As the oldest members of Gen Alpha prepare to turn 16 next year, they have more purchasing power than ever before. For retailers, that means the race is on to understand how to connect with a generation that is not only digitally native but has grown up with an expectation for an active, back-and-forth relationship with brands.

In this podcast episode, we discuss the difference between a real miss vs. sparking conversation, if there is such a thing as bad press, and what brands should do once a campaign doesn’t land. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and guest host, Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst, Sky Canaves, and Analyst, Arielle Feger.

The news: Klarna partnered with Poshmark so US buyers can resell Klarna purchases on Poshmark through the Klarna app. Our take: Gen Zers have a hunger for low-cost fashion. As fast fashion brands face mounting tariff pressures, Gen Zers may turn toward resale marketplaces to some from someone else’s closet—and use sales from their own closet to fund that shopping.

The news: Consumers are increasingly taking brands’ values into account when they shop, according to a survey by the Kearney Consumer Institute. Our take: Brands can take solace in knowing that while consumers are increasingly using their spending to make a political statement, product quality, pricing, and reliability still matter. Cost concerns can outweigh dissatisfaction with retailers’ policies. But companies that stay true to their values have the opportunity to win lasting loyalty.

Gen Alpha is on track to become the largest generation. Banks must start building relationships with children today to convert them into customers as they grow up.

They’re trying to woo women and Gen Z consumers away from competitors.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what to make of Google turning 25 years old, how US shoppers feel about stores, why tiered rewards are all the rage, how Hispanic people think their values are reflected by advertisers and Americans, taxi drivers turning into robots, some mind-bending facts about US geography, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, forecasting analyst Zach Goldner, and director of forecasting Oscar Orozco.

Big Tech’s economic omen: Tech giants’ earnings show steep declines in profits and the effects of reduced consumer spending and plunging ad revenues, It marks the end of pandemic-era growth and a continued downturn.

Nearly all consumers worldwide consider how well a company treats its customers before buying from it. In addition, 85% of consumers are swayed by the way it treats employees, and 78% view environmental practices as a purchase driver.

Values are important, but just one of many drivers. Consumer behavior is also influenced by factors such as price, convenience, and availability of products.

This report breaks down the essentials of B2B branding and provides best practices and case studies for B2B companies of any size, young and old, across sectors.