1. Tmall to welcome 1000 cosmetics stores ‍

Chinese online marketplace Tmall announced that local and international brands are expected to set up about 1000 shops on its platform this year. These include seven international cosmetics companies, including Tom Ford, Glamglow, P&G’s new beauty line Oriental Therapy, Cosme and d-program from Japan, Primera from Korea and Barnangen from Sweden. According to a joint report released by Tmall and market research firm Kantar, 2018 saw sales in the Cosmetics category grow by 46%.

2. Under Armour goes to India

‍Sportswear brand Under Armour is reportedly set to open retail stores in India. Jason Archer, MD of Under Armour Asia Pacific told the Times of India that the company had partnered with Amazon and Flipkart-owned-Myntra to sell some of its products and has now set up a wholly owned subsidiary in the country. The company is expected to face stiff competition from incumbents such as Nike, Puma, and Adidas.

3. Macy’s implements AR in mobile beauty shopping

‍Macy’s has announced that starting late spring, it will offer virtual makeup experience on its app for more than 1,000 beauty products across major brands covering face, eyes and lip cosmetics. Leveraging Modiface’s technology, Macy’s will offer customers the option to try out different products or entire looks on the Macy’s app and even share it on social media. It is also reportedly planning to roll out interactive in-store displays for fragrance shoppers later this year.

4. Gap acquires Janie and Jack’s, Children’s Place acquires Gymboree

‍The Children's Place will pay $76 million to acquire the rights to Gymboree and Crazy 8 brand, and assume a contract with Zeavion Holding Co., which acquired Gymboree's Play & Music business in 2016, according to a bankruptcy court document filed Saturday. The Children's Place has 988 stores in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Gap Inc. will pay $35 million for children’s fashion line Janie and Jack and its online business and leases to its stores, as well as other assets including customer data, according to the document filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Richmond, Virginia. The announcement comes just three days after Gap announced Old Navy’s spin-off and closure of 230 of its own stores.

5. Alibaba and Home Depot team up

‍Alibaba Group and Office Depot have entered a strategic collaboration to tap the US SMB community. The partnership will combine Office Depot’s extensive supply chain network with Alibaba’s global network of suppliers. Alibaba would be able to take advantage of Office Depot’s distribution network that offers next day delivery in the United States, while Office Depot’s customers will get access to Alibaba’s global network of over 150,000 suppliers to find more product options or a reputed manufacturer to produce their goods. This partnership marks Alibaba’s first B2B collaboration with a major US company, Reuters said.

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