Retail & Ecommerce

In part one of this two-part podcast episode, we discuss some more predictions for 2024 that are too specific to be 100% certain about but could still come true, including: what will actually end up happening with Paramount, what Nordstrom will do next to get back on track, and where folks will be watching the NBA over the next 10 years. Tune in to the discussion with our vice presidents of content Suzy Davidkhanian and Paul Verna and analyst Max Willens.

To keep loyalty members engaged, brands must focus on what customers want, offer smart rewards, and keep tweaking their programs. For example, Victoria’s Secret built a special community in its app, while Vitamin Shoppe added multiple tiers and benefits after careful planning.

Earlier this year, Best Buy partnered with CNET to expand advertisers’ reach among high-intent shoppers. This is a part of a larger trend where retail media networks (RMNs) team up with outside partners to expand their ad capabilities.

Asia-Pacific is key to TikTok’s growth thanks to its expanding number of users, swelling middle class, and friendlier political environment. Which countries are leading the way, and how will TikTok continue its growth?

Retail media measurement is more important than ever.

China’s retail sales rose 3.7% YoY in May: While that outpaced expectations, the retail landscape still faces clear challenges due to middle class consumers’ growing focus on value.

Growing use of weight-loss drugs drives sales of smaller, more revealing clothing: Apparel retailers are expanding their size ranges and offering more risqué styles to accommodate shifting tastes.

Brazil and South Africa push back against Temu, Shein, and others: The countries look to level the retail playing field and protect domestic sellers by closing their de minimis loopholes.

Since the pandemic, online ordering and delivery have become table stakes for the grocery industry. Retailers like Albertsons have begun to develop tools and capabilities that provide added value for customers, focusing on creating a more convenient experience. “Consumers think about food 226 times a day, that’s a lot of cognitive load,” said Jill Pavlovich, senior vice president of digital shopping experiences at Albertsons Cos. “So we want to take the experience from a transactional one to a helpful set of tools that can help people manage this.” Albertsons leveraged customer data to identify areas for improvement across its website and mobile app.

We look at what it might take for the networks to appease retailers and the judge—and avoid going to trial

It may be an olive branch for Gen Zers and millennials who may be upset over its decision to stop accepting Amex. It’s a win for Venmo’s monetization journey

But given the costs of the tech to implement it and keep it running, it may not be worth it for other retailers to follow suit

Halloween creep has crept into June: Lowe’s and Party City are following Home Depot’s lead in promoting Halloween merchandise months before the holiday, while Spirit Halloween staffs up.

Consumers think twice about buying fast food when prices rise: Traffic has fallen at major QSR chains since California’s 25% minimum wage increase took effect in April.

Adults surpass preschoolers as biggest consumers of toys: “Kidults” are driving toy sales as consumers invest in items that bring them joy.

Walmart’s automated warehouses enable it to do twice the work with half the staff: Those gains are creating more capacity for third-party sellers, and putting the retailer on track to hit ecommerce profitability in two years

Not all assumptions about how Gen Z consumers shop are correct. While it’s true that they’re motivated by sustainability, they’re also limited by their budgets. It may be difficult to earn their loyalty, but they still have brand affinities. Here are four assumptions about Gen Z and whether there’s any truth to them—straight from members of Berns Communications’ Z Suite network of Gen Z consumers.

It’s a perfect fit in Bread’s portfolio but could reinforce a troubling trend for Capital One’s co-brand business

The genAI-powered assistant can help boost conversion by giving consumers hyper-personalized suggestions