Retail sales in China in March grew 5.9%: Government subsidies drove the fastest growth since December 2023, but the escalating US‑China trade war is likely to curb spending in the months ahead.
Furniture retail squeezed by high acquisition costs: Industry KPI data shows the sector at a disadvantage as economic uncertainty and tariffs drive up the cost of winning customers.
Retailers are feeling the ripple effects of new tariffs as consumers brace for higher prices. While some shoppers accept the trade-off, many are already adjusting their habits—from cutting back on fast food to seeking out deals. To stay competitive, brands must focus on value, transparency, and smart messaging. Here are five key stats on how tariffs are shaking things up.
Women's sports viewership continues its upward trajectory with the NCAA women's basketball championship game drawing over 8 million viewers and peaking at 9.8 million, per ESPN ratings. While that figure is down over 2024’s 18.5 million, it represents a longer trend of sustained growth in women’s sports viewership. This phenomenon can no longer be attributed to one single star athlete—Caitlin Clark—but to an overall increase in women’s sports popularity.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how department stores are getting on, how they’re evolving, and what the contemporary department store needs to do to stick around. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Vice President of Content Suzy Davidkhanian and Senior Analyst Carina Perkins.
While Meta says the goal is political balance and nuanced conversations, is it chasing social ideology over fixing algorithmic bias?
Google, Anthropic, and Microsoft unleash tools that automate, integrate, and generate—yet steep prices and security concerns could limit how fast businesses dive in.
Snap study shows the power of positive ads: Consumers reported higher brand recall when seeing ads that sparked "joy."
Anxiety around inflation, a deteriorating labor market, and trade war consequences have deepened consumer uncertainty about the US economy, with wide-ranging implications for retail.
Temu pulls its Google Shopping ads: The escalating US-China trade war puts the company’s business model at risk and threatens ad giants like Meta and Google.
Lowe’s agreed to buy Artisan Design Group for $1.33 billion: The move should enhance the home improvement retailer’s market position when the housing sector rebounds.
Apple rebrands its ad business to ‘Apple Ads’: The shift is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to bolster its ad offerings amid past struggles.
This could help the bank strengthen its ties with SMB clients and boost customer acquisition.
The issuers are taking a wait-and-see approach to gauge how Trump’s tariffs will play out
Even so, issuers may be slow to lift preemptive APR increases as they brace for economic turbulence
The card network is positioning itself at the forefront of the crypto payments space, centered on stablecoins