Tag: retail

Weekly Industry Brief: 9.2.2019

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Ah, Labor Day. A day to re-charge and re-set before the start of the “new” year (i.e. school), and the unofficial end of summer/start of fall. As you ease back into the work week, here is the industry news from the last week.  As always, sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

  • Peloton files for IPO on Nasdaq.  Fortune
  • Ulta Beauty cuts sales forecast as consumers cool on makeup.  The Wall Street Journal
  • The high price of fast fashion.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Lord & Taylor sells clothing rental subscription company Le Tote.  CNN
  • FedEx, UPS jockey with Amazon as tech giant expands into shopping.  CNBC
  • Apple apologizes over Siri privacy and says it will no longer retain audio recordings.  AdAge
  • Forever 21 prepares for bankruptcy filing.  AdAge
  • The missing piece of Amazon’s New York debacle: it kept a burn book.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Tourists aren’t shopping like they used to. Who will replace them? The Business of Fashion
  • Sir Philip Green plots to break up his TopShop empire.  The Times
  • Target’s drive-up pickup service expands nationwide. TechCrunch
  • StichFix buys Finer, a digital wardrobe startup co-founded by Brooklyn Decker.  Yahoo
  • Rihanna’s lingerie brand receives $50M in fresh funding.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Marriott to remove mini toiletries from all hotels as part of corporate sustainability drive.  AdWeek
  • After Kimono backfired, Kim Kardashian plays it safe with new shareware name.  LA Times
  • Sources say Barney’s in talks for sale to online luxury retailer Farfetch.  New York Post
  • L’Oreal’s only female CEO, the founder of IT Cosmetics, is leaving.  Forbes
  • Gap shares plans for Old Navy spin-off.  Fox Business

Marketing + Social Media

  • Twitch pitches branded games.  Digiday
  • Google to pay more than $150M in YouTube privacy case.  AdAge
  • Generic brands are getting some serious upgrades.  AdWeek
  • Snap unwraps $380 high-tech specs.  Tech News World
  • Instagram is reportedly building a new messaging app named Threads.  Gizmodo
  • Gartner: four emerging digital ad trends.  ClickZ
  • Mattel thinks beyond toys to expand iconic brands like Barbie.  AdWeek
  • Ralph Lauren makes TikTok debut with ad campaign tied to the US Open.  Glossy
  • Inside the selfie factory for influencers.  BBC
  • Now Facebook says it may remove like counts. TechCrunch 
  • What does VSCO think about the ‘VSCO Girls’? The New York Times
  • Do influencers need to tell audiences they’re getting paid?  Harvard Business Review
  • Retailers are rethinking their Google Search strategies.  Modern Retail

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • With $175M infusion, ThredUp plots its future.  AdWeek
  • Walmart’s robot army has arrived.  Fast Company 
  • Nike created a high-tech shoe that you can control with Siri.  Fast Company 
  • IBM serves up an ace with AI at the US Open.  AdWeek
  • 7-Eleven introduces mobile checkout in NYC.  Retail Dive

International

  • Flipkart partners with Authentic Brands to license and distribute Nautical in India.  Economic Times

Weekly Industry Brief: 8.26.2019

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

P.S. With a new season upon us I’m feeling reflective and setting new goals. If you have any feedback for me on this weekly recap, let me know! I want to hear it all – good/bad/ugly. 

Brands + Retailers

  • Disney teams up with Target to store displays in holiday grab.  AdAge
  • Stock market tanks after Trump ‘hereby orders’ American companies to find alternatives to China.  Fast Company
  • Target’s digital, in-store investments paid off in Q2.  CNBC
  • Barneys seeks partner for digital, experience-focused future.  Bloomberg 
  • Walgreens expands Kroger grocery to more drugstores.  Forbes
  • Major fashion companies sign pact vowing to reduce industry’s environmental impact.  Forbes
  • The trendiest fitness class now: working out alone at home.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Macy’s is getting into clothing subscription and resale markets.  CNBC
  • Target is launching grocery brand Good & Gather in bid to boost its food business.  CNBC
  • WeWork isn’t a tech company. Here’s why that matters.  Harvard Business Review 
  • Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg sold over $23M worth of shares. Yahoo Finance
  • Amazon launching a new program to donate unsold products.  CNBC
  • This snack curator for Google is one of the most powerful people in food.  Fast Company
  • Amazon has proven unable or unwilling to effectively police third-party sellers on its site.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Welcome to the promoconomy: the competitive online marketplace of coupon codes and loyalty programs.  The New York Times 
  • Inside the wild, shockingly lucrative world of sneaker reselling.  GQ
  • Beautycon evolves beyond makeup. Fast Company
  • AllBirds steps into apparel with sustainable socks.  Wired
  • Sweetgreen now has a healthy salad for your dog.  Fast Company
  • Google falls to third place in worldwide smart speaker market.  TechCrunch
  • Amazon is looking to open a brick-and-mortar liquor store in San Francisco.  Business Insider

