WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 3.30.2015

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Happy Monday! Below is a recap of industry news over the last week.  All sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Retailer + Brand News:

  • Instacart to charge more during peak delivery times. Link
  • Target teams up with Of a Kind for new home collection. Link
  • H&M profits surge 36% in Q1. Link
  • Zulily nips business model in the bud. Link
  • Can data save the mall? Link
  • Rue La La founder’s next venture: luxe Italian shoes at bargain prices. Link
  • Amazon’s on demand services marketplace launches Monday. Link
  • Indiegogo success story Canary hits Best Buy for $249. Link
  • Converse unboxes plan to convert chatter into brand experiences. Link
  • Apple announces grand openings for dedicated Apple Watch shops in London, Paris, and Tokyo. Link
  • Gucci to appoint Consumer Officer amid management shakeup. Link
  • Lululemon’s new offering: anatomy friendly pants for men. Link
  • Amazon rumored to be in talks to acquire Net-a-Porter. Link
  • Five companies making fair trade fashion cooler than what you have in your wardrobe. Link
  • Kanye West to purchase online retailer Karmaloop. Link
  • Saks and Nordstrom prepare to land in Puerto Rico. Link
  • Walmart looks to draw click-and-collect shoppers. Link
  • Banana Republic’s flagship store opens in Manhattan with new look. Link
  • Slow cargo, weather take toll on LuLuLemon. Link
  • Also to design Joe Fresh line of footwear. Link
  • Fashion entrepreneur takes her retail background on the road. Link

Social Media + Marketing:

  • Shopstyle driving revenues for fashion brands. Link
  • Facebook may host news sites’ content. Link
  • Facebook’s F8 announcements. Link
  • Soon Facebook Messenger will let you reach out to businesses. Link
  • Me moves into Google territory with AppWords, a deep link mobile search and ad platform. Link
  • Twitter’s new venture-capital arm quietly opens for business. Link
  • Buzzfeed joins the podcast frenzy. Link
  • Google brings ad targeting from the web to TV. Link
  • Why big brands and top web publishers love this stealth digital ad startup. Link
  • Facebook pushes into the internet of things, hoping to power your smart devices. Link
  • 6 reasons why marketers should bet on podcasting. Link
  • Twitter debuts Periscope to rival Meerkat. Link
  • Twitter soups up mobile ads with location data from Foursquare. Link
  • Marriott uses authentic stories to woo millennials. Link
  • Bloglovin targets participation with ‘collections’ of visual inspiration boards. Link

Start-ups:

  • Gone, the app for selling your old stuff, taps UPS to go nationwide instantly. Link
  • Rocket Internet’s Helpling mops up another $45M for its on-demand home cleaning service. Link
  • August raises $38M to expand smart lock retail availability. Link
  • Alcohol startups are brewing up VC cash. Link
  • Teabox raises $6M to grow its global tea-commerce business. Link
  • Magic just showed its first product to investors—now it may be worth $40M. Link
  • Lyft adds profiles to make ride sharing more personalized. Link
  • Stripe makes a bet on marketplaces with new product. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • Honest Brand eyes China. Link
    • Apple plans China iPhone trade-in program. Link
    • Xiaomi expands its offline presences in India with the mobile store tie-up. Link
    • India’s online fashion sales set to soar. Link
  • [CA]
    • Sephora shoes fresh face in Canadian makeup retail. Link
  • [EU]
    • Burberry to open café in London. Link
    • Google takes starred product ratings to Europe to boost shopping searches. Link
    • Facebook completes first drone flight above UK. Link
    • EU to investigate barriers to cross-border ecommerce. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • App reveals what your exact location looked like in the past. Link
  • Cities take lead on app development. Link
  • Secret is working on new apps, won’t shut down original product. Link
  • Apple Watch could make you a walking weather station. Link
  • New app Chosen is American Idol meets YouTube meets mobile devices. Link
  • Nine brands to watch out for on the Apple Watch. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 3.23.2015

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Happy Monday! Below is a recap of industry news over the last week.  All sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Retailer + Brand News:

