Events & Resources

Learning Center
Read through guides, explore resource hubs, and sample our coverage.
Learn More
Events
Register for an upcoming webinar and track which industry events our analysts attend.
Learn More
Podcasts
Listen to our podcast, Behind the Numbers for the latest news and insights.
Learn More

About

Our Story
Learn more about our mission and how EMARKETER came to be.
Learn More
Our Clients
Key decision-makers share why they find EMARKETER so critical.
Learn More
Our People
Take a look into our corporate culture and view our open roles.
Join the Team
Our Methodology
Rigorous proprietary data vetting strips biases and produces superior insights.
Learn More
Newsroom
See our latest press releases, news articles or download our press kit.
Learn More
Contact Us
Speak to a member of our team to learn more about EMARKETER.
Contact Us

Impact of Tariffs on US Retail Media Ad Spending

A Strong Foundation in Performance Advertising Positions Retail Media for Resilience

Download
Share
About This Report
With origins in performance advertising and a focus on efficiency, retail media is likely to remain resilient, even amid an economic upheaval exacerbated by US tariffs. However, impacts won’t be evenly felt, leaving some players better positioned to withstand headwinds.
Table of Contents

A tariff-induced economic slowdown could reduce our forecast for US retail media ad spending in 2025 by about $5 billion. But even in a “heavy tariff” scenario, ad spend will grow YoY as brands looking to maximize spending in the face of economic uncertainty focus on performance metrics.

Key Question: How will tariffs affect retail media advertising?

Key Stat: Heavy tariffs could reduce our forecast for US retail media ad spend by $5 billion in 2025. But even in that scenario, spending would still grow by 8.5% YoY.

This report can help you:

  • Develop media strategy and allocate budget for campaigns (agencies and brands)
  • Showcase opportunities to customers (retail media networks)

In this report, we model three potential outcomes for US retail media ad spending, based on the severity of tariffs, to show how ad spending could shift.

Here’s what’s in the full report

1file

Exportable files for easy reading, analysis and sharing.

4charts

Reliable data in simple displays for presentations and quick decision making.

3expert perspectives

Insights from industry and company leaders.

    Table of Contents

    1. Executive Summary
    2. Despite cooling growth, retail media’s performance marketing roots will fuel resilience
    3. Retail media’s overall stability masks uneven impacts with potentially lasting consequences
    1. Tariffs won’t hit all RMNs the same—but the moat will deepen around the biggest players
    2. Recommendations for brands
    3. Recommendations for RMNs
    1. EMARKETER Interviews
    2. Sources
    3. Media Gallery

    Interviewed for This Report

    Jeffrey Bustos
    Merkle
    SVP, Retail Media Analytics
    Interviewed May 15, 2025
    Elizabeth Marsten
    Tinuiti
    Vice President, Commerce Media
    Interviewed May 6, 2025
    Rick Watson
    RMW Commerce
    CEO & Founder
    Interviewed May 13, 2025

    authors

    Sarah Marzano

    Contributors

    Suzy Davidkhanian
    VP, Content
    Vladimir de Leon
    Chart Editor
    Eleni Digalaki
    Nikolai Dineros
    Wendy Malloy
    Director, Reports Editor
    Max Willens
    Already have a subscription?Sign In

    Access All Charts and Data

    Gain access to reliable data presented in clear and intelligible displays for quick understanding and decision making on the most important topics related to your industry

    Become a Client
    Unlock Unlimited Insights with PRO+
    Schedule a Demo