US B2B ecommerce continues to expand as it becomes a default buying channel. But slower growth, operational gaps, and marketplace momentum are reshaping where value is created and how sellers compete.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the Thanksgiving shopping season—what surprised us most, what it revealed about the fragility of the US consumer, and how much AI moved the needle for shoppers, and retailers. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Senior Analyst Zak Stambor, and Analyst Rachel Wolff.

Cyber Monday ad spending eclipsed Black Friday for the first time last year, per a Sensor Tower and Pathmatics analysis of spend from the “shopping” category between October 1 and December 31. While the digital sales day brought in just $300,000 more in ad spending than its in-person counterpart, it represents a turning point in the yearslong trend. As even Black Friday shopping moves online, advertising with the tail end of the Cyber Five period in mind could help with both day-of sales and December shopping.

High housing costs and stagnant wages are causing Gen Z and Millennials to delay marriage, homeownership, and parenthood, per a Capgemini and LIMRA study. And while 68% of these younger adults see life insurance as “essential for a healthy financial future,” current products aren’t resonating. Advertising messaging must close the gap in consumers’ understanding of life insurance benefits. To do this, targeted ads and communications must highlight living benefits and flexibility, offer low-cost, entry-level options and incentives, and engage consumers digitally.

Estée Lauder posted a wider quarterly loss as sales slumped and warned that tariffs could reduce earnings by about $100 million over the next year. Estée Lauder is taking necessary steps to turn around its business—focusing on product innovation, cutting costs, and broadening its customer reach—but it will be tough given intense competition in the beauty market. With key rival L’Oreal gaining US momentum and newer brands emerging, Estée Lauder must accelerate product innovation, reduce reliance on discounting, rebuild momentum in China, and take other steps to win new customers, or risk ceding more ground in the longer term.

In this podcast episode, we discuss if ‘Summerween’ is here to stay, which retail shopping holiday is most likely to expand, and how all of this affects shopping behavior. Listen to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and guest host, Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst, Sky Canaves, and Vice President of Content Suzy Davidkhanian.

While consumers are always looking for more efficient ways to shop and engage with brands, they aren't always ready to trade that efficiency for relinquished control. Marketers seeking to enhance engagement with AI have an evolving tightrope to walk.

The news: Wegmans added Instacart’s Caper Carts—AI-powered smart carts—to a store in Syracuse, New York. Our take: Wegmans has staked its brand on exceptional customer service.

Issuers are relying more than ever on this segment to bolster payment volume and revenues.

B2B ecommerce growth is outpacing B2B product and electronic sales growth. And ecommerce site sales are taking an increasing share of the market. Macroeconomic conditions, buyers’ preferences, and AI use are fueling increased digital transactions, particularly through third-party marketplaces.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how folks viewed big ticket items over the Thanksgiving holiday shopping period, how in-store foot traffic shook out, and the impact of buy now, pay later (BNPL). Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Senior Analyst Zak Stambor and Analyst Rachel Wolff.

Worldwide sales of personal luxury goods will only grow by 3.2% in 2024 to reach $429.15 billion, weighed down by slower growth in the US and China, according to an August 2024 EMARKETER forecast.

LEGO’s website is by far the most visited toy retail website among US consumers, with 5.89 million unique visitors in August 2024, according to data from Comscore Inc.

Ancillary services, such as item repairs, pet grooming, and tailoring, are becoming an increasingly important part of retailers' strategies to drive foot traffic, build brand loyalty, and create additional revenue streams. But the benefit of these services often extends beyond direct financial returns.

The company’s AI assistant aims to simplify sales and marketing processes and boost efficiency.

This year, US holiday sales will reach a record $1.353 trillion, per our July 2024 forecast. That holiday season is starting earlier and earlier, which means marketers need to be prepared now for shopping to pick up in September and October. The election and consumer concerns about the economy will complicate where advertisers reach consumers and what messaging they use. Here are five stats marketers should see as they prep their holiday campaigns.

McDonald’s sales fell for the first time since 2020: The company’s overreliance on price hikes led it to lose its “value leadership” positioning. Reestablishing that role is the key to its turnaround.