Retailers are going big on innovation. AI-powered improvements to the customer journey, ambitious market expansion, and viral partnerships and marketing campaigns have caught our attention, just in time for the first edition of our monthly ‘unofficial’ ranking of most interesting retailers.

What is shoppable media and which formats have the most potential?

Shoppers made a record number of Amazon purchases this holiday season: Strong consumer spending coupled with momentum in its ad business helped propel Amazon’s earnings well past expectations.

TikTok is intent on growing livestream sales: The platform plans to open live studios and is testing ways to make all content shoppable, even as retailers shift focus to shoppable TV.

Prime Video's ad tier launches amidst skepticism: Amazon's strategic incentives aim to reshape streaming advertising despite market challenges.

Last week, Target announced it was adding 1,000 new wellness-related products, some of which are priced at just $1.99.The retailer also launched an “online wellness destination” that consumers can visit for product recommendations, deals, meal inspirations, and wellness tips and tricks.

Amazon Prime Video ads launched today, defaulting Amazon’s 163.3 million US viewers into its ad-supported tier unless they pay a premium to opt out. This is good news for Amazon’s $44.26 billion dollar retail US media business. But who could this move hurt?

Social’s share of total media ad spending will grow much more slowly. Between 2017 and 2021, social’s share of overall media ad spending in the US nearly doubled, climbing from 10.5% to 20.0% in just four years. By contrast, its share of US media ad spending will climb less than 2 percentage points through 2027, inching from 20.4% in 2023 to 22.0%.

On today's podcast episode, our contestants compete in The Great Behind the Numbers Take Off, 2024 video trends edition, where they will try and cook up the most interesting predictions for the coming year. They'll discuss why Amazon will begin its ascension to become the second-most important company in streaming advertising, how more creators and brands will embrace AI to create videos, and what to expect from streaming platform consolidation. Tune in to the discussion with our director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman and analysts Ross Benes and Daniel Konstantinovic.

Amazon Prime Video will introduce ads to its streaming content starting on January 29. The move will leverage Amazon’s existing ad business and first-party retail media data to deliver ads on video content, something the company already does on Freevee and Fire TV. Here are five charts to prepare advertisers for this change.

Our primary research on US online beauty buyers shares insights into how consumers discover and purchase new beauty brands and products across channels.

The ad spending winter of 2022 and early 2023 was mild and short-lived, as we predicted. And after a solid H2 2023, things are looking up across the board for 2024.

For some, shopping online is functional, enabling consumers to get what they want quickly, without straying from their budget or list. By creating a more engaging ecommerce experience, retailers can make shopping online fun, enticing consumers to browse and buy like they might in-store—and perhaps, increasing their basket.

Grocery is set to become the largest US ecommerce category by 2026.

Our analysts have already made their big predictions for the year ahead, but the newsletter team has a few more to add to the list. As Amazon hits the gas on grocery, it may use its Amazon Fresh stores for fulfillment. Plus, we think beauty will get personal, Amazon could give digitally native brands a helping hand, and a healing economy could spell trouble for discount stores.

2023 was a big year for partnerships, with companies joining forces across social, retail, and digital advertising to boost revenues.

Our primary research on US online beauty buyers shares insights into the evolution of consumer habits and preferences in one of retail’s most resilient categories.

From retailers drawing shoppers in-store by leaning on creator content to the emergence of livestream ecommerce influencers and the potential consolidation of retail media networks, our analyst-led predictions offer a glimpse into the future of shopping and advertising. We explore each, weighing the arguments for and against their likelihood in shaping the year ahead.

The Latin American economy is on the upswing, with digital innovation in the driver’s seat. Our trends report explores how retail media, commerce, and generative AI will be redefined in 2024 and what businesses need to know to get ahead.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the most important retail trends we're watching in 2024: How retailers will try to compete less with Amazon online, how China's influence will shake up online shopping in the US, and buying retail media networks. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian and analysts Sky Canaves and Blake Droesch.