5 Things Friday: WAIC 2026, JD.com's EU Bid & Decathlon's Uber Eats Move

AI is moving beyond individual productivity tools. The more important question is whether companies will redesign their operating models around it. In this edition of Five Things Friday: APAC Edition, Ryf Quail and the panel examine five developments connecting technology, market expansion, regulation, cultural identity and on-demand retail. The lead discussion comes from the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, where the focus extended beyond chatbots and content generation. The panel considers a future in which an orchestrating AI coordinates specialised agents across demand prediction, media allocation and business measurement, leaving people to focus on judgement, creativity and strategy. The episode also explores: • JD’s proposed acquisition of CECONOMY and the regulatory challenges facing Chinese companies expanding into Europe • Seafolly’s decision to expand into China and why this represents an unusual direction for an Australian consumer brand • The LVMH–Molly Tea trademark dispute and the response from consumers who saw the contested floral design as part of Chinese cultural heritage • The growing confidence and cultural influence of local Chinese brands • Decathlon and Uber Eats testing on-demand delivery for sporting goods in Australia This episode is for retail leaders, marketers, technology executives and international brands trying to understand how AI, localisation and cross-border expansion are reshaping the APAC retail market. Follow The Retail Podcast for weekly analysis and conversations with the people shaping global retail.