DoorDash’s agreement to acquire Instacart, a deal expected to finalize in 2027 or early 2028, brings together large-scale delivery and grocery delivery intermediary operations. The acquisition also combines two substantial commerce media platforms, which increases the reach for all advertisers, while likely making commerce media campaigns accessible to smaller advertisers and regional grocers. DoorDash’s $1.33 billion in US commerce media ad revenue this year, combined with Instacart’s $1.20 billion—$2.53 billion total—exceeds Uber’s projected $2.11 billion, per EMARKETER’s forecast. Improving data for grocery advertisers The acquisition brings substantial resources to advertisers, including added reach and first-party data, based on the scale of DoorDash’s and Instacart’s audiences. “A combined DoorDash and Instacart would account for nearly a fifth of US grocery ecommerce sales, putting them in the same league as major grocers like Kroger, Albertsons, and Target,” said Arielle Feger, senior analyst at EMARKETER. “They still wouldn’t come close to Walmart or Amazon in terms of revenue, but their real advantage is the data.”

Target, Walmart, and Amazon ranked highest, while specialists stood out through category expertise.

In September 2026, we analyzed 11,250 ChatGPT and 11,250 Google Gemini recommendations across 23 retail store categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.

Which US retail store had the highest AI mention rate in September 2026?

Inexpensive meal bundles can attract budget-conscious shoppers, but retailers need quality and convenience to keep them.

Whoop’s partnership with Ulta opens a new sales channel as consumers combine health, wellness, and beauty spending.

Distinct events and merchandise refreshes aim to give shoppers more reasons to return.

The retailer is combining exclusive merchandise, personalized tools, and experiences to capture more gift spending.

Minimizing digital screens may protect its store experience, but at the possible expense of retail media dollars.

AI is reshaping how consumers in Europe discover, compare, and choose products, creating new opportunities and challenges for retailers and brands.

Rejecting personalized pricing could help preserve shopper trust as scrutiny of data-driven pricing intensifies.

As shopping journeys become more fragmented, the industry's next challenge is demonstrating how retailer data can improve advertising investments across those channels.

EMARKETER's Unofficial Monthly Retailer Awards recognize brands that stood out in September across three categories: most impactful campaign, best in-real-life initiative, and greatest under-the-radar move.

The retailer denies cooperating with ICE, but the dispute risks distracting from improving sales and store investments.

Target and Chase are betting that the future of marketing won’t be purely digital. Instead, physical experiences, from retail stores and bank branches to exclusive events, can become engines for digital content, creator amplification, and consumer connection.

In Q3 2026, we analyzed 14,540 ChatGPT recommendations across 20 apparel and fashion categories to compile the AI Visibility Index.

AI recommendations for apparel and fashion favor established brands, but visibility is tightly contested and varies sharply by category. Retailer and publisher sources also shape which brands surface, and which land in the top spot.

Roundel’s Shawn McGahee joins EMARKETER’s Arielle Feger to discuss how marketers can identify meaningful consumer signals, turn them into actionable insights, and inform future media investments.

AI mentions in personal care and beauty favor established brands, but visibility can shift quickly with model updates. Our Q3 index tracks ChatGPT visibility across nine industry categories.