  • American Express to launch loyalty program with Macy’s, Exxon, AT&T. Link
  • eCommerce delivers Korean beauty to US consumers. Link
  • Apple is building a Watch shop in Tokyo’s Isetan. Link
  • Facebook Messenger launches friend-to-friend payments. Link
  • Sur la Table is using its website to help shoppers better visualize a new kitchen table. Link
  • Marc by Marc Jacobs to be discontinued. Link
  • Tiffany expects a weak 2015. Link
  • Amazon wins approval to test delivery drones outdoors. Link
  • How Sorel won winter by making rugged boots girly. Link
  • J.Crew says it failed at women’s fashion last year. Link
  • Starbucks to launch delivery in Seattle. Link
  • eBay to open new section on its site for Sotheby’s auction. Link
  • Amazon expands one-hour delivery to Baltimore and Miami. Link
  • Sports Authority adds plus-size women’s activewear. Link
  • The Etsy guide to building a brand. Link
  • Sephora’s digital boss joins StichFix as COO. Link
  • Target to pay $10M to settle lawsuit from data breach. Link
  • Retailers are launching a new generation of ecommerce membership programs modeled on Amazon Prime. Link

Social Media + Marketing:

  • Pinterest crosses $10B mark. Link
  • Nylon Guys to go all digital. Link
  • 10 trends shaping the future of branded content. Link
  • Big advertisers shift towards digital. Link
  • Facebook launches innovation lab in Brazilian slums. Link
  • How Facebook’s custom audiences won over Adland. Link
  • Pinterest, Snapchat, Buzzfeed – hear come tech’s multibillion-dollar babies. Link

Start-ups:

  • Video-streaming app Meerkat raises another $12M. Link
  • This start-up founder wants you to be able to go on a vacation without packing a suitcase. Link
  • Start-up raises $40M to keep small businesses’ cash flowing. Link
  • Fashion rental start-up Le Tote tries a new tactic to lure subscribers. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • Snapdeal of India in talks to buy mobile-payments company FreeCharge. Link
    • Twitter is opening an office in Dubai. Link
    • Xiaomi dips its toe into financial services. Link
    • Yahoo cutting 300 jobs as part of China office closing. Link
    • Lines form at Chanel’s China stores after euro-driven price cuts. Link
  • [CA]
    • Amazon expands in Canada with move to new Toronto skyscraper. Link
  • [EU]
    • Online retail spurs investment in EU warehouses. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • Google and Intel team up with TAG Heuer on a luxury smartwatch. Link
  • Multi-brand apps gain ground in fashion. Link
  • SmartFocus announces ‘virtual beacons’ so retailers can draw in-store targeting. Link
  • Google isn’t giving up on Glass. Link
  • Apple is tinkering with augmented reality. Link
  • Facebook testing a new app called Phone. Link
  • Gucci collaborates with Will.i.am to create wearable tech device. Link
  • Fitbit adds bike workout tracking to its Surge fitness watch. Link
  • Amazon working on a service called Unlocked that’s Prime for Android apps. Link
  • What’s coming in Apple’s next iPhone update. Link
  • Wearable drones invade SXSW as fashion meets technology. Link

Other

  • At Kodak, clinging to a future beyond film. Link
  • Will personalized pricing take ecommerce back to the bazaar? Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 3.16.2015

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Happy Monday! Below find a recap of industry news from the week.  All sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Retailer + Brand News:

  • Sephora bets big on digital growth with disruptive experiences. Link
  • Urban Outfitters earnings beat estimates. Link
  • Ikea takes global expansion one market at a time. Link
  • Target culls special offering for Men. Link
  • Amazon launches Exclusives to surface “up-and-coming” brands. Link
  • More details emerge on Amazon rival Jet.com. Link
  • Google opens its first Google-branded store-in-a-store in London. Link
  • Google says Millennial influence on the rise in B2B buying. Link
  • LL Bean putting boots on the ground, expanding to at least 100 stores. Link
  • Reed Krakoff halts production. Link
  • Sorel to enter outerwear. Link
  • Diesel reinventing its stores. Link
  • Rent-the-Runway CEO says the future of ecommerce depends on delivery start-ups. Link
  • Target lays off 13% of its corporate HQ staff to cut costs. Link
  • ASOS adding budget-friendly bridesmaid dresses to the mix. Link
  • TopShop opens first Atlanta store. Link
  • Glamour Magazine eyeing ecommerce. Link 

Social Media + Marketing:

