On today's episode, we discuss why marketers need to work on their mid-funnel (mid-range) game and the potential opportunities. We then talk about Peloton's apparel ambitions, Walmart's Q4 and 2020 performance, and packaged food giants' game plan for direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales. Tune in to the discussion with eMarketer principal analyst at Insider Intelligence Andrew Lipsman.

Marketers and service professionals are using SMS messages in many ways.

The emergence of new companies selling direct online has been a big story for some time. Mattress brands Casper and Emma, luggage maker Away, beauty company Glossier, and garment retailer Happy Socks were among the first highly successful direct-to-consumer (D2C) firms, many of them based in Europe.

Retail ecommerce sales in Western Europe rose by 26.3% in 2020, to €481.54 billion ($539.18 billion). The pandemic is fueling other shifts in the retail landscape, too, such as a greater focus on buying local.

The combination of growing inventory, brands pulling back ad spend, and the overall rising tide of ecommerce growth has reopened opportunities for many D2Cs.

The retail industry is transforming at both physical stores and in digital. This report examines 10 trends that will most shape retail in the year ahead.

Athletic apparel seller Vuori is dipping its toes in a new advertising realm with its first-ever TV commercials—an opportunity to spotlight its high-in-demand product category, as many consumers are gravitating toward activewear amid the pandemic.

The food and beverage category is seeing the biggest gains in retail ecommerce sales growth this year as more consumers have gotten comfortable shopping online amid the pandemic. Over the past few months, Kellogg’s has also experienced this digital growth and implemented ongoing efforts to adapt to the rapidly changing retail environment.

Today’s sociopolitical events have lit a fire under brands to address social injustice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in deeper ways than they have in the past. Companies are using marketing and advertising to respond to and support discussions about systemic racism and the Black Lives Matter protests, the fight for LGBTQ rights, the #MeToo movement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and issues of immigration reform, to name a few.

Earlier this month, Mucinex unveiled Sickwear, a six-piece fashion collection that aims to help consumers get through the cold and flu season in style. While it may not be the typical route for a healthcare brand, its parent company RB has been leveraging different channels, including TikTok and now social commerce, to reach consumers—particularly those who may not be aware of its direct-to-consumer (D2C) business.

While D2C selling can boost revenues, its true power is in its ability to give marketers the insights they need to succeed across channels and replicate success long term.

The pandemic has hastened the digital future, but ill-conceived marketing tactics predicated on current events should be avoided. UK consumers are more wary of empty marketing rhetoric, so a mindful approach should be cultivated.

Junior Pence, CMO and creative director of Peace Out Skincare speaks with eMarketer vice president of business development Marissa Coslov about the brand’s marketing efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, including the surprise success of a viral TikTok video.

Ecommerce is experiencing massive growth this year, and digitally-native, direct-to-consumer brands can capitalize on this trend by activating machine learning, leveraging visual storytelling and other winning strategies.

David Zucker, senior vice president and CMO of Perdue Farms, speaks with eMarketer vice president of business development Marissa Coslov on how the brand has pivoted its marketing priorities in response to the coronavirus pandemic and shifting buying behaviors.

After launching in roughly 450 US Whole Foods locations—and partnering with New York City-based Italian restaurant Pomodoro Rosso last year—plant-based meat company Meatless Farm launched its own direct-to-consumer (D2C) site amid the pandemic, as consumer shopping behaviors continue to lean to ecommerce.

Steven Borrelli, CEO and founder of Cuts, speaks with eMarketer vice president of business development Marissa Coslov about the D2C brand’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, including doubling down on ecommerce and social media marketing.

Since its launch in 2017, Peace Out Skincare—known for its Acne Dot patches—has been rapidly expanding its business through an exclusive partnership with Sephora, as well as its own direct-to-consumer (D2C) business.

Mattress company Simmons is turning to TikTok to help drive brand awareness and attract a younger audience as it looks to adapt in a competitive, digitally native space.

eMarketer forecasting analyst Eric Haggstrom, vice president of content studio Paul Verna and Business Insider Intelligence senior analyst Audrey Schomer at Insider Intelligence discuss the most impressive video streaming players this year, whether bundling will come to streaming and how significant is the "mooch factor." They then talk about TVs that rotate, YouTube wanting advertisers to spend more to reach consumers watching content on TVs and what to make of D2C's jump into TV advertising.