71% of US marketers say establishing ethical and privacy standards is the top step for preparing for AI agent-led commerce, according to an October 2025 survey from ANA and The Harris Poll.
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Become a ClientAfter years of digital acceleration, US retailers are heading into 2026 facing a more complicated reality. Tariff-related cost pressures still exist, retail media is maturing from experimentation to discipline, and AI is moving from back-end efficiency to front-of-house influence. Across all three forces, one theme is emerging for retail leaders: The physical store is becoming more, not less, central to how retailers protect margins, influence decisions, and differentiate experiences.
CEO neutrality carries brand risk; OpenAI and Anthropic leaders’ cautious political responses are an illustration of how hedging on values can erode trust rather than protect it.
37.2% of US adults say they're most likely to shop via Instagram, making it the top social commerce platform, ahead of TikTok (30.5%), according to a September 2025 survey from Power Digital Marketing.
Banks’ AI fantasies collide with reality.
The banking industry’s pushback has fallen flat against OCC trust charters for crypto firms.
They’re no better off than millennials at the same age.
IAB projects a 9.5% US ad-spend rise in 2026 while AI agents scale performance, retention, and automation.