In July 2026, we analyzed 7,460 ChatGPT recommendations across 16 food and beverage categories to compile the EMARKETER AI Visibility Index.

Retailers have prioritized convenience while underestimating in-store behavior, said Placer.ai CMO Ethan Chernofsky at EMARKETER’s Commerce Media Summit.

Aldi will open a store in New York City’s Times Square next year as part of its aggressive expansion strategy, per media reports. The 25,000-square-foot shop will be located in The Ellery, a new luxury apartment building near the edge of the highly-trafficked neighborhood—making clear the discount grocer’s intentions of wooing more affluent shoppers as it grows its presence in major US cities.

The news: Gen Z’s share of private label spending will overtake that of baby boomers by 2026, according to a Numerator report. Our take: Gen Z’s affinity for private labels is part of a broader behavioral shift—one that retailers are making the most of. To encourage loyalty among this notoriously fickle cohort, companies will need to stay on top of emerging food trends, foster exclusivity and a sense of urgency with limited-edition releases, and make sure they satisfy Gen Zers’ desire for attractive packaging, transparent labeling, and sustainability.

Private label brands are no longer just the cheaper alternatives sitting on store shelves. They've evolved into strategic assets that build customer loyalty, boost retailer margins, and increasingly compete with national brands on quality and design, not just price.

Amazon, Starbucks workers threaten strikes as the labor movement loses steam: But mixed signals from Trump could raise unions' hopes as they fight for concessions.

There's no shortage of lessons for retailers, advertisers, and brands to learn from an eventful 2024, where many sectors of retail thrived even as economic anxiety affected consumer habits.

Dupe culture goes mainstream: Target and e.l.f. Beauty are among the companies benefiting from Gen Zers’ affinity for cheaper versions of premium products.

Over one-third (38%) of US adults have decreased their impulse spending this year, up from 14% in 2022, per a study commissioned by Slickdeals and conducted by OnePoll. As we enter the holiday season, there are still a few ways retailers can encourage impulse purchases, from experimenting with shoppable media and putting seasonal products front and center to anticipating the last-minute needs of customers picking up orders in-store.

By sticking to its values, Trader Joe’s has maintained the feeling of a neighborhood store while scaling across the country, while H-E-B’s commitment to caring for its community has won it the heart of Texas. Erewhon has taken a different approach, leveraging its famous clientele and access to lifestyle brands to become a pop culture icon.

Despite the rise of ecommerce, nearly 85% of US retail sales still occur in-store, according to our forecast. To attract customers to physical stores, brands must continually innovate to offer memorable experiences.

Consumers of all ages and income levels shopped Amazon Prime Day this year. Shoppers spent more this year compared with 2022, and despite a tough economic climate, Prime Day shoppers didn’t price compare as much as expected.

Trader Joe’s small, curated stores and limited footprint sets it apart. Between its branding, product choice, and customer experience, there are a lot of lessons other retailers beyond grocery can learn from the Trader Joe’s model. Here are four takeaways from Trader Joe’s.

Grocers are less willing to put up with price hikes as inflation eases: Whole Foods is the latest retailer to ask suppliers to lower prices to relieve pressure on consumers.

Persistent inflation is weighing on foot traffic: Yet many brands continue to see strong growth thanks to their ability to deliver value and a great customer experience.

Retailers take aggressive action to stem the tide of unionizations: Starbucks, Amazon, Trader Joe’s, and more are closing stores, delaying negotiations, and pursuing dogged legal action to keep unions from making headway.

Aptly named D2C brand Brandless, an online purveyor of minimalist grocery, wellness and home goods, has oriented its brand around the rise of digital-first shoppers who prefer products that include fewer, more natural ingredients. These shoppers have an evolving view of brands and don’t harbor any particular affinity for household names they grew up with.