Here is a recap of news in the retail and ecommerce industry from the last week.  Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands and Retailers

• Venmo users can now shop online anywhere PayPal is accepted in the US. TechCrunch
• Amazon and big apartment landlords strike deals on package delivery. The Wall Street Journal
• Wal-Mart courts Lord & Taylor for online challenge to Amazon. The Wall Street Journal
• Where internet orders mean real jobs, and a new life for communities. The New York Times
• ASOS proves fast fashion isn’t cheap, sees huge growth ahead. Retail Dive
• Target unveils climate change program. Retail Dive
• Amazon adds apparel, shoes to ‘handcrafted’ shop. Women’s Wear Daily
• Proenza Schouler debuts new site, powered by Farfetch. Glossy
• ASOS’s product strategy: 5,000 new styles a week, more in-house designs. Glossy
• How retailers use personalized prices to test what you’re willing to pay. Harvard Business Review
• Amazon gets 238 proposals across North American for HQ2. AdAge
• Under Armour debuts subscription service. AdAge
• Jet.com launches its own private brand to woo millennials. Fortune
• Target is keeping it simple for holiday season sales. Fortune
• Tommy Hilfiger has designed a fashion line for people with disabilities. Fortune

Marketing and Social Media

• Arianna Huffington’s new app lets you humblebrag about turning your phone off. The Verge
• Revolve is hosting its own awards show next month. Fashionista
• Nike is using its new digital studio to build a community of sneakerheads. TechCrunch
• Facebook is taking aim at LinkedIn again by testing a resume feature. AdWeek
• Vogue, Vice will team up in bid to win ad dollars. Variety
• How BFF marketing became the MO for women’s direct to consumer brands. The Business of Fashion
• This year’s Neiman Marcus Christmas Book gifts are on a different level. Fortune
• Abercrombie and Fitch draws on legacy for new look. Business of Fashion
• Facebook is now testing paywalls and subscriptions for instant articles. TechCrunch
• Rent the Runway’s national campaign wants you to convert your closet into anything you want. AdWeek
• Snap hit with more layoffs, plans to slow hiring in 2018. Business Insider

Startup and Emerging Tech

• Stitch Fix files for IPO. Business of Fashion
• Walmart sees a shopping future filled with AR, AI and chatbots. CNet
• L’oreal to partner with Paris-based beauty start-ups. Business of Fashion
• Intel and Amazon partner on voice recognition technology. Engadget
• Amazon to open visually focused AI research hub in Germany. TechCrunch
• ‘Pay with Google’ goes live. Techcrunch
• Walmart’s Store No. 8 showcases the future of VR. Retail Dive

International

• BCBG Max Azria shuttering European operations. Women’s Wear Daily
• Amazon expands in Brazil. Bloomberg
• A showdown brews between Alibaba and Amazon in China. The New York Times
• Alibaba’s delivery arm opens smart warehouses in advance of Single’s Day. China Daily