Retail M&A Watch: Japan’s Yamada Holdings and Edion are in talks to merge, aiming to reshape the electronics retail market and boost private-label power as domestic demand stagnates. Automation & Jobs: Asda plans to cut up to 1,000 warehouse roles in the UK as it accelerates robotics, with George clothing distribution shifting to a Derby site. Travel Retail & Tourism: Meliá is scaling back in Cuba, ending management of 15 of 34 hotels as US sanctions and an oil embargo hit the island’s tourism engine. Payments & Digital Currency: Macao has joined China-led mBridge for sandbox testing of a digital Macanese pataca, targeting faster cross-border settlement trials. Consumer Promotions: PepsiMAX launches “Perfect Chilled” football cans with temperature-activated ink and prize chances across UK grocery retailers. Local Retail Real Estate: Northlake Mall retailers have been told to vacate amid reports of a potential sale and redevelopment. Food & Health Retail: Smart Strains expands into major UK chains including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Holland & Barrett, pushing science-backed probiotics. Retail Security: A Southampton vehicle storage blaze destroyed dozens of hybrid cars, raising concerns for fleet and storage safety near retail-adjacent sites.