Happy Monday! Here is a recap of industry news over the last week. Sources can be found in the hyperlinked text after the headline.
Brands and Retailers
- Old Navy launches kids’ ‘Super Boxes’ subscription service. WWD
- Amazon discounts other sellers’ products as retail competition stiffens. CNBC
- Ann Taylor launches subscription rental program. Glossy
- Burberry’s Christopher Bailey to leave before 2019. Bloomberg
- Century 21 launches boutique minded shop-in-shop. The New York Times
- Target store staff can now create online orders for customers when local merchandise is unavailable. TechCrunch
- Ralph Lauren’s retreat from discounting helps bolster profit. Bloomberg
- Starbucks sells Tazo tea brand to Unilever. The Wall Street Journal
- Amazon to end fresh grocery delivery service in some areas. Reuters
- Glossier, Stitch Fix among the most disruptive companies. Retail Dive
- Macy’s opens ‘digital playground’ at Herald Square. Retail Dive
- Clique Media Group becomes bona fide fashion brand. Fast Company
- Uniqlo founder thinks US needs fewer malls and more of his stores. The Wall Street Journal
- Sears, Kmart to close more stores in 2018. USA Today
Marketing and Social Media
- Kylie cosmetics will host pop-up shops at Topshops this holiday season. Fashionista
- Inside the influencer prom that was the Revolve Awards. Fashionista
- Conde Nast to shutter print edition of Teen Vogue. Fashionista
- Ben & Jerry’s created a Facebook AR filter. AdWeek
- Instagram is expanding shoppable photos to thousands of merchants. The Verge
- The best rewards programs give you more than points. Racked
- REI thinks you have better things to do than shop on Black Friday. Washington Post
- Dolce & Gabbana is now in the pasta business. Bloomberg
- Instagram Stories and WhatsApp Status hit 300M users, nearly 2X Snapchat. TechCrunch
- Target offers free shipping on holiday orders. Business of Fashion
Startup and Emerging Tech
- Microsoft thinks they can make holograms the future of retail. Wired
- Square launches a point-of-sale payment system aimed at larger businesses. AdWeek
- Amazon adds AR shopping feature to its iOS app. TechCrunch
- Quip raises $10M for electric toothbrushes. TechCrunch
- Here’s how much consumers will use voice technology in the near future. AdWeek
- Snap acquires Metamarkets to step up its ad tech play. TechCrunch
- Blue Apron shares trade down after disappointing earnings. TechCrunch
International
- Alibaba profit rises on targeted use of consumer data. The Wall Street Journal
- Google has a new plan for China – and it’s not about search. Bloomberg
- Ikea to hire hundreds of local women for first India store. Economic Times
- How Alibaba makes Singles’ Day appealing to luxury brands. Glossy
- Canada’s Indigo Books plans first US store. The Star
- Estee Lauder gains after Chinese expansions helps lift forecast. Bloomberg
- Apple’s revenues are growing again in China. TechCrunch
