Tag: retail

Weekly Industry Brief: 7.27.2015

Leave a comment

Hello! Industry news from the last week.  Sources in the hyperlinked text after the headline. Have a great week!

Brand/Retailer:

  • Amazon Prime credit card will give you 5% cash back. Link
  • AirBnB launches new product to attract business travelers. Link
  • Apple profit up 38% but iPhone sales disappoint Wall Street. Link
  • Amazon spikes 14% after it reports surprise Q2 profit and better-than-expected revenue. Link
  • Etsy attracting more short sellers. Link
  • Moda Operandi’s co-founder is shutting down Tinker Tailor. Link
  • Rocket Internet says portfolio value is up 47% from IPO. Link
  • Everlane appoints former Gap creative director Rebekka Bay as head of product and design. Link
  • Comcast in talks with multiple new media firms. Link
  • Inside the fight for survival at Gap, J.Crew and Abercrombie. Link
  • Neiman Marcus partners with The RealReal to expand in-store consignment. Link
  • Macy’s to expand same-day delivery to new markets. Link
  • Stores like Bass Pro Shops and Restoration Hardware adding bars and restaurants to encourage lingering. Link
  • Dolce & Gabbana launches capsule collection on Net-a-porter. Link
  • Limited Too is back for millennial moms and their tweens. Link
  • Nordstrom launches personal shopping service for women under Trunk Club brand. Link
  • Amazon showrooming forces stores to go digital on price displays. Link
  • Converse wants chucks to feel like Nikes. Link
  • Inside Mercantile, J.Crew’s bet on cheaper clothes. Link
  • Tory Burch to launch Tory Sport. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • The Gap forms partnerships with companies from Birch Box to Virgin Hotels to boost business. Link
  • YouTube offers a solution to the vertical video problem. Link
  • Meerkat will now let you live-stream video from GoPro. Link
  • Print Renaissance: independent fashion magazines in an increasingly digital world. Link
  • Forever 21 turns your Instagram photos into real-time, real life portraits. Link
  • Victoria’s Secret ranks first in social popularity. Link
  • Nordstrom goes big with rooftop Instagram installation to promote sale. Link
  • YouTube chief pushes ahead with subscriptions despite questions. Link
  • Twitter introduces event-based ad targeting. Link

Startups:

  • eBay acquires San Francisco-based consignment, Twice. Link
  • Jet.com uses clever tactic to save money. Link

International:

  • Starbucks to launch mobile ordering in UK. Link
  • Taylor Swift to sell clothing on JD.com for Chinese shoppers. Link
  • How Burberry is building its Japan business. Link
  • F21 Red is coming to Canada. Link
  • eBay-backed Asian ecommerce company Giosis lands $82M in funding. Link
  • Facebook and other tech giants expand internet access in Africa. Link
  • From jewelry to hotels, Hong Kong business feel China’s pain. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • New York Times will offer free articles on the Starbucks app starting next year. Link
  • Number of mobile retail websites using responsive design more than doubles since 2014. Link
  • Starbucks joins with Lyft on loyalty program in app. Link
  • Apple Watch to be sold at Best Buy. Link
  • Apple Music, iTunes and App Store suffer outages. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 7.20.2015

Leave a comment

Brand/Retailer:

  • Google unveils “buy” button and host of new shopping features. Link
  • Amazon Prime Day promotion boosts sales as consumers squawk. Link
  • eBay sells enterprise unit for $925M ahead of PayPal split. Link
  • At Zappos, pushing shoes and a vision. Link
  • Apple is working on a new ecommerce system based on your credit card balance. Link
  • Hulu considers offering a priceier, ad-free tier. Link
  • Kate Spade adds slew of new lines for fitness, home and kids. Link
  • C.Wonder’s brand assets get acquired by Isaac Mizrahi’s parent company. Link
  • Amazon had mixed success with Prime Day – strong sales, but consumer backlash could linger. Link
  • Americans are spending less on clothing. Link
  • Retail sales in US unexpectedly fall on broad-based drop. Link
  • What will cheaper J.Crew line mean for the brand’s image? Link
  • Expedia’s Playlister will help you discover new music at the festival you’re headed to. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Eva Chen now Instagram’s Head of Fashion Partnerships. Link
  • Facebook takes big step forward on commerce, building shops into pages. Link
  • Three things marketers should note from Google’s second quarter earnings call. Link
  • Snapchat redesign puts spotlight on ‘Discover’ news portal. Link
  • Williams-Sonoma experiments with shoppable YouTube videos. Link
  • YouTube is now bigger than individual cable networks. Link
  • American Eagle launches BTS try-on sweeps with a $10K cash grand prize. Link
  • Tom’s of Maine turns to ‘micro-influencers’ to tackle Instagram. Link

