2024 is shaping up to be the year of the AI-powered shopping assistant. Just two months in, retailers from Walmart and Amazon to Ikea and Chevron have released a flurry of AI-based updates, hoping to make the shopping experience easier and more relevant.

Amazon debuts at Upfront Week, showcasing its ad-supported streaming services and more: It’s a strategic move to expand its digital advertising reach.

Gen Z consumers are tech-savvy digital natives that feel more comfortable searching for products on social platforms like TikTok over traditional search engines like Google. Even when they’re shopping in-store, they employ technology to help them, browsing mobile phones and using self-checkout to make the shopping experience more seamless.

Worldwide retail media spend will hit $140 billion this year, according to our December 2023 forecast.

When Netflix first rolled out its ad-supported tier in late 2022, its CPMs (the cost to reach 1,000 users) were nearly $60, per our data. Disney+ CPMs were slightly lower at $50, but still much higher than Hulu’s at $24.44.

Netflix and YouTube are siphoning subscription revenues from pay TV’s losses. By the end of 2025, more than half of US video subscription revenues will go to streaming services.

Here are some insights to maximize success on the platform, including how Amazon supports brand and performance goals, how sellers are leveraging AI, and the sweet spot for product volume and price.

Cross-border sales are booming in Western Europe despite a slowdown in adoption. As China’s ecommerce giants eye European expansion, local retailers face a competitive threat—and a substantial opportunity.

Brands and retailers are responding to shifts in alcohol consumption, particularly those of the growing Gen Z demographic as they establish habits and steer the industry’s future. With younger people drinking less and mid-level beverages waning in popularity, product diversification is becoming an even bigger business imperative.

The growth in retail media ad spending in these three countries will outpace all other formats for years to come. It’s thus gaining an important place at the ad budgeting table.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how Amazon turned its ecommerce business around, how much its new AI shopping assistant moves the needle, and what's really driving its ad business. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Zak Stambor and vice president of content Paul Verna.

Return fraud cost retailers $101 billion last year, per NRF estimates: That poses a challenge as merchants need to balance mitigation measures with customer satisfaction.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how much Amazon's new shopping chatbot can move the needle, what Planet Fitness' out-of-home ad network looks like, becoming a digital mannequin to see what clothes look like on you, whether minutelong soap operas will catch on, who the smartest people in the world are, and more. Tune into the discussion with vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian, analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf, and vice president of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti.

Our first-ever worldwide forecast for retail media ad spending shows enduring momentum and lots of good news for Amazon and other ecommerce platforms around the world.

While some were skeptical of Temu’s staying power, the app’s low prices and social-first marketing strategy seem to be resonating with consumers. Opening its platform to US sellers could bring competition for Temu at a time when consumer perception is flagging.

Amazon muscles in on Google and Meta’s ad throne: Retail media and Prime Video propelled the company to a blockbuster 2023—and 2024 looks even brighter.

Online return rates are finally coming down from recent highs. But as ecommerce's share of retail sales grows, so will returns from online sales.