Over a third of adults in the region don’t have a bank account. Only the Middle East and Africa has a larger proportion of unbanked consumers, per 2021 World Bank data analyzed by BCG. And the unbanked population is unevenly distributed: Just 59% of low-income consumers and 40% of rural inhabitants in Latin America have access to a banking account, per a January 2023 Mastercard and Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) survey.
Foot traffic to Target declined for the tenth straight week, according to Placer.ai. Visits to Target fell 7.9% the week of March 31, per the latest data. Walmart’s foot traffic has also fallen for 10 consecutive weeks, while visits to Best Buy are down from a slight rise in mid-March.
No matter when or how they land, President Donald Trump’s tariffs will shake up retail and digital media.
Companies waste no time hiking prices: The cost of everything from coffee to video game consoles to sexual wellness products is going up, which will prompt shifts in consumer spending habits.
It’s hard to plan around Trump administration policies: One day, smartphones and other electronics are spared from tariffs; the next, the exemption is called temporary.
JD plans $27.9 billion investment in Chinese manufacturers to ease tariff impact: Ecommerce peers Alibaba and Meituan will join to help export-oriented companies attract domestic customers.
2025 could be another tough year for luxury companies: LVMH’s rough Q1 reveals considerable challenges as US spending drops.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss some of the moves commerce media players have made this year to stand out from the pack, why advertisers are investing in more or fewer media networks, and the main challenges for advertisers when it comes to working with media networks. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Analyst Arielle Feger, and Principal Analyst Sarah Marzano. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
Tariffs threaten innovation’s pace: Prolonged trade wars could hike smartphone prices and delay new tech rollouts, making midrange devices a safer, more strategic choice for buyers and brands. Read online
Consumers’ relatively stable financial footing could be undercut by trade war volatility. Already-tight lending standards could lead to a double-whammy for issuers.
Shopping mall mainstay Claire’s balances being on trend for Gen Alpha with being a nostalgic brand for parents by leaning into pop culture, putting the right messaging on the right platforms, and staying in constant contact with core consumers.
UK regulators approve Shein IPO in a victory for China: While it may be too late for the fast-fashion retailer, the move could put the UK in China’s good graces and protect it from the worst of the trade war.
Tariffs will have a wide ranging impact on prices, consumer sentiment: Warehouse clubs, off-price retailers, and discount grocers could have an edge in this challenging retail environment.
TikTok is restructuring its governance and experience team: The move affects marketplace safety within TikTok Shop and may be a response to the platform’s underperformance last year.
What’s next for Capri after the Versace sale? The company is looking to offload Jimmy Choo to focus on Michael Kors, but the latter needs a wholesale reinvention to succeed.
Budgeting concerns, high interest rates, and other factors are pushing the generation to alternatives.
Despite brands scaling back DEI, commitment pays off: A new study shows demographics like Gen Z are cutting ties with brands that reverse their DEI efforts.
Most consumers aren’t using BNPL frequently enough to make it cost effective
The stablecoin giant is exploring plans to launch a US-specific token and POS solution
The campaign’s associated sweepstakes encourages users to pay more frequently with PayPal