President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 10% to 20% tariffs could cause double-digit price hikes across six retail categories, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) analysis from November 2024.

Steep discounts drove shoppers to spend on Cyber Monday: The Monday after Thanksgiving is poised to be the biggest online shopping day in US history.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss whether Bluesky can sustain this user growth momentum, how much of a threat it is to X (Twitter), and if in fact it is Threads that is actually about to snatch the microblogging crown. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Analyst Daniel Konstantinovic.

Consumers are exploring AI-driven shopping tools, but interest varies by application. Image-based item searches and holiday deal assistance are gaining traction, but trust issues and preferences for human customer service agents still pose challenges. Brands must ensure their AI tools address consumer needs, provide transparency, and enhance personalization to build trust and drive adoption.

On today's podcast episode, why X is continuing to lose users, if they can turn their ad revenue fortunes around, and what the social media platform might morph into next year. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Analyst Daniel Konstantinovic.

We examine how the president-elect’s proposed agenda impacts regulators, investments, and banks’ customers.

The incoming Trump administration will indisputably affect the future of Big Tech. The breakup of Google, the forced sale or ban of TikTok, and the regulation of AI are all issues the president-elect will need to take a stance on.

Even an influx of new retail media networks (RMNs) will not chip away at the share of ad spending allocated to the top two powerhouses.

Retail media was the fastest-growing ad channel we tracked in the US in 2024. While that growth will slow slightly (from 20.4% to 20.2%) in 2025, it’s still primed for innovation—and challenges. Here’s what our analysts and podcast guests had to say about retail media, with insights into what it means for 2025.

What to make of Australia’s murky social media ban: Social platforms will lose access to users under 16, prompting marketers to shift strategies.

By streamlining workflows with integrated genAI, Dia targets professionals and power users, but its success depends on pulling users away from entrenched defaults.

UK retail footfall declined in November as shoppers waited for Black Friday deals: Poor weather and subdued confidence also weighed on traffic, souring retailers’ holiday prospects.

Amazon’s shoppable video ads faced first big test: Marketers watched their performance over the holiday weekend to mull bigger commitments.

Key stat: Price inclination for food away from home was up 3.8% YoY in October 2024, higher than the 1.1% increase in inflation for food at home, according to data from the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The social app’s porous data security could undermine trust. Its decentralized vision won’t matter if users feel their content is AI fodder without consent.

Nintendo’s Switch 2 faces fierce competition as Sony, Microsoft, and PC challengers vie for dominance in a $27.97 billion market fueled by young players.

YouTube redefines podcasting: Video formats capture 43% of weekly podcast listeners, far outpacing traditional audio-only platforms.

India will be a focus market for fashion brands in 2025: They’re counting on the country’s growing affluent population to offset weakness in China.