A round-up of everything you might have missed in relevant fashion, retail and tech industry news over the past week.
TOP STORIES
- The future of beauty is on display at CES [CNN]
- UK retail sales suffer worst year in more than a decade [BoF]
- Fake influencers cost brands more than 200 million dollars [Fashion United]
TECHNOLOGY
- IBM unveils its first commercial quantum computer [TechCrunch]
- Amazon sets up virtual furniture showroom online [RetailDive]
- Baidu announces Apollo Enterprise, its new platform for mass-produced autonomous vehicles [TechCrunch]
- Here’s everything Google announced at CES 2019 [TechCrunch]
- Bell’s hybrid-electric flying car will be available via Uber by the ‘mid-2020s’ [The Verge]
SUSTAINABILITY & PURPOSE
- Boohoo faux fur jumper found to contain real fur [Fashion United]
- Survey finds ‘conscious consumerism’ a top priority for Gen Z shoppers [WWD]
- Asos and PVH Corp. join Global Fashion Agenda as strategic partners [Fashion Network]
- NHL, Adidas to create sustainable jerseys for All-Star Game [WWD]
- Los Angeles is hosting the very first Vegan Fashion Week [Dazed]
- Bangladesh strikes: thousands of garment workers clash with police over poor pay [The Guardian]
- Reusing, upcycling and innovation to be integral at the upcoming Circular Fashion Games [WWD]
RETAIL & E-COMMERCE
- Outlet malls seize WeChat to bring online traffic offline [Jing Daily]
- Microsoft and Kroger to create data-driven connected grocery stores [Venture Beat]
- Calvin Klein to rebrand 205W39NYC line, close Madison Avenue store [Fashionista]
- The sweater you don’t like is a trillion-dollar problem for retailers. These companies want to fix it [CNBC]
MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA
- Lululemon’s next target is mindfulness for men [Quartz]
- Novak Djokovic takes time out to meet his greatest opponent, thanks to SEIKO [PR Newswire]
PRODUCT
- Neutrogena unveils personalized, 3-D-printed sheet masks at CES [WWD]
- L’Oréal’s newest prototype detects wearers’ skin pH levels [The Verge]
- Simplehuman looks to upgrade beauty accessories business with CES launch [WWD]
- Nike stretches into Lululemon’s space with 1st yoga line [RetailDive]
- Goop alumni launch the “Sephora of CBD” to target the cannabis curious [FastCompany]
- The North Face debuts new outerwear technology [Fashion United]
BUSINESS
- CFDA report highlights what it will take to achieve a truly diverse and inclusive fashion [W24]
- These latina Avon sellers have dominated a beauty company modeled on white womanhood [Buzzfeed]
- Tommy Hilfiger and Zendaya to show at Paris Fashion Week [Fashionista]
- L’Occitane acquires Elemis for $900 million, eyes Asia expansion [WWD]
- 38 percent of fashion and beauty brands plan to launch collaborations in 2019 [Fashion United]
- Moschino has a code word for black shoppers, according to
damning new lawsuit [The Fashion Law] - Dior switches Paris catwalk date to avoid ‘yellow vest’ protests [Reuters]
- Debenhams rescue plan could involve closure of more than half of its stores [The Industry]
- HSBC predicts luxury market to slow down in 2019 [Fashion United]
CULTURE
- Gucci Garden opens
exhibition dedicated to reflections on masculinity [WWD] - Miuccia Prada’s take on freedom of speech, cultural appropriation [WWD]
–
How are you thinking about innovation? We’re all about finding you the perfect partners to do so. TheCurrent Global is a consultancy transforming how fashion, beauty and consumer retail brands intersect with technology. We deliver innovative integrations and experiences, powered by a network of top technologies and startups. Get in touch to learn more.
Want to know more about how our technology partners can help you reach your innovation goals? The Current Global is a transformation consultancy driving growth within fashion, luxury and retail. Our mission is to solve challenges and facilitate change. We are thinkers and builders delivering innovative solutions and experiences. Get in touch to learn more.