As inflation eases across Europe in 2024, retail, media, and marketing firms will turn their attention to regulatory headwinds on the horizon.

In part one of this two-part podcast episode, we discuss some predictions for 2024 that are too specific to be 100% certain about but could still come true, including: which subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platform Apple will likely buy, where metaverse playgrounds will spring up, and what the ruling between Google and the US Department of Justice will be. Tune in to the discussion with our vice presidents of content Suzy Davidkhanian and Paul Verna and analyst Max Willens.

As streaming prices ascend, focus shifts to ad-supported tiers: All eyes on maximizing ARPU versus user growth.

Key stat: 43% of US adults say discounts are the main reason they sign up for subscription services, per May data from SurveyMonkey.

Amazon’s Prime model is under scrutiny: The retail giant faces a FTC lawsuit that could threaten its positioning as the ‘Earth's most customer-centric company.’

Inflation for pet food and services was over 10% in April, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the category has won a reputation of being somewhat recession-proof, thanks to its necessity for pet owners. “People will be spending more on the pets that they have already, despite the fact that it’s been a relatively inflation-wary populous,” said our analyst Jeremy Goldman on a recent episode of our “Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail” podcast.

Amazon, Costco Wholesale, and other retailers now face an uphill battle to win recurring revenues in the era of subscription fatigue.

Economic uncertainty has slashed small and medium-sized business (SMB) satisfaction with their payment service providers (PSPs). This is intensifying competition between acquirers and processors, banks, fintechs, and the vendors that serve them. Providers must enhance and simplify access to cutting-edge solutions that solve key pain points—or risk losing share.

The overall adult population will spend an average of 1 hour and 43 minutes (1:43) per day listening to digital audio this year. Among active listeners (monthly users), the figure will leap to 2:20. That’s not much more than last year, however.

Pet sales are on the rise (thanks, in large part, to inflation). Consumers, who are increasingly shopping online, are seeking out premium health and wellness-focused products for the furry members of their family.

After experiencing a boom during the pandemic, the subscription frenzy has begun to fade as consumers grow weary of the Stitch Fixes and Blue Aprons of the world. Has the category lost its way? Or is there hope on the horizon? Let’s take a look.

Chaos reigns at Twitter: The company takes on an impulsive character as it lays off half its staff but then implores ex-employees to return. Advertisers are pausing while new features are stalled until after the midterm elections.

Ahead of Spotify reporting its third-quarter earnings this afternoon, here’s a little recap of what the platform has been up to over the past few months. Plus, our thoughts on the moves.

One year later, a new headset—and , a whole set of challenges: Nearly one year and $15 billion later, Meta’s vision for the metaverse remains optimistic even if a focus on business and productivity apps seems premature and risky.

Stitch Fix ended its 2022 fiscal year on a less-than-stellar note.

Rent the Runway increased its revenues 64% in the second quarter to $76.5 million but ended with a lower active subscriber count than expected.

App usage is strong, but advertisers need to rethink their strategies, thanks to ad tracking and measurement changes.

US subscription ecommerce sales will grow in 2022, but digital subscription buyer growth will slow.

Insider intelligence spoke with Andrew Condispoti, co-CEO of Goodlife Clothing, about the brand.

In 2022, US meal-kit subscription services will deliver $7.63 billion in digital sales to make up 22.8% of the country’s subscription ecommerce sales. The meal-kit subscription market has seen slowing growth since mushrooming by 85.0% in 2020, though its 17.0% increase this year is healthy nonetheless.