Retail & Ecommerce

Leaning into festival culture helps Forever 21 connect with Gen Z consumers. Abercrombie & Fitch uses generative AI to speed up the product design process. And Solo Brands embraces the changing definition of the D2C model.

AI selects 70% of what Hungryroot’s customers buy: The technology was key to the online grocery and meal delivery company’s 50% growth last year.

Retail media will continue to be the fastest-growing segment of digital advertising in the coming years. By opening up their digital platforms to third-party sellers, retailers can generate high-margin revenues from advertising and marketing services charged to sellers to promote their products both on- and offsite. Amazon has built a commanding lead in this space—Amazon Ads draws more than three-quarters of US retail media ad spend.

US retail marketplace ecommerce sales will reach $603.20 billion in 2027, representing 34.8% of total retail ecommerce sales, per our forecast.

On today's episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss the sizes of different digital marketplaces, what their unique selling points are, and why smaller retailers are building out their own. Then for "Red-Hot Retail," our analysts give us four spicy predictions about the future of digital marketplaces. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts forecasting analyst Whitney Birdsall and analyst Sky Canaves.

Dollar Tree is adding more expensive items to store shelves: The move allows the discount retailer to bring in more name brands, boosting its shopper appeal.

Skims is the latest digitally native brand to open its own stores: The underwear brand plans to open four locations next year as shoppers return to brick-and-mortar retail.

Established brands are beating digital natives at their own D2C game. As marketplace and wholesale opportunities obfuscate what it means to sell D2C, brands need to keep up with both their retail and marketing playbooks—or risk falling behind.

Reported plans to launch Apple Pay and its credit card in the country could support growth plans—if it beats out stiff competition.

Amazon plans to launch a local delivery network: The retail giant aims to keep its costs in check by leaning on local merchants to bolster its delivery capabilities.

On today's episode, we discuss how this year's Amazon Prime Day will be different, how competitors can maximize the sales holiday's impact, and an uncanny link between Prime Day and the end-of-year holiday season. "In Other News," we talk about the significance of NBCUniversal and Walmart Connect bringing targeted ads to live sports and Amazon's AI initiatives. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president and analyst Andrew Lipsman.

On today’s episode, we discuss the environmental impact of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency mining. In our “Headlines” segment, we discuss the deal Bitdeer, a Bitcoin-mining company in Texas, had with the state when the power grid became distressed during the winter of 2021 and how crypto must overcome its reliance on old technologies that pollute the environment. In “Story by Numbers,” we discuss a 2022 report conducted by climate and economic researchers that estimates Bitcoin mining may be responsible for 65.4 megatons of carbon dioxide per year, comparable to the entire country of Greece. And in “What If,” we examine what would happen to crypto if governments around the world required carbon tax credits in order to operate and restrictions were put in place for the amount of energy crypto and blockchains consume. Join the conversation with host Rob Rubin and our analysts Jenna McNamee and David Morris.

TikTok doggedly pursues ecommerce expansion: The platform inked several deals to help grow its merchant base, but it faces significant obstacles in its path to growth.

Key stat: In the US, 71% of Gen Z adults say they are likely to make a purchase directly via Instagram, according to Jungle Scout. Just 40% of adults overall say the same, with the caveat that older generations are less likely to buy from social networks in general.

Prologis to acquire $3.1 billion warehouse portfolio from Blackstone: The deal will allow the company to meet growing ecommerce demand and get closer to the end consumer.

Kering looks to build a new beauty division: The luxury conglomerate struck a deal to buy Creed, the second-largest brand by sales in the high-end fragrances segment.