Tag: retail

Industry Brief: 2.25.2020

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Hi! Here is a quick round-up of some news from around the industry over the last few weeks. Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headlines.

Brands + Retailers

  • Victoria’s Secret to go private at $1.1B valuation.  The Wall Street Journal
  • As DTC brands move into wholesale, analytics platforms follow.  Vogue
  • How brands are battling knock-offs on Amazon.  AdWeek
  • Apple stores reopen in China despite coronavirus outbreak.  Fast Company
  • As Walmart grows in ecommerce, investors look for a plan to stem the losses.  CNBC
  • Nevermind the internet, here’s what’s killing malls. The New York Times
  • How Amazon is causing us to drown in trademarks.  The New York Times
  • Inside the fall of Softbank-backed Brandless.  Axios
  • Pier 1 declares bankruptcy.  CBS News
  • Bed Bath & Beyond to sell gift unit in Turnaround bid. Bloomberg
  • Amazon opens its first cashier-less grocery store.  TechCrunch
  • Target moves up among ecommerce players.  Forbes
  • Forever 21 will live on with new owners.  NPR

Marketing + Social

  • Amazon’s new web TV series merges content and commerce.  LA Times
  • Unilever will stop targeting kids in advertising. Digiday
  • Inside Glossier’s fight to trademark its iconic bubble wrap bags.  Fast Company
  • How brands are using TikTok to go after a new age group with huge spending power.  Inc
  • Facebook blocks device-level phone data.  AdAge
  • How Gen Z is using Instagram to shop.  Glossy
  • Inside RxBar’s new influencer strategy. Digiday
  • Beyond subway ads, how startups are investing in out of home.  Modern Retail
  • Instagram prototypes letting IGTV creators monetize with ads.  TechCrunch
  • Google ends its free Wifi program.  TechCrunch
  • Disney Plus has over 28M subscribers. The New York Times
  • Toy industry looks to YouTube talent for next generation of merchandise.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Is technology subsuming marketing? Harvard Business Review

Emerging Tech

  • New tool aims to track whether influencers and other digital ads actually drive online sales.  AdAge
  • Goodyear finds uses for AI and IoT in tires, tools.  Forbes
  • Salesforce buys Vlocity for over $1B.  TechCrunch
  • Apple is teaming up with Johnson & Johnson to see if the Apple Watch can reduce the risk of stroke.  Fast Company

Industry Brief: 1.13.20

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Hi! Happy New Year! If you follow this newsletter you’ve noticed I’ve been radio silent the last couple of months. This is because I’ve been quite busy with a new job of becoming a mama. But, now that my baby girl is two months old and I’m *sort of* out of the initial fog, I thought I’d catch up on what’s been going on in the industry. I won’t go so far as to say this will be weekly this year because, well, I’ve got this new full-time job of being a mom plus my other full-time job, plus trying to be a normal, decent human being  as well.

So for now, I hope you enjoy this quick recap! As always, sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline. 

Brands + Retailers

  • Goop is coming to Sephora.  CNBC
  • Abercrombie & Fitch says its willing to walk away from any mall.  Bloomberg
  • More brands are leaving Amazon, but the strategy could backfire.  CNBC
  • Men may not buy into the growing clothing rental market.  The New York Times 
  • In 2020, retail is moving back to Main Street.  Fast Company
  • Away’s CEO returns weeks after stepping down. The New York Times
  • Will Gap really spin off Old Navy?  Retail Dive
  • Alphabet nears $1T market cap on ad-growth optimism.  AdAge
  • How the way we shop for sneakers has changed over the last decade.  Fashionista
  • Lord & Taylor plots its comeback under new owner.  CNBC
  • Kohl’s and J.C. Penney lose more ground amidst sluggish holiday sales.  Bloomberg
  • Amazon’s Business-to-Business marketplace could be a $31B business in four years.  CNBC
  • Why UK luxury department stores are outperforming their US counterparts.  Glossy
  • Cartier partners with TMall to grow Chinese presence. WWD
  • Mexico is Walmart’s biggest international market.  Reuters

