More than 100 updates aim to keep holiday shoppers on Amazon, though speedy delivery and value remain stronger loyalty drivers.

With 80% of consumers unprepared for weather repairs, storm alerts can improve UX and prevent losses.

Telehealth brands can tap rising consumer demand for wellness peptides, though weak clinical evidence heightens patient risks.

As consumers use AI to schedule care, providers will need to prioritize visibility beyond traditional search.

In September 2026, we analyzed 4,940 ChatGPT and 4,940 Google Gemini recommendations across seven travel and hospitality categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.

With 1 billion users and Google already monetizing AI Mode, marketers should prepare for ads that answer consumer questions.

The changes could expand brand reach, while a logged-in model in testing outside the US could sharpen ad targeting.

Asset-level reporting can reveal what works while building trust in Meta’s expanding automation.

"Star Wars," "Dungeons & Dragons," and Pokémon all began as niche obsessions before their fans carried them into pop culture. That path still works, but fans are doing more of the carrying. They adapt the story, remix it, argue about it in comment sections and bring it to audiences its owners never targeted. "When people see their identity reflected back at them, when they feel connected to a community, when they feel like they have a sense of belonging, their fandom gets deeper, it gets stronger, and it becomes something that they want to share with others," said Fotoulla Damaskos, executive vice president of brand strategy and innovation at National Research Group (NRG).

In today’s podcast episode, we present our (somewhat Halloween-themed) Unofficial Monthly Retailer Awards (UMRAs) for October. The awards include “Most Impactful Campaign,” “Best IRL Initiative,” and “Greatest Under-the-Radar Move.” Join Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analysts Sky Canaves and Zak Stambor, and Senior Director of Content Becky Schilling for the discussion.

Catalina Snacks’ products are gaining traction with shoppers who are conscious of ingredients and interested in healthy alternatives in categories like cereals and snacks.

Higher everyday costs are reducing restaurant visits, forcing chains to offer more than discounts to earn a trip.

Shop Direct brings 250 million outside listings onto Amazon as it works to keep shoppers from rival AI tools.

Adoption amid safety or ethics concerns means usage rates won’t determine receptiveness to branded AI features.

A wider range of prices, stronger innovation, and sharper portfolios are critical as consumers scrutinize every purchase.

With US retail media spending set to hit $74.4 billion, new networks must show advertisers they can deliver measurable sales.

The visibility that makes stars valuable can also amplify the damage when controversies emerge.

Oncology is just 7% of sales, but GSK has bigger ambitions as industry pipelines set up fiercer competition for patients.

With watch time up 50%, brands can tap devoted audiences through creator deals and natural product placements.