Retailer-native AI assistants will drive 54.1% of US AI-driven retail ecommerce sales in 2026, keeping retailers ahead of general-purpose AI platforms through 2030, according to a July report from EMARKETER.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the three biggest questions surrounding Amazon right now: Are Amazon’s AI tools gaining traction with consumers, advertisers, and enterprise clients? Is Prime Video becoming a true premium advertising opportunity, or is it still an added benefit of Amazon’s core shopping ecosystem? And will cloud overtake retail as Amazon’s biggest business by 2030? And more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Analysts Marisa Jones and Rachel Wolff, as they explore these questions and more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
A sharp monthly decline reflects Prime Day timing and lower gas prices more than weakening demand.
The old athlete-brand relationship playbook is changing quickly as athletes become creators. Instead of waiting for networks or press offices to shape their narrative, athletes are building the studio themselves, streaming from on their smartphones, with no scripts in sight on platforms like Amazon’s live-streaming service Twitch. When WNBA stars Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman turned the 2026 All-Star Weekend into a 72-hour Twitch livestream with a peak audience of 36,000 concurrent viewers, or when former Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown processed a trade to the 76ers with nearly 30,000 viewers, they were doing more than traditional press hits. They were talking directly to their fandom and sponsors followed.
Programmatic and addressable ad buying are both growing their share of the linear TV market. But the long-term picture for each is hampered by the overall decline of traditional TV.
Despite early sales like June’s Amazon Prime Day, back-to-school is skewing later this year, making for an extended season. Less than half (48%) of planned spending was expected to wrap up by the end of July.
Exclusive data shows AI shopping trails habits: Just 16.6% use genAI weekly for shopping, making major marketing investments premature.
Insurance advisors must earn trust by explaining tradeoffs before myths derail smart policy purchases.
But unsuccessful efforts to apply the same playbook to Kate Spade challenge the company's long-term prospects.
More cost-strapped motorists trim or drop coverage instead of comparing rates, prompting insurers to reassess retention strategies.
Giant Food is joining rivals in making savings more visible as shoppers stay highly price-sensitive.
Long research cycles and sales planning make pre-event marketing as important as the conversion moment itself.
The platform is turning social discovery into repeat ecommerce buying across generations.
Housing data helps brands reach high-intent consumers early in project planning and discovery.
Walmart’s and Amazon's private labels are highly visible on ChatGPT, raising the stakes for other brands.
Digital tools handle routine tasks, but trusted advisors remain a key way to deepen customer relationships.
US consumers are unlikely to bite for low cash-back rewards gated behind monthly fees.
Projecting exclusivity by partnering with prestige brands and experiences set Amex apart.
Canadian consumers are opening fewer accounts, and more are choosing digital rivals over their primary bank for new relationships.
The drugmaker is also widening the crackdown by calling on social platforms and other digital players to help stop illegal sales.