UK marketers cut budgets in Q1: Economic pressures and Trump’s trade moves spark shift to performance-focused tactics and short-term gains.

Even so, issuers may be slow to lift preemptive APR increases as they brace for economic turbulence

2025 could be another tough year for luxury companies: LVMH’s rough Q1 reveals considerable challenges as US spending drops.

Tariffs will have a wide ranging impact on prices, consumer sentiment: Warehouse clubs, off-price retailers, and discount grocers could have an edge in this challenging retail environment.

Delta expects 2025 to be a bumpy ride: Travel demand is cratering as the Trump administration’s policies create chaos and consumers brace for a recession.

Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs landed harder than expected. Uncertainty remains, given the pause on reciprocal tariffs for countries willing to negotiate with the US—along with an escalating trade war with China. Which markets will take the greatest hits? And how might our US forecasts change?

Walmart is upbeat despite tariff turmoil: The retailer expects to take share as shoppers grow more value-conscious.

Tariff escalation heightens recession fears: EMARKETER's forecasting team analyzes the economic disruption from Trump’s new trade policies.

Trump’s tariffs fuel ad industry pullback: Marketers are cutting budgets and ad growth projections fall sharply as inflation and trade uncertainty rise.

Gen Z consumers are more likely to participate in economic boycotts: Their willingness to stop spending with their favorite brands over DEI and other issues should give retailers pause.

Leaning on non-card revenue can help the network maintain its momentum even if shaky economic conditions lead to slower consumer spending

Uncertainty is having a chilling effect on US M&A activity: The number—and size—of deals is down YoY as companies wait for more clarity on government policy.

Record holiday sales helped retailers, but purchasing patterns across income groups diverged starkly. Middle- and lower-income consumers grew more selective, carefully weighing where and when to spend amid economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, higher-income shoppers continued to spend freely.

US ad spending faces a slowdown: Economic uncertainty, tariffs, and inflation are prompting advertisers to cut budgets, with 2025 ad growth forecasts declining.

Ulta lost beauty market share for the first time in 2024: The retailer is relying on a new marketplace, enhanced omnichannel experiences, and international expansion to recover sales.

Retail media resilience: Brands continue investing in this ad channel, but rising expectations put pressure on their retail partners.

Dollar General’s core customer is under considerable financial strain: Many shoppers can only afford basic essentials as inflation and economic uncertainty take their toll.

Target isn’t sitting still amid challenges: It’s bringing back Target Circle Week to boost sales and memberships now while planning 300 store openings over the next decade.

Grocery sales shifting online is a lasting legacy of the pandemic: We expect 13.7% of grocery sales to occur online this year, more than double the 6.2% share in prepandemic 2019.

Delinquency fears hit the highest since 2020. We look at how issuers can tailor their offerings for a new era of uncertainty.