Retail & Ecommerce

Is TikTok Shop a must-have for US merchants? While TikTok commerce is gaining in popularity, the platform’s Shop feature has hit some roadblocks—our recent report investigates.

Digitally native brands look for a new D2C playbook: Brands are embracing wholesale, physical retail, acquisitions, and even selling on Amazon to regain momentum and achieve profitability.

“Barbie” is the top-searched term on Amazon. Shopify has seen a 56% increase in doll sales. And despite a fall in Q2 Barbie doll sales, Mattel believes there will be significant growth for the property in the coming months and years. All of this has Greta Gerwig’s movie to thank.

On today's episode, we discuss how a new era of social media is rising, whether folks want to pay for things with their hand, when the best time to email your co-worker is, how Walmart+ is getting on, what AI in the home might look like, the most popular cars in the US, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Ross Benes and Blake Droesch and forecasting director Oscar Orozco.

TikTok’s rapid ascent in social commerce is drawing comparisons to Amazon’s flywheel strategy. The platform is taking multiple steps to achieve its goal of quadrupling its global ecommerce business to a potential $20 billion in annual merchandise sales through TikTok Shop. Here’s what’s working, what isn’t, and what has yet to be seen.

As US mcommerce sales approach nearly half of total US online sales, marketers need to adopt mobile-first strategies that improve both the shopping and checkout experience. For those looking to boost adoption for their mobile shopping apps, banner ads are the best deal, though more interactive ad formats could become popular as retailers gamify their apps.

Total payment volume grew 11% YoY in the second quarter since restructuring, despite declines in active accounts

This highlights the popularity of the credit card’s investment feature and should continue to bring in more cardholders

Consumers are gravitating toward high-end, open air shopping centers: Luxury, grocery, and experiential elements are encouraging visits and longer dwell times.

With students heading back to school, how is the sales season shaping up? We’ve compiled five charts on the 2023 back-to-school shopping season. When and where are consumers shopping and how are they looking to save?

High prices aren’t deterring US consumers’ international travel plans: Domestic demand is softening as travelers prioritize overseas destinations.

AB InBev’s US revenues fell 10.5% in Q2 thanks to Bud Light backlash: The brewer now faces a difficult battle to regain share as Molson Coors, Constellation Brands make inroads with consumers.

Over half of consumers aren’t interested in ghost kitchens: The survey results come at the same time that many restaurants are sunsetting their virtual brands.

Gen Z women trust beauty influencers: Roughly eight in 10 Gen Z women shop for creators’ beauty and personal care recommendations.

The average price of Ralph Lauren products is up 80% since 2018: The apparel company is focused on elevating its brand perception.

Shopify is bullish after a strong Q2: The company continues to see robust GMV and revenue growth as it signs on more merchants and ecommerce sales continue to rise.

Amazon’s cost-cutting initiatives are beginning to pay off: The company’s North America business returned to profitability in Q2, buoyed by advertising and improvements in fulfillment.

Seven in 10 shoppers expect a simple returns policy: The share of consumers who check a retailers’ return policy before purchase jumped nine percentage points in the past year.