With third-party cookies on the way out, access to customer data is more valuable to brands than ever. By leveraging loyalty programs, brands can collect first-party data, including customer demographics and shopping habits, in exchange for targeted offers or deals. But in order for brands to get access to customer data, they need to be sure their loyalty program resonates with their audience.

Shoppers are relying on their smartphones more, as enhancements in mobile payments, social media checkout, and retailer apps make purchases easier than ever. This year, US shoppers will spend $558.29 billion on their mobile devices, accounting for 44.6% of overall ecommerce sales, according to our November 2023 forecast. We delve into the consumer embrace of mcommerce, unpacking three key drivers.

Mobile wallet integration makes checking out more convenient, while composable commerce gives brands the ability to customize and alter their tech stacks to fit their specific needs. Generative AI helps to enhance personalization and product recommendations, and one-click checkout buttons speed up the payment process.

Retailers turn to gamification to encourage loyalty, boost sales: Lego, Under Armour, and Hudson’s Bay Company are hoping to keep users engaged and their brands top-of-mind.

Generative AI helps brands distill consumer insights to create personalized products while AR virtual try-on solutions give customers the ability to try before buying. Beauty brands like Ulta Beauty and Sephora are finding ways to draw consumers into their apps with exclusive content or services.

Interest rates are rising. The housing market is cooling. Combine those factors with two years of home improvement projects during the COVID-19 pandemic and outlooks don’t look great for home improvement retailers. This has led them to focus on other revenue streams, including advertising, professional services, and loyalty programs.

On today's episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss why people don't take advantage of loyalty, how to keep consumers engaged in membership programs, and how to make sure customers have a seamless experience with all the right loyalty touchpoints. Then for "Pop-Up Rankings," we rank the top four under-the-radar loyalty programs and consider the one thing that makes them great. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analysts Sky Canaves and Suzy Davidkhanian.

Consumers now expect more from brands and their loyalty programs, which need to incorporate value, ease of use, and personalization to stand out in a crowded market.

Here’s the bad news: Over half (56%) of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from a brand with a loyalty program even though only 36% redeem their rewards more than once a month, according to a study by Salesforce.

On today's episode, we discuss this year's holiday spending expectations, Google making its Maps and Search apps more immersive, adding perks to loyalty programs, Bed Bath & Beyond's future, malls attempting to evolve, what search will look like in five years, what Americans spend their money on by generation, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti and analysts Suzy Davidkhanian and Evelyn Mitchell.

A company’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) has the potential to impact businesses positively in sales, cost efficiencies, and profits. But why are so many brands misusing it?

On this episode of Brand Anatomy, where we get exclusive looks inside leading brands, Briefings director Jeremy Goldman sits down with Dorothy Dowling, CMO of Best Western, to discuss the changing needs of today’s travelers given rising inflation and pent-up post-pandemic demand, and the importance of loyalty programs to better serve customers.

On today's episode, we discuss data’s role in customer experience (CX), how the pandemic changed the way companies approach customers, and how to measure CX ROI. We then talk about the best loyalty programs in the US, shifting to contactless payments, and whether Gen Z will recover from the pandemic-induced recession. Tune in to the discussion with eMarketer principal analyst at Insider Intelligence Jeremy Goldman.

Offering a loyalty program is an effective way for retailers to acquire new customers, but it also fosters relationships for years to come. Setting up the framework, however, can be challenging—especially if retailers decide to handle everything in-house.

Buy now, pay later solutions are quickly gaining adoption as consumers look for new financing options and merchants aim to drive sales. But the industry is still unsettled as a number of firms are battling to lead the space, while card networks and issuers are looking to get involved too.

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.

eMarketer analyst Ross Benes, forecasting analyst Eric Haggstrom and principal analyst at Insider Intelligence Andrew Lipsman discuss how the tech giants are coming for your TV. They then talk about why lululemon athletica bought connected fitness startup Mirror, why premium loyalty programs are in fashion and what happens when stay-at-home orders end.

More shoppers are utilizing omnichannel offerings to simplify their shopping experiences. For brands and retailers, offering consumers an obvious in-app value exchange can lead to downloads and encourage loyalty.

Direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands have historically relied on performance-based digital advertising strategies. Many leverage Facebook and Instagram to target audiences and direct response podcast ads to drive conversions, even throwing unconventional content marketing into the mix.

This report series explores how companies are building a data-driven, 360-degree customer view to support relevant customer experiences across every touchpoint.