The next phase of direct-to-consumer (D2C) retail won’t be defined by a singular distribution strategy, but rather by the goal of making a real connection with customers. To get to the next level, D2Cs must use their physical presence, partnerships, marketing dollars, and customer data.

We expect retail sales growth to slow to 2.9% this year: That pullback in spending is leading retailers to cut staff to protect their bottom lines.

Connected TV (CTV)’s digital DNA and ability to target specific audiences has catapulted its popularity among advertisers. Learn why a wide variety of advertisers, including direct-to-consumer brands, are using CTV ads to reach streaming viewers and drive measurable results.

Economic uncertainty caused investors to grow cautious: Even so, there were several significant acquisitions in 2022.

As the costs of doing business increase, direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands are struggling to find and keep customers. Some brands are selling their products through Amazon to capitalize on its search power. Others are turning to brick-and-mortar stores to help out.

Another eventful year is on tap for retailers as inflation forces consumers to prioritize basics, supply chain snarls continue, and customer loyalty wanes. Retailers that cut costs or add new revenue streams—and provide frictionless customer experiences—will prevail.

Digitally native D2C brands’ ecommerce growth is decelerating: That’s forcing these retailers to adopt new strategies such as opening stores and selling wholesale.

At the end of the day, we think the value of Hims & Hers’ new sex report lies more in the titillating topic than the novelty of its findings.

A new set of digital winners is emerging amid the market turmoil of 2022. Using our forecasts, we showcase how ecommerce, social media, fintech, and more are being transformed.

Digitally native brands focus on physical expansion, but costs are mounting: Allbirds, Warby Parker, and Glossier are shedding workers and expanding retail partnerships to grow sales and stay afloat.

As digital fitness goes mainstream, leading brands Nike, lululemon athletica, Peloton, and Apple are trailblazing a path for lifestyle brands toward a more profitable future.

Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO at Parachute, spoke with Insider Intelligence about creating a lifestyle brand within the competitive home market category.

Over the past year, 22% of US adults have had to forgo prescription medications due to the cost. About one-quarter needed to see a doctor but could not afford it.

US TV ad spending will decline from next year through 2026 except for a slight uptick in 2024. At the same time, connected TV ad spending will grow at double-digit annual rates, more than offsetting the losses on the traditional side.

This year, 64% of consumers worldwide—or as many as 1.70 billion digital buyers of the 2.65 billion we forecast—will regularly buy directly from a brand, up 15 percentage points from 2019.

The beauty industry is getting a digital makeover, thanks to Gen Z, viral TikTok trends, AR capabilities, and new consumer behaviors. Brands will need to take a multichannel approach to keep up.

Direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecommerce growth has slowed since 2020, but the leading digitally native brands remain popular. In December 2021, the Peloton website raked in 6.7 million visits worldwide, far more than the sites of Warby Parker, Casper, and other top digital natives in the D2C space.

There’s strong demand for UGG, HOKA, and The North Face: And shoppers are increasingly buying those brands’ products directly, which is helping boost their margins.

Subscription models are driving customer loyalty in online sales of groceries and other essential goods, but fatigue among consumers threatens long-term growth.

On today's episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands: where they started, what they’re up to now, and where they’re headed. Then for "Pop-Up Rankings," we rank the top five D2Cs that are going to endure in the digital age. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analyst Andrew Lipsman.