Microsoft brings AI ad features to Copilot: It’s vying for ad dollars in an increasingly competitive chatbot space.

Walmart bought a mall, Coca-Cola launched a soda, and Nike partnered with SKIMS in February, marking some of the month’s most interesting retail moves. Here are the eight most interesting retailers and brands from last month, as ranked on our “Behind the Numbers” podcast.

In a competitive retail landscape, alcohol brands are turning to AI-powered image recognition to optimize in-store execution. This technology provides real-time insights on shelf conditions, helping brands keep products well-stocked, properly displayed, and positioned to capture shoppers’ attention—boosting visibility and sales.

Virtual and hybrid events have more than proved their staying power as in-person experiences resumed post-pandemic. In fact, 62% of B2B marketers said they plan to attend webinars in 2025, while 45% will host their own webinars, according to a November 2024 survey by Sagefrog Marketing Group.

Over half (54%) of marketers feel overwhelmed by the prospect of implementing AI into their workflows, according to October 2024 data from HubSpot.

Pinterest will start labeling AI-generated images: The change is likely an attempt to maintain the platform’s user base without sacrificing the lucrative potential of AI.

Tariffs could add $12,000 to new car prices, drive up costs for electronics, and inflate grocery bills. Marketers must pivot to value-driven messaging as economic uncertainty reshapes spending.

Google, OpenAI, and Opera are embedding AI agents into devices and browsers. These tools can browse, compare, and purchase products with minimal user input.

Honor will invest $10 billion to shift from smartphones to AI devices, betting on agentic AI and industry partnerships to compete with Apple, Google, and Samsung.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how GenAI is changing the customer shopping journey the most, the impact of AI agents, and how to maintain brand messaging in a more conversational universe. Tune in to the episode with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, our Analyst Jacob Bourne, Vice President Suzy Davidkhanian, and Global Digital Commerce Senior Director, Strategy & Execution, Todd Hassenfelt. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Figure AI shifts into overdrive: Slashing its original timeline, the startup is pushing humanoid robots into homes this year—either a sign of rapid AI progress or a risky bet to stay ahead.

This week, new advertisers enter the podcast space, consumers discourage brand desperation, and brands take notes from Netflix.

The company will lean on AI and stablecoins to maintain its momentum

Customers’ expectations for timely, personalized advice have grown.

64% of US ad buyers expect to focus somewhat or significantly more on cross-platform measurement in 2025, according to a December 2024 IAB survey.

X adds automated, AI-generated ad creation: The move is another attempt for X to win back brands the platform lost.

On today’s special edition podcast, we talk about how brands are rising to the challenge of finding the right influencers and creators for campaigns. Listen to the discussion with Senior Analyst, Minda Smiley, as she hosts N’Yaisha Aziz, Global Social Media Lead at Uber, and Rodney Mason, the Head of Marketing and Brand Partnerships at LTK. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Online returns growth will outpace overall ecommerce growth through 2028, driving retailers to update their strategies and solutions to manage costs.

68% of US adults think the government and businesses share responsibility over preventing the spread of false information through AI, according to a December 2024 Gallup and Telescope Foundation survey.