Retail M&A & Strategy: GameStop escalated its long-shot push for eBay, nearly doubling its stake to 9.8% and signaling a prolonged fight after its earlier bid was rejected. Omnichannel Expansion: Reliance Retail is doubling down on JioMart and dark stores, aiming to grow digital commerce and lift margins over the next two years. Retail Tech for Safety: Auror launched in-store facial recognition (Auror Subject Recognition) in the UK, using retailer crime data to flag high-harm offenders with real-time alerts. Payments & Retail Finance: Kuwait backed Q8 rebranding for fuel stations, aiming to modernize the retail fuel network with digital and non-fuel services; in the UAE, CBD rolled out Jaywan prepaid cards to expand local card acceptance. Fashion & Specialty Retail: Myprotein launched its activewear on NEXT’s Sports Club online, adding an initial ~30-product drop with more planned in September. Charity Retail Logistics: Evri and Scope expanded donation drop-offs via 12,500 ParcelShops/lockers, including a parcel locker inside a charity shop. Food Retail Risk: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled iceberg lettuce tied to a Cyclospora outbreak reaching multiple states. Policy Watch: India’s finance ministry said there’s no plan to scrap LTCG tax on equities for domestic/retail investors.