Retail & Ecommerce

TikTok launches Coin App in Europe to boost growth while TikTok Notes set to rival Instagram: Both aim to increase user engagement and market share.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss which digital behaviors Hispanic Americans over-index on, how they get their news, and what advertisers should consider when trying to reach and market to these folks. "In Other News," we talk about where in the world people use social media the most and how kids use the internet. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Matteo Ceurvels and Paola Flores-Marquez.

Meta makes the Quest 3 more like Apple’s Vision Pro: It launches an experimental app with spatial computing features. The Quest’s relative affordability is Meta’s advantage.

Paramount’s first shoppable marketing partner is Walmart: Paramount+ with Showtime announced an AI shoppable marketing partnership just ahead of Upfronts.

Mall foot traffic is returning to pre-COVID-19 levels. In 2023, visits to indoor shopping malls were down 5.8% from 2019 levels, an improvement from the 15.3% decrease in 2021, per Placer.ai’s The Comeback of the Mall in 2024 report.

This can make it a more attractive network for issuers to partner with, given credit card rewards can make or break customer retention

Despite its impressive growth, the US still falls far behind other major economies in terms of consumer adoption of RTP

Amazon is ditching Just Walk Out in favor of Dash Carts. Not only will the move satisfy customers’ desire for familiar technology, but it’s also creating more ad inventory. Walmart Connect also emphasized its in-store retail media potential last week, with a focus on expanding familiar strategies like sampling and TV screens. This back-to-basics approach might spark more in-store retail media ad spend.

Target introduces high-tech cameras to reduce theft at self-checkouts: The retailer joins Walmart, Dollar General, and others in rethinking its approach to the technology.

Uber Eats looks to short-form videos to differentiate its platform: The format could help restaurants attract attention and highlight dishes, giving it a good chance of success.

Prime Energy and Bodyarmor pressured to Gatorade to innovate: Growing competition has driven Gatorade to branch into new categories, including unflavored water.

Luxury brands are buying up premium real estate: Kering, LVMH, and Prada are spending big to acquire flagship properties on prime retail corridors.

Uniqlo plans to open over 20 US stores this year: The push mirrors similar efforts by Ikea and Zara, reflecting foreign retailers’ belief in the importance of physical retail.

For a fee, the bank’s new media solutions team will let retailers target customers based on spending habits.

But Visa’s solution is more limited, putting the payment network a step behind

Merchants may have a harder time fighting this fee due to the security benefits it supports

US sales of store brand beauty products grew 10.5% in 2023, according to February 2024 data from the Private Label Manufacturers Association and Circana.

After appearing to plateau, Amazon has regained its ecommerce momentum. But competitors still threaten Amazon’s ability to gain market share.

Lego makes its US and Canada stores sensory inclusive: The toymaker is offering visitors tools like noise-canceling headphones to make the experience more accessible.

Retail media complicates price talks between retailers and suppliers: Hardline tactics like pulling products from shelves can make brands reluctant to invest in RMNs, forcing concessions.