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

Brands and Retailers

• Outdoor Voices to open four stores in 2017. Link
• Patagonia to launch website for Worn Wear recycling program. Link
• C Penney to focus on beauty, appliances amidst store closures. Link
• HHGregg files for bankruptcy. Link
• LVMH to launch multi-brand ecommerce site. Link
• Adidas raises forecasts as new CEO plans fast-fashion focus. Link
• Millennials buy more clothes on Amazon than any other website. Link
• Staples to close 70 stores in North America. Link
• MAC Cosmetics to enter Ulta Beauty in bid for new audience. Link
• Why Dick’s Sporting Goods is ditching 20% of its suppliers. Link
• Anthropologie continues to struggle with fashion misses. Link
• The cool kids behind Opening Ceremony. Link
• Women’s retailer J.Jill gets lukewarm IPO response. Link
• Urban Outfitters CEO says retail bubble has burst. Link
• Amazon will now offer Spanish on the US website. Link

Marketing and Social Media

• Home brands like West Elm turn to hotels to connect with new customers. Link
• LikeToKnowIt now lets you shop from your screenshots. Link
• Spotify and The North Face collaborate to make a song only available in the rain. Link
• Mary Kay goes social to attract millennials. Link
• Casper, the Standard Hotel and Tesla turned this retro motel into a crash pad at SXSW. Link
• Why brick-and-mortar retailers need to go digital with analytics. Link
• Nike reveals the Pro Hijab for Muslin athletes. Link
• Yext files for IPO. Link
• Verizon Ventures and R/GA partner to launch a digital media ‘venture studio,’ Link

Startup and Emerging Tech

• Virginia passes first US law outlining rules for delivery by robot. Link
• Global M&A activity up 30% in 2016. Link
• Levi’s smart jacket about to hit stores. Link
• Hubble raises $16.5M to deliver affordable daily contact lenses. Link
• Under Armour joins the innovation rush. Link
• Bolt Threads debuts its first product, a $314 tie made from spiderwebs. Link
• Brands stand to benefit from the Leandra Medine investment. Link
• Macy’s testing more self-service shoe sections. Link
• Stitch Fix using artificial intelligence and data to design clothes. Link

International

• Yoox Net-a-Porter to launch ecommerce on WhatsApp. Link
• Wal-Mart doubles down on Brazil, despite sluggish sales. Link
• The $7B Japanese retailer that’s targeting the US. Link
• Bloomgindale’s grows Middle East footprint with Kuwait store opening. Link
• Amazon Prime ships off to Mexico. Link
• International Women’s Day is a day in China to reward your inner goddess through online shopping. Link
• Amazon said to resume talks of Souq.com takeover. Link
• Amazon India launches Under Armour. Link