  • H&M Home unveils its first-ever AirBnB for SXSW. Link
  • Alibaba said to be investing $200M in SnapChat. Link
  • Facebook acquires social shopping app The Find. Link
  • Buzzfeed’s videos reach 1 Billion monthly views. Link
  • HBO Now will stream on Apple devices. Link
  • BeautyCon launches its own media site to connect social media stars with fans and brands. Link
  • Brands now posting more to Instagram than Facebook. Link
  • L’Oreal moves to make all types of ads “shoppable.” Link
  • Why Neiman Marcus is a fan of SXSW. Link
  • Old Navy tries Tumblr for Gen Y’s Spring push. Link
  • Facebook, Occulus and the future of virtual reality. Link

Start-ups:

  • Bento wants to be your app matchmaker. Link
  • Online only start-up targets women who do their makeup on the go. Link
  • Rocket Internet invests in Indonesia’s Bridestory. Link
  • Xiaomi becomes the world’s most valuable tech start-up. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • China’s upper middle class women are driving ecommerce and social media in China. Link
    • Taiwan-based Foxconn launches ecommerce platform in China. Link
    • Tapping into the growth of India’s emerging mobile markets. Link 
  • [AU]
    • Thousands flock to New Zealand’s TopShop opening. Link
    • ASOS gets its mojo back in Australia after cutting prices. Link
  • [EU]
    • Alibaba to boost UK trade on its platform. Link
    • Selfridges launches ‘genderless’ shopping in Manchester. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • Look to Whole Foods to see how the Apple Watch could change retail. Link
  • Meerkat tests our desire to share live video. Link
  • Apple’s ResearchKit a big hit at SXSW. Link
  • Beacons are moving out of the pilot phase and helping retailers and marketers revolutionize in-store shopping. Link
  • Google accidentally reveals its own mobile events app. Link
  • Apple’s iTunes suffers unusually long outage. Link
  • Mizuno bets on smart eyewear despite Google’s troubles Link
  • For SXSW marketers, smartphone apps are yesterday’s news, wearables are what matter. Link
  • Starbucks to expand mobile ordering to three more states. Link
  • Beacons, live-streaming and indie radio apps guide SXSW experience this year. Link

Other

  • Generation Z’s data obsession: bits and bytes are the new commodity. Link
  • Disney’s $1B bet on a magical wristband. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 3.9.2015

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Happy Monday! Check out the industry news from the last week.  All sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Retailer + Brand News:

  • Etsy files for IPO. Link
  • Barneys New York raises ecommerce ante with site relaunch. Link
  • Will Target’s new CEO energize the retailer? Link
  • Rachel Zoe launching a subscription box service. Link
  • Kate Spade wants to sell furniture. Link
  • Fab officially finds a new owner. Link
  • Google introduces insurance shopping site. Link
  • Abercrombie’s style turnaround will take time. Link
  • Nike is opening a clearance store in NYC. Link
  • Bloomingdale’s to open outlet store in Upper West side this fall. Link
  • Farfetch raises $86M at $1B valuation. Link
  • Activewear firms on the run to catch up online. Link
  • Best Buy announces first buyback since 2012 as profit jumps. Link
  • Google confirms plans for wireless service. Link
  • Apple’s addition to the Dow is a win for tech stocks. Link
  • Online denim and basics brand Ayr launches $1 home try-ones to help win customers. Link
  • Nordstrom’s multi-billion dollar plan for ecommerce domination. Link

Social Media + Marketing:

  • WalMart parts ways with Google local shopping ads. Link
  • Instagram rolls out new carousel ads. Link
  • Instagram lets ads be clickable. Link
  • Nextdoor social network digs deep into neighborhoods. Link
  • Apple may pull its ads from Google Search. Link
  • Publishers love Whatsapp’s potential but struggle with execution. Link
  • How one company convinced Anthony Bourdain to shill as it rebrands scotch. Link
  • Pinterest narrows ad targeting, tests animated pins. Link
  • Google expanding the use of mobile as web search signal. Link
  • Twitter’s new plan to placate Wall Street. Link
  • Why marketers are embracing Oculus and virtual reality. Link

Start-ups:

