Retail & Ecommerce

eMarketer analyst Ross Benes, forecasting analyst Eric Haggstrom and principal analyst at Insider Intelligence Andrew Lipsman discuss how the tech giants are coming for your TV. They then talk about why lululemon athletica bought connected fitness startup Mirror, why premium loyalty programs are in fashion and what happens when stay-at-home orders end.

If the coronavirus pandemic has produced any winners in the retail sector, digital merchants are among that number.

China is the largest digital market in the world, leading all countries in terms of ecommerce, mcommerce and social commerce. It’s also home to many of the largest ecommerce conglomerates, including Alibaba and JD.com, who are generating sales at a scale that far exceeds that of companies in the US—including Amazon.

After eMarketer's February 2020 forecast projected modest growth of 2.8% to $5.621 trillion in total US retail sales, the coronavirus pandemic then took the US economy by storm, causing closures, stay-at-home orders, and a decline in the demand of non-essential goods.

Among holiday shopping events in China, many outside the country have probably only heard of Singles’ Day. However, 618—which ecommerce giant JD.com launched to commemorate the company’s founding day—is gaining popularity. And given the global interest in a post-pandemic retail rebound, this year’s event was particularly worthy of attention.

eMarketer principal analyst Debra Aho Williamson and junior analysts Blake Droesch and Nina Goetzen at Insider Intelligence discuss the recent conversation around a Facebook ad boycott. They then talk about why Zynn ditched its pay-to-watch feature, Snapchat's announcements and why WhatsApp's digital payments service in Brazil was suspended so quickly.

Mattress company Simmons is turning to TikTok to help drive brand awareness and attract a younger audience as it looks to adapt in a competitive, digitally native space.

eMarketer junior analyst Blake Droesch, research analyst Daniel Keyes, principal analyst Andrew Lipsman and senior forecasting analyst at Insider Intelligence Cindy Liu discuss Pinterest's latest social commerce moves. They then talk about May retail sales, an app that makes you the model, Shopify's latest deal with Walmart and a Brandless relaunch.

Live streaming commerce—a form of online shopping that is interactive and takes place in real time—is creating new and innovative ways for brands and retailers to connect with consumers. The format has gained wide popularity in China particularly.

The US retail market has been the largest in the world for at least a century, and although China was inevitably on track to claim this mantle from the US relatively soon, we did not expect a transition point to come as early as 2020.

Despite lackluster economic projections at the start of 2020, consumers in Mexico initially shared a collective sense of optimism about the year ahead. However, the pandemic changed that.

As lockdowns slowly lift in the US, retailers face a changed shopping landscape. With lingering fears over renewed outbreaks, many consumers are wary of returning to stores.

eMarketer principal analyst Mark Dolliver, junior analyst Blake Droesch and vice president of content studio at Insider Intelligence Paul Verna discuss whether its time to say goodbye to the sharing economy, what it will take to make people feel safe in stores, brands protest response, changing the Upfronts, young people watching more TV, taking mobile gaming more seriously, how looking at a photo can relieve pain and more.

Retail mcommerce sales in the UK will grow to £61.14 billion ($78.03 billion) in 2020, according to our latest estimates. And for the first time, retail mcommerce sales will make up more than 50% of total retail ecommerce sales in the UK.

eMarketer principal analyst Andrew Lipsman, research analyst Daniel Keyes and senior forecasting analyst at Insider Intelligence Cindy Liu discuss what it will take to encourage Americans to return to stores, the end for the mall and what will happen to brick-and-mortar sales this year. They then talk about whether clothing rental is over, why Etsy keeps surging and DoorDash Storefront.

Recent research has found that the stringent lockdown in France has boosted ecommerce dramatically as consumers make fewer in-store trips.