Foot traffic to Aldi stores grew 12.3% YoY in Q4 2024, over twice the growth of low-cost competitor Trader Joe’s, according to data from Placer.ai.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the elements of the Lego flywheel, how its remained relevant across demographics, and what other brands and retailers can learn from its success. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Principal Analyst Sky Canaves and Senior Analyst Zak Stambor.

On today’s special edition podcast, we discuss the evolution of creator content, how content is migrating off social channels, brand partnerships and the implications of AI on content. Join Vice President and Principal Analyst, Jasmine Enberg as she hosts Nicole Weltman, Head of Social from Taco Bell, Bryan Reisberg, Creator, CEO, and Co-Founder of Little Chonk, and Sarah Crockett, Senior Vice President and CMO of DSW. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Non-retail commerce media channels typically mean payments, travel, and intermediaries that overlap with retail. But more nontraditional commerce media networks have been popping up from places like Mohegan’s casinos, RE/MAX’s real estate websites, and Planet Fitness’ gyms.

Ecommerce will account for nearly a quarter (24.5%) of US beauty retail sales by 2028, according to our October 2024 forecast.

Horizon Media is hunting for acquisitions: The US agency is targeting companies in the influencer marketing and retail media sectors.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the unofficial list of the most interesting retailers for the month of January. Each month, our analysts Arielle Feger, Becky Schilling, and Sara Lebow (aka The Committee) put together a very unofficial list of the top eight retailers they're watching based on which are making the most interesting moves: Who's launching new initiatives? Which partnerships are moving the needle? Which standout marketing campaigns are being created? In this month's episode, Committee members Analyst Arielle Feger and Senior Analyst Sara Lebow will defend their list against Senior Analyst Zak Stambor and Analyst Rachel Wolff, who will dispute the power rankings by attempting to move retailers up, down, on, or off the list.

Retail media networks (RMNs) are expanding beyond retailers' websites and apps, pushing into connected TV (CTV) and in-store displays. As the industry matures, experts predict 2025 will be marked by significant growth in these off-site channels, with new technologies and partnerships reshaping how brands reach consumers throughout their shopping journey.

59% of US shoppers are most influenced by honest creator reviews that showcase the pros and cons of a product, according to a September 2024 survey by Bazaarvoice and Savanta.

Almost one-third (31%) of US consumers would prioritize spending on essential items this year if a trade war or tariffs increased the price of products they regularly purchase, according to a January survey from First Insight.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the most interesting 2025 retail trends that we heard at NRF, and expect to hear at eTail, ShopTalk, and other events. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Chief Content Officer Zia Daniell Wigder and Vice President Suzy Davidkhanian.

60% of US retail professionals say charging customers for returns has resulted in an increase of adoption in their free return methods, while 54% say it has cut down on return rates, according to a September 2024 survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Happy Returns.

Cracker Barrel led all US flowers, gifts, and greetings retailers with 5.8 million unique visitors in November 2024, according to Comscore.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how the election influenced consumers' shopping habits, why returns spiked, and some way too early predictions for the 2025 holiday season. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Senior Analyst Zak Stambor and Analyst Rachel Wolff.

Amazon’s new Retail Ad Service, announced last week, is certainly the biggest retail media news of the year so far. In offering its ad-tech to power other retailers' media networks (RMNs), Amazon could disrupt how retail media operates for retailers, advertisers, vendors, and consumers alike.

Over half of retailer executives say that they implemented a return fee to discourage customers from initiating returns, according to October 2024 data from Optoro. Thirty-nine percent of executives said they launched a fee to discourage excessive or abusive returns, while 20% said it is to make it difficult or discourage customers from returning products.

Growth rates will decline, but digital grocery will remain a key focus for retailers looking to drive incremental sales dollars in ecommerce.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how retailers are giving customers more bang for their buck with discounts and freebies, how gamified loyalty programs are becoming more sophisticated, and more. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Vice President Suzy Davidkhanian and Senior Analyst Blake Droesch.

In 2025, retailers will redefine value by blending discounts with innovation, empathy, and personalization. Brands will prioritize authentic connections, engaging audiences through in-person experiences, and highly targeted campaigns powered by advanced technologies like AI. Let’s look at three key marketing themes industry experts believe will shape 2025.