AI influenced $262 billion in global holiday sales, but most impact came from chatbots and behind-the-scenes customer service, not from shopping assistants.

Despite that solid growth there is growing cause for concern about the broader environment ahead.

Walmart's latest genAI tools simplify campaign creation and optimization, helping advertisers prepare for a future shaped by AI-driven discovery.

As manufacturing costs climb, automakers must balance luxury demand with the need for more affordable options to stay competitive.

Phasing out the de minimis exemption has transformed the US ecommerce landscape, but an adverse Supreme Court decision could upend the policy’s legal footing.

Starbucks is sponsoring the second season of Amazon Prime’s reality competition “Beast Games: Strong vs. Smart” to try to reignite brand buzz.

Chick-fil-A launches biggest-ever campaign amid QSR headwinds: The chicken chain is celebrating its 80th birthday with LTOs, merch, and a healthy dose of nostalgia.

Saks Global's high-risk bet on Neiman Marcus has backfired, saddling it with considerable debt, limiting its ability to compete and sending it spiraling toward bankruptcy.

News about delayed tariffs, activist pressure on retailers, and a failed JC Penney deal closed out 2025.

Many of the trends that dictated travel spending in 2025 will remain in play in 2026, including market bifurcation, AI influence, and anti-US sentiment.

Inflation, layoffs, and uncertain tariffs may dampen demand even as AI raises hope for new sales channels.

BNPL is cementing itself as a go-to tool for shoppers looking to stretch their dollars.

Apparel sellers are scaling private labels to attract price-savvy shoppers and stay nimble on trends.

Big websites like Hotels.com, Tripadvisor, and Expedia appeared most often in Q2 2025 travel searches, showing the influence of scale.

Walmart's leadership change is unlikely to change the retailer’s strategy in 2026 as it makes gains in technology, ecommerce, and advertising.

From tariffs to AI layoffs, retailers and consumers are flying blind and forced to adapt on the fly.

Amazon’s grip on ecommerce stays firm—for now—as Prime-led growth holds steady, yet AI agents could eventually challenge its ecommerce and retail media supremacy.

TikTok Shop will surpass Target in US ecommerce in 2026, thanks to the platform’s growing influence over product discovery and shopping trends.

RMNs face a tougher sell in 2026, as smaller players must lean on category expertise, customer data, and their store footprints to counter Amazon's and Walmart's dominance.

Shoppers spent more online and in stores, but rising debt and weak confidence hint at strain.