Month: June 2015

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.29.2015

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Happy Monday! Check out industry news from the last week.  Sources can be found in the hyperlinked text after each headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • Tom Ford partners with Net-a-Porter on ecommerce exclusive. Link
  • Warby Park to continue to invest in brick-and-mortar. Link
  • Verizon completes AOL acquisition for $4.4B. Link
  • Abercrombie puts shoppers front and center in turnaround effort. Link
  • Target’s Lilly Pulitzer hit underlines power shift in retail to consumers. Link
  • How Shinola went from shoe polish to the coolest brand in America. Link
  • H&M second quarter profits rise but fall short of expectations. Link
  • Warby Parker to give NYC community school students free glasses and eye exams. Link
  • American Eagle amps up digital investments. Link
  • Why your next package will be delivered by an Uber. Link
  • Lululemon issues another recall. Link
  • Converse looks to deepen music relationships with new recording studio. Link
  • H&M working on mysterious new brand. Link
  • Nike exceeds profit estimates on new products and athleisure trend. Link
  • Barnes & Noble files plan for spinning off campus bookstores. Link
  • H&M banks on a fashion-conscious fashion conscience with sustainability strategy. Link
  • Inside Marriott’s attempt to win over millennials. Link
  • Online fashion retailers tap offline opportunities. Link
  • Zulily tests online returns program. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • ShopStyle brings ecommerce to Snapchat, with assist from influencers. Link
  • Facebook’s new signup ads that auto-fill your email or phone number. Link
  • Instagram’s new search update makes it easier to explore the world. Link
  • Unilever gets in touch with Vice’s feminine side. Link
  • Now you can use Messenger without Facebook. Link
  • Google gives Gmail users the ability to undo send. Link
  • Now Instagram wants to be a source for real-time news. Link
  • Facebook claims a photo-recognition breakthrough. Link
  • Tumblr launches Tumblr TV, a gif search engine with full-screen viewing mode. Link
  • Instagram to take on Twitter with updated photo feed. Link
  • Apple wins Cannes Lions top prize for its ‘Shot on iPhone 6’ ad campaign. Link
  • Snapchat is teaming up with The Daily Mail and the world’s largest ad agency to launch a native advertising firm. Link

Start-ups:

  • Tinder is going public. Link
  • Postmates raises $80M in push toward $1 deliveries. Link
  • Olapic raises $15M. Link
  • Online jewelry startup BaubleBar to open retail stores. Link
  • OneFineStay, a high-end AirBnB rival confirms $40M funding round. Link
  • Same-day shopping app Curbside picks up $25M more in funding. Link

International:

  • JD.com partners with ZestFinance to offer credit services to Chinese customers. Link
  • How online retail is erasing borders. Link
  • Missguided launches first UK physical presence with Selfridges concession. Link
  • Forever 21 is set to launch flagship Sydney shop. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Android Wear gets new watch faces from Hello Kitty, Angry Birds and 15 other mega brands. Link
  • Apple Watch launches in seven new countries, coming to three more in July. Link
  • Apple researching geo-fencing technology that could make errands easier. Link
  • Uber hires former Google Maps chief to work on advanced research. Link
  • Amazon wants to turn its personal assistant, Alexa, into a leading platform. Link
  • Apple Music will let you stream 100,000 of your own tracks when iOS9 launches. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.22.2015

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Happy Monday! Check out industry news from the last week.  All sources can be found in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • Gap closing 175 North American stores. Link
  • Twitter gets more shoppable with product pages and collections. Link
  • AmazonFresh becomes a Prime benefit in select California markets. Link
  • FitBit’s first day on Wall Street. Link
  • Starbucks to shutter all La Boulange stores. Link
  • Etsy takes on Kickstarter with crowdfunding platform. Link
  • Why brick-and-mortar sales are key to Warby Parker’s growth. Link
  • How WalMart plans to catch Amazon: subscription services and grocery pick up. Link
  • How Gap can turn things around. Link
  • Apple gives in on music fees after Taylor Swift’s letter. Link
  • Yoox Nat-a-porter stake up for grabs as Milan fashion set meets. Link
  • Ralph Lauren climbs after making progress on restructuring plan. Link
  • How Stussy became a $50M global streetwear brand. Link
  • Office Depot investors ok Staples merger. Link
  • WalMart to return greeters to the front door. Link
  • Abercrombie names new creative director. Link
  • Wardrobe basics give Uniqlo’s sales a boost. Link
  • Rag & Bone eyeing global growth. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Twitter’s Project Lightening is an event hub that aims to expand the reach of Twitter. Link
  • YouTube launches YouTube Newswire, a channel featuring verified eyewitness videos. Link
  • Buzzfeed showcases its serious side with a news app and customizable alerts. Link
  • Roku is introducing personalized interactive video ads. Link
  • Twitter acquires Whetlab to better organize tweets. Link
  • Google aims to own online ad attribution, native ad serving. Link
  • Barney’s makes its Instagram shoppable. Link
  • Nike leads Instagram gains among fashion brands. Link
  • Twitter said to plan marketing campaign, ads for live events. Link
  • Nestle will be the first brand to run a sponsored Periscope stream. Link