Marketing + Social Media

  • YouTube originals are no longer exclusive to YouTube premium subscribers.  AdWeek
  • Kohl’s turns to Facebook to help it bring digital brands to stores.  CNN
  • Facebook’s new tool lets you see which apps and websites tracked you. The New York Times
  • How fashion brands are acting like media companies.  Glossy
  • YouTube will reportedly sop serving targeted ads on videos for kids in a move that could cost it tens of millions of dollars per year.  Business Insider
  • America’s elderly seem more screen-obsessed than the young.  The Economist
  • Snapchat as a winning platform to reach Gen Z.  Business of Fashion
  • Apple pushes for privacy in the web browser which could affect publishers’ ad revenue.  Digiday
  • Can’t buy me likes: Instagram is coming for your engagement metrics.  AdAge
  • Facebook is opening five cages which will offer free privacy checks.  Metro News
  • Facebook opened up its Spark AR platform to creators on Instagram.  AdWeek
  • Instagram will test back-to-back Stories ads from different brands.  AdWeek

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • Live-stream apps are changing the way people shop.  Business of Fashion
  • Ikea creates new division for smart home products.  TechCrunch
  • Apple Card can be damaged by wallets and jeans.  BBC
  • AR building comes to Android next week.  Engadget
  • Amazon Alexa users can now donate school supplies via voice.  VentureBeat
  • As customers begin to shop through voice assistants, what can brands do to stand out? Harvard Business Review

International

  • WeChat’s astronomical growth abroad.  Quartz
  • Alibaba’s strong results suggest Chinese consumers are still spending.  The New York Times 
  • Amazon tests water in Israel with website to attract local sellers.  Reuters

Weekly Industry Brief: 8.12.2019

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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

  • H&M and Zara are closing stores to stay ahead.  Fortune
  • Nike’s first shoe subscription, two years in the making, is here.  Fast Company
  • Prime Day and the broad reach of Amazon’s ecosystem.  McKinsey
  • Uber stock falls after $5.2B loss.  AdAge
  • Nike, Foot Locker plan 50 large-format, high-tech stores.  CNBC
  • Steve Madden buys DTC brand Greats.  AdAge
  • The North Face focuses on experience with new store format.  Glossy
  • Arizona is moving away from tea to THC with vape pens and gummies.  Fast Company
  • FedEx-Amazon split will provide a shipment windfall for rivals.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Levi’s Red Tab merchandise now sold at Target.  MarketWatch
  • New Sears parent to shutter 21 namesake and 5 Kmart stores.  USA Today
  • Walgreens adds 200 stores to growing global closure list.  Forbes
  • Amazon tries new pricing model for 3rd party sellers.  CNBC
  • Bloomingdales launching a rental subscription service this fall.  PureWow
  • Amazon’s next foray into fashion is a personalized shopping service.  Engadget
  • Apple suspends listening to Alexa queries amid privacy concerns.  AdAge

Marketing + Social Media

  • Acknowledge, apologize, investigate: how big brands combat online outrage.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Snapchat launches ‘instant’ tool for creating vertical ads.  TechCrunch
  • Pinterest rolls out improved product recommendations.  VentureBeat
  • Facebook goes after Amazon, Hulu with ad-free video subscription channels.  AdAge
  • Nike’s app powers Foot Locker’s new NYC store.  Engadget
  • Quaker Oats gains consumer insights from Messenger chatbot.  The Drum
  • How Facebook is attempting to target ads without personal data.  AdAge
  • Twitter drops third party data providers.  AdAge
  • Instagram users may soon be able to communicate with those using Facebook Messenger.  AdAge
  • Current YouTube shopping-related trends marketers should know.  AdWeek

