In the wake of the disruption, Shift4 Payments offered a bonus for merchants to switch to their POS system
YouTube redefines its ad system, emphasizing automation: Creators face a potential trade-off between ease and control.
TikTok continues to grow as a search platform: A report found 51% of Gen Z prefers the app over Google. Meanwhile, the latter braces for a search antitrust trial.
Thanks to a flood of new inventory, some of it in unfamiliar places, CPMs and CTRs have been either flat or declined YoY in each of the past four quarters—with CPMs dropping 29% in Q2 2023 alone—according to Skai.
In 2023, 92.3% of the 5.2 million accounts opened digitally will be with incumbent banks. Even Gen Zers—the main source of account opening growth—will largely opt for trusted institutions. Neobanks will be left in the dust, especially as fintechs and Big Tech siphon away customers.
Recent news of Walmart’s expansion of in-store ads, including audio and product demos, plus The Kroger Co.’s planned roll out of digital ads in the cooler aisle, has intensified the spotlight on the rise of in-store retail media. This fast-emerging segment is perhaps the most critical development in the digitization of the store, retail’s next mega-trend. Physical stores have enormous—and almost completely untapped—potential as the next major media channel, yet US retailers have been remarkably slow to adopt.
Key stat: A majority (73%) of US adults are not at all comfortable with Amazon biometric payments that would allow hand-scan checkout at Whole Foods Market, per CivicScience. That’s 5 percentage points lower than in 2019.
Uber users may soon be able to hire handyman services through the app: The company is reportedly developing a service similar to TaskRabbit and Angi as it searches for growth opportunities.
Tesla eyes Dojo-juiced AVs: Its value could soar $500B over Musk’s moves to inject AI across his companies. Lack of adequate safety testing and false advertising could be pitfalls.
Instacart faces stiff headwinds: While growing its advertising and technology businesses have helped it overcome slowing delivery growth, that strategy may not be sustainable.
Smucker swallows up more of the snack market by buying Hostess: With consumers pulling back due to rising prices, food companies like Smucker turn to acquisitions to spur growth.
Price matters to everyone, but ease and convenience play an even bigger role in purchase decisions. Plus, retailers should consider revamping their apps to garner more sales and use their target audience to guide in-store and online strategies.
Google isn’t looking so good as it prepares for trial with the DOJ: A historic antitrust challenge comes as Google is under fire for multiple advertising controversies.
Meta gears up GPT-4 challenge with new open-source AI model: It’s likely trying to crowdsource its way to generative AI frontrunner status despite the reputational risks.
Apple unveils the iPhone 15, focusing on premium upgrades in a stagnant smartphone market. Huawei poses a challenge in China and emerging markets.
Luxury furniture retailer RH isn’t immune to the housing downturn: The company expects challenges to continue into 2024 as high interest rates and limited supply take their tolls on the housing market.
Nielsen reverses stance on Amazon first-party football data: After networks and industry groups cried foul, Nielsen won’t include Amazon data in its panel currency.
As ChatGPT traffic dips, Anthropic’s Claude Pro emerges: The AI chatbot space evolves, suggesting a myriad of potential players.
YouTube TV gained 300,000 subscribers in Q2 while the pay-TV industry suffered losses. The shift signals a new TV landscape where Big Tech gains ground.
Overdraft fees fell 11% year over year, but they’re still widespread: A look at the fees banks are charging for overdrafts, nonsufficient funds, ATM usage, and checking accounts shows regulatory scrutiny can be a great motivator.