Most US consumers are already using digital tools for healthcare purposes, but three-quarters would prefer more personalized solutions, per a new Harris Poll sponsored by Verily. Healthcare marketers and brands need to use generative AI (genAI) tools, like remote monitoring, predictive analysis, and chatbots, to deliver personalized consumer experiences.
Linear TV ad spending grew in Q3 despite total TV ad impressions declining, per iSpot data. Ad spend increased 4% YoY, reaching $8.77 billion—but total impressions fell 2.7% to 1.67 trillion. Total ad minutes rose 2.4% YoY to 5.3 million, driven by the rise of sports inventory. Marketers must understand that a successful ad strategy requires a balance— investing in linear to drive outcomes while slowly shifting toward CTV for better targeting and to align with audience viewing habits.
Amid a challenging economic climate, luxury brands seek new ways to prove value to and win over young shoppers. By serving food and drink alongside products, retailers are turning stores into places where consumers can linger, connect, and spend. Coach’s coffee strategy is a prime example.
Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, reported record profits for the fiscal year ended August 31, with sales up 9.6% and operating income rising 12.6%, surpassing forecasts. Growth was driven by strong performance in North America and Europe, where revenues jumped 24.5% and 33.6%, respectively. As China’s economy slows, the company is accelerating expansion in Western markets with new flagship stores planned in major cities. Despite potential challenges from US tariffs, Uniqlo’s focus on value, strategic retail investment, and market discipline positions it to gain share as rivals face rising regulatory and cost pressures.
In this podcast episode, we discuss how Primark’s US and UK customers see the brand differently, what’s kept the retailer relevant as price pressures have intensified competition, and why its famously store-first strategy is working so well. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and guest host, Suzy Davidkhanian, Senior Analyst, Carina Perkins, and Head of US Marketing for Primark, Rene Federico.
The growth of commerce media investments promises to connect brands with customers for longer stretches of the customer journey, especially when shoppers are close to purchasing. Though much of this extended digital journey leaves out the physical store, this strategy is changing.
Square updated its AI, Bitcoin, and food and beverage platforms to help businesses tackle economic pressure and shifting customer expectations. AI features are no longer a strong differentiator for POS providers. But Square’s features are the first time we’ve seen a provider use AI for hyperlocal insights that it can use to maximize opportunities like community events—rather than just gleaning insights based on things like recent sales patterns.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PayPal launched PayPal Ads Manager so that small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can create their own retail media networks and generate new revenue streams, per a press release. Layering retail media networks within its financial media network gives PayPal a dual pipeline for revenues. Within its Q2 2025 earnings, Brand Experiences accounts for two percentage points of growth YoY, matching P2P and Venmo. PayPal stands to juice these sectors even more, as advertisers and businesses clamor for access to valuable transaction data. Shoppable ads can reduce conversion friction, which could become a major differentiator for SMBs considering the best place to allocate their advertising budgets.
This sponsored video by Contentful will explore the strategies driving success this holiday season.
The US beer industry is experiencing a rare downturn after years of steady growth, with overall sales down 1.2% and craft beer slipping 3.9% year over year. Constellation Brands has been hit particularly hard as inflation and immigration pressures strain Hispanic consumers, a key market for its Mexican beer portfolio. Sales of Modelo, Corona, Pacifico, and Victoria have all fallen, but new products like Corona Sunbrew and Corona Non-Alcoholic are gaining momentum. To stay competitive, breweries are learning that agility, innovation, and responsiveness to shifting tastes are now essential for long-term growth.