As product catalogs grow, content multiplies, and shopping journeys splinter across platforms, AI recommendation engines are becoming the connective tissue between desire and decision. In 2026, retail leaders expect the technology to move from responding to queries to proactively anticipating what consumers want and guiding them through increasingly complex choice environments.
With 63% of consumers expecting unemployment to rise, retailers may face more belt-tightening ahead.
This FAQ examines what's verifiable about ad blocking today and what marketers should watch in 2026.
Kroger, CVS, and others are increasing in-store retail media investments as interest grows.
Agentic AI is becoming agencies' operating layer. CES 2026 showed holding companies reframing AI as the system that unifies workflows, accelerates execution, and boosts accountability.
JPMorgan buys the $20B portfolio at a discount, inheriting risks but gaining a unique opportunity.
With AI-powered security and no retail conflict, Clover’s palm-pay push could win where Amazon stumbled.
A Crypto.com deal lets shoppers pay in any crypto—not just stablecoins—seamlessly at Stripe merchants.
Constellation Brands blames weak demand on the stiff socioeconomic headwinds facing Hispanic consumers.
US dietary guidelines overhaul decades of low-fat advice and target added sugar.
Europe, Middle East, Africa rise in consumer tech: Brands must pivot as regional trade-up demand and connected living drive growth beyond North America.
Pharma branding agencies are using AI platforms to craft standout drug names while avoiding risk and streamlining time to market.
A new Rx refill program cuts out physicians, raising fears over safety—tougher regulatory oversight is likely to come.
ChatGPT Health lets users upload medical data for personalized wellness advice—a feature likely to gain traction as folks trade in data privacy for AI-powered health insights.
Semafor’s rise shows publishers are supplementing inconsistent ad revenues with events and sponsorships.
Spotify outlines how AI, automation, and immersive experiences will reshape how brands connect with consumers in 2026.
Roku’s $2.99 ad-free service challenges ad-heavy models, eyeing a forgotten tier between FAST and pricey subs.
Simpler sponsorship tools and wider access help brands tap into engaged, purchase-ready listeners.
Disney+ is adopting vertical video to drive daily habits; the format’s expansion aligns with marketer demand for mobile-native surfaces that blend awareness with measurable engagement.
Uniqlo delivered double-digit growth at the end of 2025, outpacing Primark, as shoppers opted for quality over rock-bottom prices.