Retail & Ecommerce

Constellation Brands’ beer portfolio is hitting the right notes: But the company’s wine and spirits brands face stiff headwinds.

Amazon’s speedy delivery options won over procrastinating holiday shoppers: The retailer captured nearly one-third of online orders in the two weeks leading up to Christmas.

Our analysts have already made their big predictions for the year ahead, but the newsletter team has a few more to add to the list. As Amazon hits the gas on grocery, it may use its Amazon Fresh stores for fulfillment. Plus, we think beauty will get personal, Amazon could give digitally native brands a helping hand, and a healing economy could spell trouble for discount stores.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what the biggest trend of 2024 will be when it comes to how consumers will spend their time—and money—and what the biggest opportunities for advertisers will be as a result. Tune in to the discussion with our director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman and vice president of Briefings Jennifer Pearson.

Gen Z spends the most time on social media. Gen Zers ages 18 to 24 spend more time on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat than any other age group, according to our forecast. These platforms become community spaces where they interact beyond simple messaging: They share memes and new interests, video chat, and collaborate on content.

Walmart deepens metaverse presence with Unity partnership: The retailer is expanding access to its commerce APIs to allow developers to sell physical items within virtual experiences.

Deal-seeking shoppers spent $222.1 billion online this holiday season: Elevated discounts drove spending across the electronics, apparel, furniture, and toy categories.

Conagra trimmed its outlook after sales slipped 3.2% in FYQ2: It expects sales to decline 1% to 2% this year, down from the 1% rise it previously forecast.

The luxury market is falling back to Earth: After several years of atypical price increases and sales growth, the industry is returning to normal.

TikTok Shop aims to reach $17.5 billion in GMV this year: The platform is setting an ambitious US sales target for 2024, even as it cuts merchant subsidies and hikes fees.

From retailers drawing shoppers in-store by leaning on creator content to the emergence of livestream ecommerce influencers and the potential consolidation of retail media networks, our analyst-led predictions offer a glimpse into the future of shopping and advertising. We explore each, weighing the arguments for and against their likelihood in shaping the year ahead.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the most important retail trends we're watching in 2024: How retailers will try to compete less with Amazon online, how China's influence will shake up online shopping in the US, and buying retail media networks. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian and analysts Sky Canaves and Blake Droesch.

Now they’re stressed about paying back their balances despite many macroeconomic factors improving

Firms like Wise aren’t just eating into banks’ remittance share—they’re gunning for broader banking services

Customers can use Affirm at Walmart’s self-checkout kiosks, which will help the firm capture more of Walmart’s in-store sales

his year, just over a quarter (26.7%) of all search ad dollars will be spent on retailer and retailer-affiliated properties. Over the next few years, retail media will account for more new search ad dollars, and by 2027 it will represent well over a third (37.2%) of the market

Cost, lack of third-party verification, limited on-site ad space, and limited activation options are some of the top challenges brands and advertisers in the US, France, Germany, and the UK face when using retail media networks (RMNs), according to an August 2023 DoubleVerify study.

Auto sales bounced back last year: But high sticker prices and elevated borrowing costs are keeping many consumers on the sidelines—though this could unlock opportunities.

China’s economy is in a tough spot: Wages offered to Chinese workers fell by a record amount in the latest sign that China has yet to push past its challenges.