Nearly every country in the world will see slower growth in total ad spending and digital ad spending than it did last year, but the comparison is an unfair one because 2021 was abnormal. The outlook is mostly bright.

On today's episode, we discuss how wearable tech devices will shake up healthcare, which features will make health wearables a must-have, and how Amazon and Apple will continue to disrupt the industry. "In Other News," we talk about why digital pharmacies are getting in trouble and what we should make of telehealth companies slowing down. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Lisa Phillips and Rajiv Leventhal.

How should businesses view these global trends and events? How are behaviors and spending changing? In this report, Insider Intelligence analysts weigh in on the questions they’re being asked by both clients and the media about the shifting landscape in key areas like digital advertising, retail and ecommerce, and financial services.

Apple, Amazon, and Starbucks are fighting hard against unionization efforts: While the companies’ aggressive stands aim to protect their bottom lines, doing so could sully their reputation.

Big Tech gets corrected: Tech industry stocks have taken a beating so far in 2022, but given the pandemic’s upheaval, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Another reincarnation looms.

Brands and retailers are adopting new technologies as they pursue supply chain optimization: Kraft Heinz, UPS, and Amazon are looking to AI, the cloud, and other tools to streamline operations.

On today's episode, we discuss why Amazon is slowing down, its Buy with Prime initiative, and how Amazon's advertising business is getting on. "In Other News," we talk about whether Walmart+ is actually competing with Amazon Prime and what Target's strategy has been to compete with Amazon. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Andrew Lipsman.

A wave of cost-cutting layoffs is coming: GoPuff, Thrasio, and Reef are among the companies rethinking their staffing levels as they shift focus to profitability.

Inflation hasn’t hurt retail sales, which grew 7.2% in April: That growth stems from people flocking to stores. In-store sales rose 10.0%, while ecommerce sales fell 1.8%.

In 2021, Amazon’s US average revenue per user (ARPU) for its retail media network was nearly 4 times that of Instacart and close to 9 times that of Walmart.

Word of mouth trumps advertising: Intuit’s TurboTax massive deceptive ad settlement reflects a growing lack of trust consumers have in advertising.

Amazon workers in Staten Island vote against unionizing: The labor movement isn’t over yet, but the defeat could stall momentum in Big Tech as companies redouble efforts to bust unions.

Virtual product placements are about to become big business: Both Amazon and NBCUniversal touted new ad units during the NewFronts.

Victoria’s Secret adds Amazon to its ecommerce playbook: Selling on Amazon’s marketplace enables retailers to find online shoppers where they’re already looking. But doing so comes at a cost.

Big Tech squares off against unions: Momentum is on the side of workers seeking higher wages and transparency. How companies address brewing labor movements could be a red flag for regulators.

Walmart+ doubled its fuel discount to 10 cents per gallon: Inflated gas prices provide Walmart with an opportunity to drive more people to its membership program.

Nearly 1 in 5 Black consumers in the US view brands as generally disingenuous for holding Black History Month promotions, recent research shows. A partnership with Black consumers should start with a deep understanding and appreciation of the elements that make them, as individuals and as a group, unique.

Podcast listening keeps making gains, and the medium is becoming a bigger part of marketers’ audio strategies.

Despite slowing growth, US marketplace ecommerce sales are expected to hit $357.26 billion in 2022, making up 34.6% of all online sales.