Financial media networks’ transaction data across tens of millions of merchants and retailers gives advertisers a fresh angle when planning and measuring campaigns. This is a crucial value proposition made by PayPal Ads to advertisers looking to convert customers and compare allocations between various retail media networks.

AI shopping assistants such as Amazon's Alexa for Shopping (formerly Rufus), Walmart's Sparky, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini are reshaping how consumers discover and evaluate products. Retailer-owned assistants are already lifting order values and conversion, while standalone AI platforms struggle to convert recommendations into purchases. This FAQ covers how AI shopping assistants work, what they mean for brand loyalty, and how brands earn a place in AI-generated recommendations.

Americans are spending more on health and wellness, and the reasons have less to do with income than with institutional skepticism. That dynamic is creating a significant retail opportunity, one that major retailers are already moving to capture. "[Wellness] has evolved into a much broader concept that combines physical health and mental health and emotional balance and lifestyle habits and longevity," said EMARKETER analyst Rajiv Leventhal in a recent episode of "Behind the Numbers."

Consumers continued spending in May despite higher prices and fuel costs.

Amazon is once again reshaping the summer shopping calendar, moving Prime Day earlier and expanding the event to capture a larger share of online spending.

Walmart Connect is expanding its audience data offering into YouTube streaming inventory through Display & Video 360, allowing advertisers to target Walmart audiences more precisely while tying campaigns back to shopping behavior and sales outcomes.

Different playbooks emerge as companies look to monetize their chatbots without losing trust.

Recent earnings reports from the nation's largest retailers gave a peek behind the curtain for how they aim to improve AI offerings, and where they value it most in their business.

UK grocery giant Tesco has quietly assembled a retail ecosystem that extends far beyond traditional supermarkets, using loyalty data, personalized pricing, and retail media to maintain market dominance while competitors struggle against discount chains.

Consumers are treating health and wellness as essential spending even in a tough economy. Social media and wellness culture are fueling demand for supplements, healthier food, and longevity products. At the same time, misinformation and pressure to stay healthy are increasing.

The earlier sales time frame could attract price-sensitive shoppers seeking summer and seasonal items.

Cautious outlooks from Walmart and Five Below raise questions about consumer resilience as gas prices take their toll.

AI shopping features offered by ChatGPT, Google, and Microsoft Copilot are broadly similar, but there are variations in the overall experience worth noting. Marketers should know how these tools compare to invest in the right place.

Low-key rollouts aim to dodge backlash without abandoning inclusivity.

Retail media ad spend in Japan is growing fast. But it remains less mature due to a fragmented retail sector, strong traditional players, legacy systems, and a culture favoring offline relationships. Convenience stores and mobile payments will drive growth.

Walmart Connect opens up: The company is extending first-party data beyond its DSP, tying off-site buys to in-store sales.

The retailer now offers delivery in 30 minutes or less in select US markets.

The retailer is expanding its hardware assortment and launching its first home-goods brand in five years.

Commerce media is pushing brands to break down internal silos and rethink how they organize teams, allocate budgets, and measure success across an increasingly fragmented ecosystem.

The retailer is relying on its fast-growing ecommerce business to offset rising costs and maintain its value edge.