–Glossy explores the power of “Contemporary Muslim Fashions,” a new exhibit at the de Young museum that highlights the global influence and social implications of modest fashion.
–Smart furniture is helping consumers adapt to increasingly smaller living spaces – Bumblebee’s AI Butler, for example, keeps an inventory of possessions and uses voice commands to lower and raise furniture from the ceiling, writes the New York Times.
–Jing Daily investigates how China’s influencer industry has led to consumer fatigue and suggests how brands can stand out in a saturated marketplace.
–As brands turn to tours and activities for new ways to engage consumers, The New York Times has launched city tours that bring their 36 Hours series to life, shares Skift.
–As workout classes are becoming a popular new way to entertain clients, fitness studios are introducing concierge services for ‘sweat-entertaining’ to book side-by-side workout spots. Via Bloomberg.
–Luxury brands in China are gamifying retail with branded arcade games where players can redeem points to purchase beauty products and unlock access to shop new collections. Via South China Morning Post.
–Google is using voice recognition technology to make the platform more accessible in “developing countries with low literacy rates,” explains The Guardian.
–As companies work to create a circular economy in the fashion industry, BBC asks, “Will we soon be renting rather than buying our clothes?”
–Amazon has launched a 4-Star retail store, which mimics its online portal with a rotating selection of highly rated and top selling products in sections such as Most Wished For and Frequently Bought Together, shares Engadget.
–H&M is testing a new store concept that is similar to a member’s club, with a locally curated range of clothes, a loyalty membership program and invitation-only events, describes Business of Fashion.
–Spotify and Ancestry have partnered to create custom playlists based on user DNA, which allow consumers to listen to artists from their home countries and “explore the soundtrack of their heritage,” announces Campaign.
–MailChimp is branching out into physical mail, with a new feature that allows users to apply email marketing tools to send customized postcards to clients and customers, says Fast Company.
