Retail & Ecommerce

The majority of US consumers are shouldering loan debt, with 61.1% holding one or more loan accounts with an outstanding balance. The most common types of accounts to have an outstanding balance are mortgages (33.3%) and auto loans (31.0%).

Apple joins other retailers looking for ways to maximize recurring revenue: A hardware subscription program could help the tech giant make up for softening consumer demand and build deeper relationships with consumers.

Changing consumer habits are causing Walmart to rethink tobacco sales: The retailer is moving away from cigarette sales as it builds out its healthcare business and reconfigures store layouts.

Amazon’s digital sales will grow significantly faster than the overall market in four categories this year.

Sustainability is good for the planet and good for business: Consumers are willing to pay more for items produced in an environmentally friendly manner.

A changing grocery delivery landscape forces Instacart to diversify: The delivery company launches a suite of retailer-focused tech solutions as rivals encroach on its turf.

The firms launched the IHG Rewards Premier Business card and updated rewards on the IHG Rewards Traveler and Premier consumer cards.

L’Oréal experiments with beauty x tech integrations once again: The global cosmetics giant will launch an in-store experience later this year that lets customers don a headset to receive a personalized fragrance consultation.

Sweetgreen experiments with store formats to deepen connections with digital customers: The salad chain wants to bring the in-store experience and added convenience to drive-thrus.

Younger consumers turn to social media to inform their purchases: 45% of Gen Z shoppers use Instagram for product research, 1.5x more than look to Facebook and TikTok.

The definition of cinema changed this weekend: With a Best Picture win for “CODA,” Apple showed that a streamer can deliver high-quality movie-going experiences—without going to the movies.

Spotify could break away from Google and Apple’s payment duopoly: Google’s alternative payments pilot program might only serve higher-profile apps, leaving smaller developers in the lurch.

TV audiences are fragmented, and the Oscars won’t change that: Though the 2022 ad inventory is sold out, a modest bounceback from last year’s disappointing show is probably the best ABC can hope for.