Happy Monday! Below is a recap of industry news from the last week. Sources are in the hyperlinked text after each headline.
Retailer + Brand News:
- Modcloth test drives offline retail, starting with an LA pop-up. Link
- Millennials say Amazon provides the best customer service. Link
- American Apparel hires new menswear designer. Link
- Apple stores (and workers) get makeover ahead of Apple Watch launch. Link
- Oyster launches e-bookstore with a la carte service. Link
- Farfetch’s global platform play. Link
- Chanel finally admits that its future includes ecommerce. Link
- Fast Retailing lifts profit forecast 20% on strong Uniqlo sales. Link
- Amazon gets green light from US regulators for new drone test. Link
- Woolworths hires Pharrell to ‘make sustainability cool.’ Link
- Amazon seeks to shut down paid reviewed sites. Link
- Walmart and Target being crowded out online by Amazon Prime. Link
- Even Etsy’s IPO process is artisanal. Link
- eBay, PayPal offer new details about split. Link
- Missguided unveils plans to sell through Nordstrom. Link
- Lululemon’s kids store may be a sign we have reached ‘peak yoga pants.’ Link
- Walgreens closing 200 stores. Link
- Nordstrom tests in-store partnership with online shoe seller. Link
- Victoria’s Secret is getting into fast fashion. Link
- Coach enters exclusive fragrance agreement with Interparfums. Link
- Crate and Barrel takes comprehensive approach to ecommerce. Link
- Craigslist faces demise as vertical marketplaces rise. Link
- Instacart is quietly working with third parties to outsource some of its deliveries. Link
- Uniqlo, H&M, Zara, Forever 21 take over malls as retail’s old guard fades. Link
Social Media + Marketing:
- Study says consumers join more loyalty programs but activity is down. Link
- Did Lord & Taylor’s Instagram influence campaign not follow FTC guidelines? Link
- U.S. teens’ social media activity is diversifying. Link
- Youtube confirms plans for ad-free, subscription based service. Link
- Facebook launches dedicated web interface for Messenger. Link
- Twitter is testing the ability to pin apps to brand profiles. Link
- Twitter replaces ‘Discover’ tool with detailed trending topics. Link
- LinkedIn raises its game in social media with Elevate, an app to suggest and share stories. Link
- Facebook is testing a new trending section with five news categories. Link
- Twitter’s evolving plans to make money from its data stream. Link
- See the first brands to use Instagram’s carousel ads. Link
- Growth of ad blocking adds to publishers’ worries. Link
Start-ups:
- Lobster wants to be Google of user generated content. Link
- Online consignment firm The RealReal secures $40M in funding. Link
- Amazon acquired Shoefitr to improve how it sells footwear online. Link
- Bedrock Venture is betting big on tech-enabled early stage startups. Link
- The ‘Netflix of books’ hopes to open up the e-book market. Link
International:
- [APAC]
- JD.com sees growth in warehouse services after Uniqlo agreement. Link
- Uber launches auto rickshaw service in India, allows cash payments for first time. Link
- HotelQuickly beats HotelTonight to Asian market. Link
- US overtakes China as world’s best place for ecommerce. Link
- Indian ecommerce sites altering returns policies. Link
- China’s export numbers miss expectations. Link
- [CA]
Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:
- Apple’s iOS 8.3 rolls out with a new world of emoji and bug fixes. Link
- Google Wallet adds new integrations with Shopify, Seamless, Dunkin Donuts and more. Link
- Macy’s app boosts omni-channel prowess with nearby pickup push. Link
- Apple Watch and Selfridges: a timely partnership. Link
- American Express lab is testing facial recognition technology. Link
- Flipkart’s move to dump mobile site could hit Google. Link
- Apple Watch pre-orders hit almost 1 Million on first day. Link
Other:
- Isabel Murant talks high-waisted jeans and why she doesn’t have a muse. Link
Fashion. Retail. Tech. News. 