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • Amazon requests FAA approval of delivery-drone plans.  CNN
  • Five apps that you’ve never heard of that teens are using to shop.  CNBC
  • Target incubator takes aim at Gen Z innovators.  Chain Store Age
  • Postmates to drop IPO filling next month.  TechCrunch
  • Verizon is selling Tumblr to WordPress parent company.  TechCrunch

International

  • Adidas boss warns currency war will hurt more than tariffs.  Fortune
  • Canadian Tire buys Party City’s Canada business for $174.4M.  Financial Post
  • Luxury brands use video games to speak to Chinese millennials.  Jing Daily
  • Germany’s online retailers look to reduce costly returns.  Bloomberg

Weekly Industry Brief: 8.5.2019

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

Brand + Retailer

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

Social Media + Marketing

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

Start-ups + Emerging Tech

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

International

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

Weekly Industry Brief: 7.29.2019

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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.

Brand + Retailer

  • Amazon earnings show effects of one-day shipping.  The Wall Street Journal
  • UPS adds 12,000 pickup locations and adds Sunday delivery.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Google’s new shopping platform is now live.  Forbes
  • Amazon and police partner on doorbell cameras. Engadget
  • Barneys begins to raise financing for potential bankruptcy.  CNBC
  • Apple and Goldman Sachs credit card targeting August launch date. Bloomberg
  • Zara parent doubles down on sustainability.  Fast Company
  • The Sprint/T-Mobile merger was blessed by the DOJ but lawsuits remain.  Fast Company
  • Armani sales fall again as founder pushes to restructure brand. Business of Fashion
  • Nike exploring sale of surf brand Hurley.  Business of Fashion
  • Target’s small-format stores are its biggest weapon against Amazon and Walmart. Inc.
  • Adidas ramps up sustainability efforts.  AdWeek
  • Apple to pay Intel $1B for modem business to juice 5G.  CNBC
  • eBay adds new service to make delivery faster.  Bloomberg
  • How Shopify became an ecommerce giant.  Forbes
  • Kroger goes full robot to take on Amazon.  Bloomberg
  • How Chanel’s beauty products propel its business.  Glossy
  • Amazon looks beyond Whole Foods in grocery push.  The New York Times
  • How Etsy crafted an ecommerce comeback.  Fortune

Social + Marketing

  • Fake followers in influencer marketing will cost brands $1.3B this year. CNBC
  • Amazon opens streaming TV ad sales to outside buying tools.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Twitter earnings reveal increased revenue and daily active users.  Fast Company
  • Twitter says it boosts users through machine learning.  The Drum
  • Snapchat is beta testing dynamic product ads and retargeting.  Business Insider
  • Alphabet stock soars as Google ad sales signal a return to form.  Fast Company
  • 2.1B people use Facebook’s family of apps on a daily basis.  AdWeek
  • Snapchat attracts 13M new daily users thanks to gender-swap filter.  AdAge
  • Luxury brands are taking over the street art scene.  Bloomberg
  • TikTok stars are preparing to take over the internet.  The Atlantic
  • How Pinterest factored into Amazon Prime Day.  AdWeek
  • NBCUniversal expects to exceed $1.2B in ad sales during 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  AdWeek
  • How TikTok is testing in-app ecommerce.  Digiday
  • McDonald’s, Uber and Johnson & Johnson no longer have chief marketing officers – here’s what that means.  CNBC

Start-Ups + Emerging Tech

International

  • Alibaba welcomes U.S. small businesses to sell globally on its platform. Reuters
  • ASOS starts next-day delivery in the US.  Glossy
  • KFC uses an International mindset to expand globally.  Forbes
  • China’s tech startups flourish in tales-rich second-tier cities.  Nikkei Asian Review

Weekly Industry Brief: 7.23.2019

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Well…this clearly hasn’t been  a weekly brief lately!  Been quite the busy summer.  Nonetheless, here is a quick recap of industry news from the past few weeks. Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brand+Retailer

