Gap, Inc. launched a creator platform, the latest move among retailers tapping influencers to extend their cultural reach and attract new customers. Retailers like Gap need creators to stay relevant with consumers—especially younger audiences that get much of their shopping inspiration on social media. But to attract those influencers, companies need to make sure that their incentives measure up. Free products are a good start, but offering sales commissions—as Gap and Lowe’s do—will bring creators on board and keep them in the fold.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping marketing, from how content is created to how advertisers evaluate transparency and trust on digital platforms. Marketers can harness AI to streamline operations, enabling more campaigns more quickly by analyzing large data sets—but do so thoughtfully—avoid using AI for entire ad creation, as consumers still respond negatively to this. Brands must operate with an eye toward maintaining trust and authenticity.
This sponsored video by Awin will explore how affiliate and referral marketing are driving digital buyer growth among Gen Z.
TikTok announced several upgrades to its AI-powered portfolio at Advertising Week New York on Wednesday. Marketers can use the new tools to increase creative control and drive results with key audiences—but keep in mind that the app’s future in its key market could change ad effectiveness, regardless of what tools the platform offers.
Cash App launched Neighborhoods, a network aimed at connecting local Square sellers with Cash Apps users in their stomping grounds. Leaning into local business support could help drive customer acquisition for mobile wallets. Consumers prioritize the convenience and personal connections fostered with neighborhood vendors, making transacting all the more possible when storefronts are within easy walking or driving distance.
AppLovin’s launch of Axon marks its transformation from mobile gaming to full-scale AI ad platform — and one of ad tech’s boldest pivots yet. The new Axon Ads Manager promises real-time AI bidding, Shopify integrations, and transparent attribution as the company positions itself as a performance-driven alternative to Meta and Google. The rollout comes as the SEC investigates AppLovin’s data practices, spotlighting the tension between AI-powered innovation and compliance. Marketers see opportunity — regulators see risk.
Performance channels are gaining traction among B2B marketers, with 84% now shifting from traditional, impression-focused approaches, per a Madison Logic survey. Brands should keep investing in performance marketing for its resilience amid economic headwinds. The added flexibility will let them adapt based on rapidly shifting economic signals and consumer behavior changes.
Domino’s and Pizza Hut have both unveiled brand refreshes designed to modernize their images while maintaining customer familiarity. Domino’s introduced its first major update in 13 years, featuring a brighter logo, redesigned uniforms, packaging, signage, and a new jingle performed by country artist Shaboozey. Pizza Hut refined its classic red roof logo with a streamlined, all-red look. While Domino’s update comes amid rising sales, Pizza Hut’s follows a period of decline. Together, their moves reflect how timely design updates can redefine consumer expectations and keep legacy brands feeling current in a competitive market.
Amazon is closing four Fresh supermarkets in Southern California, following earlier shutdowns and a UK conversion of all Fresh stores into Whole Foods locations, signaling potential retreat from its mass-market grocery experiment. Despite Fresh’s struggles, CEO Andy Jassy remains bullish on grocery, focusing on expanding same-day delivery and launching the low-cost Amazon Grocery line to attract inflation-hit shoppers. Yet Amazon’s limited physical footprint—far smaller than Walmart’s or Kroger’s—continues to hinder its offline ambitions. While digital efforts show promise, the company still lacks a cohesive grocery formula without a major acquisition.
Amazon Pharmacy will soon roll out kiosks at select One Medical locations in Los Angeles. One Medical patients will use the Amazon app to generate a QR code, which they scan at the kiosk to pick up and pay for prescriptions. The kiosk model highlights Amazon’s focus on accessibility, but it’s unlikely to shift the pharmacy market—at least for now. Still, brick-and-mortar pharmacies must recognize Amazon’s advantage: a customer-centric approach paired with online convenience.
Most (53.7%) visits to US fashion and apparel websites came from direct traffic between July 2024 and June 2025, per an August SimilarWeb report.
Apparel companies that don’t adjust their merchandising strategies in response to rising GLP-1 usage could be stuck with up to $5 billion in excess inventory and costs, according to a report by Impact Analytics. While there are indications that rising GLP-1 adoption is increasing demand for smaller sizes, that shouldn’t be an excuse for brands to reduce plus-size production or jettison inclusive sizing. Companies that move too aggressively to reduce plus-size assortments could alienate customers and lose sales.
Commercetools has debuted Cora, an AI shopping assistant that enables conversational commerce directly on retailers’ sites. Available in preview, Cora interprets natural language queries (e.g., “a red dress under $150”) and maintains context across devices, guiding users through search, filtering, and checkout. Unlike static chat widgets or keyword search, Cora reduces friction in the path to purchase by making AI a functional part of the shopping journey. The white-label model helps brands retain control and identity while tapping into Commercetools’ infrastructure—positioning Cora as both a conversion tool and a brand-safe alternative to third-party discovery engines.
AI adoption is reshaping how brands work with agencies. According to Typeface’s Signal Report, 83% of marketing leaders would cut agency spending if they could automate content creation, and 11% would stop using agencies entirely. As AI tools like Meta’s creative suite expand, agencies face pressure to prove their value beyond content production. While many marketers are reorganizing teams around AI, agencies still play critical roles in strategy, AI governance, and paid media. To stay relevant, agencies must shift from execution to integration partners that help clients navigate AI transformation and maintain strategic oversight.
Over half (52%) of consumers in Australia, the UK, and the US are most concerned about brands posting AI-generated content without disclosure, tied with mishandling personal data as their top social media worry, according to Q3 data from Sprout Social.
In five years, Instacart’s retail media network (RMN) has transformed from a simple performance engine into a full-funnel, end-to-end marketing ecosystem.
Ikea’s parent company Ingka Group is acquiring US logistics tech firm Locus to strengthen its ecommerce operations and speed up deliveries. Locus’ AI-driven tools will optimize route planning, real-time tracking, and resource use, potentially saving Ikea around €100 million annually. The deal reflects Ikea’s push to improve digital experiences and compete with online retailers like Wayfair as ecommerce rises to 28% of sales. Combined with its smaller urban stores and new retail partnerships, the investment underscores Ikea’s strategy to create a more flexible, customer-focused model for long-term growth in the US market.
This year’s Amazon Big Deal Days sale is shaping up to be another success, according to multiple forecasts. Bain and Adobe both forecast healthy growth, while we expect Amazon's ecommerce sales to rise 8.8% YoY to $8.84 billion. A strong consumer appetite for October sales could bode well for the holiday season, although we—and most other forecasters—expect growth to slow as uncertainty weighs on spending.
Fandom is driving brand growth, according to an Advertising Week New York 2025 panel presented by Spotify emphasizing the audio platform’s role in reaching engaged fans dedicated to their favorite artists. Brands must tap into fandoms that align naturally with brand offerings, key audiences, and ad strategies.