Tag: mobile

Weekly Industry Brief: 7.13.2015

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Check out the week’s industry news in fashion, retail, and technology. Sources can be found in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • Amazon Prime Day will usher a new era of manufactured shopping days. Link
  • J.Crew debuts value-focused ‘Mercantile’ brand to spark growth. Link
  • Inside Target’s tech funhouse and search for its next billion-dollar business. Link
  • American Apparel to close stores and lay off workers. Link
  • Yahoo will enter daily fantasy sports market. Link
  • Time Inc. launching next big vertical, ‘The Drive,’ about cars for the under-35 crowd. Link
  • Levi’s responds to challengers with revamped women’s jeans. Link
  • Uniqlo had a strong Spring in the U.S. Link
  • Skechers sues Steve Madden over athleisure knockoffs. Link
  • Coty agrees to purchase P&G beauty brands for $12.5B. Link
  • Toys R Us to shift ecommerce from eBay to in-house. Link
  • American Express launches express online payment tool. Link
  • Back-to-school shopping starts early as U.S. parents seek deals. Link
  • LVMH to cut 70 jobs as it suspends Donna Karan label. Link
  • Saks and Lord & Taylor personalize websites, emails to lure high-spending shoppers. Link
  • With Flyease Nike reinvents the zipper. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • eBay and Amazon are the most visible Google Search advertisers. Link
  • Brands try to redefine emojis in Twitter’s latest hashtag game. Link
  • Twitter is now letting apps advertise with video. Link
  • Facebook changes how it charges brands for clicks on their ads. Link
  • Facebook said to seek music video licensing deals. Link
  • Facebook wants your attention so it’s charging separately for ad clicks that send you away. Link

Startups:

  • Jet.com officially launches on Monday, offering lowest prices on the Internet. Link
  • Disney’s startup accelerator enters its sophomore year with a new batch of companies. Link
  • Italy’s Quattrocento joins the race to become the Warby Parker of Europe. Link

International:

  • DHL Express to widen delivery options for internet shoppers in Australia. Link
  • Moscow malls open half-empty as retailers struggle. Link
  • Alibaba boosts Singapore Post stake, invests in ecommerce unit. Link
  • Alibaba invests $100M in luxury-focused Mei.com. Link
  • Rakuten buys virtual fitting room startup Fits.me in fashion commerce play. Link
  • Apple building a new store in Hong Kong. Link
  • Barnes & Noble closes international Nook store. Link
  • Twitter eyes Latin American market from new Miami office. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Six futuristic retail displays that will change your idea of ‘ecommerce.’ Link
  • Jawbone sues Fitbit for third time in two months. Link
  • Google starts testing driverless cars in Austin. Link
  • Tablet sales have plateaued but there’s a future in business. Link
  • Virgin Hotels turns mobile into shoppable Gap closet for guests. Link
  • Android Wear reportedly getting watch-to-watch sharing features. Link
  • Comcast launches its own cable-free TV with Stream. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.29.2015

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Happy Monday! Check out industry news from the last week.  Sources can be found in the hyperlinked text after each headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • Tom Ford partners with Net-a-Porter on ecommerce exclusive. Link
  • Warby Park to continue to invest in brick-and-mortar. Link
  • Verizon completes AOL acquisition for $4.4B. Link
  • Abercrombie puts shoppers front and center in turnaround effort. Link
  • Target’s Lilly Pulitzer hit underlines power shift in retail to consumers. Link
  • How Shinola went from shoe polish to the coolest brand in America. Link
  • H&M second quarter profits rise but fall short of expectations. Link
  • Warby Parker to give NYC community school students free glasses and eye exams. Link
  • American Eagle amps up digital investments. Link
  • Why your next package will be delivered by an Uber. Link
  • Lululemon issues another recall. Link
  • Converse looks to deepen music relationships with new recording studio. Link
  • H&M working on mysterious new brand. Link
  • Nike exceeds profit estimates on new products and athleisure trend. Link
  • Barnes & Noble files plan for spinning off campus bookstores. Link
  • H&M banks on a fashion-conscious fashion conscience with sustainability strategy. Link
  • Inside Marriott’s attempt to win over millennials. Link
  • Online fashion retailers tap offline opportunities. Link
  • Zulily tests online returns program. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • ShopStyle brings ecommerce to Snapchat, with assist from influencers. Link
  • Facebook’s new signup ads that auto-fill your email or phone number. Link
  • Instagram’s new search update makes it easier to explore the world. Link
  • Unilever gets in touch with Vice’s feminine side. Link
  • Now you can use Messenger without Facebook. Link
  • Google gives Gmail users the ability to undo send. Link
  • Now Instagram wants to be a source for real-time news. Link
  • Facebook claims a photo-recognition breakthrough. Link
  • Tumblr launches Tumblr TV, a gif search engine with full-screen viewing mode. Link
  • Instagram to take on Twitter with updated photo feed. Link
  • Apple wins Cannes Lions top prize for its ‘Shot on iPhone 6’ ad campaign. Link
  • Snapchat is teaming up with The Daily Mail and the world’s largest ad agency to launch a native advertising firm. Link