Marketing + Social Media

  • As Instagram reaches upper limits of US user growth, expect to see more ways to shop.  Forbes
  • Rent the Runway CEO says transparency about logistics problems boosted brand loyalty.  AdWeek
  • Who is buying 2020 Super Bowl Ads.  AdAge
  • Zuckerberg outlines Facebook’s five areas of focus.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Natura CEO plans to reinvent Avon Ladies into a glamsquad of “influencers.” Fortune 
  • Facebook and Instagram will allow users to see fewer political ads in 2020 election.  Fast Company 
  • Podcast listeners are active and open to brand messaging.  eMarketer
  • The boutique fitness industry’s mission to monetize community. Quartz
  • With customer acquisition costs on the rise, DTC leans on referral programs.  Glossy
  • Gen Z shoppers want a cute, cheap outfit that looks cute on Instagram.  The New York Times
  • The new trend of piercing pop-ups. The Wall Street Journal

Emerging Tech + Start Ups

  • Casper files for IPO.  Fast Company
  • P&G acquires women’s shaving company, Billie. CrunchBase
  • Walmart expands robotic workforce to 65o stores.  AdAge
  • Visa to buy Plaid for $5.3B in effort to reach start-ups.  Bloomberg
  • Procter & Gamble’s innovations at CES show shift to data-driven products.  Forbes
  • This AirBnB-style startup wants you to skip long-term leases and go month-to-month instead.  Fast Company 
  • BMW debuts AR windshield that responds to gaze.  Next Reality 

Weekly Industry Brief: 11.5.2019

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Tuesday edition! Here is a recap of industry news from the last week.  Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

    • StitchFix is giving deep into data for a more tailored experience.  Fortune
    • Shopify now has 1 million businesses.  Fast Company
    • J.C. Penney plots a comeback: less clutter, more yoga.  The Wall Street Journal
    • Starbucks is opening a NYC micro-cafe without menu boards.  AdAge
    • Apple sets out to tackle California’s housing crisis.  Fortune
    • McDonald’s fires CEO after employee relationship revealed.  AdAge
    • Walmart appears to be gaining ground against Amazon.  CNBC
    • Under Armor is subject of federal accounting probes.  The Wall Street Journal
    • Six numbers that explain the fate of department stores.  Retail Dive
    • Why a top VC and a former LinkedIn exec think hobbies are the future of commerce.  Fast Company
    • Walmart offers curbside alcohol pickup, beer and wine delivery in Florida.  WFLA
    • Why Ayurveda could be the next K-Beauty.  Glossy
    • Rental and resale are transforming how we shop this holiday season and beyond.  Forbes
    • Barney’s new parent company shares plans for the brand’s future.  Forbes
    • How Amazon is trying to win over more online grocery shoppers.  Modern Retail
    • Some DTC brands are trading equity for manufacturing expertise.  Glossy
    • Estee Lauder downgraded by Piper Jaffray who says teenagers are wearing less makeup.  CNBC
    • All the things Amazon is doing to encourage indie brands to sell on its platform.  WWD
    • MZ Wallace launches men’s accessories.  Fast Company

Social Media + Marketing

    • Venmo launches a rewards program offering up to 5% back at Target, Sephora, Dunkin’ and Wendy’s.  TechCrunch
    • Fears over Chinese ownership of TikTok grow as U.S. launches security investigation.  Fast Company
    • Google is staying silent about political ads on YouTube while Facebook and Twitter squabble.  CNBC
    • Facebook’s new branding distinguishes app from acquisitions.  TechCrunch
    • Amazon to have nearly 10% of 2021 US digital ad market.  eMarketer
    • Pinterest’s sales fall short on less-lucrative overseas growth.  AdAge
    • LinkedIn sets record for members, unveils principles.  AdWeek
    • Facebook tweaks Messenger, ad metrics.  Marketing Land
    • Facebook reports increase in ad revenue and users in third quarter.  AdAge

