As brand loyalty declines, deals remain a surefire way to win over consumers. Shoppers get discounts and retailers get invaluable first-party data. It’s a win-win. Here are five charts on how to up your loyalty game.

Zappos finds low-hanging fruit to bolster the customer experience: The Amazon-owned retailer launches a label-free, box-free returns service at Whole Foods Markets.

On today's episode, host Sara Lebow tees up a conversation between our analyst Andrew Lipsman and Ram Iyer, worldwide director, digital strategy and ecommerce at Microsoft, about omnichannel and mobile commerce, the consumer path to purchase, the metaverse, and more.

Pinterest was seen as the safest social media platform in the US last year, though the percentage of users who held that view declined from 2020 (51% versus 41%), according to our “US Digital Trust Benchmark 2022” report. Meanwhile, Facebook was where the lowest percentage of users felt safe, down to just 26% in 2022.

Steep discounts for new Teslas: New buyers in the US and Europe can benefit from discounted EVs, but the fallout from existing customers could further erode the company’s reputation.

Airbus demonstrates planes that land themselves: Autonomous flight systems like Airbus’ DragonFly can serve as assistive technology, helping pilots and crews in the short term as wider adoption paves the way to fully autonomous flight.

UK shoppers are buying fewer groceries online: With prices rising at the fastest rate in 40 years, consumers are changing their spending habits.

Google’s new shelf-checking inventory aims to fill a clear need: However, it will likely be a few years before it is ready for prime time. (This article was written with the assistance of GPT-3.)

Meta Quest adds connected fitness features for Android users: Fitness apps may spark more consumer interest in the VR headsets.

Transcarent gives members virtual access to medical second opinions: The company is hoping that its tie-up with Cleveland Clinic will generate savings for employer customers.

The least effective drugs get the most TV ad spending: We unpack a recent JAMA Network Online study of ad spending on drugs vs. their therapeutic value and posit the future of Rx ads on connected TVs.

HBO Max is upping prices right before its merger with Discovery+: While it’s peculiar timing, it should allow debt-riddled WBD to invest in user experience.

Netflix’s upfront debut could be bumpy for advertisers: In a significant media power shift, streaming’s upfront takeover could drive CPMs even higher.

Startups put OpenAI’s Microsoft advantage to the test: OpenAI is becoming one of the US' most valuable startups over its sensational generative AI. Leadership in the space requires skillful monetization.

‘T2’ is part of a growing trend to topple Twitter: Platforms are racing to replace Twitter’s status as digital town square. A carbon copy of the site isn’t a prerequisite.

Consumer demands are evolving faster than banks’ tech, so they’re turning to fintechs to keep up. Slowly, banks and fintechs are learning to work together.

A study put UK banks on blast for their sustainability plans. But the repercussions of a collapse would extend much further.

The bank said the founder of the college planning startup falsified customer numbers to complete the acquisition.