The news: President Trump said to CNBC on Tuesday that forthcoming tariffs on pharma products imported to the US could reach 250%. It’s the highest rate on pharma tariffs that Trump has mentioned to date. Our take: 250% is an enormous number, but it’s more of a threat than an end result that will impair the sector. Such a high levy rate will likely spur further manufacturing commitments, which is something Big Pharma is prepared for—especially if they’re given 18 months to move more production to the US.
The news: A California court ruled Meta’s collection of menstrual health data violated state privacy laws, per TechCrunch. The takeaway: The Meta case puts tech companies that use health data for ad targeting and marketing on notice. Explicit consent and absolute transparency is not only legally critical around healthcare data, but also key to building trust with consumers.
The trend: Consumers are less satisfied with chain drugstores than with mail-order pharmacies, mass market merchandisers, and supermarket pharmacies, according to JD Power’s US Pharmacy Study. Our take: We expect consumers to increasingly explore different channels for getting their prescriptions, both in-person and online—especially folks in areas affected by drugstore closures. CVS and Walgreens have a built-in advantage of established pharmacy customers, but will lose more of them if they don’t address long lines at the counter and improve their online and in-app capabilities.
Over half of Gen Z, millennial, and Gen X consumers open to pause ads say the ability to save offers/reminders would make the ads better, according to April 2025 data from MAGNA Media Trials and DIRECTV Advertising. Nearly as many (46%) baby boomers say the same.
The news: Big Tech’s Q2 2025 earnings reveal Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Meta, and Amazon are expected to spend up to $364 billion to $400 billion collectively on capital expenditures in their 2025 fiscal years, with the vast majority targeted toward AI-related infrastructure, per The Wall Street Journal. Our first take: Big Tech is doubling down on generative AI (genAI) as its next growth engine. This massive buildout is already squeezing cloud margins, straining data center capacity and igniting a talent arms race.
The news: Roku launched Howdy, a streaming service for just $2.99 per month. It will initially be available through the Roku platform, with further rollout on mobile and beyond in the works.Our take: With 2.5% of all TV watch time—more than any other FAST provider—Roku has the audience to promote Howdy effectively. It must ensure that Howdy feels essential, not disposable, and that its content delivers real value. Still, with price sensitivity increasing and tolerance for ads shrinking, Howdy has clear appeal—especially among users seeking affordable streaming without sacrificing experience. If Roku executes on distribution and content strategy, Howdy could quietly scale into a meaningful revenue stream. Our take: With 2.5% of all TV watch time—more than any other FAST provider—Roku has the audience to promote Howdy effectively. It must ensure that Howdy feels essential, not disposable, and that its content delivers real value. Still, with price sensitivity increasing and tolerance for ads shrinking, Howdy has clear appeal—especially among users seeking affordable streaming without sacrificing experience. If Roku executes on distribution and content strategy, Howdy could quietly scale into a meaningful revenue stream. Our take: With 2.5% of all TV watch time—more than any other FAST provider—Roku has the audience to promote Howdy effectively. It must ensure that Howdy feels essential, not disposable, and that its content delivers real value. Still, with price sensitivity increasing and tolerance for ads shrinking, Howdy has clear appeal—especially among users seeking affordable streaming without sacrificing experience. If Roku executes on distribution and content strategy, Howdy could quietly scale into a meaningful revenue stream.
Coach plans to open more than 20 of its Coach Coffee Shops in retail and outlet stores this year, per Business of Fashion. There’s a reason so many luxury brands are turning to hospitality concepts: They are an excellent way to get shoppers through the door, and to keep them spending—even if it’s just on a cup of coffee or branded baseball cap.
The news: Disney and the NFL struck a landmark deal late last week that gives the entertainment giant access to a suite of high-profile NFL content in exchange for an undisclosed equity stake in ESPN that is “potentially worth billions,” per The Athletic. Our take: It won’t be long before the lines of power in the sports streaming world are reexamined once more, and the Disney-NFL deal foreshadows that ESPN may get marquee NFL rights next time around. YouTube’s Sunday Ticket contract with the NFL expires in 2030, with Amazon’s Thursday Night Football agreement ending three years later.