  • App search engine Quixey confirms $60M round. Link
  • Dash Hudson raises $1M to beat the Instagram shopping conundrum. Link
  • Delivery startup Shyp wants to make returns painless. Link
  • Meet Vive, the ClassPass for blowouts. Link
  • Square, the payment start-up, bolsters its services for small businesses. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • Amazon opens store on Alibaba’s TMall in China. Link
    • Alibaba expands in Silicon Valley with first U.S. data center. Link
  • [AU]
    • Abercrombie & Fitch to close Australian stores. Link
    • Myer’s new British CEO gets a tough welcome from investors. Link
  • [CA]
    • Nordstrom treads carefully with launch of second Canadian store. Link
  • [EU]
    • J. Crew’s international expansion push lands in Paris. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • Apple Watch and new MacBook announcement from Apple’s Spring Forward event. Link
  • WalMart expects customers to adopt mobile payments. Link
  • Sephora’s commitment to digital beauty leadership includes beacons and augmented reality. Link
  • Domino’s makes ordering on-the-go even easier with smartwatch integration. Link
  • Joe Fresh launches app. Link
  • SXSW to have a thousand beacons to help attendees connect. Link
  • MasterCard CMO on new mobile “priceless surprises” and Apple Pay. Link
  • Wearable tech is the next big opportunity in pro sports. Link
  • Apple Pay on the Apple Watch is smarter than you think. Link
  • Five takeaways for marketers from mobile world congress. Link

Other

  • Why so many people are suddenly wearing $600 Canada Goose coats. Link
  • How four women in an RV plan to change young girls’ lives. Link
  • G Adventures founder on how travel can make you a better leader. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF 3.2.2015

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Hi there! Below is a recap of industry news over the last week that I’ve compiled.  You can find a source or read the full article by clicking the hyper-linked text after the headline. Have a great week!

Retailer + Brand News:

  • American Apparel names marketing, digital executives. Link
  • Macy’s shares drop on cautious outlook. Link
  • How Nordstrom plans to stay dominant in ecommerce. Link
  • Online convenience is the new face of retail disruption. Link
  • Target sales grow at fastest rate in three years. Link
  • Gap chooses PINK creator to revive its namesake stores, lead design team. Link
  • Urban Outfitters announces $20M share buyback. Link
  • NastyGal raises $16M. Link
  • Nordstrom launching collaboration with Piece & Co. Link
  • Analysts say Americans love sweatpants too much for athleisure to go away. Link
  • Best Buy opens a Seattle-based technology development center focused on mobile and ecommerce. Link
  • Ikea introduces furniture you can charge your smartphone on. Link
  • HTC and Under Armour are doing a fitness wearable. Link
  • Burberry takes digital innovation in stride at London Fashion Week. Link
  • Rebecca Minkoff’s store of the future. Link

Social Media + Marketing:

  • Facebook, with over 2 million active advertisers, launches ads manager app for iOS. Link
  • Why the print catalog is back in style. Link
  • Snapchat’s Our Stories are generating tens of millions of views. Link
  • Conde Nast closes blog network NowManifest. Link
  • Apple Watch gets 12-page ad spread in Vogue. Link
  • Google puts ads in its app store to court mobile app marketers. Link
  • Pinterest scores highly in new eMarketer report. Link
  • Mobile ad spending not equal around the world. Link
  • Converse breaks ‘Made By You’ campaign for Chuck Taylors. Link
  • Victoria’s Secret runs ads on People Magazine’s Snapchat. Link

Start-ups:

  • Waffle House partners with “sharing economy” delivery service Roadie. Link
  • Magic is a start-up that will bring you anything if you’re willing to pay for it. Link
  • The Black Tux seeks to disrupt the tuxedo rental business. Link
  • Outfittery raises $20M for its curated shopping service for men’s clothing. Link
  • Rocket Internet’s latest company is a career listing sit called Everjobs. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • Amazon could be landing in South Korea soon. Link
    • China’s economy to grow about 7% this year. Link
    • Should luxury retailers give up on Hong Kong? Link
    • Japanese ecommerce giant Rakuten may accept bitcoin. Link
    • Chinese rivals snap at Alibaba’s heels in cross-border ecommerce race. Link
  • [EU]
    • Wedding Wire acquires Spain-based Wedding Planner with plans to go global. Link
    • Turkey’s online retail market enjoys investment boom. Link
    • London designers pin hopes on next generation of online shoppers. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • Target tests mobile loyalty app to drive in store purchases. Link
  • On the cusp of a mobile shopping revolution. Link
  • The Apple Watch is nearly ready but is the public? Link
  • HTC unveils new phone and wearable device. Link
  • Venmo was ordered in July to address security issues. Link
  • LG’s watch adds another player for the wearable platform wars. Link
  • Google strikes a deal with carriers for payments. Link
  • Samsung launches two new smartphones, mobile wallet. Link
  • Transactional flexibility is the future of payments. Link
  • Tinder launches Tinder Plus. Link
  • Samsung launches its own mobile money service called Pay. Link

