On today's podcast episode, we discuss the unofficial list of the most interesting retailers for the month of April. Each month, our analysts Arielle Feger, Becky Schilling, and Sara Lebow (aka The Committee) put together a very unofficial list of the top eight retailers they're watching based on which are making the most interesting moves: Who's launching new initiatives? Which partnerships are moving the needle? Which standout marketing campaigns are being created? In this month's episode, Committee members Analysts Arielle Feger and Sara Lebow will defend their list against Vice President of Content Suzy Davidkhanian and Senior Analyst Blake Droesch, who will dispute the power rankings by attempting to move retailers up, down, on, or off the list.
Snap earnings paint a grim picture for 2025: While revenues were up, the company pulled its guidance and lost 1 million users.
When it comes to mobile marketing, SMS is a timely approach to bringing brands closer to their audience.
By automating reservations, triaging inquiries, and personalizing responses, Yelp is betting that smarter services will keep businesses paying and users engaged.
Understanding customers’ life stages and upcoming changes can help FIs improve marketing.
It can remember customers across chats and make personalized recommendations.
This might improve customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Lakota Federal Credit Union introduced a mobile banking unit so remote tribal members can participate.
Banks have an opportunity to build trust by recommending relevant products and engaging on social media.
Etsy expects to benefit as tariffs hit competitors: A sizable domestic seller base and growing ad business offer protection, but declining consumer and business sentiment could still sting.
Shein considers restructuring to minimize tariff, de minimis impact: But any move to shift production out of China could provoke Beijing’s ire—and derail its long-awaited IPO.
ChatGPT gets too friendly, OpenAI hits undo: The GPT-4o update turned ChatGPT into a sycophant, prompting OpenAI to reverse course and raising new concerns about rushed genAI development.
Weakening demand hits QSR same-store sales: Starbucks, Chipotle, and Pizza Hut are among the chains reporting a slowdown as consumers pull back.
53% of US Gen Z adults say they have, are, or will participate in an economic boycott—more than any other generation, per a March 2025 Harris Poll.
Digital video ad spend will increase 14% in 2025: The IAB findings highlight advertisers’ confidence in digital video as a valuable opportunity to meet goals.
Brands redefine customer acquisition through tech partnerships: Retailers tap nontraditional channels to connect with new audiences in a challenging economy
Tariffs cast a shadow over consumer spending in Q1: Growth slowed from 4.0% in Q4 to just 1.8% in Q1 as households sharply cut back on goods.