In 2024, a perfect storm of technology, business, and consumer behavior trends will conspire to intensify the challenges of protecting brands on digital media.

Coca-Cola is increasing its investment in digital media channels to appeal to Gen Z, while Gap is focused on creating more story-forward, culturally relevant marketing campaigns. To cut costs, Procter and Gamble is using AI to improve order fulfillment and reduce ad waste, and Starbucks eyes growth in delivery. Here are five insights into how companies are adjusting strategies this year.

Starbucks eliminates global CMO role: Reflecting broader trends, this move showcases a shift toward more localized and specialized marketing strategies.

Retailers can learn a lot from quick-service restaurants in delivering a satisfying customer experience. Chipotle leverages first-party data for more personalized and predictive offers, while Sweetgreen experiments with new formats and technologies to provide a more omnichannel experience. Plus, Starbucks has proven that brand loyalty can go a long way even when making changes.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss whether people will ever buy items they see in TV shows, if online ratings are broken, a relaunched Amazon Shipping trying to compete with UPS and FedEx, if CNN and sports can move the needle for streaming service Max, whether the continuing partnership between Target and Starbucks is boosting curbside pickup, where we got gas before gas stations, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian and analysts Blake Droesch and Paul Verna.

Retailers turn to gamification to encourage loyalty, boost sales: Lego, Under Armour, and Hudson’s Bay Company are hoping to keep users engaged and their brands top-of-mind.

McDonald’s had the most downloaded app of any quick-service restaurant in the US in March, with 3.5 million downloads, about 2 million more than No. 2 Starbucks, according to Apptopia. Taco Bell, Subway, and Domino’s Pizza rounded out the top five.

Scrutiny over labor practices puts Starbucks, Nike, and others in the hot seat: The backlash could force retailers to improve supply chain transparency and worker protections.

Chick-fil-A risks angering customers by devaluing loyalty program: While Chick-fil-A will require customers to spend more to qualify for perks, Subway leans into value with its Footlong Pass.

Barnes & Noble revamps its membership program: By adding a free tier, it aims to build customer loyalty and, at the same time, gather information about shoppers’ habits and preferences.

Attracting and retaining retail employees isn’t easy: But it's critical to delivering a high-quality customer experience. That’s why Walmart and others are boosting wages.

Consumers now expect more from brands and their loyalty programs, which need to incorporate value, ease of use, and personalization to stand out in a crowded market.

Here’s the bad news: Over half (56%) of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from a brand with a loyalty program even though only 36% redeem their rewards more than once a month, according to a study by Salesforce.

Starbucks and Delta team up on loyalty: Starbucks customers can now earn Delta miles as both companies look to broaden the reach and stickiness of their rewards programs.

Starbucks’ reinvention plan leans on China for growth: The company ignores the threat of lockdowns as it pursues aggressive international expansion.

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.

On today's episode, we discuss what happens next now that the newsletter boom has faded, Uber getting serious about grocery, how Starbucks is defying inflation, whether Spotify can revolutionize podcast ads, robots doing all of our housework, an unpopular opinion about TikTok's hype, why so many baseballs are used during a game, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of reports editing Rahul Chadha and analysts Suzy Davidkhanian and Blake Droesch.

Retailers enhance their rewards programs as inflation shifts consumer spend: But that’s easier said than done, as overly complex rewards can steer away customers rather than encourage their loyalty.

As customer loyalty grows more elusive, retailers beef up member rewards: Walmart, Starbucks, and Sweetgreen are just some of the companies looking to sweeten the deal to keep customers coming back.