Amazon tests Agility’s humanoid robot in warehouses: Digit will work alongside humans and do some of their work. We can expect the move will fuel workforce disruption anxiety.
On today's podcast episode, we discuss why the internet might be getting worse, what a new device designed for generative AI (genAI) might look like, whether we're sure about self-checkout, why a new online safety bill matters, what consumers expect from brands on social issues, where the ultra-rich spend their holidays, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood and analysts Bill Fisher and Carina Perkins.
Retail sales growth is expected to be solid over the holidays: However, there’s some cause for concern given that consumers plan to buy from fewer retailers than in years past.
Amazon adds a Consult-a-Friend feature to its mobile app: The move represents the retailer’s latest attempt to transform the way that consumers engage with its platform.
Restaurant aggregators successfully woo convenience-oriented consumers: DoorDash, Uber Eats, and others are targeting gamers, Gen Zs, and other audiences with higher order frequencies to boost sales.
Costco’s fiscal Q4 earnings report, with total revenues of $78.94 billion, offers a glimpse into shifting consumer priorities: its shoppers are now favoring essentials, opting for groceries and gasoline, while luxury and other discretionary items have taken a backseat.
Macy’s sets up shop in the metaverse: The retailer is banking on virtual experiences to raise awareness for its brands and deepen shopper loyalty.
The payments provider wants to boost payments volume by diving further into the music vertical
This growth could get an extra boost if Early Warning Services integrates it with its upcoming digital wallet
Apple would have to agree, and finding a new partner may not be that easy
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) will play a major role in how consumers shop this holiday season as they seek out budget-friendly ways to pay. To capture a bigger share of holiday sales, BNPL provider Klarna has introduced a new suite of tools to help bridge the digital-physical gap with AI-powered technology and shoppable media.
US mortgage demand is at its lowest rate since 1995: The weak housing market is driving up demand (and prices) for rentals, which could lead to more interest rate hikes.
YouTube keeps rolling out shopping tools: The latest update enables creators to make the shopping button appear at relevant points in their videos.
The vast majority (96%) of Pinterest searches are unbranded, said Brittan Bushman, Pinterst’s director of strategy, during a session at Advertising Week New York 2023. This means that consumers turn to Pinterest to learn what kinds of products are out there, unlike traditional search engines like Google, where they go to refine their search for something they already know exists.
Amazon expands drone delivery tests for prescription medications in Texas, potentially revolutionizing time-sensitive deliveries and sparking wider interest in the tech’s future.
Procter & Gamble plans to ease up on price hikes: The company plans to raise prices between 1% and 2% this year as it tries to return to volume growth.
On today's podcast episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss how Costco is getting on and the vision for the wholesale retailer in a crowded marketplace. Then, for "Pop-Up Rankings," we rank the two things Costco can take to the next level and two things it could do to get the naysayers to come back. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian and analyst Zak Stambor.
Half of shoppers worldwide have used social media to discover products, per Salesforce, but even more (59%) have used it to purchase something.
Over one-third (38%) of US adults have decreased their impulse spending this year, up from 14% in 2022, per a study commissioned by Slickdeals and conducted by OnePoll. As we enter the holiday season, there are still a few ways retailers can encourage impulse purchases, from experimenting with shoppable media and putting seasonal products front and center to anticipating the last-minute needs of customers picking up orders in-store.
Better-than-expected September retail sales point to the continued health of US consumers: Shoppers are largely keeping up with inflation, while finding room to splurge on experiences.