Weekly Insights Jun 30, 2017

Executive Summary

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” previews Amazon’s upcoming, third annual Prime Day shopping event.
• Meal-kit delivery company Blue Apron said that it is cutting the expected pricing range of its 30 million common shares that will be sold in an upcoming IPO to $10–$11 from $15–$17 previously, which reflects investors’ increasingly skeptical outlook on the food retail business.
• German retailer Metro Group has invested €14 million (US$15.8 million), together with other companies, in British fintech startup Yoyo Wallet, which gives customers access to mobile ordering, payments and a personalized loyalty program and provides retailers with an analytics and campaign platform.
• Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is investing $397 million in UK luxury online retailer Farfetch. The partnership will give Farfetch access to JD.com’s marketing platform, social media channels and delivery service.