Start-ups:

  • The Instagram of news is here and its smarter than you think. Link
  • Dollar Shave Club is valued at $165M. Link
  • Google Ventures invests in Oxford University venture fund. Link

International:

  • Google grows ecommerce business in Europe with Ingenico partnership. Link
  • Alibaba wants to build the Netflix of China. Link
  • Alipay’s US chief talks expansion, Uber China partnership. Link
  • Facial-recognition concerns keep Facebook ‘Moments’ from Europe. Link
  • China to promote cross-border ecommerce as incomes rise. Link
  • mCommerce takes off in China. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Amazon is developing an app that would pay people to drop off packages. Link
  • Starbucks to expand mobile-ordering service to 17 states. Link
  • Linkedin is testing two new apps, plus a messaging overhaul. Link
  • Apple Watch arrives in stores, finally. Link
  • Apple chooses iPhone colors to please Chinese customers. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.15.2015

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Happy Monday! Check out industry news from the last week.  Sources in hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • Richemont invites LVMH to join site to compete with Amazon. Link
  • Blue Nile opens first standalone store. Link
  • Prada profit tumbles as luxury goods maker struggles in China. Link
  • Walgreens touches up its makeup in bid to win back customers. Link
  • Swatch plans to start selling sunglasses to boost product lineup. Link
  • Abercrombie gains as analyst sees growing faith in sales rebound. Link
  • Marriott is putting Netflix in its hotel rooms. Link
  • Old Navy pushes activewear to lure new shoppers. Link
  • Hotels offer luxury shopping inside your rooms. Link
  • What will Restoration Hardware’s new concept be? Link
  • Men’s Wearhouse wants to suit up Millennials. Link
  • Why Nordstrom will outperform Amazon over the next several years. Link
  • Sam’s Club expects drone sales to soar this holiday. Link
  • Target selling its pharmacies to CVS for $1.9B. Link
  • J.Crew lays off 10% of its headquarters. Link
  • American Apparel outlines its $1B roadmap. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Facebook is handing out free beacons to retailers. Link
  • Facebook challenges Pinterest with newsfeed buy button for Shopify merchants. Link
  • YouTube announces a standalone gaming app to compete with Twitch. Link
  • Facebook Messenger dips a tow into games with ‘Doodle Draw.’ Link
  • Spotify raises $526M amid battle with Apple. Link
  • Bethany Mota overtakes Michelle Phan as YouTube’s top beauty producer. Link

Start-ups:

  • Wantlist is Tinder for fashion. Link
  • Julep partners with Lyft for nail polish offering. Link
  • This brand wants to revolutionize fashion by turning you into the designer. Link
  • Brit + Co confirms $20M raise led by Intel, acquires how-to app Snapguide. Link
  • Foundry group backs fashion inspiration start-up Looklist. Link
  • Start-ups clamor to be the Airbnb of boats. Link
  • Blue Apron confirms $2B valuation in latest funding round. Link

International:

  • Amazon.ca launching clothing, shoe stores. Link
  • Boots pleased with Asos click-and-collect pilot so far. Link
  • Apple Pay coming to UK in July. Link
  • PayPal launches One Touch web payments service in UK and Canada. Link
  • The fate of your cross border customer could hinge on shipping. Link
  • India’s Myntra wants to be fashion assistant to half a billion people—on their smartphones. Link
  • Line bets on streaming music in Japan. Link
  • Alibaba founder visits U.S. to lure businesses into China. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Apple to add cards from Discover and some stores to Apple Pay. Link
  • Dunkin Donuts to explore delivery and mobile ordering. Link
  • Walgreens rethinks mobile design for Apple Watch app. Link
  • Expedia boosts mobile momentum with new booking options. Link
  • Apple wants to be your DJ, wallet and newspaper. Link
  • Gimbal wants to turn vending machines, jukeboxes and other devices into beacons. Link
  • Square unveils mobile wallet-friendly credit card reader. Link
  • Google experimenting with large images in mobile search results. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.8.2015

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Happy Monday! Below is a recap of industry news over the last week.  Sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • eBay Valet launches a clothing resale service focused on high-end brands. Link
  • Google launches My Account, a hub for your privacy settings. Link
  • Macy’s testing new at-home tailoring service from Men’s Warehouse founder. Link
  • College kids turn thumbs down on Michael Kors, Uggs, and Timberland. Link
  • Birchbox kicks off TV campaign, opens in Gap stores. Link
  • Hot Topic loses out to Gamestop on Geeknet acquisition. Link
  • How ASOS Magazine gets cover stars like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lawrence. Link
  • Sweaters account for slumping sales at Vince and J.Crew. Link
  • Fabletics debuts men’s line. Link
  • Macy’s, Dormify debut back-to-school bedding collection. Link
  • Gap partners with Spring app to revive image with millennials. Link
  • Amazon is building an elite tema to enter a new market: computer games. Link
  • Google is about to make the internet way better. Link
  • Honda pumps the brakes on trying to become a media company. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Coke’s new Twitter ads call out viewers by name. Link
  • Seven brands making genius moves in content and commerce. Link
  • Buzzfeed planning IPO. Link
  • Pinterest officially unveils buyable pins. Link
  • Coming soon: More ads on Instagram and a ‘buy’ feature on Pinterest. Link
  • Twitter taps IBM to launch a new consulting program for advertisers. Link
  • How much of a boost to celebrities give fashion campaigns? Link
  • eBay to roll out cost-per-sale ads for web merchants. Link
  • Ikea outlines major environmental investments. Link
  • CNN unveils new studio to produce content for advertisers. Link

