now poised to reshape how we buy, care for, and dispose of our clothes. Why care? Because brands will soon have to reveal everything—from where your luxe cashmere sweater's wool came from to whether it’s built to last or destined for the landfill. Luxury brands like Prada are already leading the charge with blockchain-backed digital identities. It’s like they’re saying, “We’ve been eco-conscious before it was trendy.” But what about fast fashion? Will they embrace this transparency or hit a brick wall? It’s thrilling to witness this concept evolve from an innovative idea into a regulatory requirement with the potential to transform the industry. The future of fashion isn’t just about looking good; it’s about doing good, too—unless, of course, DPPs turn out to be just another greenwashing tool. What’s your take? 🚀 Full breakdown on DPPs here 👇

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