Start up + Acquisitions + Emerging Tech

    • Google is buying FitBit for $2.1B.  Fast Company
    • Wearable spending forecasted to increase 27% in 2020.  TechCrunch
    • New sites are helping customer make sense of the DTC landscape.  Modern Retail

International 

    • You can now use AirBnB in 31 more languages.  Fast Company
    • Amazon now sells movie tickets in India.  TechCrunch

Weekly Industry Brief: 10.28.2019

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

Brands + Retailers

    • LVMH bids $14.5B for Tiffany.  Bloomberg
    • Barney’s moves forward with sale to Authentic Brands Group.  The Wall Street Journal
    • Amazon stock tumbles after earnings and AWS revenues fall short of estimates.  Fast Company
    • Microsoft wins $10B Pentagon cloud contract, beating Amazon.  Fortune
    • Macy’s becomes the biggest US retailer to end fur sales.  The Guardian
    • Twitter stock plunges as company blames ad targeting problems for earnings miss. MarketWatch
    • Visa, Mastercard debut one-click checkout to compete with PayPal, Apple Pay.  Bloomberg
    • Mega-mall opens in New Jersey with more entertainment than retail.  Fast Company
    • Birchbox is looking beyond beauty for its next phase of growth.  CNBC
    • Playing the handbag stock market.  The New York Times 
    • The Body Shop builds sales with return to green roots.  WWD
    • Procter & Gamble beats expectations again amid media hikes and agency cuts.  AdAge
    • How Dick’s Sporting Goods is building a future on sports, not guns.  Fortune
    • Amazon pop-up helps shoppers find the perfect pair of jeans.  WWD
    • First Aid Beauty’s founder on being acquired by P&G.  WWD
    • Report says Google parent company, Alphabet, makes offer for Fitbit.  Fortune

Social Media + Marketing

    • Dior, Snapchat create AR experiences to back luggage collection created with Rimowa.  AdWeek
    • Gap focuses on digital with a holiday campaign that won’t air on TV.  AdAge
    • Facebook rolls out a stand-alone news service in its mobile app. AdWeek
    • Amazon ad sales show marked slow down.  MediaPost
    • Snapchat’s third quarter brings big gains.  AdWeek
    • Kind gets 18M views in less than a day on TikTok.  AdAge
    • 12 important updates made by Instagram this year.  Social Media Today
    • Snapchat makes sharing content easier.  The Drum
    • How programmatic disruption is creating a fourth era of digital marketing.  AdWeek

Start up + Acquisitions + Emerging Tech

    • Target incubator propels mission-driven Gen Z startups into the marketplace.  Fortune
    • Apple is revamping it’s smart home efforts after falling behind Amazon and Google.  AdAge
    • London’s top consumer VC’s share which trends they’re tracking.  TechCrunch
    • Combining StitchFix and Instagram, FlipFit ushers in the next phase of social retail.  TechCrunch
    • Why Target won’t be rolling out in-store robots.  CNN
    • VW is betting big on electric.  Bloomberg
    • Google search is starting to use machine-based learning.  Google

Weekly Industry Brief: 10.21.2019

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

Brands + Retailers

    • Authentic Brands Group bids $271M to buy Barneys New York.  Reuters
    • Under Armour to make spacesuits for Virgin Galatic flights.  CNBC
    • Best Buy touts first-party data capabilities as it looks to build its media business.  Digiday
    • Gymboree brand will stage a comeback in 2020 thanks to Children’s Place.  CNBC
    • How big box retailers are competing to win a greater share of holiday toy sales.  Modern Retail
    • Netflix stock skyrockets on profit beats despite looming threat from Disney, Apple.  Fast Company
    • How Amazon is redefining the expensive and wasteful process of returns.  CNBC
    • Ulta wins exclusive Kyle Cosmetics holiday collection.  Refinery29
    • Nike shifts distribution strategy.  Forbes
    • Why your next Louis Vuitton bag may hail from Texas.  The Wall Street Journal
    • Kellogg’s new inclusion cereal features 6 cereals and 6 mascots.  Fast Company
    • Hudson’s Bay in $1.5B deal to go private. Reuters
    • The North Face sharpens focus on sustainability.  Glossy

