Here is your industry brief of news I’ve collected from around the web over the last week.  Sources can be found in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer

• Gap Inc. plans to trim workforce with 216 layoffs. Link
• Wal-Mart to take technical aim at Amazon and Target with app update for pharmacy and money-transferring services. Link
• Canal Street Market offers blueprint for revitalizing retail. Link
• Target to reduce prices, remodel stores and launch new private label brands. Link
• In retail’s slump, Saks looks to woo guys with DJs, putt-putt golf. Link
• Alexander Wang and Adidas set to release second collaboration pack. Link
• Puma and Under Armour trade places. Link
• Best Buy CEO declares turnaround phase over, but there are still challenges. Link
• Amazon wants to send packages to the moon by 2020. Link
• How one teen retailer is thriving while its competitors flounder. Link
• Hermes taps into customizing trend with handbags. Link
• McDonald’s is finally getting mobile ordering and delivery. Link
• If Yoox-Net-a-Porter group is actually trying to take over the world, it’s working. Link
• Sarah Jessica Parker launches made-in-the-US handbag collection. Link
• Abercrombie & Fitch to close another 60 U.S. stores as sales crater. Link
• Costco to increase membership fee. Link
• H&M hops on the ‘see now, buy now’ train with diverse runway show. Link
• La Perla seeks to expand into fashion. Link
• Amazon’s private label Elements expands for first time in years with invite-only vitamins and supplements. Link

Marketing/Social

• Who is behind the flurry of influencer-backed beauty brands? Link
• Facebook adds a travel-planning feature called ‘City Guides.’ Link
• Virtual reality leads marketers down a tricky path. Link
• S. consumers now spend 5 hours per day on mobile devices. Link
• Amazon and Pinterest threaten to shake up the search ad market. Link
• How Urban Outfitters leveraged location marketing for a 75% conversion gain. Link
• Comcast is integrating YouTube into its set-top box. Link
• One of Facebook Messenger’s first retail partners has ditched it as a notification tool. Link
• Can YouTube TV get you to cut the cord for $35 a month. Link
• Bloggers are panicking over changes to Amazon’s affiliate system. Link
• Meet the Muslim women inspiring a modest revolution in the fashion industry. Link
• NBC Universal invests $500M in Snapchat at IPO. Link

Startup/Emerging Tech

• Robots will be in stores sooner than you think. Link
• it’s app helps you buy the products in your screenshots. Link
• Garmentory wants to bring small boutiques online. Link
• IBM and Salesforce partner to sell Watson and Einstein. Link
• Jay Z launches Arrive to fund startups, offer branding support and more. Link
• Skin-care startup Drunk Elephant gets new round of investing. Link
• Shopping app targeting Chinese-American consumers pursues discerning spenders in the US. Link

International

• Starbucks opening high-end roastery in Italy. Link
• Middle East ecommerce takes flight. Link
• German discounter Aldi to start online sales in China. Link
• Eurozone retail sales continue to fall. Link