  • Starbucks designs store for app-oriented customer.  The Motley Fool
  • American Eagle, Sephora expand into CBD category.  Glossy
  • Amazon’s 48-hour Prime Day sets record. CNBC
  • Quip moves from DTC to retail.  Digiday
  • Starbucks to roll out delivery in the US by 2020.  Fortune
  • Toys ‘R’ Us targets 10 stores by end of 2020.  Bloomberg
  • Lady Gaga launching beauty line on Amazon.  CNN
  • Amazon adds Rite Aid locations to delivery network.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Rent the Runway is growing fast, and struggling to keep up.  The Wall Street Journal
  • How Chanel’s beauty products propel its continued growth.  Glossy
  • Consumer giants turn from diapers and detergents to jelly masks and eye rollers.  The Wall Street Journal
  • With so many vacant stores, ecommerce is only part of the problem.  The Wall Street Journal
  • From Old Navy to Madewell, how sub-brands grow up to eat their parents.  Retail Dive
  • FTC approves Facebook fine of about $5B.  The New York Times
  • Lululemon opens sprawling Chicago store with workout classes and a restaurant.  CNBC
  • The inside story of Kim Kardashian West’s $1B bet on the shapewear industry.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Walmart reshuffles leadership for better integration between digital and stores.  AdAge
  • Barney’s exploring restructuring and bankruptcy.  AdAge
  • Highsnobiety, once a sneaker blog, is collaborating with Prada and dropping a product of its own.  Adage
  • Dollar General courts more affluent shoppers with home, party goods.  CNN
  • Abercrombie and Urban Outfitters implementing buy-now-pay-later payment option to entice cash-strapped Gen Z.  Business Insider

Social + Marketing

  • Facebook engagement on the rise. CNBC
  • Big brands like Delta, P&G and Under Armour are increasingly hiring Hollywood talent agencies for marketing. Business Insider
  • How L’Oreal is embracing new marketing codes to react to market disruption.  Marketing Week
  • Pinterest encourages video uploads with new tools.  TechCrunch
  • Google’s new shopping platform is now live.  Forbes
  • Inside FootLocker’s pivot from athletics to youth culture. Quartzy
  • Amazon pays consumers for personal online data. AdAge
  • Pinterest reveals a new set of “emotional well-being activities.”  The Verge
  • FaceApp responds to privacy concerns.  TechCrunch
  • How YouTube stars are using Instagram’s IGTV as a testbed.  Digiday
  • How TikTok is testing in-app ecommerce.  Digiday
  • Netflix pledges to remain ad-free even as U.S. subscriptions slip.  AdAge
  • How PopSugar built an Instagram tool that helps retailers with their ecommerce.  Digiday
  • Facebook will ban ads that tell people in the US not to vote. Reuters
  • Instagram tests hiding ‘likes’ to benefit your mental health.  Fortune
  • Twitch celebrated Prime Day with 2-day live shopping show.  AdWeek
  • YouTube’s pushing augmented-reality ads.  Digiday
  • Teen love for Snapchat is keeping Snap afloat.  Wired

Start-Ups + Emerging Tech

  • Uber puts a shopping experience in cars for riders to buy AirPods, Amazon Echos and more.  CNBC
  • The fashion industry is getting more intelligent with AI.  Forbes
  • Microsoft invests $1B in Elon Musk’s OpenAI.  Fortune
  • Starbucks wants to create the AWS for restaurants.  Fast Company
  • McDonald’s adds Doordash as a second delivery partner.  The Verge

International

Weekly Industry Brief: 7.1.2019

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Just like that, we’re halfway through the year. Before you jet off for a long 4th of July weekend, here are some highlights from industry news over the last week. Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

    • Retail gets wrecked but Nordstrom and Kohl’s could see a revival. CNBC
    • How this 120-year old apparel giant (VF) is trying to reinvent retail.  Marketing Week
      Retailers are becoming restauranteurs to boost sales.  CNBC
    • Amazon adds Rite Aid locations to package delivery network.  The Wall Street Journal
    • Johnny Ive to leave Apple as chief designer to form independent company.  AdAge
    • Twitch is celebrating Prime Day with a 2-day live shopping show.  AdWeek
    • Rent the Runway is bringing its drop boxes to Nordstrom stores.  Forbes
    • H&M shifts focus from stores to global ecommerce.  Bloomberg
    • PepsiCo continues push away from plastic bottles to address environmental concerns.  Fortune
    • Abercrombie to sell CBD products at half of its stores.  The Street
    • Pier 1 Imports expands store-closing plans.  USA Today
    • Target, eBay gear up to challenge Amazon Prime Day.  VentureBeat

Social Media + Marketing

    • Amazon’s Prime Day Taylor Swift concert shows that it wants to sell you more than just stuff. Vox
    • Cosmopolitan is launching a branded podcast with Tinder.  Digiday
    • Here’s how Instagram’s new Explore ads will work.  AdAge
    • Nike’s app for sneaker heads is fueling it’s digital business.  Quartz
    • How Supreme got pulled into a fight for its billion-dollar brand.  The Wall Street Journal
    • The kind of authenticity customers will pay more for.  Harvard Business Review
    • Instagram therapists are the new Instagram poets.  The New York Times
    • From Amazon to Uber, internet companies are driving US ad spend.  AdAge

