And just like that, it’s August! Here is a recap of industry news from the last week.  As always, sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brand + Retailer

• Uber cut a third of its marketing staff.  The Wall Street Journal
• Summary of recent earnings from Facebook to Netflix to Amazon. eMarketer
• Barney’s nears bankruptcy filing with plans to close most stores.  The Wall Street Journal
• Why Airbnb, Target and Walmart are betting on the experience economy.  Fast Company
• Apple and Goldman Sachs are planning to launch their credit card in August.  AdAge
• Shake Shack launches delivery. Fast Company
• CVS targets millennials with Prime-like membership.  CNBC
• Whole Foods wants to help decorate your next party. Fast Company
• Inside Nuuly, Urban Outfitters’ attempt to take on the rental market.  Modern Retail
• Amazon adds a styling service to Prime Wardrobe.  RetailDive
• Levi’s is moving away from off-price retailers.  Fortune
• Amazon quietly launches private-label CPG products for commercial clients.  AdAge
• 3M invents an ingenious way to ship packages without cardboard boxes.  Fast Company
• Amazon wants to rule the grocery aisle, not just at Whole Foods.  The New York Times
• CapitalOne reports data breach affecting 100M customers and applicants.  The Wall Street Journal
• Brandless’ new CEO is dumping it’s $3 price point, hitting the stores and going big on CBD.  Forbes
• L’Oreal says sluggish US makeup market has hit sales.  CNBC
• How multi-billion dollar brand Carters became a staple while competitors shutter.  Washington Post
• Textile waste has increased 811% since 1960.  Supply Chain Dive
• Kroger is upping its advertising game.  Fortune

Social Media + Marketing

• Victoria’s Secret hires transgender model.  Fast Company
• Beauty brands are setting their sights on TikTok.  Glossy
• Pinterest rolls out new shopping features.  VentureBeat
• A rebrand will soon remind people that WhatsApp and Instagram are from Facebook. AdWeek
• Streetwear subscription company ThreadBeat now spending half of its media budget on Instagram.  Digiday
• General Mills’ Boxtops for Education goes digital.  Biz Journals
• Pinterest reports strong demand for advertising on its platform.  AdAge
• Twitter adds 5 million users, tops sales estimates.  AdAge
• Amazon tests audio ads for Alexa Music.  AdAge

Start-ups + Emerging Tech

• London is exploring facial recognition in security cameras.  Financial Times
• Doubling down on business travel, Airbnb acquires Urbandoor.  TechCrunch
• New Media buys Gannett for $1.4B to form local news giant.  AdAge
• This startup wants to democratize custom sneaker ownership.  TechCrunch
• Amazon to kill the Dash button.  CNN
• How Walmart, Kroger are investing in AI and robots.  Forbes
• Ikea creates six homes of the future.  Fast Company

International

• Google will allow EU users to choose their default search engine when setting up Android devices.  Fast Company
• India proposes user safeguard rules fro ecommerce platforms.  Bloomberg
• AI as the way to win Chinese millennials and GenZ.  Jing Daily
• The shadowy internet industry of click farms are booming in China.  Yahoo