Agentic AI locks in walled gardens: 76% of advertisers report gains as automated tools tilt budgets toward closed ecosystems over the open web.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how technology has changed the way Rainbow's customers research, compare, and ultimately make purchasing decisions; what the retailer has learned about serving customers that higher-end, luxury, and mainstream retailers could benefit from; and why "every AI experiment designed to replace a person failed, while every experiment designed to make a talented person better succeeded." Tune in to hear the discussion featuring Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst Zak Stambor, and David Cost, Chief Digital Officer at Rainbow Apparel.

AI labels don’t dent ads: MediaScience research shows that AI transparency leaves performance intact—and consumer trust stronger.

On today’s podcast episode, we present our “Unofficial Monthly Retailer Awards” (UMRAs) for May, including “Most Impactful Campaign,” “Best IRL Initiative,” and “Greatest Under-the-Radar Move.” Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst Sky Canaves, and Analysts Arielle Feger and Rachel Wolff.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why the mega shopping festival Singles’ Day is so much larger than Prime Day, how the event is more interactive, and how US retailers and brands can start capitalizing on Singles’ Day as a cultural moment, a marketing opportunity, and a demand driver. Tune in to hear the discussion featuring Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst Sky Canaves, and Christopher Carl, Head of Marketing & Commercial Strategy for the US at AliExpress (Alibaba Group).

- On today’s podcast episode, we discuss what makes buying furniture so complex from a customer perspective, where in today’s shopping journey people get stuck the most, and which technologies are actually driving the category forward. Listen to the discussion featuring Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst Yory Wurmser, and Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Furniture.com, Daniel Bennett.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the three big questions surrounding Meta right now: Why isn’t Wall Street satisfied with Meta’s seemingly incomprehensible growth? Where should Meta be focusing its AI efforts? And what happens when the company creates an AI version of CEO Mark Zuckerberg? Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Analyst Emmy Liederman and Principal Analyst Max Willens. Listen everywhere, or watch on YouTube and Spotify.

The big role that youth sports plays in the lives of many US families gives retailers a unique chance to connect with shoppers.

This FAQ explores the evolving brand safety landscape, risks in creator partnerships and synthetic content, and the tools marketers need to protect their brands in 2026.

"Returns may feel like a cost center for retailers, but if you don't have the right levers in place and you don't treat it like an opportunity to court a customer, you might never get them back," said our analyst Suzy Davidkhanian on a recent episode of “Reimagining Retail.”

In today’s podcast episode, we discuss why we think Meta will surpass Google to become the world’s leading digital advertising business this year, whether Google can wrestle back control in the following years, and how close Amazon is to getting a shot at the title. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Senior Forecasting Analysts Zach Goldner and Drew Spink. Listen anywhere, or watch on YouTube or Spotify.

Rising gas prices are the visible face of the current energy crisis, but the real impact on retail runs much deeper. "Energy touches everything,” said our analyst Suzy Davidkhanian on “Reimagining Retail.” “It acts more like a tax on fixed costs like fuel and utilities, leaving less room for everything else.”

This FAQ explores why event marketing is growing, what new technologies are changing the event landscape, and how marketers should approach event strategy in 2026.

Digital shelf labels (DSLs) are gaining momentum in retail stores, as major players prepare to scale adoption. Walmart recently announced plans to roll out DSLs across its entire store fleet within the next year, while Kroger has already begun replacing traditional paper tags with electronic labels in its Cincinnati-area stores.

Social media is emerging as a key growth channel for retail media networks (RMNs) as they expand beyond their owned properties.