Start up + Acquisitions + Emerging Tech

    • Apple continues expanding into healthcare by selling a consumer-focused Dianetes monitor in stores.  CNBC
    • Samsung launches Bixby marketplace in attempt to rival Amazon’s Alexa.  Fast Company
    • Walmart is using VR to help decide who should get promotions.  Fast Company
    • Why are brands using CGI influencers to promote skincare and fashion? Teen Vogue
    • Alphabet’s Loon balloons take flight in first commercial trial.  Fast Company

International 

    • Walmart in Mexico launches grocery orders via WhatsApp.  Reuters
    • A red-hot Chinese shopping review app shows the future of online shopping.  Quartz

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.24.2019

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Happy first official week of Summer! Here is a quick recap of industry news in the last week.  Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

  • Amazon launches section on site dedicated to beauty professionals.  Fast Company
  • Toys R Us will open six stores in the US this year.  Fast Company
  • Best Buy will dedicate store space to selling ‘smart’ gym equipment. Engadget
  • The newsstands of the future will have no newspapers.  The New Yorker
  • How a 90’s nostalgia trend powered the comeback of two century-old sports brands.  CNBC
  • Lululemon unveils its line of personal care products as it tries to grow beyond apparel. CNBC
  • Shopify launches fulfillment network.  CNBC
  • The boutique fitness boomL can $40 exercise classes save the American mall?  The New York Times 
  • Forget the mall, shoppers are buying Gucci’s at airports.  The Wall Street Journal 
  • Neiman Marcus rolls out Alipay nationwide in the US.  WWD
  • Lululemon men’s-only stores quietly close after short-lived runs.  Bloomberg
  • L’Oreal taps first female president to lead namesake cosmetics brand.  Fortune

Marketing + Social Media

  • Uniqlo launches TikTok’s 1st multi market brand campaign.  RetailDive
  • The art of selling scent in the internet age.  Fast Company
  • YouTube rolls out augmented reality for viewers to virtually try on makeup.  CNBC
  • Camila Coelho joins Revolve’s roster of in-house influencer labels.  Fashionista
  • Google is testing a carousel format for its text-based ads.  AdAge
  • America’s 20 hottest brands of 2019.  AdAge
  • Procter & Gamble isn’t so sure about ads anymore but has content aplenty.  AdAge
  • REI shelves catalog, will launch quarterly magazine.  AdAge
  • Millennials reportedly listen to more audio than any other generation.  AdAge
  • Facebook’s digital wallet: what it could mean for marketers.  MarketingLand
  • Farfetch is teaming up with Facebook to launch the Libra blockchain.  Glossy
  • Taco Bell’s Palm Springs hotel.  AdWeek

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • Ex-Snaptchat and Quisdi execs launch Verishop to bring joy back to shopping. Forbes
  • Uber says it will start delivering fast food by drone in San Diego this summer.  The Verge
  • Apple expected to relate its first 5G iPhone next year. Business Insider 
  • Slack shares soar in first day of trading.  CBS
  • Th $6B battle over the future of weather forecasting.  Forbes

International

  • The most discussed ‘it’ fashion items for China’s youth in 2018.  Jing Daily
  • The demise of Australia’s homegrown fashion brands.  BBC
  • WeChat gains on Tmall and JD.com in China luxury battle.  The Business of Fashion

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.10.2019

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Happy Monday! Time for your weekly homework – a quick skim of industry news from the last week.  Sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

  • Retailer Revolve rides influencer wave to IPO, snags a $1.5B market cap.  Forbes
  • States prepare to launch investigations into tech giants.  The Wall Street Journal
  • A glimpse into the many subscription start-ups focusing on renting everything from clothes to furniture. The New York Times
  • Walmart will launch direct to fridge delivered in three cities.  AdAge
  • Barnes and Noble is sold to hedge fund.  The New York Times
  • Amazon reveals its latest delivery drone design.  Fortune
  • Low-income shoppers boost Target, Costco, others, report finds.  CNBC
  • Everlane says new tariffs will drive up apparel prices.  The New York Times 
  • PayPal announces new payments solution for online retailers.  RetailDive
  • Amazon’s new rewards card targets those with bad credit.  TechCrunch

