On today's episode, we discuss how we should feel about Amazon's online sales being flat, how its ad business was able to have such a good quarter, and why the company has yet to find a mass grocery format worth expanding. "In Other News," we talk about how Pinterest has been doing and just how popular self-checkout is. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Blake Droesch.
As acquisition costs continue to rise, it’s crucial for D2C brands to double down on the value provided to customers. For outdoor lifestyle company Solo Brands, this meant putting its loyal fan base first by leaning into customer experience, communication, and its value proposition to keep customers engaged and coming back for more.
DNVB companies have multiple paths for growth: Warby Parker’s sales rise 12% in Q1 thanks in part to the company’s growing physical presence, while Allbirds’ turnaround focuses on differentiating its brand.
Last year, Overstock.com streamlined its business and focused solely on home furnishings and furniture. To court a more targeted audience, Overstock leaned on its first-party data to develop more personalized ad campaigns and employed brand ambassadors to showcase the company's ability to provide consumers with high-quality products at a reasonable price. We spoke with Angela Hsu, Overstock’s CMO, ahead of her session at CommerceNext in June.
The partnership is part of the BNPL provider’s operational overhaul and pivot to a fully white-label strategy
Unrealized losses in banks’ bond portfolios and fears of more banking turmoil give shadow banks a chance to make a risky buck.
Google and Meta’s combined share of the US digital ad market dropped below 50% in 2022, and in just a few years that figure will be down to 43.0%. The triopoly is losing share now, as well; Amazon’s ascent will not be fast enough to offset the weakness of the other two giants.
Nearly two-thirds (65.8%) of US consumers said that a company being transparent about how they plan to use personal data would help that company gain their trust, per Razorfish. Over half (55.1%) said a company would be more likely to gain their trust if it didn’t unnecessarily collect personal data. Their satisfaction with a company’s product or service had less of an impact, with 49.1% saying it would earn their trust.
Amazon is doing everything it can to keep growing: The retailer has a dizzying array of initiatives in the pipeline, from in-game merchandise shops to generative AI advertising tools to incentives for shoppers to retrieve orders in person.
On today's episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss how Nike was able to create such a strong brand, how that brand has transcended generations, and how close its competitors are to catching up. Then in a brand-new segment, "Loyalty Point, Counter Point," we present arguments both in favor and against various questions related to Nike, like can it remain the need-to-have running shoe and has the company alienated its core customer? Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analyst Sky Canaves and director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman.
Amazon and big-box stores are likely to win from Bed Bath & Beyond’s collapse, while fast-fashion retailers could score displaced David’s Bridal customers. But keep a lookout for underdogs like Etsy, which may bring in shoppers looking for personalized party supplies in Party City’s absence.
Regional bank stocks are tanking even though their fundamentals are sound. Short selling might be a reason.
D2C brands facing the declining effectiveness of search and social ads must use new strategies outside of the traditional D2C growth playbook.
Every customer’s reaction, share, or comment influences the reach of a bank’s message—and could threaten the bank itself. Banks should use social media to actively engage online communities, not just to display ads.
Hulu was the star of upfront streaming spend in iSpot.tv’s March survey, with 74% of brands and advertisers saying they were allocating spend to the platform. YouTube TV also had a huge showing, with almost half (48%) of respondents saying they were assigning spend to it. Peacock, Roku, and Paramount+ rounded out the top five.
On today's episode, we discuss how Meta was able to snap its negative ad revenue growth streak, how Reels is helping Instagram grow time spent on the platform, and what Meta's metaverse plans are at this point. "In Other News," we talk about what Americans actually want in a social media platform and whether BeReal's new "Bonus" feature can help keep its momentum going. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Debra Aho Williamson.
Last month, Meta said it would use generative AI in ad creation by the end of the year. Not long after, Google announced generative AI ad plans of its own in the form of tools that will “remix” ads based on client goals. Neither company has released details of what these AI updates will look like, but the changes are big news for advertisers, agencies, and everyone in between.
YouTube is no longer separate from the streaming wars: Almost half of its viewership is on TVs, and advertisers are spending heavily on the platform.
Surging Cash App user growth helped drive a buoyant Q1 for Block despite recent short seller allegations.
There are pros and cons for this large competitive field, and no definitive answer on whether it causes financial instability.