Growing consumer adoption of AI tools is positioning AI platforms as an alternative shopping channel—but most AI-driven transactions are still completed on retailer websites.

This FAQ discusses how the holiday marketing season is evolving into a longer, leaner, and more competitive period, driven by economic headwinds, earlier shopping behavior, and the growing importance of retail media. It outlines why marketers must plan earlier, prioritize measurable and omnichannel strategies, and avoid overconcentrating spend around the Cyber Five to capture demand across an extended season.

As UK consumers settle on new ways of shopping and buying post-pandemic, retailers must keep pace and cater to these new habits.

Even with the ubiquity of digital buying, the in-store shopping experience continues to have importance. And even more so with younger consumers.

Nearly half of US internet users surveyed by Periscope By McKinsey said they plan to shop for Black Friday deals online.

User-generated ratings and reviews are a known confidence-builder among online shoppers. But retailer product recommendations can also affect decision making—to a larger degree than you might think.

Data shows that with a promise of warm weather, spring is the biggest shopping season following the holidays. Based on insight from more than 5,700 websites, Bazaarvoice shares three key trends to pay attention to.