If ad dollars shrink, Meta and others may need to ditch risky side projects and focus on scalable, affordable services to survive the slowdown

QVC partners with TikTok as time runs out on second ban deadline: The retailer’s bet on the platform reflects both the growing importance of social commerce as well as confidence in TikTok’s future.

In this report, we explore the world’s top region for retail and ecommerce, Asia-Pacific. Read on for a closer look at the markets in China, India, the Philippines, and more.

K-beauty demand is soaring: South Korea outpaced France as the top source of US cosmetics imports in 2024.

TikTok Shop expands in Europe as US fate remains uncertain: Launch in France, Germany, and Italy underscores push for growth amid pressure to boost sales.

Walmart bought a mall, Coca-Cola launched a soda, and Nike partnered with SKIMS in February, marking some of the month’s most interesting retail moves. Here are the eight most interesting retailers and brands from last month, as ranked on our “Behind the Numbers” podcast.

This week, small businesses express concerns about President Trump’s policies, private label brands gain traction, and Gen Z embraces AI for shopping. Meanwhile, TikTok music influences purchases, and excessive advertising drives cart abandonment.

Ecommerce penetration of beauty and personal care sales is rising: 41% of category sales take place on platforms like Amazon and TikTok Shop as consumers respond to virality and convenience.

Temu burst onto the US retail scene in September 2022, winning over shoppers with ultra-low prices and aggressive ad campaigns. But while its initial growth was fueled by new customers, its long-term success is now driven by repeat buyers.

Shein is in trouble: The fast-fashion marketplace’s profits fell nearly 40% in 2024, even without the impact of de minimis changes and higher US tariffs.

Shoppable ads will be a focus for brands in 2025 as they test new formats offered by retail media networks and their media partners.

TikTok Shop’s sales soared 153% in January: The video app’s social commerce arm is eating into Shein’s market share, adding to the hurdles facing the fast fashion company.

TikTok returns to US app stores, hinting at a secure future: Regulators and storefronts say they want to keep the app around, putting it on much stronger footing.

The fate of TikTok in the US: Legal, economic, and operational implications unfold as businesses and creators prepare for potential disruption.

With TikTok facing potential US ban uncertainties, the platform's successful shopping integration has created both challenges and opportunities in the social commerce landscape. "TikTok really showed how social commerce can work in a new way in the US," our analyst Sky Canaves said on a recent episode of “Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail.”

A lot can happen in a week. Rue21’s customer overlap with TikTok Shop could position the brand to benefit from a potential TikTok ban. Meanwhile, Gen Z consumers are increasingly choosing alcohol-free lifestyles, reflecting health-conscious preferences. Cost-consciousness drives brand switching, but convenience remains key in purchase decisions. Here are five stats that caught our eye this week.

TikTok Shop’s demise could benefit Amazon, Etsy, and Temu: All three retailers are poised to scoop up spending in the event of a TikTok ban.

Temu tests search ads in latest attempt to chip away at Amazon’s dominance: The lucrative revenue opportunity could offset rising costs related to de minimis crackdowns and tariffs.

Charlotte Tilbury takes aim at dupe culture: The brand’s latest campaign encourages shoppers to buy the real thing, even as retailers and manufacturers double down on cheaper alternatives.

TikTok Shop plans to launch in Mexico next month: The move suggests the company is unfazed by the potential US ban.