On today's podcast episode, we discuss what would happen if TikTok is (or isn’t) banned in America, what marketers get most wrong about consumers, will AI smartphones be impactful right out of the gate, will most companies eventually ask employees to be in the office five days a week, the world's favorite drinks, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Blake Droesch, Bill Fisher, and Carina Perkins.
Publicis acquires Mars United Commerce: The deal strengthens holding company’s ability to offer commerce media solutions.
TikTok Shop is Gen Z’s new favorite gifting destination: More than half plan to make a purchase on the platform this holiday season, lured by the prospect of a good deal.
The issuer will have to innovate its card offerings to contend with the UK’s lower interchange revenues
The retailer is pushing non-card payments to save on swipe fees, a perennial frustration for merchants, but getting consumers to make the switch will be tricky
Proposed caps from both sides of the aisle have failed to gain traction—they could restrict credit access and raise annual fees
Given that more than 80% of total retail sales still take place in stores, retailers are recognizing an opportunity to extend their lucrative retail media advertising programs into physical spaces.
It won’t be easy to get Nike back on track: The brand’s missteps enabled competitors adidas, On Running, and Hoka to build connections with consumers that may be hard to dislodge.
Stringent return policies deter shoppers from making a purchase: That’s why several retailers are adopting nuanced approaches to protect their margins without turning shoppers off.
Agencies begin to doubt retail media’s efficacy:: Some are counseling caution as lack of standardization and the sheer number of RMNs make it difficult to assess whether brands’ investments are paying off.
With six months to comply or face a formal inquiry, Apple must open its walled garden, putting its privacy defenses at odds with regulatory pressure.
With digital twins ready to revolutionize 24/7 sales, RepAI faces the dual challenge of customer AI distrust and ethical concerns.
Amazon’s genAI push continues with new seller tools: The retailer released Project Amelia, an AI assistant to help sellers with queries and troubleshooting, alongside other features to improve the merchant and customer experience.
Here’s a deeper dive into consumers’ financial outlook ahead of the holidays and what that means for retailers.
The integration is a win for PayPal after Amazon stopped accepting Venmo on its ecommerce site
It would likely face similar adoption struggles to PayPal’s stablecoin, and the timing may lessen its revenue opportunities
There are, however, still many unknowns—like how interest-bearing loans will be treated
Chinese retailers may cut ad spending under new tariffs: US tariff crackdown could impact Temu and Shein's ad investments, reshaping the digital ad market.
Walmart joins the early October holiday sales push: The retailer will launch its Walmart Holiday Days event on October 8, the same day Amazon and Target are hosting sales.
Amazon turns to TV to promote third-party sellers: The retailer’s new “Shark Tank”-like competition show will likely boost sales and put a friendly face on the Amazon brand.