The news: Direct messages (DMs) are becoming a key channel to reach consumers as follower growth, once the gold standard for social media success, declines. The average number of shares for brands on TikTok increased 60% quarter over quarter in Q1, per Dash Social’s 2025 Social Media Trends report, showing a pivot toward private content distribution. At the same time, average monthly follower growth for brands on TikTok dropped 27% YoY. Our take: The rise of DMs as a preferred engagement channel signals a deeper shift in social media strategy—from public broadcasting to private conversation—that requires brands to prioritize intimacy to maintain trust and drive meaningful outcomes.
Kroger has consolidated its retail media, consumer insights, and loyalty marketing capabilities under the Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM) brand.
The news: Instagram added new limitations to its livestream feature, now requiring creators to have a public account with over 1,000 followers to go live, per TechCrunch. Our take: While it could benefit Meta’s competitive position in the livestream space, Instagram’s latest restrictions will harm creators looking to break into the influencer space—necessitating rapid adaptation. Smaller creators could shift attention to other platforms with less restrictive livestream requirements—think YouTube, which only requires 50 subscribers to go live, and Twitch, which has no livestream minimum.
The news: According to a recent survey by money management and safety app Greenlight, financial literacy is a top concern among US families. While this type of education is in high demand, 47% of financial institutions (FIs) don’t offer it at all, per the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Our take: Offering solutions that help young families can help build stronger relationships with parents and their kids (who are likely to bank where their parents do). While it’s difficult to quantify the ROI of offering these solutions, the benefits of improved customer loyalty and young customer acquisition can help set up an FI for long-term success.
The results: In a home furnishings market that Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah describes as “flat to down low-single digits” and “bumping along the bottom,” Wayfair stood out. Excluding its exit from the German market, the company posted its strongest growth since 2021 and returned to profitability. Our take: While many home-related retailers are stuck in neutral amid a sluggish housing market, Wayfair is gaining traction. Its success shows that a willingness to test, learn, and iterate can help retailers stand out in an otherwise stagnant category.
The gap between retail’s most and least digitized categories will grow even wider.
Ulta Beauty is tapping into trends like Korean beauty and wellness to stay relevant with younger consumers while Pop Mart has created viral excitement around its collectibles through smart digital marketing and gamification. In addition, Urban Outfitters has launched a back-to-school dorm makeover contest and Away Luggage is enhancing the travel experience with a giveaway. Here are the eight most interesting retailers and brands from last month, as ranked on our “Behind the Numbers” podcast.
9 in 10 Americans (93%) plan to cook at home as much or more in the next 12 months compared with the previous year, according to HelloFresh’s State of Home Cooking report. That shift is as much due to financial considerations as it is to a general desire among consumers to eat healthier. The shift to eating at home creates a prime opportunity for meal kit providers like Hello Fresh, provided they can make the case to consumers that their menus offer value for money—while also satisfying their seemingly-unquenchable desire for protein.To that end, these companies could highlight their budget-friendly options, as well as put the nutritional value of their meals front-and-center, while emphasizing the convenience that such kits provide.
The playbook: Amid mounting pressure across the grocery sector, Publix and Sprouts Farmers Market are gaining ground by leaning on four core pillars—each executed with their own twist: A sharp focus on value Convenient, high-quality prepared food options Loyalty programs that drive repeat visits Disciplined, strategic expansion The formula is working: In the most recent quarter, Publix’s revenues grew 7.0% YoY and its same-store sales rose 6.0%. Sprouts delivered even stronger results, with revenues up 17.2% and same-store sales jumping 10.2%. Our take: Publix and Sprouts show that even in a tough retail climate, disciplined execution on fundamentals still pays off. By doubling down on value, convenience, loyalty, and strategic expansion, both are positioning themselves for durable growth in a category where shopping habits tend to stick. Their clear, consistent playbook is helping them gain ground while many competitors stand still.
Xbox hits 500M MAUs and $5 billion Game Pass run rate: Franchise power and console loyalty fuel Microsoft’s gaming momentum.
Starbucks will rely on kiosks to shorten wait times at high-traffic locations like airports and hospitals, per a Bloomberg report. For all Starbucks’ talk about building the community coffeehouse, it recognizes that service, speed, and reliability are integral to keeping customers engaged with the brand. While there are other pillars the company needs to execute to complete its turnaround, being able to deliver efficient service when it’s needed most will bolster its reputation for reliability and encourage more frequent visits.