Start-ups:

  • Tinder is going public. Link
  • Postmates raises $80M in push toward $1 deliveries. Link
  • Olapic raises $15M. Link
  • Online jewelry startup BaubleBar to open retail stores. Link
  • OneFineStay, a high-end AirBnB rival confirms $40M funding round. Link
  • Same-day shopping app Curbside picks up $25M more in funding. Link

International:

  • JD.com partners with ZestFinance to offer credit services to Chinese customers. Link
  • How online retail is erasing borders. Link
  • Missguided launches first UK physical presence with Selfridges concession. Link
  • Forever 21 is set to launch flagship Sydney shop. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Android Wear gets new watch faces from Hello Kitty, Angry Birds and 15 other mega brands. Link
  • Apple Watch launches in seven new countries, coming to three more in July. Link
  • Apple researching geo-fencing technology that could make errands easier. Link
  • Uber hires former Google Maps chief to work on advanced research. Link
  • Amazon wants to turn its personal assistant, Alexa, into a leading platform. Link
  • Apple Music will let you stream 100,000 of your own tracks when iOS9 launches. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.22.2015

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

Brand/Retailer:

  • Gap closing 175 North American stores. Link
  • Twitter gets more shoppable with product pages and collections. Link
  • AmazonFresh becomes a Prime benefit in select California markets. Link
  • FitBit’s first day on Wall Street. Link
  • Starbucks to shutter all La Boulange stores. Link
  • Etsy takes on Kickstarter with crowdfunding platform. Link
  • Why brick-and-mortar sales are key to Warby Parker’s growth. Link
  • How WalMart plans to catch Amazon: subscription services and grocery pick up. Link
  • How Gap can turn things around. Link
  • Apple gives in on music fees after Taylor Swift’s letter. Link
  • Yoox Nat-a-porter stake up for grabs as Milan fashion set meets. Link
  • Ralph Lauren climbs after making progress on restructuring plan. Link
  • How Stussy became a $50M global streetwear brand. Link
  • Office Depot investors ok Staples merger. Link
  • WalMart to return greeters to the front door. Link
  • Abercrombie names new creative director. Link
  • Wardrobe basics give Uniqlo’s sales a boost. Link
  • Rag & Bone eyeing global growth. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Twitter’s Project Lightening is an event hub that aims to expand the reach of Twitter. Link
  • YouTube launches YouTube Newswire, a channel featuring verified eyewitness videos. Link
  • Buzzfeed showcases its serious side with a news app and customizable alerts. Link
  • Roku is introducing personalized interactive video ads. Link
  • Twitter acquires Whetlab to better organize tweets. Link
  • Google aims to own online ad attribution, native ad serving. Link
  • Barney’s makes its Instagram shoppable. Link
  • Nike leads Instagram gains among fashion brands. Link
  • Twitter said to plan marketing campaign, ads for live events. Link
  • Nestle will be the first brand to run a sponsored Periscope stream. Link

Start-ups:

  • The Instagram of news is here and its smarter than you think. Link
  • Dollar Shave Club is valued at $165M. Link
  • Google Ventures invests in Oxford University venture fund. Link