Startups:

  • Beme is a social app that aims to replace illusions with reality. Link
  • Music video app Flipagram secures $70M. Link
  • Made.com raises $60M to accelerate European expansion. Link

International:

  • Uniqlo shutters JD.com flagship. Link
  • Alibaba strikes partnership with consumer goods giant Unilever. Link
  • Mexico, where shoppers still flock to Blockbuster and Woolworth. Link
  • Burberry’s plan to turn it around in Hong Kong: go local. Link
  • Mobile dominates future of China’s beauty ecommerce market. Link
  • Walmart Canada launches online grocery pickup service. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Birchbox’s monthly deliveries will give virtual reality a fascinating test run. Link
  • UK startups embrace Apple Pay as mobile payments grow. Link
  • Facebook’s Oculus to pay about $60M for gesture-control firm Pebbles. Link
  • Google’s ‘Mobilegeddon’ was a big deal after all. Link
  • Yahoo quietly launches a new “video texting” mobile messaging app on iTunes. Link
  • Nordstrom makes it easy to shop via text. Link
  • App engagement surpasses desktop in US. Link
  • LVMH to introduce Apple Watch rival. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 7.13.2015

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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: 5.26.2015

Leave a comment

Hope everyone in the US enjoyed a long weekend! 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:

  • FAO Schwarz’s Manhattan store to close in July as rents rise. Link
  • Target to focus on fresh, healthy foods. Link
  • Etsy plunges 13% after reporting its first-quarter financial performance. Link
  • WordPress sets its sights on ecommerce. Link
  • Net-a-porter is still in the red but losing a lot less money. Link
  • eBay preps Amazon Prime competitor. Link
  • Kate Spade partners with startup Everpurse to sell iPhone-charging bags. Link
  • Amazon Prime Now adds local stores in Manhattan. Link
  • Gap’s brand revival may take a few more seasons. Link
  • Fast fashion has completely disrupted apparel retail. Link
  • Retailers digitize the fitting room experience. Link
  • Kohl’s to open off-price outlet. Link
  • Target goes upscale. Link
  • American Eagle launching new clothing brand to lure back teens. Link
  • Anthropologie’s dresses miss tests loyalty. Link
  • H&M to open biggest store yet in Herald Square. Link
  • Marissa Webb’s first designs for Banana Republic aren’t hitting the mark with shoppers. Link
  • Gap meets estimates as Old Navy helps prop up retailer. Link
  • Ann Inc. tops 1Q profit forecasts. Link

Marketing/Social:

  • Google adds tweets to mobile search results. Link
  • Pinterest unveils its first video-like ad and new ad pricing models. Link
  • Spotify launches video streaming. Link
  • Mondelez bets big on ecommerce with shoppable ads and ‘buy now’ buttons. Link
  • Bitly launches audience intel to give marketers more data on how content is shared. Link
  • Google’s mobile buy button is an Instant Articles for retailers. Link
  • Google wants YouTube viewers to shop while they watch. Link
  • Pinterest bolsters ads with cinematic pins. Link
  • Instagram’s cool questioned as it starts emailing users with ‘highlights.’ Link

Start-ups:

  • Flipkart is valued at $15B after latest funding. Link
  • Booze on-demand service Drizly lands $13M to expand. Link
  • Izberg marketplace turns any website into an ecommerce marketplace. Link
  • Mode Media (formerly Glam Media) raises $30M for lifestyle media publishing platform. Link
  • 6Tribes is a social networking app that wants to make tribes of ‘foodies’ and ‘coffee geeks.’ Link

International:

  • Singapore’s postal service reinvents itself for the digital age. Link
  • Expedia sells majority stake in Chinese partner eLong for $671M. Link
  • eBay plots European growth with click-and-collect expansion. Link
  • China cuts import tax on clothes and other goods. Link
  • Alibaba’s latest gambit in fighting fakes: foster local brands. Link

Mobile/Emerging Tech:

  • Messaging app Line is testing a music streaming service. Link
  • PayPal’s instant checkout now works with bigcommerce, no longer requires app. Link
  • Target will roll out RFID price tags to improve inventory management. Link
  • Fetch offers AI-powered Apple Watch app. Link
  • Apple’s new streaming service might cause delay in Apple TV launch. Link
  • Montblanc to Apple: Our Swiss smartwatch will outlast yours. Link

Misc.:

  • Conde Nast launches fellowship program in the wake of internships. Link
  • Disney’s research lab figures out how to put words in your mouth. Link

Weekly Industry Brief: 5.18.2015

Leave a comment

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