Other

  • The opportunity in online luxury fashion. Link
  • Google unveils plans for new corporate campus. Link
  • Why physical stores and brands still matter. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF 2.23.2015

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Hello! Below is a recap I compiled of industry news over the last week.  All sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Retailer + Brand News:

  • H&M rings up sales growth thanks to aggressive store opening program. Link
  • Forever 21 has reorganized its retail division workforce. Link
  • Amazon Prime 1-hour deliveries now available in Manhattan. Link
  • Wal-Mart CEO supports $1B investment in wages. Link
  • Tom’s founder on the future of retail showrooms. Link
  • Ann Taylor parent said to be working with JP Morgan on sale. Link
  • Nordstrom aims for $20B in sales by 2020. Link
  • Saint Laurent has doubled its business since hiring model Hedi Slimane. Link
  • Nordstrom’s income took a hit in 2014, thanks to tech investments. Link
  • Global ecommerce sales climb 22% at WalMart. Link
  • US annual ecommerce sales surpass $300B for first time. Link
  • Target lowers free shipping minimum to $25. Link
  • SNKRS app gaining traction for Nike. Link
  • For online retailers, fast shipping is becoming as important as price. Link
  • Amazon preparing to battle Netflix on original content. Link
  • Canada Goose prepares to launch US ecommerce site. Link 
  • Best Buy opening tech office in Seattle. Link 

Social Media + Marketing:

  • At New York Fashion Week, brands focus on social media’s ROI. Link
  • Oakley unveils brand push. Link
  • Snapchat said to seek up to $19B value in funding. Link
  • Sperry goes back to basics with campaign for adventurous millennials. Link
  • YouTube is launching a kid-friendly video app. Link
  • Pinterest reportedly eyes $11B in valuation. Link
  • Facebook says it only sells viewable ads. Link
  • Facebook challenges Google with product ads. Link
  • Twitter is latest to boost FCC’s net neutrality plan. Link
  • Google fits more search results on mobile screens. Link

Start-ups:

  • Xiaomi becomes world’s most valuable tech startup with latest $1.1B funding round. Link
  • Grabble closes $1.8M angel round for its Tindr-like fashion shopping app. Link
  • Like AirBnB, Plate Culture turns your kitchen into a restaurant. Link
  • Social shopping app Shopa secures $11M to scale internationally. Link
  • Jet.com looks to give small merchants a leg up. Link

International:

  • Navigating a storm of currency volatility. Link
  • Visa expands its online payments service Checkout to 16 countries. Link
  • [APAC]
    • Lowe’s opens India innovation center. Link
    • Tiffany & Co is now the number one American luxury brand for Chinese shoppers. Link 
  • [A/ME] Lululemon to open stores in Middle East. Link
  •  [EU]
    • J.Crew pushes further into Europe. Link
    • Apple unveils $2B plans for Irish and Danish data centers. Link
  •  [AU]
  • ASOS on Campus launches in Australia to woo university students. Link
  • Etsy lanches gift cards in Australia. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • Buzzfeed expands mobile team by acquiring visual conversation startup GoPop. Link
  • Virtual reality comes to New York Fashion Week. Link
  • Starbucks’ Apple Pay integration will brew up in-app revenue. Link
  • Apple orders more than 5 million watches for initial run. Link
  • Apple Pay gets a big vote of confidence from the U.S. government. Link
  • Yahoo courts mobile app makers with new tools. Link
  • Samsung buys LoopPay, a competitor to Apple Pay. Link