International:

  • Google grows ecommerce business in Europe with Ingenico partnership. Link
  • Alibaba wants to build the Netflix of China. Link
  • Alipay’s US chief talks expansion, Uber China partnership. Link
  • Facial-recognition concerns keep Facebook ‘Moments’ from Europe. Link
  • China to promote cross-border ecommerce as incomes rise. Link
  • mCommerce takes off in China. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Amazon is developing an app that would pay people to drop off packages. Link
  • Starbucks to expand mobile-ordering service to 17 states. Link
  • Linkedin is testing two new apps, plus a messaging overhaul. Link
  • Apple Watch arrives in stores, finally. Link
  • Apple chooses iPhone colors to please Chinese customers. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.15.2015

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Happy Monday! Check out industry news from the last week.  Sources in hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • Richemont invites LVMH to join site to compete with Amazon. Link
  • Blue Nile opens first standalone store. Link
  • Prada profit tumbles as luxury goods maker struggles in China. Link
  • Walgreens touches up its makeup in bid to win back customers. Link
  • Swatch plans to start selling sunglasses to boost product lineup. Link
  • Abercrombie gains as analyst sees growing faith in sales rebound. Link
  • Marriott is putting Netflix in its hotel rooms. Link
  • Old Navy pushes activewear to lure new shoppers. Link
  • Hotels offer luxury shopping inside your rooms. Link
  • What will Restoration Hardware’s new concept be? Link
  • Men’s Wearhouse wants to suit up Millennials. Link
  • Why Nordstrom will outperform Amazon over the next several years. Link
  • Sam’s Club expects drone sales to soar this holiday. Link
  • Target selling its pharmacies to CVS for $1.9B. Link
  • J.Crew lays off 10% of its headquarters. Link
  • American Apparel outlines its $1B roadmap. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Facebook is handing out free beacons to retailers. Link
  • Facebook challenges Pinterest with newsfeed buy button for Shopify merchants. Link
  • YouTube announces a standalone gaming app to compete with Twitch. Link
  • Facebook Messenger dips a tow into games with ‘Doodle Draw.’ Link
  • Spotify raises $526M amid battle with Apple. Link
  • Bethany Mota overtakes Michelle Phan as YouTube’s top beauty producer. Link

Start-ups:

  • Wantlist is Tinder for fashion. Link
  • Julep partners with Lyft for nail polish offering. Link
  • This brand wants to revolutionize fashion by turning you into the designer. Link
  • Brit + Co confirms $20M raise led by Intel, acquires how-to app Snapguide. Link
  • Foundry group backs fashion inspiration start-up Looklist. Link
  • Start-ups clamor to be the Airbnb of boats. Link
  • Blue Apron confirms $2B valuation in latest funding round. Link

International:

  • Amazon.ca launching clothing, shoe stores. Link
  • Boots pleased with Asos click-and-collect pilot so far. Link
  • Apple Pay coming to UK in July. Link
  • PayPal launches One Touch web payments service in UK and Canada. Link
  • The fate of your cross border customer could hinge on shipping. Link
  • India’s Myntra wants to be fashion assistant to half a billion people—on their smartphones. Link
  • Line bets on streaming music in Japan. Link
  • Alibaba founder visits U.S. to lure businesses into China. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Apple to add cards from Discover and some stores to Apple Pay. Link
  • Dunkin Donuts to explore delivery and mobile ordering. Link
  • Walgreens rethinks mobile design for Apple Watch app. Link
  • Expedia boosts mobile momentum with new booking options. Link
  • Apple wants to be your DJ, wallet and newspaper. Link
  • Gimbal wants to turn vending machines, jukeboxes and other devices into beacons. Link
  • Square unveils mobile wallet-friendly credit card reader. Link
  • Google experimenting with large images in mobile search results. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.8.2015

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

Brand/Retailer:

  • eBay Valet launches a clothing resale service focused on high-end brands. Link
  • Google launches My Account, a hub for your privacy settings. Link
  • Macy’s testing new at-home tailoring service from Men’s Warehouse founder. Link
  • College kids turn thumbs down on Michael Kors, Uggs, and Timberland. Link
  • Birchbox kicks off TV campaign, opens in Gap stores. Link
  • Hot Topic loses out to Gamestop on Geeknet acquisition. Link
  • How ASOS Magazine gets cover stars like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lawrence. Link
  • Sweaters account for slumping sales at Vince and J.Crew. Link
  • Fabletics debuts men’s line. Link
  • Macy’s, Dormify debut back-to-school bedding collection. Link
  • Gap partners with Spring app to revive image with millennials. Link
  • Amazon is building an elite tema to enter a new market: computer games. Link
  • Google is about to make the internet way better. Link
  • Honda pumps the brakes on trying to become a media company. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Coke’s new Twitter ads call out viewers by name. Link
  • Seven brands making genius moves in content and commerce. Link
  • Buzzfeed planning IPO. Link
  • Pinterest officially unveils buyable pins. Link
  • Coming soon: More ads on Instagram and a ‘buy’ feature on Pinterest. Link
  • Twitter taps IBM to launch a new consulting program for advertisers. Link
  • How much of a boost to celebrities give fashion campaigns? Link
  • eBay to roll out cost-per-sale ads for web merchants. Link
  • Ikea outlines major environmental investments. Link
  • CNN unveils new studio to produce content for advertisers. Link

Start-ups:

  • Latest London VC fund to focus on fashion, luxury tech. Link
  • Softbank invests $1B in Coupang, a Korean ecommerce start-up. Link
  • Pharmacy startup gets $50M in quest to build a better drugstore. Link
  • Mik Mak for iOS is a video shopping app for the Vine generation. Link

International:

  • H&M to open first store in India this fall. Link
  • New meaning for made in China. Link
  • Alibaba invests $194M into China Business News to build a financial data platform. Link
  • Yandex launches Yandex.Radio, a curated free music service for Russian users. Link
  • Saks to expand Off 5th in Canada. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Apple is bringing Apple Watch to stores, more countries. Link
  • Bustle looks for growth in app launch. Link
  • Facebook aims to propel video success to mobile. Link
  • Mobile ads boost physical store visits by 90 percent in first day of viewing. Link
  • Facebook launches lightweight app for emerging markets. Link
  • Microsoft purchases Wunderlist to add to its collection of productivity apps. Link
  • Apple revamps the app store’s games section with increased focus on editorial content. Link
  • Wells Fargo plans to scan your face and voice for mobile security. Link
  • European shopping app Mallzee makes US debut. Link
  • Mobile video ad spending is growing, lags desktop video. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 6.1.2015

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Happy Monday and Happy June! Below is a recap of industry highlights over the last week.  Sources can be found in the hyper-linked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • Amazon expands same-day delivery to new markets, drops price to free for orders over $35. Link
  • Leaked site reveals more info on “Shipping Pass,” Walmart’s answer to Amazon Prime. Link
  • Kors and Tiffany hit by strong dollar. Link
  • Yelp and Shoptiques link for ecommerce. Link
  • Crew is alienating its most important customers. Link
  • Gap teams up with Spring on digital pop-up shop. Link
  • Apple is working with Postmates to offer same-day delivery. Link
  • At Amazon, a rush to make speedy delivery free. Link
  • Levi’s and Google partner on “smart fabric.” Link
  • Abercrombie posts wider loss as currency hampers turnaround. Link
  • Hot Topic bid to purchase Geeknet. Link
  • Amazon is planning to add its own line of food. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Snapchat invests in Spring to capitalize on social commerce growth. Link
  • Vox Media acquires ReCode. Link
  • New hotel concept promises socially-focused customizable spaces for global nomads. Link
  • Google says ‘buy’ button coming to online advertising service. Link
  • Bethany Mota redefines being a celebrity. Link
  • Millenials follow Uber with new fashion trading model. Link
  • Twitter opens up more user data to marketers. Link
  • Target links up with Shazam for ad scans that link to shopping. Link
  • Facebook’s instant articles speed up mobile content. Link
  • Why Instagram works better for fashion brands. Link

Start-ups:

  • Amazon puts the call out to NYC startups. Link
  • For London’s fashion start-ups, it’s being social that counts. Link
  • Snapchat CEO: we have a plan for an IPO. Link
  • George Simmer starts an Uber for Tailors. Link

International:

  • How Target’s demise in Canada could be a gain for Lowe’s. Link
  • Michael Kors to open state of the art distribution center in Europe. Link
  • Alibaba expands logistics network to power next-day grocery deliveries in more Chinese cities. Link
  • JD.com sets its sights on connected devices. Link
  • Yahoo Japan shares climb on ecommerce alliance with Alibaba. Link
  • Walmart app adds shopping options in China. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • New Nordstrom app lets customers text with sales reps. Link
  • Barney’s launches iphone app. Link
  • What marketers should know about Google’s mobile upgrades. Link
  • Android Pay now lets you buy things with your fingerprint. Link
  • Google Play store now lets developers A/B test their app listing pages, customize their catalog. Link
  • Swatch reaffirms plans to build smartwatch with payments features. Link
  • Target wants to offer Apple Pay but focus is on chip and pin. Link
  • Piper Jaffray names virtual reality the next mega tech theme. Link
  • Google’s other mobile payments service: hands-free at McDonald’s. Link
  • Apple buys German augmented reality company Metaio. Link
  • Facebook’s Oculus snaps up advanced virtual reality startup. Link

Misc.:

  • Mary Meeker’s internet report: user growth slowing but disruption full speed ahead. Link
  • Retailers turn to innovation labs for evolution. Link
  • Apple’s Jony Ive named chief designer, gives up day-to-day role. Link
  • Jawbone sues Fitbit citing theft of trade secrets. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 5.18.2015

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Happy Monday! Below is a recap of industry news from the last week. Sources can be found in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brand/Retailer:

  • Balmain is next H&M collaboration. Link
  • Exchange rates took a toll on Gap’s Q1 results. Link
  • H&M readies new beauty line. Link
  • Nordstrom outlet stores fuel growth. Link
  • Opening Ceremony signs footwear license with Aldo product services. Link
  • Net-a-porter takes on Neiman, Nordstrom and Sakes with new app. Link
  • WalMart to test an unlimited three-day shipping service that’s half the price of Amazon Prime. Link
  • Macy’s embraces a “digical” world. Link
  • Verizon to buy AOL for $4.4B. Link
  • Amazon is working with indie merchants to expand Prime inventory. Link
  • JetBlue upgrades Amazon Prime members. Link
  • Why Nordstrom is the Amazon of department stores. Link
  • Macy’s adding a touch of luxury to its platinum stores. Link
  • Old Navy thrives after a style-conscious rebirth. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Apple may include social network for stars in its new streaming music service. Link
  • Twitter seeks path to more video bingers. Link
  • With Facebook’s instant articles, publishers may find 70 cents is better than a dollar. Link
  • Pinterest survey finds service influences purchasing decisions. Link
  • Facebook tests search engine to share links. Link
  • Taylor Swift nabs Twitter’s first celebrity custom emoji. Link
  • Lonely Planet will launch its first U.S. magazine as interest in international travel grows. Link

Start-ups:

  • Meet MikMak, the shopping app aiming to be QVC for millennials. Link
  • Decorist raises $4.5M to bring customers affordable design advice and room makeovers. Link
  • Tango offers shopping on its messaging service. Link
  • Former Lucky editor gets into tech scene with shopping app. Link
  • Carl Ichan takes $100M stake in Lyft. Link

International:

  • Apple bullish on Apple Pay in China amid talks with Alibaba. Link
  • Walmart taps Alipay to bring mobile payments to 25 China stores. Link
  • Sephora picks JD.com for China online store. Link
  • India’s largest online fashion portal Myntra goes mobile-only. Link
  • Zalora is using a pop-up shop to grow in Hong Kong. Link
  • No end in sight for Alibaba’s counterfeit problem. Link
  • Ikea to test new, smaller retail concept at new store in Ontario. Link
  • Kijiji, a flop in the U.S., rules online classifieds in Canada. Link
  • UK online fashion retailer Farfetch snaps up London’s Browns. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Apple buys GPS firm Coherent Navigation. Link
  • Marriott launches Concierge App, letting guests text in any request, anytime. Link
  • North Face uses virtual reality in stores. Link
  • Swatch to sell low-price watch with mobile payment functions. Link
  • Mobile shopping app Wish raised $500M at $3B valuation. Link
  • Google reportedly will add buy buttons to its mobile search results. Link
  • Amazon Echo finally lets you shop with just your voice (sort of). Link
  • Smartwatches are expected to fuel ads on wearables. Link
  • Google’s self-driving cars hit the road this summer. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 4.20.2015

