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