It has identified key expansion territories where it’ll offer full-service banking.

The bank could outperform less focused competitors in customer satisfaction.

Starling avoids the crowded US retail market, narrowing its focus.

Brands reallocate budgets to blend TV scale with targeting, but walled gardens risk eroding efficiency.

7-Eleven is making bold moves that contradict retail wisdom, expanding its footprint despite declining same-store sales and traffic. "It's not that they're opening a ton of new stores, it's just they're rejigging their footprint," said our analyst Blake Droesch on a recent episode of “Behind the Numbers.”

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why 7-Eleven is opening more stores even as foot traffic falls, explore its next engine of growth, and consider some bold moves that could help future-proof the convenience store giant. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Senior Analyst Blake Droesch, and Principal Analyst Sarah Marzano.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how “The Savings Wrangler” campaign was dreamt up, how GoodRx will measure its success, and what new spaces the medication savings company is moving into. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host, Marcus Johnson, Senior Analysts, Rajiv Leventhal and Beth Snyder Bulik, and Chief Marketing Officer at GoodRx, Ryan Sullivan. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

The news: Payments company Wise is exploring plans to become a full-fledged bank in the UK, per The Times. This shortly follows its application for a US banking license. Why this matters: Fintechs are increasingly applying for US licenses, taking advantage of expedited measures that once took years. The UK is seeing a similar trend: Wise joins fintechs including Starling, Monzo, and Revolut in applying for licenses (some successfully). Fintechs entering the traditional banking space could pressure incumbents and reshape the competitive landscape. Banking licenses would allow them to offer a more complete suite of services while maintaining their digital-first, customer-centric approach. Established players will need to adapt or risk losing a significant portion of the next generation of banking customers.

“Shopper journeys are very complex, and retail media networks (RMNs) need scale to reach those shoppers, wherever they may be,” said Shawn McGahee, head of retail media at Google, during last week’s EMARKETER Summit on commerce media.

As OpenAI downshifts profit goals, Microsoft may trade revenues for long-term access, reshaping one of AI’s most powerful partnerships.

With training lagging and pressure mounting, businesses risk losing talent and momentum in a workplace increasingly shaped by automation.

Demand is melting hardware, throttling performance, and showing just how brittle the infrastructure behind AI’s biggest platforms really is

The price of its Mississippi data centers jumped 60% as infrastructure expenses rise for AI and cloud computing—costs that may trickle down to businesses and consumers.

By scrapping Biden’s AI order, Trump signals a hands-off approach, fueling AI competition but risking consumer privacy and security.