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Happy Monday! Below is a recap of industry news from the last week. Sources are in the hyperlinked text after each headline.

Retailer + Brand News:

  • How teens are spending money, what they like and where they shop. Link
  • Etsy completes its IPO, valuing the craft marketplace at over $3.5Billion. Link
  • Kit and Ace maps westward US expansion. Link
  • Shopify files for IPO. Link
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods forecasts $9B in sales by 2017. Link
  • Music services overtake CDs for the first time. Link
  • Yahoo in talks to buy Foursquare. Link
  • Michael Kors winning with teens. Link
  • The North Face looks to training gear to boost sales beyond winter. Link
  • Glossier CEO on building a skincare, cosmetic empire online. Link
  • Toys “R” Us playing customer experience to win against WalMart, Amazon. Link
  • Inside Moleskin’s plans to sell you more than just notebooks. Link
  • Urban Outfitters launches new sport menswear line, Halo. Link
  • Target has more web woes during debut of Lilly Pulitzer line. Link
  • Uniqlo to collaborate with Carine Roitfeld. Link
  • Men’s Wearhouse has a plan to make Joseph Abboud a $1B brand. Link
  • Khol’s flexing its New York fashion muscle to bolster comeback. Link
  • Lilly Pulitzer sells out at Target. Link
  • Outdoor Voices takes on Lululemon with $1.1M in funding. Link
  • Net-a-porter brings Chanel “digital pop-up” ecommerce. Link

Social Media + Marketing:

  • Jay-Z to personally call select Tidal users. Link
  • Instagram takes another step toward ecommerce. Link
  • Why Facebook might emerge as the biggest Internet of Things company. Link
  • Twitter unveils new homepage for people who aren’t signed in. Link
  • How Old Navy is winning at YouTube. Link
  • Forrester analyst: Emotional campaigns will bypass ad-blocker in brains. Link
  • The rising power of social media influencers. Link
  • Burberry live streams on Periscope. Link
  • Snapchat signs a deal for second season of ‘Literally Can’t Even.’ Link
  • Is Facebook trying to edge out YouTube? Link
  • Chevy runs digital video ads in print. Link

Start-ups:

  • Vessel raises more cash to battle YouTube. Link
  • How a U.S.-made athleticwear brand raised $100K on Kickstarter. Link
  • The investors behind the next billion dollar startups. Link
  • Pharmacy startup PillPack could change the way America takes its medicine. Link
  • Snaps raises $6.5M to help brands take over emojis. Link
  • EyeEm raises $18M to expand its photo marketplace. Link
  • Spring closes $25M in funding. Link
  • Andreessen Horowitz hires former Facebook lawyer to help its startups. Link
  • Coin, the one credit card to rule them all, is finally shipping. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • China steps up economy. Link
    • New Hong Kong tourism restrictions to boost Japan, Korea. Link
    • Foreign companies at risk from proposed Chinese law. Link
  • [EU]
    • Ikea to invest up to 3Billion Euros in new shopping centers. Link  
  • [CA]
    • Major retail gains helping Canada economy turn around. Link
    • Loonie gains almost 2 cents as oil rises. Link
    • Apple planning Apple Pay launch in Canada for November. Link
  • [LATAM]
    • Ralph Lauren looks to Brazil as global growth accelerant. Link
    • How Macy’s found its fit in the Hispanic market. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • Whatsapp hits 800 Million users. Link
  • Instagram develops app for the Apple Watch. Link
  • Taco Bell to launch loyalty program via app. Link
  • For the fashion set, the jury is still out on the Apple Watch. Link
  • This new app wants to be the iTunes of smells. Link
  • New York Times makes Now App free, scrapping monthly fee to attract readers. Link
  • Epicurious brings cooking instructions to the Apple Watch with new smart timer app. Link

