My recap of top industry news from last week. All sources can be found in the hyperlink after the headline:
Retailer + Brand News:
- Starbucks to start delivering in 2015. Link
- Neiman Marcus launches MyNM to personalize ecommerce. Link
- Aeropostale launches collection with social media stars. Link
- Coach exceeds estimates as it grows overseas, curbs discounting. Link
- Vente-Privee to shut U.S. venture. Link
- Alibaba eyes payments tie-up with Apple. Link
- Lululemon founder’s family bets on casual luxury with new retail venture. Link
- Why online retailers continue to open brick-and-mortar stores. Link
- Retailers and shippers retool for the holiday season. Link
- Amazon opens pop-up store to push its Fire smartphones. Link
- Burger King to accept PayPal. Link
- Amazon launches crowdsourced publishing program. Link
- Beyonce and Topshop team for Ath-Leisure brand. Link
- Timberland’s newest partnership: Tires. Link
- Target quietly testing mobile payment app to rival Apple Pay. Link
- Sophia Coppola directs Gap’s holiday ads. Link
- American Express and Etsy partner to support small businesses. Link
- CNET launches a print magazine. Link
- Ralph Lauren uses interactive windows to launch line at Harrods. Link
Social Media + Marketing:
- Gap’s interactive holiday campaign: Play your Stripes. Link
- Youtube weighing new subscription service. Link
- Bing now lets you search by emoji. Link
- Publicis snaps up Sapient for $3.7B to build a digital media powerhouse. Link
- Instagram video ads are finally live. Link
- Luxury brands are still casting a leery eye toward social media. Link
- Digital to overtake TV ad spending in two years, says Forrester. Link
- Snapchat discussing new ad type that’s similar to live TV. Link
- Nobody beats Amazon when it comes to subscription services. Link
- Michelle Phan is building a beauty empire. Link
- SheKnows acquires BlogHer. Link
- Alex from Target rises to internet fame. Link
- Heineken partners with brands to create exclusive luxury goods. Link
- Reddit opens a crowdfunding site. Link
Start-ups:
- Cloth is where Instagram and your closet collide. Link
- Deliv widens same-day delivery, following Google. Link
- Changing the rules of ecommerce. Link
- Slack is now worth over $1B. Link
- Crowdsourced design marketplace Minted raises $38M more, adds fabrics and home décor. Link
International:
[APAC]
- China’s JD.com starts operations in $1B warehouse. Link
- Investment in Tokopedia may be the boost Indonesian ecommerce needs. Link
- China’s economic growth falls to lowest in 5 years. Link
- Amazon’s strategy for India: stick to the concept of sister site. Link
[EU]
- London pop-up mall blends digital and physical retail. Link
- UK arm of Ikea to embark on price cutting program. Link
[CA]
- Ikea Canada boss aims for a revamp as competition heats up. Link
[A/ME]
- Macy’s to open in Abu Dhabi. Link
[LATAM]
- Mexico enters the fashion limelight. Link
Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:
- Neiman Marcus makes it easier for mobile shoppers to buy items they spot on the street. Link
- Marriott woos millennials with mobile apps and wireless charging. Link
- Microsoft unveils fitness smart band that understands voice commands. Link
- PopSugar plays fave with data in new shopping app. Link
- In 72 hours, ApplePay is already the wireless payment leader in the US. Link
- Google launches Android 5.0 Lollipop. Link
- Amazon voice search leads the way in mcommerce. Link
- Neiman Marcus simplifies purchase process with mobile photo feature. Link
- How Aeropostale and Asos are getting mobile right with millennials. Link
- Google’s redesigned calendar app combines brains and beauty. Link
- Starbucks to offer delivery service via new app. Link
- Hotels try smartphone apps as room keys. Link
Apple Pay Coverage:
- Apple Pay isn’t ready to replace your wallet. Link
- What are anti-Apple Pay merchants afraid of? Link
- More US banks switch on Apple Pay support. Link
- Apple Pay rival, Current C, says it’s misunderstood. Link
- The worm in Apple Pay. Link
Other:
- Four brands that built empires without traditional advertising. Link
- Isabel Murant says build strong base and stay focused. Link
- Sour Patch Kids opens Brooklyn house for touring bands. Link
- Taylor Swift pulls all her albums from Spotify. Link
- The Arrivals: A line of coats from a venture capitalist and an architect. Link