On today's podcast episode, we discuss what happens now that the actors strike is over, how the Super Bowl is fundamentally changing, whether live sports need new shorter content, what's next for WhatsApp, why people immigrate to the US, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, forecasting analyst Zach Goldner, and director of forecasting Oscar Orozco.
Spotify is continuing its international podcast push: The company’s podcast ad network is launching in five new countries, including India and Sweden.
Yandex's sale of Russian assets highlights political-business interplay: The move reflects challenges in global tech amid political shifts.
EU regulatory pressure results in improved iPhone-Android communications. This could mean SMS’ days are numbered in 5G markets.
Gap is beginning to turn its fortunes around: Strong sales at Old Navy boosted the retailer’s Q3 performance, although Athleta and Banana Republic continue to struggle.
JPMorgan and Capital One dominated the top spots across all categories, demonstrating their investment in expert staff.
Google to delay Gemini release until 2024: It’s holding out until it can release the world’s most powerful generative AI model. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s commercial advantage grows.
Altman out at OpenAI: The board of directors’ move marks serious upheaval for the startup amid ChatGPT Plus sign-up suspensions and security problems. The direction of the company is at stake.
31% of US internet users will shop this Black Friday. The same amount will also shop Cyber Monday, according to Deloitte.
YouTube mandates AI tool disclosure in videos: Creators face penalties for noncompliance, reshaping digital content integrity.
A court ruling will force Meta and others to deal with moderation lawsuits: Several cases alleging social media firms are harming minors will proceed.
Real-time bidding data poses national security risks, watchdog says: An Irish privacy group accused Google and other exchanges of improperly guarding sensitive data.
While consumer outlook is more positive than when inflation reached a 40-year high last year, the impact that shoppers face—higher retail prices, interest rate hikes, and depleted savings—may push cautious spending patterns into 2024. The key to having customers coming back in the new year is investing in unique value propositions, according to our analysts.
Retail’s revolving door slows: Nearly a third of retailers say turnover among hourly workers is down at least 10% year-over-year.
Financial institutions will need to jump through some hoops to attract these young adults and build long-term relationships with them.
Shein is on pace to become the top fast-fashion brand in the world this year: The retailer’s revenues soared by over 40% in the period between January and September.
Macy’s Q3 beat expectations, but department stores are under pressure: Shoppers’ search for value and cautious behavior is dragging sales down for the entire sector.
Cruise halts robotaxi service in major cities following a permit suspension over safety concerns. Eroding public trust in autonomous vehicles could derail wider adoption.
Walmart’s grocery, ecommerce business powered it through another solid quarter: The retailer’s emphasis on value and convenience are helping it win market share, even as shoppers exhibit more signs of price sensitivity.
US grocery ecommerce sales will grow 17.4% in 2024 to total $219.04 billion, according to our forecast. Meanwhile, UK grocery ecommerce sales will grow only 5.1% to total $37.06 billion in 2024. “At the end of the day, consumers in the US enjoy the conveniences of delivery, but they’re not necessarily willing to pay an exorbitant fee,” said our analyst Blake Droesch, emphasizing the perceived value of Walmart+ and Amazon Prime memberships to these shoppers.