In 2026, economic uncertainty is quietly reshaping consumer payment behavior, driving shifts across cards, cash, BNPL, and emerging alternatives as households adapt how they manage spending and access liquidity.

US fashion ecommerce is maturing just as AI, social commerce, and resale gain traction. Slower growth and costly returns are raising the stakes, reshaping how consumers discover, decide, and buy.

Amazon’s strong Q4 results were tempered by uncertainty as a $200 billion 2026 spending plan rattled investors.

Brands court affluent consumers with upgrades while discounting to retain price-sensitive buyers, hedging for the next rebound.

Brands from PepsiCo to Ulta are leaning on wellness framing to nudge cautious consumers to spend.

This FAQ examines how shoppable media works, where consumers engage with it, and how marketers should evaluate these emerging formats.

Better-staffed pharmacies could become Walmart’s edge, even as more consumers move online.

Health and wellness is the only category where plans to increase spending outweigh plans to cut back in 2026, according to December 2025 data from CivicScience. That’s why retailers are stepping up their investments in wellness-driven products, services, and in-store experiences, trying to capitalize on consumers’ resolutions well into the new year.

This FAQ addresses what commerce media is, how it differs from retail media, and where growth opportunities exist for advertisers in 2026.

This FAQ examines the current state of drone delivery, why scaling has proven difficult, and what retail strategists should consider before making investment decisions.

The global last-mile delivery market is valued at approximately $201 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a 12% compound annual rate through 2029. For retailers competing with Amazon's delivery dominance, mastering last-mile logistics is no longer optional.

Growing consumer adoption of AI tools is positioning AI platforms as an alternative shopping channel—but most AI-driven transactions are still completed on retailer websites.

AI was everywhere at CES 2026, from robots to toilets and toys. The race to define the next computing interface is on, agentic ad tech is emerging, and health wearables are pushing further into physiological data. Best in show: Lego’s Smart Brick.

The partnership brings card-linked offers from major brands, expanding OnePay rewards beyond Walmart.

Higher frequency and broader usage suggest it is becoming a default behavior rather than a situational option.

Mexico’s digital ad market is rapidly transforming as new formats, channels, and players emerge. Understanding the local market forces, challenges, and opportunities driving these shifts is vital to staying competitive.

Each is borrowing from the other’s playbook as they race to dominate ecommerce.

Trust in consumer banking varies widely in 2026. Primary banks still anchor core products. But confidence differs by generation, product, and channel, with honesty, transparency, and security shaping how consumers evaluate financial providers.

Dunkin’, Starbucks, and Walmart are among those looking to capitalize on “better for you” food trends.

The retailer’s leadership reshuffle signals a long-term bet on agentic commerce and faster, AI-fueled retail.