Mike Ashley’s Frasers Says It’s Taken Control of Hugo Boss
The British retail group has pushed its stake in the German apparel brand above 50 percent in a move that will turn Hugo Boss into a subsidiary of Frasers.
bits-and-bytes
Technology
Bits & Bytes | EBay Fashion's Repositioning, Beauty Apps for Skincare
This week, eBay Fashion aims to compete against Amazon with a new campaign, while beauty companies are investing in apps to tap into the Gen-Z consumer.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | Facebook Under FTC Investigation, Human Microchipping for Skincare
This week, demands grow for Facebook to explain its privacy policies, while human microchips may signal the future for the beauty industry.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | JD.com Counterfeit Scandal, Zara Launches AR App
This week, e-commerce company JD.com is accused of selling counterfeit products, while Zara launches an augmented reality app to lure millennials.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | Online Luxury Market to Triple by 2025, Stitch Fix Shares Fall 6 Percent
This week, online sales of personal luxury goods are set to reach $90 million, while Stitch Fix shares fall after posting second-quarter results.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | The First Digital Supermodel, Apple Takes the Lead on Wearables
This week, Shudu is the first digitally-created supermodel, while Apple overtakes Fitbit in wearables sales.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | Dolce & Gabbana Sends Drones Down the Runway, JD.com's Blockchain Accelerator
This week, Dolce & Gabbana uses drones instead of models at Milan Fashion Week, while JD.com launches accelerator for blockchain start-ups.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | Apple Watch Outperforms Swiss Watchmakers, Amazon and Target in War Over Apparel
This week, Apple sells more watches than the entire Swiss watchmaking industry, while Apple and Target are in competition for the same customer.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | Echo Look Partners With Vogue and GQ, Can an App Launch Fashion's #MeToo?
This week, Amazon's Echo Look will partner with Condé Nast publications to give out fashion advice, while Humans of Fashion will launch an app to provide the industry with a support network.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | Intel Launches Smart Glasses, AI Retail Spending to Reach $7 Billion
This week, Intel makes its first foray into wearables, while retailers are set to spend over $7.3 billion on AI by 2022.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | Nike's Algorithm-Designed Sneaker, Amazon Raises Seller Fees
This week, Nike uses algorithms to design its Epic React Flyknit trainer, while Amazon raises fees for third-party apparel sellers.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | Inside Amazon Go, Start-Up Finery's $5 Million Funding
This week, Amazon opens a convenience store of the future, while wardrobe start-up Finery generates $5 million seed funding from Farfetch and C Ventures.
Technology
Bits & Bytes | Digital-Only Magazine Covers, Fashion and Wearables
This week, digital magazine covers are bringing media brands into the new age, while fashion's love affair with wearables may be over.
The News in Brief
Shein Agrees to Pay $100 Million to Settle US FTC Probe
The settlement, equivalent to 44 percent of the ultra fast-fashion company’s second-quarter profit, is the latest blow amid regulatory and tax crackdowns in Europe and the US that have hampered Shein’s growth.
Kering Drops 12% as Luxury Braces for Tough Winter
The recovery long promised by luxury brands seems nowhere in sight, as the expansion of war in the Middle East, along with China’s tax crackdown on the wealthy, piled further pressure on the world’s biggest luxury conglomerates in the third quarter, and executives buckled in for a tough winter.
UK Retail Sales Fall 0.4% in September, More Than Forecast
Sales fell in September as above-average temperatures hit demand for autumn clothing.
Elle Launches Moroccan Edition
Hitting newsstands in October, the magazine marks Elle’s 51st international edition, published under licence by the Geomedia group.
David’s Bridal Plans Spinoff and IPO of AI Wedding Planning Platform Pearl
Pearl, a subsidiary of David’s Bridal, will own David’s Bridal and license its intellectual property back to the bridalwear brand. David’s Bridal CEO Kelly Cook will serve as Pearl’s CEO.
L’Oréal Sales Beat Expectations as Premium Products Surge
The French giant handily beat expectations on strong demand for hair products at salons and premium skincare from its dermatological division.
P&G Beats Revenue Estimates, Flags Bigger Hit to Annual Profit
The maker of Pantene shampoo was helped by strong personal care demand, but expects higher commodity costs to reduce profit by about $1.4 billion this year.