The digital ad industry is under regulatory scrutiny: Reforms laid out by the Biden administration focus on the use of personal data for advertising purposes.

On today's episode, we discuss Facebook's plan to be cool again, Amazon testing a TikTok-style feed, what to make of the price of Netflix with ads, WhatsApp's superpowers in India, TikTok and YouTube making TV their new home, an unpopular opinion about ad-free social media, the most livable cities in the world, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of reports editing Rahul Chadha and analysts Evelyn Mitchell and Max Willens.

While Amazon Prime Day was bigger than ever this year, one key category took a hit. Electronics sales decreased by 5% from last Prime Day, while growth shot past 25% in home, garden, and tools, as well as in beauty and health.

On today's episode, we discuss the significance of Amazon securing the rights to NFL Thursday Night Football, how the broadcast could look different, and what other tech players might secure sports rights in the future. "In Other News," we talk about whether video streaming platforms looking too similar is a problem and what to make of two Snapchat ad execs going to Netflix. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Andrew Lipsman and Paul Verna.

6 Amazon warehouses, 6 solar fires: Solar panel fires and explosions at Amazon facilities were linked to poor installation practices. The problem underscores the need for more cleantech training and safety.

The digital shelf has grown more competitive for CPG brands amid the rise of grocery ecommerce and increasing retail media ad spend.

Shopify warns merchants against using Amazon’s ‘Buy with Prime’ service: The move is a sign that Shopify is growing concerned about its ability to combat the retail giant.

Disney looks to emulate Amazon with membership offering: The entertainment giant could also advance its flywheel by introducing in-app commerce for Disney+ and improving cross-selling opportunities.

Amazon will let sellers use its excess warehouse space: The retailer's new service offers long-term inventory storage, luring sellers deeper into its ecosystem.

No economic pain for RaaS: Formic’s cheap rental robots are a lifeline for factories and warehouses suffering from labor shortages. RaaS could help companies compete globally and accelerate US manufacturing.

Google and Meta have maintained a steady lead in digital ad revenues worldwide, ahead of the likes of Amazon, Twitter, and Snapchat. But that's not without their own growing pains. Both Meta and Google saw revenues dip by several billion dollars in Q1 of this year. Still, the companies are tens of billions of dollars ahead of triopoly competitor, Amazon, in digital ad revenues.

For one-third of US digital buyers, Prime Day offered an opportunity to finally click purchase on lower-priced items. But for 28%, inflation had the opposite effect, leading them to pass on deals that weren’t a necessity.

Instacart jumped from 10.2% of US digital grocery sales in 2019 to 21.5% in 2020, taking over share as people pivoted to online grocery deliveries. Walmart has had the highest digital grocery share since 2020, which put it in good shape this past earnings season when consumers cut back on superfluous spending and sought grocery savings.

Once again, Walmart takes the No. 1 spot in our US grocery ecommerce sales forecast, but Instacart and Amazon are fighting for the second spot.

Malls need to change: As department stores right-size and shift to smaller formats, mall operators need new types of businesses to drive people to their shopping centers.

Retailers take aggressive action to stem the tide of unionizations: Starbucks, Amazon, Trader Joe’s, and more are closing stores, delaying negotiations, and pursuing dogged legal action to keep unions from making headway.

Visa and Mastercard blamed fraud and intensifying competition for higher post-Brexit cross-border fees in responses to the UK Parliament.

Walmart finds its EV Canoo: The retailer’s fleet of 4,500 EVs could grow into 10,000 as the company looks to achieve zero emissions. Retail and logistics companies could lead the transition to EV deliveries.

Amazon pauses its UK grocery store expansion: Disappointing sales and stiff economic headwinds at its 19 Amazon Fresh locations drove the retail giant to halt its plans to open hundreds more sites.

Apple’s return to office could kickstart industry mandates: Companies are heading into their busiest quarter, requiring all hands on deck. Job uncertainty could complicate employees’ shift from remote to office work.