Weekly Insights Jan 27, 2017

Executive Summary

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” discusses the whirlwind of policies and executive orders US President Donald Trump has launched since taking office on January 20.
• Shoppers will be able to use their phones to pay in Target stores later this year, but it will not necessarily be with Apple Pay or Android Pay. Instead, Target plans to introduce mobile payment features to one or more of its own apps.
• L’Oréal and startup incubator Founders Factory revealed the first five startups they have selected to participate in a six-month accelerator program. Founders Factory will provide the selected startups with digital and business support and product guidance, while L’Oréal will provide them with access to its laboratories and marketing and research departments.
• According to the China Internet Network Information Center, mobile Internet usage in China has reached the notable threshold of 50% for the first time, while the growth of smartphone sales may be declining. As of December 2016, China had 731 million Internet users. That figure represents 53.2% of China’s population. Some 95% of Chinese Internet users, or 695 million people, are on mobile.