The FTC wants to stop the seemingly never-ending struggles to cancel unwanted subscription plans for gym memberships, cellular plans, apps, and more.

Snap expands its AR offerings to DTC merchants and enterprise clients: The move paves the way for more interactive shopping experiences and reduced returns.

Retail media will stay ahead of connected TV (CTV) in US ad spending and close in on traditional TV this year, according to our forecast. Search overall, including paid search on retail media networks, will reach $108.48 billion in 2023.

Billions of dollars are flowing to generative AI startups: High barriers to entry and a hard road to profitability mean a select few companies will eventually dominate a powerful market.

Chip industry decries anti-pollution legislation: Companies don’t want toxic chemical regulation, but societal fallout might make it necessary. Using quantum computers to discover alternatives is a potential solution.

Though smaller than previous hikes, this one will still weigh on consumers, small banks, and even large, well-capitalized banks that are trying to help.

Financial regulators around the world are roasting US policymakers for being too lax on capitalization and diversification requirements for smaller banks.

SVB failure forced startups to think differently about cash: A neobank that banks startups is trying to resolve the hazards of having too much money to safely put in a bank.

Gap presses pause on its retail media business: The decision underscores the need to develop a unique value proposition in an increasingly crowded landscape.

Social platforms are gaining in search: More US consumers are researching products on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, which could bode ill for Amazon and Google.

Gen Zers are ready to spend. The majority will be adults in 2023, meaning increased spending power. And they rely heavily on digital when making purchases: Gen Z will surpass Gen X in the number of US digital buyers by 2025, per our forecast.

On today’s episode, host Bill Fisher is joined by our analysts Paul Briggs and Man-Chung Cheung and forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood to talk about the TikTok bans currently in place around the world. They consider if the pressure building on TikTok in the US could fan out to other countries.

TikTok will see 11.6% global user growth this year, according to our forecast. That’s about double Snapchat’s and Instagram’s expected growth. The ByteDance-owned app will boast more than 900 million monthly users this year—if it manages to stay in the US, its biggest country.

Consumers don’t want to pay for shipping costs: Many are willing to put up with slower delivery times if it means they receive free shipping.

The recent shocks to the US financial system will undoubtedly create a ripple effect for consumers, with many zoning in on what these banking failures mean for their own bank accounts and whether the current state of banking is viable or trustworthy as it now stands.

Strong sustainability credentials may drive grocery shoppers to switch brands: That puts the onus on grocers to stock purpose-driven brands on their shelves.

General Mills is the latest CPG company to rely on price hikes to boost sales: But persistent inflation and the imminent expiration of emergency SNAP benefits could make it harder for consumers to keep up.

Becoming a more sustainable company doesn’t have to mean spending more money—sustainability can have a positive impact on the bottom line. In this conversation, Tracy shares strategies for companies looking to boost their sustainability efforts and what she hopes attendees learned at her Shoptalk session.