Marketing + Social Media

  • How Amazon’s in-house brand business measures up against rivals.  AdAge
  • Instagram users can now add song lyrics to their stories.  Billboard
  • Facebook plans cryptocurrency debut.  TechCrunch
  • Sign in with Apple coming to iPhone apps.  CNet
  • American Eagle’s council of Gen Z teens helping shaping the future of the company.  Fast Company
  • Your Instagram feed is about to have more ads from influencers.  The New York Times 
  • Fortnite emerges as social media platform for Gen Z.  AdAge
  • DTC brands add $1.4B to TV marketplace.  AdAge
  • Pinterest, Instagram and the future of furniture retail.  Forbes
  • Levi’s creates shoppable Pride Lens with Snapchat.  AdWeek
  • Snapchat launches in-app stores for Snap influencers.  Digiday
  • How Yeti’s $300 coolers evolved into the hottest outdoor lifestyle accessory.  Fortune

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • Salesforce is buying data visualization company Tableau for $15.7B in all-stock deal.  TechCrunch
  • Depop just raised $62M to triple its US users.  Business Insider 
  • Peloton files to go public.  The Verge
  • Can technology keep fake handbags out of the marketplace?  Fashionista
  • Amazon launches AI-powered ‘Shazam for clothes’ fashion search.  The Verge
  • Kering uses AI to keep up with growth.  AdAge

International

  • WeChat’s new social commerce feature.  Jing Daily
  • Amazon invetes $404M Indian operations. TechCrunch
  • Digital retailers want a piece of India’s cashless commerce.  Bloomberg 
  • Luxury brands book bigger sales in mainland China.  Bloomberg

Weekly Industry Brief: 6.3.2019

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Happy Monday! Here is a quick rundown of industry news from the last week.  As always, sources are in the hyperlinked text after the headline.

Brands + Retailers

  • Sephora to close all US stores on Wednesday for Inclusion Training. Fast Company 
  • Gap stock falls the most since 2016 after weakness extends to Old Navy.  AdAge
  • Abercrombie & Fitch closing 3 flagship stores.  Forbes
  • Neiman Marcus, H&M dip their toes in fashion resale.  CNN
  • Nestle’s new plant-based burger wants in on the fake-meat market.  Fast Company
  • Amazon launches free one-day shipping on 10M items.  The Wall Street Journal
  • Walmart’s next CTO is a veteran of Amazon and Google.  AdAge
  • Ben & Jerry’s has a CBD ice cream ready to roll out when the FDA makes it legal.  Fast Company
  • Virgil Abloh’s new Nike store is a peek at the future of retail.  Fast Company
  • Bed Bath & Beyond could put some businesses up for sale. CNBC
  • What Target’s expansion of private label Goodfellow and Co means for competitors. Glossy
  • Sports Illustrated brand is bought by Authentic Brands Group.  The New York Times

Marketing + Social Media

  • What if Instagram got rid of likes?  The New York Times
  • NBCU debuts shoppable ads during the French Open.  AdWeek
  • Can J.Crew find itself – and its customers – again? Vanity Fair
  • Facebook introduces Avatars, its Bitmoji competitor.  TechCrunch
  • Inside ShopBop’s largest influencer campaign to date.  Glossy
  • How to use catalogues in a digital age.  The Business of Fashion
  • Millennials and Gen-Z are transforming the luxury market.  Forbes
  • Ikea recreated the sets from The Simpsons and Friends.  Fast Company
  • How music starts became fashion’s most bankable collaborators.  Vogue
  • YouTube is targeting direct-to-consumer brands with a ‘DTC council.’ Digiday
  • How Walmart is going after brands like Kellogg’s for retail ad dollars.  AdAge

Startup + Emerging Tech + Acquisitions

  • The RealReal files for IPO.  CNBC
  • Amazon buys part of ad tech company Sizmek.  CNBC
  • Fitness startup Mirror nears $300M valuation with fresh funding.  TechCrunch
  • Cookware startup Great Jones launches Potline, a text service for recipes and advise.  TechCrunch
  • Amazon reportedly in talks to buy Boost Mobile.  Wired

International

  • Ulta plans launch in Canada, its first international market entry.  Women’s Wear Daily
  • How Shiseido reaches Chinese consumers.  McKinsey
  • Payment provider Klarna to open a fashion pop-up in London.  Fashion Network
  • GDPR one year later.  Forbes