41% of US adults skip retail mobile apps because they prefer shopping in-store to see products in person, the top reason cited above payment privacy (33%) and phone storage (33%), according to a March 2026 survey from Ipsos.

Economic turbulence and global uncertainty haven't stopped Valentine's Day spending from reaching new heights as it takes on unique cultural significance.

Retail is entering a more complex, multichannel era, testing retail media strategies as a result. In this video, Principal Analyst Sarah Marzano examines the structural shifts reshaping how consumers discover and purchase, and what those changes signal for growth.

"[The oldest members of Gen Alpha are] turning 16 next year, so we are on the eve of them becoming pretty powerful consumers," said Dani Mariano, CEO at Razorfish. "[GWI found that] 30% of 12- to 15-year-olds said that they had used AI in the last seven days. I think it could be even higher."

Grocery shopping is more digital than ever, but the physical store remains the cornerstone of the experience, amplified by digital tools and touchpoints. Shoppers blend in-store visits with online discovery, opening new opportunities for brands and retailers to connect with them at every stage. Here’s what marketers need to know about today’s grocery shoppers and what it means for retail media strategies.

While holiday gift-givers do more of their shopping online every year, many shoppers will make purchases in physical stores this holiday season. The segment could make or break retailers facing economic challenges from tariffs and supply chains.

As Primark celebrates its 10-year anniversary in the US, the European retail giant navigates the challenges of building brand awareness in a competitive American market while staying true to its core value proposition that made it a cultural institution in the UK and Ireland.

For Gen Z and millennials, shopping is about belonging as much as buying. From pop-ups to print catalogs, physical experiences paired with digital touchpoints are reshaping how brands build loyalty and cultural connection.

With economic uncertainty influencing how people shop, marketers and retailers have a prime opportunity to create in-store value. Today’s shoppers seek more than products—they want a shopping experience that delivers immediacy, control, and sensory engagement. Here’s what retailers need to know about current consumer behavior in physical aisles.

Retailers stop viewing the store as "a single moment and start to take a step back to ask 'What's the lifetime value of investment, and what role does the store play in driving that maximum lifetime value?'" said Ethan Chernofsky, senior vice president of marketing at Placer.ai, at last week's EMARKETER's summit on Commerce Media Trends 2025.

Half a decade out from the pandemic, retail has firmly established its “new normal,” one where consumers seek spaces they can relax, people return to the office, and wellness remains a focus. Here are four trends illustrating where consumers are spending their time and how those changes impact retail.

"Sam's Club's in-store experience is really smooth, easy, and elegant thanks to technology," our analyst Zak Stambor said on a recent "Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail" podcast.

Consumers are turning to multiple channels to research and discover new brands, and marketers need to know how to interact with customers in each of these places to encourage them to buy. “Knowing where your consumers discover and research products allows brands to invest in marketing dollars in the channels that drive the biggest impact,” said Cristy Garcia, CMO at impact.com, on a recent EMARKETER webinar. “Without that, you're flying blind.”

This deck provides critical data to help retailers benchmark their own retail sales against the wider market.

In-store, consumers want experiences that engage their senses, while online, they’re interested in generative AI (genAI) tools that can help them research products. Plus, young men in the South lead in fast-food consumption, retail leaders lean on loyalty to boost growth, and holiday spending remained in check (for the most part).

Consumers are constantly discovering new products, but actually getting them to buy is a different story. Advertisers must ensure product information is accessible everywhere, as consumers use multiple channels for discovery, research, and purchasing products. Here are five key stats to know about the shopping journey.

While 2024 saw the rise of “Sephora kids”, in 2025 more beauty brands may target Gen X consumers to grow sales amid a challenging economy.

The National Retail Federation (NRF)’s Big Show is happening in New York City this weekend, and will offer an opportunity for retail media networks (RMNs) to pitch themselves to advertisers. Even though retail media is huge—exceeding $62 billion in US ad spend this year per our forecast, most of those ad dollars will go to the biggest RMNs. The remaining players are vying over the same $8.58 billion that isn't scooped up by Amazon, Walmart, or Target.

While our analysts have shared their major trends for the year ahead, the newsletter team has a few additional thoughts. In 2025, we think retailers will focus on personalized in-store experiences and technology to boost foot traffic and engagement while Amazon brings its AI assistant, Rufus, to brick-and-mortar locations. Discount retailers will struggle to retain customers, leading them to diversify or launch marketplaces to stay competitive.

From Temu’s rise to their interest in dupes, Gen Z prioritized affordability and convenience in 2024. Gen Z consumers also showed interest in in-person shopping, but crowded stores may be limiting their trips to brick-and-mortar retail.