Other:

  • How your t-shirt can make you rich. Link
  • Netflix is now bigger than CBS. Link

WEEKLY INDUSTRY BRIEF: 4.6.2015

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Retailer + Brand News:

  • Yoox to buy Net-a-porter for $775 Million. Link
  • Chanel to launch ecommerce. Link
  • Amazon launches ‘Dash’ home ordering kit. Link
  • Google announces budget-priced Chromebits and Chromebooks. Link
  • American Apparel to lay off 180 employees. Link
  • GoDaddy pops 31% as it opens for trading, raising $460M in its IPO. Link
  • Everything to know about Primark, the EU fast fashion brand about to crush its US competition. Link
  • Amazon’s one-hour delivery lands in Atlanta. Link
  • Membership-based delivery services are beginning to disrupt the $600 Billion-a-year grocery industry. Link
  • Groupon quietly launches Groupon Stores, a marketplace for its $2B goods business. Link
  • JayZ relaunches Tidal with music’s biggest artists as his co-owners. Link
  • Birkenstocks SVP says Birks aren’t normcore. Link
  • Sophia Amuroso opens up about what’s next for Nasty Gal. Link
  • Nordstrom Rack’s digital secrets to in-store success. Link
  • Online consignment store sees strong fast-fashion demand. Link
  • Men are now the biggest online shoppers. Link
  • Saks President steps down, Hudson’s Bay names new president. Link

Social Media + Marketing:

  • Tinder launches its first in-app ad: a video spot for Bud Light. Link
  • Calvin Klein to sponsor exhibit in Central Park. Link
  • Pinterest’s new browser extension makes pinning way more efficient. Link
  • Mobile ads will smash $100B mark worldwide in 2016. Link
  • Pinterest shaking up social, search and shopping as it celebrates fifth birthday. Link
  • Twitter publicly launches Curator, its real-time search and filtering tool for media outlets. Link
  • New system tracks which ads coaxed your feet to walk into that store. Link
  • New York Times launches Men’s Style. Link
  • Tom Brady makes Periscope debut while shooting an ad for Ugg Australia. Link
  • Pinterest says more guys are joining the site than ever. Here’s what they are doing. Link

Start-ups:

  • Square rolls out open tickets to you can keep your tab open at bars. Link
  • Watch out Uber and Lyft, Ford’s working on its own ridesharing service. Link
  • Kickstarter’s ‘Campus’ offers project creators community guidance. Link
  • Instabrand raises $2.5M in venture funding. Link
  • LimeRoad, a fashion scrapbooking site based in India scoops up $30M Series C. Link
  • Reformation raises $12M. Link

International:

  • [APAC]
    • Snapdeal turns to local languages for better sales. Link
    • Japan app store prices to increase within 24 hours due to exchange rates. Link
    • Hilton expands digital check-in and rooms selection technology to more hotels. Link
    • China targets the dollar. Link
    • Korea’s online retailers see global sales growth. Link
  • [CA]
    • WalMart scaling back on free shipping to shoppers in Canada. Link
  • [EU]
    • Westfield and Inition use Oculus Rift virtual reality to showcase future of retail. Link

Mobile, Tablet, + Wearables:

  • Target merges art, apps and sales for unique product integrations. Link
  • Venmo finally getting an important security feature. Link
  • Woolworth’s Apple Watch app brings shopping lists to your wrist. Link
  • Smartphone-dependents often have no backup plan for web access. Link
  • IBM gets serious about Internet of Things with $3B investment. Link
  • Apple Pay’s biggest hurdle to overcome is at checkout. Link
  • New York Times to bring one-sentence stories to Apple Watch. Link
  • Whatsapp for Android allows users to make calls. Link
  • Verizon Wireless customers can now opt out of ‘supercookies.’ Link
  • Alibaba, Xiaomi partner for wearable payments. Link

Other:

  • AirBnB adds Cuba to destination list for US travelers. Link
  • The micro-living trend checks into hotels. 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