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