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Weekend Round-up: Google tests Youtube shopping feature, American brand gets a Chinese investor, Target to rival Amazon’s advertising business, and more…
1. Google tests Youtube shopping featureGoogle is said to be testing putting shopping links under YouTube videos, which would take you to Google Express where you will be able to complete the purchase. This announcement comes a few weeks after Google tested shoppable ads embedded into its image search. The company is said to be banking on these features to boost its shopping business.
2. American brand gets a Chinese investorGreen Harbor, a private equity fund from China, has bought a majority stake in JWU, the parent company of Jason Wu. The news was announced by Green Harbor on its WeChat account but the company did not disclose any details about the acquisition. Green Harbor, founded in 2015, invests in a number of different sectors, including healthcare and education. Jason Wu is reportedly their very first investment in fashion. It is also the first American company they acquire.
3. Target remodels its ad businessTarget announced the rebranding of Target Media Network to ‘Roundel’ last week. Roundel will power Target’s in-store and on-site ads as well as ads that appear on a curated list of publisher sites in Target’s network, on TV and across other channels. It also will reach to bring new brands into its business. The announcement comes just as Walmart revamps its advertising business to compete with Amazon.
4. Chewy.com eyes IPODigitally Native pet retailer Chewy.com announced the filing of Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, indicating plans for an initial public offering. Parent company Petsmart will retain ownership of the company. Chewy has reportedly been outpacing Amazon’s private label - ‘Wag’ - in sales but is yet to make a profit. What could be another headwind to the company could be Amazon’s recent move to offer one-day prime shipping.
5. China cashes in on CannabisThe progressive easing of the stigma around Cannabis in North America has generated global demand for medicinal products — especially for CBD — that companies in China are reportedly rushing to fill. China permits the sale of hemp seeds and hemp oil and the use of CBD in cosmetics, but it has not yet approved CBD for use in food and medicines. While only time can tell if Cannabis will ever become mainstream in Chinese society, the stigma seems to have started evaporating, at least on the B2B side.
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RT @RangaEunny: Until recently the Amazon and Shopify systems were separate and distinct groups of entrepreneurs. But they have started to…
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