Overstock finds Bed Bath & Beyond has plenty of brand equity: Since rebranding in August, the retailer improved its top-line performance and attracted new customers.

Should we just let the branch go extinct? The end of summer in the US led us to pause and reflect on how banking continues to evolve under the influence of digitization and whether the branch still should have a place in banks’ and credit unions’ go-to-market strategies. Today, we’re kicking off a multi-part series looking at the current state of the branch, what consumers think of it, and how some banks are attempting to reinvent their branch networks to strengthen customer relationships.

YouTube's embrace of Shorts challenges long-form content: While the platform seeks balance, Instagram's move could further disrupt the market.

But it faces competition from other mPOS providers and the boom in softPOS demand

The solution brings what has become a security expectation to all transactions after India mandated tokenization for card-on-file transactions

The payments network added USDC settlement capabilities for acquirers as stablecoins gain payments momentum

The Media Rating Council says YouTube needs an audit: The industry group is trying to broaden its scope to help build trust in advertising’s pivot to digital video.

Mcommerce is driving most of the growth in online sales. Of the $96.87 billion extra spent on ecommerce in the US this year, mcommerce will contribute 61.4%. The channel hasn’t escaped the wider slowdown in ecommerce, but sales via mobile devices are still growing at twice the rate of sales via desktop devices.

Eurozone consumers pulled back in July: Rising prices and elevated interest rates are causing shoppers to think twice before they open their wallets.

Ulta expands in-store ecommerce fulfillment to 400 locations: Stores fulfilled nearly 40% of the retailer's digital orders.

Key stat: US influencer marketing spend will grow more than three times faster than social ad spend in 2023, and it will remain ahead through 2025, according to our forecast.

Mobile wallet integration makes checking out more convenient, while composable commerce gives brands the ability to customize and alter their tech stacks to fit their specific needs. Generative AI helps to enhance personalization and product recommendations, and one-click checkout buttons speed up the payment process.

B2B merchants have a significant opportunity to drive growth: By addressing some low-hanging fruit such as improving their checkout processes, they can gain share in the rapidly growing space.

Digital health startups to watch: We spotlight virtual care solutions company TapestryHealth and SUD recovery platform Kyros on the back of fresh funding.

Gen Z patients avoid the doctor: Younger consumers are deferring care more often than older ones. Here’s how healthcare providers and marketers can effectively connect with Gen Z.

Modality matters for mental health patients: Practices that don’t offer both telehealth and in-person visits risk losing patients or affecting their continuing care. Clinicians need to set their rules upfront.

Competition in the VR/XR ecosystem is heating up, and strategic hardware-software alliances could accelerate competition for Apple's premium products.

Effect House by TikTok rolls out: As TikTok broadens its AR horizon, creator incentives play a pivotal role in its evolving digital strategy.

Apple and Microsoft are targeted in new probes. Failure to comply with DMA rules could result in loss of business and alter Big Tech’s balance of power.

Huawei’s domestically produced chip shows China’s self-reliance. With Beijing pushing local tech and Apple facing potential losses, a seismic market shift looms.