Start-ups:

  • Latest London VC fund to focus on fashion, luxury tech. Link
  • Softbank invests $1B in Coupang, a Korean ecommerce start-up. Link
  • Pharmacy startup gets $50M in quest to build a better drugstore. Link
  • Mik Mak for iOS is a video shopping app for the Vine generation. Link

International:

  • H&M to open first store in India this fall. Link
  • New meaning for made in China. Link
  • Alibaba invests $194M into China Business News to build a financial data platform. Link
  • Yandex launches Yandex.Radio, a curated free music service for Russian users. Link
  • Saks to expand Off 5th in Canada. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Apple is bringing Apple Watch to stores, more countries. Link
  • Bustle looks for growth in app launch. Link
  • Facebook aims to propel video success to mobile. Link
  • Mobile ads boost physical store visits by 90 percent in first day of viewing. Link
  • Facebook launches lightweight app for emerging markets. Link
  • Microsoft purchases Wunderlist to add to its collection of productivity apps. Link
  • Apple revamps the app store’s games section with increased focus on editorial content. Link
  • Wells Fargo plans to scan your face and voice for mobile security. Link
  • European shopping app Mallzee makes US debut. Link
  • Mobile video ad spending is growing, lags desktop video. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 6.1.2015

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Happy Monday and Happy June! Below is a recap of industry highlights over the last week.  Sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • Amazon expands same-day delivery to new markets, drops price to free for orders over $35. Link
  • Leaked site reveals more info on “Shipping Pass,” Walmart’s answer to Amazon Prime. Link
  • Kors and Tiffany hit by strong dollar. Link
  • Yelp and Shoptiques link for ecommerce. Link
  • Crew is alienating its most important customers. Link
  • Gap teams up with Spring on digital pop-up shop. Link
  • Apple is working with Postmates to offer same-day delivery. Link
  • At Amazon, a rush to make speedy delivery free. Link
  • Levi’s and Google partner on “smart fabric.” Link
  • Abercrombie posts wider loss as currency hampers turnaround. Link
  • Hot Topic bid to purchase Geeknet. Link
  • Amazon is planning to add its own line of food. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Snapchat invests in Spring to capitalize on social commerce growth. Link
  • Vox Media acquires ReCode. Link
  • New hotel concept promises socially-focused customizable spaces for global nomads. Link
  • Google says ‘buy’ button coming to online advertising service. Link
  • Bethany Mota redefines being a celebrity. Link
  • Millenials follow Uber with new fashion trading model. Link
  • Twitter opens up more user data to marketers. Link
  • Target links up with Shazam for ad scans that link to shopping. Link
  • Facebook’s instant articles speed up mobile content. Link
  • Why Instagram works better for fashion brands. Link

Start-ups:

  • Amazon puts the call out to NYC startups. Link
  • For London’s fashion start-ups, it’s being social that counts. Link
  • Snapchat CEO: we have a plan for an IPO. Link
  • George Simmer starts an Uber for Tailors. Link

International:

  • How Target’s demise in Canada could be a gain for Lowe’s. Link
  • Michael Kors to open state of the art distribution center in Europe. Link
  • Alibaba expands logistics network to power next-day grocery deliveries in more Chinese cities. Link
  • JD.com sets its sights on connected devices. Link
  • Yahoo Japan shares climb on ecommerce alliance with Alibaba. Link
  • Walmart app adds shopping options in China. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • New Nordstrom app lets customers text with sales reps. Link
  • Barney’s launches iphone app. Link
  • What marketers should know about Google’s mobile upgrades. Link
  • Android Pay now lets you buy things with your fingerprint. Link
  • Google Play store now lets developers A/B test their app listing pages, customize their catalog. Link
  • Swatch reaffirms plans to build smartwatch with payments features. Link
  • Target wants to offer Apple Pay but focus is on chip and pin. Link
  • Piper Jaffray names virtual reality the next mega tech theme. Link
  • Google’s other mobile payments service: hands-free at McDonald’s. Link
  • Apple buys German augmented reality company Metaio. Link
  • Facebook’s Oculus snaps up advanced virtual reality startup. Link

Misc.:

  • Mary Meeker’s internet report: user growth slowing but disruption full speed ahead. Link
  • Retailers turn to innovation labs for evolution. Link
  • Apple’s Jony Ive named chief designer, gives up day-to-day role. Link
  • Jawbone sues Fitbit citing theft of trade secrets. Link