It’s a balancing act for brands that want to champion inclusivity—authentically and meaningfully, without stirring controversy. “It’s really important for advertising to reflect the world in which we live. Displaying it creates a sense of acceptance,” our analyst Paola Flores-Marquez said on the “Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail” podcast. But brands can hurt people by getting it wrong, she added.
Some 53% of marketers believe AI will significantly enhance the way shoppers are targeted and served relevant ads, per a survey from Cooler Screens. Both AI and retail media are still developing. As both of these areas mature, AI will make retail media data even more powerful. Here are some ways AI is improving retail media.
Feature innovation is transforming digital wallets into everyday commerce enablers.
Retailers shifted the peak shipping season earlier this year: In an uncertain macroeconomic environment, that could lead some merchants that play the percentages to still miss the mark.
The EU asks Amazon for information on its algorithms, ads: Meanwhile, in the US, the retail giant’s investment in Saks Fifth Avenue’s parent adds fuel to the FTC’s antitrust suit.
Burberry could lay off 400 workers as turnaround falls short: The brand’s efforts to become a top-tier luxury retailer stall amid lackluster collections and price hikes.
This could be a boon for BNPL providers and digital wallets
But the settlement could face a similar fate to Visa and Mastercard’s rejected swipe fee settlement
Retail marketers should focus on brand marketing to combat consumers’ desire for value. That was the main theme from General Mills, Nike, Levi’s, and more brands’ recent earning calls. Oh, and if you can get Beyonce to name a song after your brand, even better.
During Prime Day 2024, US shoppers will spend nearly $14 billion—a 5.9% increase over last year. But the dynamics of the shopping event are shifting as competitors chip away at Amazon’s market share.
Walmart bets on AR: The retailer experiments with several use cases for the technology that it hopes can make shopping online as immersive, interactive, and social as in-person experience.
Secondhand shopping is still in vogue: Gen Zers and millennials are driving the trend as shoppers search for savings.
Ecommerce will account for 35% of all back-to-school shopping this year: That’s a massive shift from the 23% share it accounted for prior to the pandemic as consumers embrace convenience.
TikTok’s social commerce features resonate with Gen Z: Around 40% of shoppers ages 18 to 26 have made at least one purchase on TikTok Shop.
While wero could shake up the EU digital payments market, its immediate impact will be limited as it fights for adoption
This partnership will help it stay ahead of Affirm, which just notched a major partnership of its own
Small-format stores deliver outsize results: Those locations are helping retailers keep their brands top of mind and reach new customer segments.
Mercado Libre is beating Amazon at its own game in Latin America: The former is expected to represent more than half of all retail media ad spending in the region, while the latter continues to lose share to local players in Brazil and Mexico.
Our top 5 articles in H1 2024: Consumers’ media habits, patients’ healthcare spending, and Big Pharma drew the most attention from our digital health audience.
81% of US consumers dine out at least once a month: But they’re increasingly looking for good value beyond just low prices.