Tying up with DoorDash gives the BNPL provider a massive volume opportunity

Retail media’s rapid growth has spurred nonretail verticals to harness their first-party data to fuel their own commerce media networks. Retail media spending still dominates the commerce media landscape, but distinct challenger cohorts are finding their footing.

DoorDash vows to invest more in expansion: Strong Q4 revenues and orders boost momentum, but inflation and tariffs pose risks.

The payments provider maintained impressive POS growth given heightened competition in the space

Grocery is the second-largest ecommerce category we track, garnering $220.48 billion in 2025, according to our “US Digital Grocery Forecast 2025” report. Walmart is the top digital grocery retailer, capturing 31.6% of US grocery ecommerce sales in 2025, followed by Amazon (22.6%) and Kroger (8.6%).

While AI adoption could save employees significant time, most still see it as a draft generator—helpful, but far from a finished product.

DoorDash aims to transform how brands connect with customers through two new partnerships intended to make ads more relevant and shopping more personalized.

Growth rates will decline, but digital grocery will remain a key focus for retailers looking to drive incremental sales dollars in ecommerce.

This report presents five of the most intriguing and/or under-the-radar forecasts for 2025 that clients should be aware of, as compiled by our forecasting team.

Instacart announces slew of partnerships to combat slowing growth: The delivery platform is adding new retail partners and expanding its ad reach.

The deal highlights providers’ efforts to keep up with the growing demand for EWA

As competition intensifies and consumers continue to seek value, retailers will need to double down on how to differentiate themselves and offer shoppers what they want, wherever they are.

To keep pace in a complex landscape and meet increasing demands from advertisers, commerce media players need to invest in fresh channels, tools, and innovation.

Commerce media networks are expanding beyond retail into new verticals like travel and financial services, creating opportunities for targeted advertising using first-party purchase data. The key to growth will be achieving a delicate balance, and engaging—rather than alienating—consumers.

DoorDash partners with Lyft: The combination should make the delivery service a stronger competitor to Uber, which offers members of its Uber One service free food delivery and discounted rides.

US travel media network (TMN) ad spend will reach $2.13 billion this year and increase to $2.96 billion in 2026, per our September 2024 forecast.

The service makes purchasing age-restricted items online easier and can help merchants speed up checkout times

Just Eat Takeaway expands retail media offerings with Rokt partnership: The delivery company joins DoorDash, Instacart, and Gopuff in enhancing its ad capabilities

Over half (56%) of US grocery retail executives are concerned about competition from internet grocery stores (like Thrive Market or Fresh Direct), according to a June 2024 survey from Deloitte. Nearly as many (53%) are concerned about third-party grocery shopping apps like Instacart or DoorDash.

This is the first installment of our “Retail and Ecommerce Sales Benchmarks” series, which helps retailers calibrate their sales mix against the market.