Hi! Here is a recap of industry news over the last week.  Sources can be found in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer:

• American Eagle acquires high-end men’s label Todd Snyder. Link
• Google aims to begin drone package deliveries in 2017. Link
• Best Buy hopes same-day delivery will fend off Amazon. Link
• Amazon opens a bookstore in Seattle. Link
• Sephora blends mobile with bricks-and-mortar for first connected boutique. Link
• Burberry to unify brands under one label in bid to boost appeal. Link
• Chanel expands ecommerce business with sunglasses. Link
• JD sues Alibaba for misleading users with speedy delivery pledge. Link
• H&M’s limited supply of Balmain overwhelms stores, website. Link
• Michael Kors CEO vows to end retail rollout. Link
• Holiday shoppers plan to spend more as retailers introduce marketing promotions. Link

Marketing/Social:

• Starbucks’ seasonal #RedCups triggers excitement online. Link
• Facebook debuts a new way to share music with your friends. Link
• Vice’s new Viceland channel promises to remake cable with edgy infomercials. Link
• Pinterest pushes buyable pins to Android phones, introduces Pinterest Shop. Link
• YouTube now supports 3D virtual reality video. Link
• Why the collection should be called Balmain x H&M x Instagram. Link
• Twitter stars and favorites are replaced by hearts and likes. Link
• Facebook says ad-blocking technology could have impact on sales. Link

Startups:

• How this startup used Slack to prototype its app’s coolest feature. Link
• Match, owner of dating sites like Tinder, seeks $403M in IPO. Link
• Deliv acquires Zipments to grow its same-day delivery service in NYC. Link

International:

• Sephora to open shops in Iran next year. Link
• Ikea to double stores in Canada even as website sales soar. Link
• Why Singles’ Day in China is bigger than Cyber Monday. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

• The North Face gives shoppers virtual reality experience. Link
• Urban Outfitters embraces mobile shopping’s future with 3D Touch support. Link
• Honest Beauty line comes to mobile with an app offering shopping and makeup tips. Link
• Best new features of Android Marshmallow. Link
• MIT is opening an innovation center in Hong Kong. Link
• Apple debuts shopping category on the app store. Link