Social Media + Marketing

    • Facebook tweaks algorithm, opens search ad placement.  AdWeek
    • Adidas admits that it over-invested in digital advertising.  MarketingWeek
    • How Abercrombie ditched its past to try to bring back customers.  CNBC
    • Amazon charges brands top dollar to be in its curated holiday toy guide.  AdAge
    • Shoppable ads pop up on TikTok.  Economic Times
    • Facebook launches new ‘Disruptor Hub’ to outline how businesses are seeing major growth online.  Social Media Today
    • Influencers tell you what to buy while advertisers wonder who’s listening. The Wall Street Journal
    • Google teams up with Dominos for special Pixel 4 deliveries. AdAge
    • Snapchat’s targeting direct-response advertisers with new dynamic ads product.  Digiday
    • Kohl’s teams up with Instagram and Facebook to update its beauty department.  Glossy
    • Small retailers are prioritizing Amazon as search ads continue to grow.  Modern Retail

Start up + Acquisitions + Emerging Tech

    • Walgreens makes first drone delivery in Virginia test.  The Verge
    • Bose is the latest tech company to expand into healthcare.  Fast Company

International 

    • Travel retail spending on the rise.  WWD
    • ASOS invests to grow global online sales.  Forbes
    • Ikea’s India growth plans feature smaller cities and formats.  The Economic Times

Weekly Industry Brief: 10.15.2019

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Hi! Here is your weekly recap of industry news. Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

  • Handbag sales reveal a major shift in where consumers are shopping.  CNBC
  • Toys ‘R’ Us taps Target to fulfill online orders.  AdAge
  • How Glossier grew from millennial catnip to billion-dollar juggernaut.  Vanity Fair 
  • LVMH bets on a mental health-focused streetwear label.  Fast Company
  • Sears, Kmart to shutter more stores by year’s end.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Amazon changes “add-on” policy to allow small-item fast delivery.  Vox
  • With new sampling program, Uniqlo takes page from DTC brands.  Modern Retail
  • Walmart subsidizing some vendors in price wars with Amazon.  AdAge
  • Target expands Goodfellow & co into razors.  Glossy
  • Why eBay, Stripe and MasterCard are bailing on Facebook’s Libra. Fast Company
  • Victoria’s Secret exec resigns as retailer trims HQ staff.  CNN
  • Best Buy promises loyalty members Black Friday price matching.  Star Tribune
  • Wegman’s fan count the days to Brooklyn store opening.  The Wall Street Journal
  • How Unilever plans to dramatically slash its use of plastic.  Fast Company 
  • Google is funding climate-change deniers.  Fast Company
  • Kith’s co-founder in final talks to buy Barneys New York.  GQ

Marketing + Social Media

  • Facebook agrees to pay advertisers $44M over inflated video stats.  AdAge
  • Google introduces price-tracking and enhanced visual search in latest ecommerce bid.  RetailDive
  • Abercrombie & Fitch focuses on mental health.  MediaPost
  • Apps hit $21.9M in global Q3 revenue.  TechCrunch
  • Instagram introduces Threads, taking on Snapchat messaging. Business of Fashion
  • Reddit strikes sharing deal with Snap.  AdAge
  • Gen Z spends more time on YouTube than Netflix.  AdWeek
  • “Aspirational realness,” the Instagram cool-girl look disguises advertising as authenticity.  Quartzy
  • Disney+ tweets full lineup of movies and shows coming to its platform.  TechCrunch
  • Are ‘closet accounts’ the future of fashion journalism?  The New York Times
  • Brands build buzz with TikTok initiatives.  Glossy
  • Amazon Music arrives on Apple TV.  TechCrunch
  • Facebook upgrades business capabilities ahead of holidays.  Social Media Today
  • Pinterest unveils mental health resources.  AdWeek
  • Amazon nibbles away at Google’s search advertising dollars.  AdAge

