UK e-commerce sales rise 11% in Q1 as mobile checkout adoption accelerates past 60%
Online retail posted its strongest quarterly growth since 2022, with mobile-initiated transactions now accounting for more than 60% of all digital purchases across UK retailers.
- Labour's employment law reforms set to raise compliance costs for UK SMEs
- Oil prices rebound as ceasefire doubts reinforce supply concerns
- London IPO market plummets as volatility keeps firms on the sidelines
- Dollar steadies as fragile ceasefire fuels uncertainty ahead of key data
- Man vs machine: Does AI spell the end of human recruiters?
Five London commerce startups to watch in 2026: Founders rebuilding how Britain buys and sells
We profile five companies we believe are positioned to define the next chapter of UK commerce — from cross-border localisation and returns AI to headless platforms and sustainability verification.
UK commerce tech funding reaches £2.4bn in 2025 despite global VC slowdown
Investment into UK commerce technology companies reached £2.4 billion in 2025 — a 19% increase on the prior year — as payments infrastructure and retail AI attracted the largest rounds.
- Share of income spent on rent falls, but pressures remain across much of Britain
- Pet-friendly rentals plunge 39% ahead of Renters' Rights shake-up
- Spring chic meets solid sustainability credentials at Repton Gardens, Wembley Park
- Commercial retail rents in prime London locations return to pre-pandemic levels
- London property values 2,970% more expensive for Iranians
Automation in commerce: Why hiring AI-skilled talent is now the defining growth advantage
The commerce leaders winning in 2026 are those who invested early in AI-fluent talent. The gap between AI-capable and AI-dependent businesses is real, widening, and compounding.
Former Amazon UK head joins ASOS as Chief Commerce Officer in major hire
ASOS has appointed Marcus Webb — the former managing director of Amazon UK & Ireland — as its new Chief Commerce Officer, signalling the company's return to growth mode following 18 months of strategic reset.