Freight-booking platform Freightos pushes past headwinds to go public: The company’s timing is less than ideal given that the shipping industry is contending with a sharp slowdown in demand.
Sam’s Club aims to open 30 new stores: The membership club looks to build on its pandemic-era gains by expanding into fast-growing suburban areas.
Consumers expect to spend nearly 10% more on Valentine’s Day this year: And nearly one-third plan to give the gift of an experience, the highest share ever.
Facebook and YouTube will still be the top US social media platforms for buying ads or monetizing content this year, though their dominance is eroding, according to October 2022 polling by Integral Ad Science.
Researchers dispel EV greenwashing: A study shows that EVs aren’t necessarily an environmental savior, with skyrocketing lithium demand on track to cause havoc. Car culture will likely require space mining.
B2B ad spending will total over $35 billion this year, up 9.3% from 2022, according to our forecast. As millennials and Gen Zers become the dominant players in the buying process this year, B2B marketing will shift to keep up with their digital inclinations. Expect B2B marketers to take a page out of consumer marketing and invest more in influencers.
Walmart is undergoing a “much broader shift,” said our analyst Sky Canaves on our “Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail” podcast. Where Walmart was once seen as primarily a retailer, it’s pivoting into tech and services. Walmart’s business remains rooted in grocery, but through its retail as a service and Walmart+ offerings, it’s expanding that flywheel.
How chatbots can increase patient engagement: A research study by AllianceChicago shows how personalized messages boosted well-child visits and immunizations among minority patients.
Digital health startups to watch: This week, we spotlight digital health app Peppy and healthcare cybersecurity vendor Censinet on the back of recent funding hauls.
Optum Rx members can now compare prices for generic drugs: The PBM’s new tool will help consumers find the lowest Rx price, but we’re not expecting it to be a big cost saver.
Network configuration error downs Microsoft’s services: A network update took out Microsoft’s services globally, once more exposing the vulnerability of relying on monolithic cloud services.
Retailers continue to invest in the metaverse, despite limited consumer interest: Startups Emperia and Digital Village each bagged millions in funding for their virtual store tech.
Ticketmaster’s dominance of ticket sales draws concern of US senators: Company grilled over Taylor Swift incident, its pricing, and fees.
Nike may have to reconsider its D2C strategy: The footwear giant is losing market share as more cost-conscious, affluent shoppers opt for Skechers instead.
Levi’s Q4 revenues beat expectations thanks to strong D2C sales: But declining sales at wholesale partners like Target and Walmart are pushing the retailer to diversify its offerings.
AI as muse or job killer? ChatGPT isn’t yet commercialized but is demonstrating its potential to rock the economy. The tech will affect white-collar jobs but won’t eliminate them—yet.
There’s opportunity and risk for insurers in how they prepare for crises.
British insurer Saga is looking to sell its underwriting arm to ease pandemic-induced debt.
The insurtech is using its seed funding to provide an end-to-end platform for small businesses to manage their coverage.
We dig into the trends that will power the insurance industry through an economic downturn.