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • Comcast and SK Telecom form joint eSports company.  ZDNet
  • Uber to acquire majority stake in grocery-delivery service CornerShop.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Amazon develops drones that won’t crash into other things.  Fortune
  • Whole Foods welcomes robotic barista.  Supermarket News
  • Dyson scraps plan for electric car.  BBC

International

  • Why luxury goods are so expensive in China.  CNBC
  • TMall is becoming luxury fashion’s online gateway to China.  Quartz
  • How China is fueling the growth of beauty brands.  CNBC
  • Nestle’s personalized vitamin-pack subscription service set to expand globally.  Forbes
  • Flipkart confirms its entering the the food retail business in India.  TechCrunch

Weekly Industry Brief: 9.30.2019

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One last post for September! Here is a recap of industry news from the last week.  As always, sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

  • Forever 21 files for bankruptcy.  Fast Company
  • Barney’s receives interest from potential buyers.  The Wall Street Journal
  • WeWork still needs cash after pulling IPO.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Apple plans to bring feature-length films to theaters.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Lease of faith: Why churches are going into malls.  Retail Dive
  • Healthcare may eventually become a bigger business for Best Buy than selling electronics.  Forbes
  • McKinsey to open a store at Mall of America.  Fortune
  • Rent the Runway pauses taking new customers as inventory and supply chain issues mount.  CNBC
  • Tod’s appoints former Google exec to amp up digital efforts.  The Business of Fashion
  • Old Navy is set to split from Gap.  Fortune
  • Uber is testing letting users record audio if they feel unsafe on their ride.  Fast Company
  • Mattel’s Barbie bets big on gender-neutral dolls.  Fortune
  • Diesel and Coke team up on fashion collection made from recycled packaging.  AdAge
  • Amazon focuses on Alexa privacy as it unveils new gadgets.  AdAge
  • Sneakers are set to outsell fashion footwear in the US for the first time.  Quartz

Marketing + Social Media

  • Instagram launches reminders to support product drops.  Vogue
  • Snapchat extends video ad limit to three minutes.  AdAge
  • How to create an online community that people will pay for.  Harvard Business Review
  • The age of anxiety is making wellness a generational obsession.  Glossy
  • Why brands no longer need CMOs.  Vogue Business
  • Ipsy’s $500M in revenue is driven by influencers.  The Business of Fashion
  • The Food Network’s Peloton-style streaming service will bring Guy Fieri into your kitchen.  The Verge
  • Retailers look to spend more on Amazon advertising.  Modern Retail
  • How Chevy is winning with Gen-Z and millennials.  Forbes
  • Pinterest users are more likely to try new CPG products.  AdWeek
  • Instagram launches a ‘creators’ account to encourage more creation.  TechCrunch
  • Cracking the code on podcast advertising for customer acquisition. TechCrunch
  • Twitch tweaks its visual identity.  AdWeek
  • YouTube TV is now available on Fire TV devices.  TechCrunch

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • Facebook to buy startup for controlling computers with your mind.  AdAge
  • The new ways retailers are watching you shop.  The Business of Fashion
  • DoorDash suffers data breach affecting 4.9M people.  TechCrunch
  • Hyundai is getting into the flying car business. TechCrunch 
  • Sephora’s Accelerate startups stress sustainability.  Glossy
  • Unilever sees promise in blockchain ad-buying pilot.  Campaign US
  • Google brings wearable tech to Levi’s trucker jacket.  TechCrunch

International

  • The biggest trend in Chinese social media is fading and another is already taking its place.  CNBC
  • India’s holiday commerce sales to test severity of shopping slump.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Facebook tests hiding like counts, like Instagram, in Australia.  The Next Web
  • PayPal to enter China through GoPay acquisition.  TechCrunch

Weekly Industry Brief: 9.23.2019

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Happy Monday and officially Happy Fall!  Here is a roundup of industry news from the last week.  As always, sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headlines.

