Retail & Ecommerce

81% of US consumers dine out at least once a month: But they’re increasingly looking for good value beyond just low prices.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss why it felt as though fewer brands were showing their support for LGBTQ+ folks, what a brands place in Pride (or holidays) is, and which retailers have hit the nail on the head this year. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analysts Daniel Konstantinovic and Paola Flores-Marquez.

There’s strength in numbers: Putting Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus under the same roof could give the companies leverage with suppliers, unlock cost savings, and bolster the fledgling Saks Media Network.

Marketplaces will continue to expand their share of US retail ecommerce as new players with roots in China vie for prominence.

With the success of retail media playing out under the looming shadow of third-party cookie deprecation, retailers are well positioned to make a case for the value of their data for non-endemic brands.

Market clash between Samsung and Apple: As Chinese smartphone brands grow, Samsung and Apple face increasing competition to gain market share and advance their AI.

FTC doesn’t want Tempur Sealy to get in bed with Mattress Firm: The regulator alleges the deal would give the mattress supplier and manufacturer the ability to suppress competition and raise prices.

Malls need to evolve: While the pivot toward more restaurants and recreational experiences has been fairly smooth for upscale malls, those beyond the top tier are struggling.

Shifting wedding trends favor mainstream apparel brands like Abercrombie: Speciality retailers like Kleinfeld and David’s Bridal are diversifying into resale and occasionwear to stay relevant.

Two-thirds (66%) of US adults have used a credit card within the last 12 months, the most popular method of credit usage, according to an April 2024 survey from NerdWallet conducted by The Harris Poll.

Retail media is the fastest-growing ad channel we track in the US, driven by new innovations, inventory growth, and new players launching media networks. Here’s a look at some of the biggest retail media moves from the first six months of 2024.

TikTok Shop joins Amazon in holding a July sale: The marketplace hopes exclusive discounts on brands like L’Oréal and live-shopping events will boost GMV.

Home improvement customers shop differently than other categories: That’s why Home Depot sees a big opportunity to tailor its retail media network to those quirks.

Automakers face speed bumps ahead: While US auto sales grew 2.8% in the first half of the year, sales are expected to slow to 1.3% as consumers wait for interest rates to fall.

CPGs respond to growing divide between lower-income and wealthy spenders: While General Mills and others boost promotions, P&G doubles down on premiumization.

Retailers embrace the potential of non-endemic ads: Leveraging first-party data and expanding ad inventory to drive new revenue streams and enhance advertising strategies.

Amazon Prime Day conditioned shoppers to expect bargains in July: That’s driven Google, Target, Walmart, and others to seize on the opportunity to drive consumers to spend.

“In the digital era, each step along the path to purchase has become significantly more complex,” our analyst Blake Droesch said on a recent EMARKETER webinar. “The store remains a vital centerpiece, but the number of digital channels that consumers are using to discover and evaluate brands continues to grow at a rapid pace.” Brands and retailers need to stay on top of evolving purchasing behavior to meet their customers where they are. Here are three trends and opportunities that can help.