Other

  • Apple wants to start producing cars as soon as 2020. Link
  • Google and Apple fight for the car dashboard. Link
  • Starbucks offers smallholder subscription coffee service. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 2.16.2015

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Happy Monday and Presidents’ Day.  If you have off today, enjoy it. Below is a recap I compiled of industry news over the last week.  All sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Retailer + Brand News:

  • Gap profit tops estimates as Old Navy holiday sales increase. Link
  • Moda Operandi raises another $60M. Link
  • Michael Kors opens largest store in Soho. Link
  • Yelp buys Eat24, an online food-ordering service for $134M. Link
  • Urban Outfitters climbs on strong Q4 sales. Link
  • Louis Vuitton shows logo isn’t dead as bags fly off shelves. Link
  • Amazon’s newest tool lets anyone host giveaways online. Link
  • Best Buy launches its first wedding registry. Link
  • Adore Me takes on Victoria’s Secret and other bigger lingerie rivals. Link
  • Jet.com raises $140M in new funding. Link
  • Barney’s New York launches a print magazine. Link
  • US retail sales decreased more than forecast in January. Link
  • Banana Republic makes its fashion week debut. Link
  • Timo Weiland eyes growth with first outside investment. Link
  • Inside Levi’s comeback plans. Link
  • Banana Republic, J.Crew invade fashion week to build cachet. Link
  • Walmart expands online grocery shopping efforts after strong repeat business. Link
  • Forever 21 arrives on Fifth Ave. Link

Social Media + Marketing:

  • Pinterest cuts off style bloggers by removing affiliate links. Link
  • Twitter to buy Niche, where social media stars meet advertisers. Link
  • Netflix House of Cards leak wasn’t a marketing ploy. Link
  • How style bloggers earn sales commissions one click at a time. Link
  • Facebook adding relevance scores so marketers know how good their ads are. Link
  • Marketing world says “meh” to Twitter’s ad syndication initiative. Link
  • YouTube content networks preparing for a more programmatic ad world. Link
  • Snapchat tries Our Stories for locals only. Link
  • Forbes puts native ad for Fidelity on its actual cover. Link
  • Pinterest working on a plan to introduce a buy button this year. Link

Start-ups:

  • Social shopping app Depop raises $8M, plans to break into US market. Link
  • Bucketfeet, a startup founded by a pair of backpackers, raises $7.5M. Link
  • Clothing rental startup Le Tote lands $8.8M in funding. Link
  • Bringg lets any business offer Uber-like experiences to their customers. Link
  • Wedding planning startup Loverly launches its own dress collection based on user search data. Link
  • Xiaomi becomes world’s most valuable tech startup. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • India may become Launchpad for Amazon’s fashion label. Link
    • eCommerce sales in China will reach $1 Trillion by 2019. Link
    • Kate Spade to shut brand stores while forming China venture. Link
    • Alibaba’s AliExpress sets its sights on Indonesia’s promising ecommerce market. Link
    • Alibaba’s TMall global site stumbles. Link
  • [EU]
    • British Fashion Council and eBay reprise London Fashion Week pop-up shop partnership. Link
    • European online retailer Zalando posts first annual operating profit. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • Kanye West Adidas campaign lives on with in-store, app-dependent concert tickets. Link
  • Placed wants to be the standard for measuring mobile ads and in-store visits. Link
  • Aiming to ease app discovery, Apple pairs with Pinterest. Link
  • First Dibs launches app. Link
  • Swatch plans smartwatch to compete with Apple. Link
  • Yahoo says mobile is key to new business sales goals. Link
  • Visa’s new fraud protection software will track customers’ smartphones. Link

Other

  • High-tech fashion redefines meaning of revealing clothing. Link
  • Merchandise blended in digital and physical showcase. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 2.10.2015

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Hello! Was taking a break in Vermont over the weekend, so apologies for the delay. Below is a recap I compiled of industry news over the last week.  All sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Retailer + Brand News:

