I hope everyone enjoyed a nice long weekend.  Here is a quick rundown of headlines from the last couple of weeks. Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers:

• Urban Outfitters to launch clothing rental concept.  The Wall Street Journal
• Whole Foods is testing convenience store model in New York City.  Business Insider
• Amazon bets on Kohl’s as its own brick-and-mortar efforts falter.  Bloomberg
• Dress Barn to close all stores.  Reuters
• Target’s profitable same-day delivery strategy is driving digital sales.  Digiday
• TopShop files for bankruptcy in the US.  The Wall Street Journal
• The Body Shop parent company to buy Avon. Bloomberg
• Home Depot to bring next day delivery to half of US.  Business Insider
• L Brands real secret is Bath & Body Works.  Retail Dive
• Nike says its changing contracts to protect pay during pregnancy.  CNBC
• What the Harry’s acquisition means for retailers.  Retail Dive
• SteinMart to put Amazon lockers in 200 stores.  TechCrunch
• Nordstrom sets October for first New York City flagship opening.  Bloomberg
• Digital innovation drove Walmart’s Q1 sales.  USA Today
• Macy’s books better results as digital sales grow.  The Wall Street Journal
• Walmart, Target quietly exploring CBD product lines.  NY Post
• Amazon to pay employees to start their own delivery service.  VentureBeat

Marketing + Social Media

• Walmart boasts the most app downloads.  Forbes
• Sephora whittles down 15K influencers to 24.  AdWeek
• Nike’s latest Jordans are only available on Fortnite.  AdAge
• Target was the first chain to master high-end fashion collabs. Here’s how. Vox
• Men are a multi-billion dollar opportunity for beauty industry. CNBC
• Why online retailers are experimenting with invite-only access. Forbes
• How Google is pitching retailers as it looks to grow its commercial business.  Digiday
• TikTok parent company working on its own smartphone.  TechCrunch
• How Pinterest plans to support more self-serve advertisers.  AdAge
• Etsy taps Google Cloud to improve search, juicing sales.  The Wall Street Journal
• Trader Joe’s unveils YouTube channel. Delish
• Instagram adds Stories to explore tab.  TechCrunch

Start Up + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

• Target eyes acquisition of ad tech provider.  The Wall Street Journal
• Amazon is working on a device that can detect human emotions.  AdAge
• Amazon leads investment in UK-based food delivery start-up Deliveroo.  VentureBeat
• Adidas invents a shoe meant to be repeatedly recycled.  Glossy

International

• In India, users can now book flights on Amazon.  LiveMint
• Ikea to open its first Mexico store in 2020.  Reuters
• Meet the 27-year-old set to be the first woman to co-found a $1B start up in India.  CNBC
• Marks & Spencer to speed up store closure plan.  Retail Gazette
• Alibaba revenue up 51%.  TechCrunch
• Amazon expands in-store pick up options in Europe.  Bloomberg