Google and Microsoft’s game-changing developments: US seeks to break up search giant’s online business, and software heavyweight ups the AI ante as profit falls.

Apple privacy moves draw sharp industry ire: The IAB harshly condemned Apple’s advertising policies, increasing chances for regulator intervention.

On today's episode, we discuss the prevalence of folks using first-party data in clean rooms, Amazon Marketing Cloud, and privacy. "In Other News," we talk about how Meta’s recent General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) violation could threaten its ad duopoly status and the impact of Twitter losing more than 500 of its top advertisers. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Max Willens and Tinuiti's Nirish Parsad, practice lead in emerging technology, and Aly Fields, associate director of commerce.

Attracting and retaining retail employees isn’t easy: But it's critical to delivering a high-quality customer experience. That’s why Walmart and others are boosting wages.

This year, US retail returns volume will reach $627.34 billion, representing 8.5% of all retail sales, according to our forecast. After surging in 2020 and 2021 (due to the pandemic ecommerce boom and stimulus-driven boost in consumer spending), growth normalized last year and will continue to slow through 2024.

Constrained chip supply continues: The yearslong chip crisis isn’t getting any better, and some markets aren’t expecting relief until 2024. But dwindling consumer demand could lead to oversupply and stagnating innovation.

B2B marketers became more focused on data during the pandemic when in-person events—a classic way of collecting first-party leads—ceased to be an option, and they shifted more resources toward digital. Despite a drop in growth in 2023, data spending will hit $3.91 billion by 2024.

PC slump slams peripheral and accessory market: The ripple effects of reduced consumer spending are creeping beyond PCs. Webcams, which were backordered during the pandemic, saw a 50% decline in sales in Q4.

The Federal Trade Commision (FTC) released new guidelines for health-related products—everything from dietary supplements to food to devices. The guidelines encourage marketing that is “truthful, not misleading, and supported by science.” The updates emphasize a few main pillars.

Disney wants to see how big pickleball can get: The sport got a popularity boost over the last two years, prompting ESPN to make a low-risk bet on its streaming future.

Retailers are bullish on resale: J. Crew is the latest brand to launch recommerce, while Spain-based marketplace Wallapop raised $85.2 million to expand its circular offering in Europe.

As consumers balance the cost of necessities with the desire to splurge, secondhand luxury is a sweet spot, giving shoppers a way to treat themselves without breaking the bank. The category, which was valued at €43 billion ($45.21 billion) in 2022, will continue to grow, driven by cost-conscious and sustainability-minded consumers.

‘Slap in the face’ could haunt Google: Ex-employees flock to social media to criticize the email firings. The tech giant cutting its best employees is crude capitalism, not smart business.

Apple’s partners on board for exodus to India: Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron are among the Taiwanese suppliers that will ramp up fabs in India, accelerating Apple’s move away from China.