After experiencing a surge in growth in 2021, US retail sales growth began to slow last year, a pattern which will continue into 2023. According to our forecast, sales will rise by less than 3% this year, reaching over $7.3 trillion.

On today’s episode, we discuss the relationship between video versus TV ad spend and time spent, what streaming services becoming more cost-conscious means for the space, what we can expect video measurement to look like this year, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Paul Verna.

Beware of the ‘retailpocalypse’ narrative: While retailers such as Gap and Macy’s shutter stores, there’s no sign that a broader bust is imminent.

Click-to-door time was as low as 4.4 days in July 2022 for non-Amazon digital retailers in the US, according to NielsenIQ. But Amazon has them beat by a lot, with an average click-to-door speed of 1.9 days.

Just five countries will produce double-digit growth rates for total media ad spending in 2023, and of these India will be the only large market to do so.

Tesla price discounts in China backfire: The EV maker offered discounts on new models to counter rising competition, but existing Tesla owners in China are furious and demanding rebates.

Brands and retailers face threats to their pricing power: An FTC investigation into PepsiCo and Coca-Cola’s pricing practices, coupled with consumers’ cost sensitivity, could limit companies’ abilities to dictate prices.

Instacart’s grocery sales growth is slowing: With investors souring on app-driven delivery startups and a deceleration in its grocery sales, the company cut its internal valuation by 20%.

VR’s golden age is coming, but not in 2023: Apple’s headset could hit the market this year, but with fierce competition in a down economy, it won’t move the revenue needle.

Five major TV networks team up against Nielsen: A new joint industry committee for measurement currencies wants to have alternatives certified by May upfronts.

Babies R Us is coming back: But it isn’t clear whether consumers are looking for, or want, a dedicated baby concept.

Microsoft hitches its AI wagon to OpenAI’s ChatGPT: Investing $10 billion will give Microsoft 75% of OpenAI’s profits and priority access to innovation it can fold into web search and software solutions.

‘Feels like the early launch of the internet’: Venture capitalists can’t contain their excitement about generative AI, which bodes well for startups in 2023. Meanwhile, the downturn protects against overvaluation.

Mass layoffs at the Wall Street bank and a forecasted 46% drop in profits are symptomatic of the broader banking industry slowdown.

CEO Ann Boden credited the neobank’s mortgage business and SME banking success for turning Starling into a “leading player” in the banking market.

Sixteen proposed or completed acquisitions of banks by CUs tied the 2019 record. This year could be just as busy.

Describing themselves as financially “burnt out,” most are leaning on digital banking tools to make adjustments.

Supply chain operators struggle with worker shortages and strikes: Cost-of-living struggles continue to spur labor activity at ports worldwide, driving companies to offer higher wages and improve benefits.