Brands + Retailers

  • Walmart is testing a fulfillment service for vendors to match Amazon.  Bloomberg
  • Amazon expands two-hour Whole Foods delivery to more cities.  Bloomberg
  • Walmart launches two new credit cards offering 5% back on digital purchases.  TechCrunch
  • Allbirds to Amazon: don’t seal our design, steal our sustainable practices  Fast Company
  • Gen Z shopping habits can fuel a brick-and-mortar resurgance.  CNBC
  • Macy’s will try free same-day delivery in select markets.  Business Insider 
  • Hollister to debut small-format store in NYC.  CNBC
  • Amazon pledges to meet Paris climate pact 10 years early.  Bloomberg
  • Best Buy to expand lease-to-buy program to more locations.  Star Tribune
  • HP is pay9ing $11M to protect forests.  Fast Company
  • A look at 50 years in Denim and Khahi at the Gap.  The New York Times 
  • Walmart to stop selling e-cigarettes.  CNBC
  • Why and what millennials and Gan Zers rent instead of buy.  AdWeek
  • More of the products you view on Amazon are coming from ads.  Recode 
  • Google says it’s cutting back on audio data collection on Google Home speakers.  Fortune
  • Big brands like P&G and Kimberly Clark try new products in feminine care.  The Wall Street Journal

Marketing + Social Media

  • Facebook experiments with AI-powered styling program.  Vogue
  • Facebook details three new interactive ad options.  AdWeek
  • Behind Pinterest’s bet on shopping.  AdAge
  • Pinterest’s lens can now recognize 2.5B home and fashion objects.  VentureBeat
  • Twitter wants to be a laboratory for marketers.  AdAge
  • YouTube stars rattled by verification changes.  BBC
  • Snapchat uses AR billboards in LA to back two of its Snap original shows.  AdWeek
  • ‘Play Pass’ is Google’s answer to Apple Arcade. Fast Company
  • Even Tinder is getting into original content with Swipe Night.  AdWeek
  • Facebook reviews millions of third party apps for data privacy.  Fortune
  • Louis Vuitton brings fashion to League of Legends.  AdWeek
  • Instagram’s algorithm favors more realistic content because that’s what people want.  Quartzy
  • Marketers are looking to casual gaming to target audiences.  AdWeek
  • Oracle wants to bring big data to GIFs.  AdWeek
  • Google rolls out massive shakeup to ad business. AdAge

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • WeWork to delay IPO.  Gizmodo
  • Stripe launches Stripe Capital to make instant loan offers to customers on its platform.  TechCrunch
  • @ThingTesting gets VC-backing for Instagram DTC reviews.  TechCrunch
  • The Wing has $118M in funding and is just getting started.  Inc.
  • Behind AirBnB’s purchase of HotelTonight and push into hotels.  AdAge
  • Facebook buys startup building neural monitoring armband.  TechCrunch
  • How Peloton made sweat addictive enough to IPO.  TechCrunch

International

Weekly Industry Brief: 9.16.2019

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Happy Monday! Here is a rundown of news from the last week.  Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

  • Amazon’s new multi-story warehouse aims to cut delivery times.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Old Navy outlines growth plans as standalone company.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Madewell files paperwork to take itself public, a spinoff from J.Crew. Fast Company
  • Nestle plans for a new world of sustainable packaging.  Fast Company
  • Gap CMO plans turnaround for iconic brand.  The Drum
  • Amazon changed search algorithm in ways that boost its own products.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Online grocery sales grew 15% this year.  GroceryDive
  • Under Armour stresses performance over athleisure.  CNBC
  • As Gucci tripped on social media, sales fell.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Lululemon’s first new brand is finally here.  Fast Company
  • Crate & Barrel to expand restaurant to up to 15 locations.  Fortune
  • Amazon faces a probe by U.S. antitrust officials over its marketplace.  AdAge
  • GameStop closing 200 stores.  Fortune
  • How Hasbro’s CEO s transforming the brand.  Forbes