  • Wallpaper Magazine dives into ecommerce. Link
  • Lululemon founder steps down from board. Link
  • Target to open 15 Target Express stores this year. Link
  • Macy’s buys Bluemercury. Link
  • Amazon opens brick-and-mortar campus store. Link
  • Madewell inks deal with Nordstrom. Link
  • Under Armour releases 2014 results, acquires two more fitness apps. Link
  • Ralph Lauren plans new global band management structure. Link
  • Kate Spade Saturday: A downmarket move goes bust. Link
  • Zulily to hit one billion dollars in sales in 2014. Link
  • Gap merges ecommerce and marketing in new executive position. Link
  • Macy’s program helps cultivate retail entrepreneurs. Link
  • Change for the better at Neiman Marcus. Link
  • Lucky Magazine launches shops, its new ecommerce venture. Link
  • Fab.com’s fire sale should close this month. Link
  • Lifestyle brands are acquiring their way to becoming tech companies. Link
  • Frank & Oak expands personal stylist feature. Link
  • Gap, Aeropostale raise outlook for holiday period. Link
  • Old Navy teams with Current Elliott. Link
  • BCBG gets $135M in cash infusion. Link
  • eBay’s innovation and new ventures group hit hard by layoffs in restructuring. Link

Social Media + Marketing:

  • Tinder shuts down Gap’s pants party campaign because it violated terms of service. Link
  • Imgur unleashes subscription-only pro editing tool for all users. Link
  • Burberry joins with Line to live stream show in Japan. Link
  • Four video startups looking to challenge YouTube’s dominance. Link
  • Twitter to sell ads on Flipboard and Yahoo Japan. Link
  • American Express Apple Pay ad turns out to be a fun trip through time. Link
  • Tumblr ad executive stepping down as Yahoo combines teams. Link
  • Revenue at Twitter rises but user growth slows. Link
  • Twitter and Google said to reach deal on Search. Link
  • Twitter user growth falls below Facebook’s for the first time. Link

Start-ups:

  • These companies are trying to disrupt Men’s Wearhouse. Link
  • Trellie is launching a smart jewelry starter kit this spring with dozens of accessories. Link
  • Andreessen Horowitz taps into thriving world of programmers. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • TopShop to close all Japanese stores. Link
    • FedEx express to increase ground fleet capacity in India. Link
    • Alibaba tries out drone delivery in China. Link
    • Line buys Stripe-like Japanese startup WebPay to boost its payments service. Link
    • Qualcomm fined $975M by China. Link
  • [CA]
    • Target and landlords in court battle over sale of leases. Link
  • [EU]
    • Hem acquires online design portal, Discipline.eu. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • ApplePay and JetBlue strike first airline deal. Link
  • Adidas gets ready for Kanye collaboration with new sneaker reservation app. Link
  • iOS 9 leak reveals Apple’s new focus. Link
  • Eight out of ten retailers increasing mobile budgets in 2015. Link
  • Michael Kors to join wearable tech movement. Link
  • Apple’s iOS9 pegged as a stability update, which is way better than a feature frenzy. Link
  • Apple grabs 93% of the handset industry’s profit. Link
  • Samsung to launch a new Galaxy smartphone on March 1st. Link

Other

  • Uber opening robotics research facility in Pittsburgh to build self-driving cars. Link
  • Apple to open giant data center in Arizona. Link
  • Q&A with Amazon Prime boss on the program’s 10th Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 2.2.2015

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Hi there! Below is a recap I compiled of industry news over the last week.  All sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Retailer + Brand News:

  • Kate Spade Saturday and Jack Spade to shut down all stores. Link
  • Crew loses 2nd major exec in three weeks. Link
  • H&M profit rises 12% in Q4. Link
  • Yahoo spins off $40B stake in Alibaba. Link
  • H&M is opening 400 stores this year and launching a new beauty range. Link
  • Why Target’s new plus-sized line could redefine $17.5B underserved market. Link
  • Amazon rewards sellers who offer free shipping. Link
  • Google’s BrandLab wants to save businesses (and Google). Link
  • Gap’s creative director Rebekka Bay exits. Link
  • Forever 21 coming to Fifth Avenue. Link
  • Rachel Zoe to launch maternity line. Link
  • Apple reigns supreme when it comes to making money, but now faces even greater expectations. Link
  • Coach shuffles execs, sales fall again. Link
  • Under Armour taps former Nike exec to head footwear business. Link
  • Adobe is suing Forever 21 for pirating Photoshop. Link
  • Amazon’s latest foray: back end email systems. Link
  • AOL lays off 150 staffers. Link
  • Conde Nast unveils branded content shop powered by editors. Link
  • com co-founder to launch artsy online marketplace. Link
  • Jones New York to close stores, end wholesale business. Link
  • Ikea looks to catch up with online retail. Link

