WhatsApp’s importance to Meta goes well beyond social messaging: A forced divestiture could disrupt customer service, commerce, and loyalty worldwide.

OpenAI introduced product recommendations into ChatGPT on Monday, creating a potential opportunity for advertising—and a threat to affiliate marketing sites.

Kohl’s fires its CEO for cause: The move leaves the struggling department store without a clear strategic direction at a challenging time for all retailers.

Wayfair’s US sales rose 1.6% YoY in Q1: Despite growing macroeconomic headwinds and a frozen housing market, demand remained strong.

A flurry of interest and an unexpected announcement from PayPal show where banks see the biggest value of their own stablecoins.

Amazon’s earnings follow a familiar pattern: The retailer expects solid sales growth as investments in convenience resonate with shoppers, but profits will be pressured as tariffs take their toll.

The tech is dominating recent headlines as retailer and consumer interest explodes

So far, neither network has seen signs of a consumer spending slowdown despite plummeting consumer sentiment

Whether brands are aligning their product with comfort food, launching fragrances, or prioritizing scent in their retail spaces, marketers are embracing multisensory experiences as another way to stand out in the digital noise.

Middle- and low-income consumers pulled back on fast food in Q1: That posed a significant challenge for McDonald’s, which reported its US same-store sales fell 3.6%.

Shoppers’ snack budgets are shrinking due to economic uncertainty: With little relief in sight, Mondelez, Kellanova, and Hershey’s are bracing for impact

CVS puts Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (not Lilly’s Zepbound) on commercial drug formularies: Market reaction to the decision affirms how much influence PBMs like CVS Caremark have over prescription drug access. Eli Lilly may need to explore creative pricing strategies to improve access to Zepbound.

Experts at Publicis’ HealthFront event recommend partnering with influencers who have smaller followings: Brands and marketers must assess key factors such as target audience, budget, and alignment with a company’s mission.

Pharma gains confidence around threatened Trump administration tariffs on drug imports: Big Pharmas are notching wins with the Trump administration through new US manufacturing and national security commitments, which improves the potential for tariff exemptions or delays.

More than just a cloud leader: Microsoft ad revenues surged 21%, gaming stabilized, and LinkedIn grew, too.

Epic Games forced Apple to unwind App Store rules, setting a precedent that weakens Apple’s payment monopoly and threatens its fastest-growing services revenue stream.

Halting US shipments reflects how tariff volatility is driving inventory risk, pressuring supply chains, and prompting a realignment of go-to-market strategies. Read online

AI detection and watermarking could improve the user experience but deter brands and creators from experimenting with the technology.

Visual and audio data will feed Meta AI unless voice commands are disabled—placing an ultimatum between convenience and control.