Amazon’s new Retail Ad Service, announced last week, is certainly the biggest retail media news of the year so far. In offering its ad-tech to power other retailers' media networks (RMNs), Amazon could disrupt how retail media operates for retailers, advertisers, vendors, and consumers alike.

Meta, Amazon join list of companies ditching DEI efforts: Evidence shows consumers reward commitment to social causes, but companies are making political calculations.

US paid retail membership fee revenues will be higher than ever before in 2025, reaching $46.39 billion, according to our May 2024 forecast. That’s an increase of 10.8% YoY, with over half (51.8%) of these revenues going to Amazon.

Beauty’s run of strong retail sales growth is winding down, but new audiences and sales channels will offer opportunities for savvy brands and retailers to regain momentum.

But the solution may struggle to gain traction given consumers’ unreadiness to adopt the technology

The National Retail Federation (NRF)’s Big Show is happening in New York City this weekend, and will offer an opportunity for retail media networks (RMNs) to pitch themselves to advertisers. Even though retail media is huge—exceeding $62 billion in US ad spend this year per our forecast, most of those ad dollars will go to the biggest RMNs. The remaining players are vying over the same $8.58 billion that isn't scooped up by Amazon, Walmart, or Target.

Growth rates will decline, but digital grocery will remain a key focus for retailers looking to drive incremental sales dollars in ecommerce.

Customer data collection, the dawn of retail media, and AI-assisted shopping has upended a retail industry already in the midst of a big-box transformation at the tail end of the 20th century. And then there is one of the biggest elephants in the room: Amazon. Here are some of the most impactful changes that marketing leaders have seen over the last 25 years.

The loss of TikTok in the US would cause a ripple effect across the media, marketing, and commerce landscape. Meta and YouTube stand to gain the most, but there is a long list of other winners—and losers.

Organizations will prioritize governance in 2025 as they ramp up genAI investments in pursuit of business transformation.

TikTok Shop plans to launch in Mexico next month: The move suggests the company is unfazed by the potential US ban.

Amazon challenges TV giants: Prime Monday upfront slot showcases NBA rights, aiming for $750 million in ad revenues from streaming sports

Latin America’s digital economy will undergo significant changes in 2025 as retail innovation and regulatory changes redefine business dynamics for global and local players alike.

Amazon isn’t taking Temu’s attempt to lure its sellers lightly: The retailer is offering China-based merchants incentives to drop Temu listings, an approach that led Anker to pull its products.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss where the content production dollars will be going, what the Omnicom and IPG deal will mean for the agency client relationship, and how the antitrust and other legal cases against Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and TikTok will play out in 2025. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Vice President of Research Jennifer Pearson, and Vice President Paul Verna.

The former Bush aide’s elevation could reshape content moderation policies as Meta navigates polarized users and criticism of its content moderation policies.

While our analysts have shared their major trends for the year ahead, the newsletter team has a few additional thoughts. In 2025, we think retailers will focus on personalized in-store experiences and technology to boost foot traffic and engagement while Amazon brings its AI assistant, Rufus, to brick-and-mortar locations. Discount retailers will struggle to retain customers, leading them to diversify or launch marketplaces to stay competitive.

Rushed genAI promises and delayed launches erode trust, exposing how tech giants are prioritizing hype over realistic timelines in a race to beat competitors

Voice assistants fumble the AI revolution: Despite genAI advancements, Big Tech’s assistants face stalled growth and disinterest from older users—Gen Z and parents of Gen Alpha might be their saving grace.

CTV display ad spending will reach $33.35 billion in 2025, with 98.4% of those dollars going to video ads. Total CTV ad spending will see solid double-digit annual growth rates through our forecast period to reach $46.89 billion in 2028.