Two major brands are demonstrating how to integrate creators across the full commerce funnel, not just for awareness but for driving actual transactions. "Connection is always valuable," said Cory Weaver, head of influence at Gap Inc., in an episode of "Behind the Numbers." "Creators are humans at the end of the day. They thrive on human connection."

When ChatGPT rolled out ads on February 9, retailers moved quickly to test the format. The retail and grocery category accounted for 44% of ad impressions on ChatGPT during the two-week period from February 12 to 26, compared with 37% on Google Search, according to data from Sensor Tower.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the three big questions surrounding TikTok right now: Will TikTok spend this year fighting perceptions of bias? Will the new algorithm be as good? How much bigger can TikTok Shop get? And more. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Analyst Emmy Liederman and Principal Analyst Max Willens. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

In place of the monthly retailer rankings, “Behind the Numbers” has launched the Unofficial Monthly Retailer Awards (UMRAs). Each month, the awards will spotlight retailers that stand out in three key categories: Most impactful campaign, best in-real-life initiative, and best under-the-radar move. Analysts will nominate standout brands, and host Suzy Davidkhanian will select the winners based on their cases.

In the coming year, experts believe retailers will aim to consolidate their operations and link retail media silos with broader organizations.

"Retail and growing a business today relies a lot more on developing alternative revenue streams and brand building that goes far beyond the typical selling products at a good price," said our analyst Blake Droesch during a recent “Behind the Numbers” podcast recorded live at the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2026 Big Show.

"Retailers are reinventing the ways that they connect with their customers in real life," said our analyst Blake Droesch during a recent “Behind the Numbers” episode. "The D2C revolution that we saw play out online has now really reached its limitations, giving way to a disconnection between brands and their customers."

"Creativity is not just a nice-to-do activity, but in fact, it's something that is a critical life skill for kids and an incredible kind of a joyful moment of expression for adults," said Victoria Lozano, CMO at Crayola, on a recent “Behind the Numbers” podcast. For more than 120 years, Crayola has been woven into childhoods. Now in the second year of its "Campaign For Creativity," the iconic brand is expanding its mission beyond art supplies to position creativity as an essential skill for today's digital-native children.