Everyone’s concerned about children’s privacy and safety on social media: As more consumers demand that social platforms be scrutinized, a case against TikTok’s handling of children's private data proceeds.

Major brands weigh the benefits of staying in the Russian market: Airbnb wins the brand reputation game, while Uniqlo and Shell may have misjudged the situation.

Can membership programs provide a new revenue stream for retailers? Best Buy and Walmart are taking a page from Amazon Prime and AppleCare as they build out their programs.

Large brands shift their focus to direct sales: Meanwhile, many digital-native retailers are turning to wholesale as they look for cost-effective ways to attract new customers.

On today's episode, we discuss which brands are emerging as key players in the metaverse race, how Apple could make its mark, why Disney's intellectual property (IP) makes it a heavyweight in this space, how Nike is positioning itself, and more. We then talk about what to expect from cashierless technology in 2022 and how a new breed of remote workers has changed shopping. Tune in to the discussion with eMarketer principal analyst at Insider Intelligence Andrew Lipsman.

The metaverse will be put to the test in 2022: Some firms may find their metaverse dreams held back by wearable technology, while others attempt to woo brands to their spaces.

Although eMarketer forecasts that direct-to-consumer (D2C) purchases will only account for 2.5% of total retail sales in 2022, these brands have challenged and successfully disrupted the retail industry by curating every interaction with customers.

As the lines continue to blur between digital and physical channels, retailers will need to master both to entice consumers to continue to return to their brand. Here are five trends they should keep an eye on.

On today's episode, we discuss the pillars driving what's next in retail media, how to navigate the pros and cons of retail media expansion, and retail media budget commitments. We then talk about how eBay is streamlining things, the significance of Wayfair's bump in the road, and Nike's foray into the metaverse. Tune in to the discussion with senior director of strategic marketplace services at Tinuiti Elizabeth Marsten and eMarketer principal analyst at Insider Intelligence Andrew Lipsman.

Read the latest tech stories from Insider Intelligence.

Nike files to trademark virtual goods as metaverse inches closer to reality: Many companies have already begun experimenting with branded digital items, but some are starting to take it more seriously as buzz around the metaverse intensifies.

The retailers that will be on top this holiday season are those that see mobile apps as the connective tissue between brick-and-mortar and ecommerce shopping experiences.

Shane Pittson is the vice president of growth at oral-care provider Quip, overseeing advertising efforts and consumer research, optimizing lifetime value and customer acquisition costs, and improving retention rates. We recently spoke with Pittson about creating buzz for a brand, gaining retail distribution, Quip's brief stint on dating apps, and more.

Watch AR ecommerce at Snapchat's quarterly earnings: The company is sure to give more details on its push to make AR shopping a bigger part of its platform, especially after announcing two major partnerships earlier this week.

Snapchat goes all in on AR ecommerce: The platform's long history with augmented reality innovation gives it a boost over competitors like Amazon or Pinterest looking to leverage AR for shopping.

Amid the carnage of bankruptcies, store closures, and massive layoffs in 2020, some retail companies actually fared very well. Adjustments to supply chains, product and service bundles, stocking and inventory, and customer service have been the keys to success for big-box retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. Others, such as Apple, lululemon athletica, Nike, and Starbucks, are focusing on innovating and modifying store experiences through digital integration, frictionless shopping, and atmospherics modified for a “new normal” of social distancing and sanitization.

The direct-to-consumer (D2C) model has been making waves over the past few years, as a greater emphasis on owned and operated online channels has been placed. In 2020, this model became even more attractive as brands and retailers faced disrupted supply chains, delayed orders, and store closures.

Social commerce accelerated in the US in 2020 amid the pandemic-driven ecommerce boom as key platforms advanced their shopping and checkout capabilities.

The retail industry is transforming at both physical stores and in digital. This report examines 10 trends that will most shape retail in the year ahead.

Though many companies struggle with diversity and inclusion in their advertising, some are making strides.