Social Media + Marketing:

  • Lyft rolls out national marketing campaign. Link
  • Snapchat’s new Discover feature puts news and entertainment a swipe away from your stories. Link
  • Starbucks, Match want you to have your first date at Starbucks. Link
  • Twitter adds group messaging and video recording. Link
  • Pinterest pushes ads further toward users’ personal spaces. Link
  • TMobile, Macy’s among first advertisers on Snapchat Discover. Link
  • McDonald’s gives away every product advertised during Super Bowl. Link
  • The average Super Bowl commercial could generate as much as $10M in ad value. Link
  • Why Nordstrom’s digital strategy works. Link
  • Twitter displays its value with instant timeline for new users. Link
  • P&G’s #LikeAGirl ad scored the most social buzz during the Super Bowl. Link
  • Vine introduces Vine Kids. Link

Start-ups:

  • Fresh Monk secures new funding round for crowdfunded tshirts. Link
  • ClosetSpace digitizes your closet, builds outfits and offers fashion tips. Link
  • With $40M in recent funding, Classpass hires execs. Link
  • Mobile loyalty startup Lootsie raises $3.5M. Link
  • Minibar offers on-demand booze delivery in 13 cities. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • Apple China sales top $16B in Q1. Link
    • H&M to launch in three new Asian markets. Link
    • Free Shipping is the default for Korea. Link
    • Alibaba to launch fund for Hong Kong startups. Link
    • Apple ranks as China’s most desirable luxury brand. Link
    • com follows its own path. Link
  •  [CA]
    • Uniqlo to open Canadian stores. Link
    • Sears Canada names acting president – CEO to top management job. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • Facebook tests beacons to feed users local content. Link
  • Apple Watch to ship in April. Link
  • The next step for the mobile wallet? Loyalty programs. Link
  • FTC says internet-connected devices pose big risks. Link
  • Google Now will suck in outside app data. Link
  • Loyalty programs see boost as they go mobile. Link
  • Apple stores to act more like jewelry stores for upcoming gold Apple Watch. Link
  • iPad experiences 18% drop in sales, 22% fall in revenue. Link
  • Android breaks 1B mark for 2014, 81% of all 1.3B smartphones shipped. Link

Apple Watch Coming in April // Still Missing on Fashion

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apple watch

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced April 2015 ship date of the Apple Watch.  Image Source: Fashionista

Part of this week’s record-breaking earnings call from Apple included a long-anticipated announcement of the Apple Watch ship date, which will start selling April 2015. While Apple has invested in making the design sleek, I argue that they are still missing on the fashion piece.

Yes, we’ve seen tech innovation dabble in runways and high-fashion editorials (see DVF and Vogue trying to make Google Glass chic) but the adoption and interest from the fashion world has not picked up. (Worth noting: Google Glass recently halted sales to restructure and reassess the project.)

vogue google glass

Vogue used Google Glasses in their 2013 September issue editorial feature “The Final Frontier.” Image Source: Vogue

Apple is trying to engage the fashion crowd, though. When it announced the watch back in September, a slew of fashion influencers were invited to the press event.  Apple also stacked its executive team with industry folks including Burberry’s Angela Ahrendts, YSL CEO Paul Deneve and Patrick Pruniaux of Tag Heuer.  While that’s a great strategy (here we are talking about it), this alone will not make Apple Watches “desirable.”

I remain skeptical that the Apple Watch will take off with the fashion crowd. I’d like to see more wearable tech a la Tory Burch, Rebecca Minkoff and Opening Ceremony, which while maybe not as useful as an Apple Watch, at least made style a top priority.  Smaller players, too, are claiming stakes in the fashion x wearable tech market.  Cuff, a smart jewelry company just closed a $5M fundraising round.

cuff startup

Cuff, a wearable tech (“smart”) jewelry start-up recently closed a $5M funding round. Image Source: TechCrunch

Maybe Apple needs to collaborate with a high-fashion partner or bring on a high-fashion creative director. Otherwise, it has an interesting road ahead at joining the fashion industry or targeting a different demographic.