Happy Monday! Time for your weekly homework – a quick skim of industry news from the last week.  Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

• Retailer Revolve rides influencer wave to IPO, snags a $1.5B market cap.  Forbes
• States prepare to launch investigations into tech giants.  The Wall Street Journal
• A glimpse into the many subscription start-ups focusing on renting everything from clothes to furniture. The New York Times
• Walmart will launch direct to fridge delivered in three cities.  AdAge
• Barnes and Noble is sold to hedge fund.  The New York Times
• Amazon reveals its latest delivery drone design.  Fortune
• Low-income shoppers boost Target, Costco, others, report finds.  CNBC
• Everlane says new tariffs will drive up apparel prices.  The New York Times 
• PayPal announces new payments solution for online retailers.  RetailDive
• Amazon’s new rewards card targets those with bad credit.  TechCrunch

Marketing + Social Media

• How Amazon’s in-house brand business measures up against rivals.  AdAge
• Instagram users can now add song lyrics to their stories.  Billboard
• Facebook plans cryptocurrency debut.  TechCrunch
• Sign in with Apple coming to iPhone apps.  CNet
• American Eagle’s council of Gen Z teens helping shaping the future of the company.  Fast Company
• Your Instagram feed is about to have more ads from influencers.  The New York Times 
• Fortnite emerges as social media platform for Gen Z.  AdAge
• DTC brands add $1.4B to TV marketplace.  AdAge
• Pinterest, Instagram and the future of furniture retail.  Forbes
• Levi’s creates shoppable Pride Lens with Snapchat.  AdWeek
• Snapchat launches in-app stores for Snap influencers.  Digiday
• How Yeti’s $300 coolers evolved into the hottest outdoor lifestyle accessory.  Fortune

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

• Salesforce is buying data visualization company Tableau for $15.7B in all-stock deal.  TechCrunch
• Depop just raised $62M to triple its US users.  Business Insider 
• Peloton files to go public.  The Verge
• Can technology keep fake handbags out of the marketplace?  Fashionista
• Amazon launches AI-powered ‘Shazam for clothes’ fashion search.  The Verge
• Kering uses AI to keep up with growth.  AdAge

International

• WeChat’s new social commerce feature.  Jing Daily
• Amazon invetes $404M Indian operations. TechCrunch
• Digital retailers want a piece of India’s cashless commerce.  Bloomberg 
• Luxury brands book bigger sales in mainland China.  Bloomberg