Marketing + Social Media

  • Why Marriott is betting big on content and starting to look like a media company.  AdWeek
  • Secret Deodorant commits to boosting attendance at women’s soccer games by purchasing 9,000 tickets.  Yahoo
  • Facebook rolls out new video tools.  TechCrunch
  • Why weather data is the hottest new commodity for brands and businesses.  AdWeek
  • Pinterest shares details on Halloween-related searches.  AdWeek
  • Google has a new Tinder-style interface for finding stuff to watch.  The Next Web
  • Facebook leans on Instagram to boost new dating service. AdAge
  • Marketers developing affinity for TikTok. eMarkter
  • Snapchat partners with DoubleVerify for brand safety.  MarketingLand
  • How Dirty Lemon built its brand on Instagram and texting. Yahoo
  • Brands start marketing towards holiday.  AdAge

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • Consumers increasingly prefer voice and chat assistants to humans.  VentureBeat
  • New hand gesture technology could wave goodbye to passwords.  Forbes
  • McDonald’s buys startup to automate drive=thru ordering.  AdAge
  • Walt Disney Studios partners with Microsoft Azure on cloud innovation lab.  TechCrunch
  • Smile Direct Club makes its debut on the public market.  TechCrunch

International

  • Canada’s Hudson’s Bay ditches 300 brands in quest for cool factor.  Financial Post
  • Jack Ma retires from Alibaba. CNN

Weekly Industry Brief: 9.9.2019

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Happy Monday! Here is your recap of industry news from the week.  Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

  • Nordstrom lets you return online orders to Macy’s.  Bloomberg
  • As luxury brands exit 5th Avenue, activewear companies are swooping in with tech-focused stores.  Glossy
  • The luxury evolution of the museum gift shop.  Fashionista
  • With Aerie, Jenn Foyle has revolutionized the lingerie industry.  Fashionista
  • Amazon is testing a ‘new’ badge to help shoppers identify new products.  Fast Company
  • Starbucks is opening a pick-up-only store.  Fast Company
  • Walmart tests dentistry and mental care as it moves deeper into primary health.  CNBC
  • Target’s loyalty program is expanding nationwide in October with perks for all shoppers.  USA Today
  • Nintendo switches it up again with new fitness device.  Forbes

Marketing + Social Media

  • Facebook, Google targets of potential antitrust violations.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Google is fined $170M for violating children’s privacy on YouTube.  The New York Times
  • Facebook and Instagram are testing new shopping features.  AdWeek
  • To acquire customers more cheaply, DTC brands are partnering up.  Modern Retail
  • Facebook says it may remove Like counts, too.  TechCrunch
  • YouTube starts phasing out exact subscriber numbers.  Campaign Live
  • Google set to roll out first-price auctions.  AdWeek
  • The story of the Gila Disruptor II, the internet’s most divisive shoe.  Dazed
  • Brands, influencers join forces on TikTok.  eMarketer
  • How Amazon’s ad growth is threatening Google, Facebook, agencies and ad-tech.  Marketing Dive 
  • Coca-Cola’s Fanta shifting TV spend to digital, social.  Digiday
  • Popular YouTube toy reviewer who’s just a kid under scrutiny for ‘deceptive advertising.’ AdAge
  • Coffee, travel and skincare are among 12 industries millennials are boosting.  Fast Company
  • Underwear ads lose the macho: how marketing has embraced real men.  The New York Times
  • Spotify and Snapchat are rolling out an integration on iOS, Android.  AdWeek

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • These startups are tackling the most frustrating women’s health issues.  Fast Company
  • WeChat launches product that allows consumers to pay with facial recognition.  Pandaily
  • General Motors to launch new in-vehicle services with Google.  Telecompaper
  • How much is WeWork worth? Maybe half as much as people previously thought.  Fast Company
  • Shopify buys warehouse automation tech developer 6 River Systems for $450M.  TechCrunch

International