What We’ve Read: Instagram Launches Shopping Checkout

1. Instagram launches shopping checkout, charging sellers a fee

Instagram is opening a whole new revenue stream. Now the 130 million people who tap Instagram’s product tags on shopping posts will be able to buy those items without leaving the app, thanks to stored payment info. “Checkout with Instagram” launches today in the U.S. with more than 20 top brands, including Adidas, Kylie Cosmetics and Warby Parker, which will no longer have to direct customers to their websites to make a purchase.

Read this on TechCrunch.

2. Baselworld: A watch fair first, and last

The Baselworld watch and jewelry fair, to begin Thursday in the Swiss city of Basel, will be remembered as both the first of its kind — and the last.

Read this on The New York Times.

3. Cadillac brings live showroom experience to digital devices

U.S. automaker Cadillac is looking to change the car-buying experience with a live digital showroom that facilitates one-on-one interactions between consumers and agents.

Read this on Luxury Daily.

4. Hermès still benefiting from buoyant Asian demand

Along with Louis Vuitton and Gucci, Hermès is still riding high on strong demand from Asian clients with net profit up 15 percent to €1.4 billion and operating income up 6 percent to €2 billion.

Read this on The Business of Fashion.

5. It’s impossible to tell the difference between luxury & fast fashion sneakers

The philosopher Confucius taught the importance of imitation. Students learn by copying their master’s work and masters apply what they copied as a student. Centuries before Oscar Wilde declared it the highest form of flattery, Chinese scholars made imitation the root of innovation.

Read this on Highsnobiety