As tariffs put pressure on retail media budgets, advertisers are, in turn, pressuring retail media networks (RMNs) for more sophisticated measurement tools that provide them with richer data across the entire funnel.
Trump administration’s student loan crackdown couldn’t come at a worse time: Wage garnishment and loan defaults could reduce annual consumer spending by $63 billion, pressuring the strained US economy.
In April, Walmart led the retail rankings thanks to its advanced grid-based delivery system and an elevated in-store beauty experience. Amazon followed closely with the testing of a new AI-powered “Buy For Me” feature designed to simplify purchases. Meanwhile, Temu and Shein adjusted their pricing strategies due to rising import costs, risking their low-price appeal. Here are the eight most interesting retailers and brands from last month, as ranked on our “Behind the Numbers” podcast.
Skechers goes private in challenging time for footwear industry: The $9.4 billion deal will give the company breathing room to navigate punishingly high tariffs.
Toys are among the first cuts when consumers feel squeezed: Coupled with shifting tariff policies, that puts Mattel in a tough spot.
By keeping nonprofit control, OpenAI ditches profit-first ambitions and positions itself as the ethical backbone of the AI race
A new type of tax-advantage account making its way through Congress could be a chance for banks to attract and retain customers.
71% of consumers worldwide are interested in AI agents that can answer questions for faster customer service, according to December 2024 data from Salesforce.
Trump administration tariffs could significantly alter digital advertising strategies, forcing marketers to pivot toward performance channels.
Payment providers are investing in AI to help streamline and personalize both the merchant and customer experiences
The personalized rewards offering will help the credit card stand out against other no-annual-fee credit cards
Direct-to-patient models could pay off for pharma: But if pharma companies bypass middlemen such as insurers and PBMs, they’ll need to pay attention to where patients see the biggest needs for improvement to their healthcare experience— and not just try to fill as many new prescriptions as possible.
Trump admin invests $500M for universal vaccine project: Perhaps the administration isn’t as anti-vax as publicly perceived. However, vaccine makers are still on high alert as approval timelines for vaccines undergoing trials could get pushed back.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how ready Netflix is for a potential recession, if video podcasts and content creators fit nicely into its offering, and whether AI can help improve search for the streaming giant. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Analyst Ross Benes, and Vice President of Content Paul Verna. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
In retail, digital twins are virtual replicas of real-world products, stores, or processes, helping retailers model everything from supply chains to store layouts. Digital twins may play an even bigger role in retail now that retailers must navigate the uncertainty around tariffs. Here are four ways they can help retailers prepare and respond.
Apple Q2 revenues grow 5% YoY, but Services are slightly below expectations: Despite revenue gains, tariffs and an antitrust case could cause the tides to turn.
Microsoft moves to kill the password for good: New accounts skip passwords entirely, and users can delete old ones—part of a bigger push to make passkeys the new normal.
95% of women characters in US ads are portrayed in domestic and family roles, while only 3% are in leadership roles, according to a March 2025 CreativeX report. In worldwide ads, 71% of women characters are portrayed in domestic roles and 20% in leadership roles.
Meta revenues up 16% YoY in Q1: The company started the year off on a positive note, but tariffs could foreshadow strife.
WhatsApp’s importance to Meta goes well beyond social messaging: A forced divestiture could disrupt customer service, commerce, and loyalty worldwide.