eMarketer principal analyst Andrew Lipsman, research analyst Daniel Keyes, and senior forecasting analyst at Insider Intelligence Cindy Liu discuss what they're paying attention to in 2021 and why: same-day delivery, what's next for consumer packaged goods and grocery ecommerce, autonomous checkout, reimagining brick-and-mortar, and the convergence of media and commerce.

Same Day ACH speeds up the process by offering three same-day processing windows, enabling funds to be available hours after a transaction is initiated.

The lending application process should take only minutes, and funds will often be distributed the same day as the application. eBay’s lending product is a natural evolution, given the existing SMB financing gap and the ecommerce giant’s wealth of customer data. Despite unprecedented stimulus funds in the UK, SMBs are still struggling to access capital.

Disney became the latest to do so with several changes to its upcoming slate of movies, including same-day theatrical and streaming releases for “Black Widow” and “Cruella” and a streaming-only release for Pixar’s “Luca.”

From there, Target uses technology from Grand Junction and Deliv to group packages by the most efficient delivery routes, which are then picked up by Shipt workers for same-day delivery. Walmart invested in self-driving vehicle delivery startup Cruise. The San Francisco-based startup operates a fleet of electric self-driving cars.

Ecommerce and other digital shopping options like curbside pickup, same-day delivery, and buy online, pick-up in-store (BOPUS) saw enormous growth during Cyber Week and the holiday shopping season. In fact, Cyber Monday was the largest online sales day in history, with at least $10.8 billion in consumer spending, up 15% from 2019, according to Adobe.

As powerhouses like Amazon, Walmart and Target roll out same-day or one-day shipping initiatives, it can be difficult for smaller retailers to keep up. But with the holiday season around the corner, it’s important for retailers to understand that while fast shipping is a key consideration, free shipping is often a requirement.

Costco has maintained a partnership with Instacart for several years, which it has recently expanded to include click and collect on top of its same-day delivery offering. Macy’s.

eMarketer principal analyst Andrew Lipsman joins us to discuss the latest efforts by major retailers to bring goods to peoples’ homes as quickly as humanly—or robotically—possible. He covers same-day shipping, grocery subscriptions, drone delivery and more.

eMarketer principal analyst Mark Dolliver and senior forecasting analyst Oscar Orozco discuss how digital adoption has made it possible—or not—for people to work, study and entertain themselves from home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Who doesn't use the internet? Do people spend more time watching Netflix or YouTube? And which platforms get the most social media attention? They then talk about Spotify Kids, faster same-day delivery and Sling TV losing customers.

Consumers’ desire for affordability and convenience has bolstered demand for online grocery. And as heavy hitters continue to roll out offerings—like Walmart's buy online pick up in-store (BOPUS) and "InHome Delivery" options, as well as Amazon's "Key for Garage" and same-day shipping—their respective double-digit growth speaks for itself.

Technology has significantly changed the path to purchase. With massive improvements in mobile ordering, same-day delivery and voice technology, the traditional retail experience is viewed as inconvenient, thus no longer satisfying. Rightpoint shares four key takeaways to help companies develop a fluid commerce strategy that uses digital and physical channel interactions.

A nearly limitless supply of low-cost delivery services, provided by China’s millions of migrant laborers, enabled companies like Alibaba and JD.com to provide same-day delivery anywhere in the country for just pennies—a very attractive benefit for uncertain first-time buyers.

And Centene-owned insurer WellCare began offering select members free memberships with same-day grocery delivery service Shipt. Startups Addressing SDOH via Health Tech. Digital health startups are powering SDOH initiatives and serving as standalone, SDOH-focused hubs—which can help healthcare incumbents build out and manage a robust ecosystem of partnered organizations.

Amazon’s investment in next-day and same-day Prime delivery is not merely about providing a better experience for customers—it’s about minimizing the immediacy gap with brick-and-mortar retail.