On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why the mega shopping festival Singles’ Day is so much larger than Prime Day, how the event is more interactive, and how US retailers and brands can start capitalizing on Singles’ Day as a cultural moment, a marketing opportunity, and a demand driver. Tune in to hear the discussion featuring Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst Sky Canaves, and Christopher Carl, Head of Marketing & Commercial Strategy for the US at AliExpress (Alibaba Group).
US CPG advertisers are expected to spend nearly $59 billion on ads in 2026, according to an EMARKETER forecast. How that budget gets activated across retail media networks matters more than ever as brands navigate fragmentation, demand better measurement, and push for industry standardization.
Strong comp growth and profitability show the treasure hunt model’s appeal in a tight economy.
The brand’s creative revamp lifts sales, outpacing rivals in a soft market.
Essentials, $20 toys, and retail media strength prompt higher full-year outlook.
With prices up across every major category of travel, consumers choose shorter domestic trips and cheaper stays.
Audience planning has long relied on stable segments, but consumer behavior is becoming more fluid. Signal-based approaches are helping marketers interpret real-time engagement and identify intent as it develops.
Digital shoppers embrace branded AI: Online-first buyers welcome AI, while 70% of store loyalists avoid it, tying comfort to channel habits.
Google protects its lead: By building multimodal AI into Search, it aims to hold onto valuable queries and limit competitor gains.
Early movers stand to pick up early AI volume through app development.
Commerce media is capturing a growing share of advertiser budgets by targeting consumers at a moment traditional channels miss: when they're actively making a purchase. This year, commerce media is expected to reach nearly 21% of digital ad spending and nearly 17.5% of total media spend, according to EMARKETER's April forecast.
Amazon squeezes affiliates: Commission cuts up to 50% and thinner data access rattle publishers already hit by AI search declines.
Discovery tilts toward smaller sellers, tempting retailers to join or risk fading.
By offering cash back beyond fuel, Shell is trying to make its co-brand more like a general purpose card.
To bolster its European presence, Klarna’s tie-up with a major POS provider in the EU secures its buy button’s wide visibility.
AI discovery lags traffic reality: Organic and social dominate web traffic, giving brands time to test AI before users’ search habits change.
Steady Pro demand is offsetting softening DIY demand.
The tool acts as a shopping hub, enabling users to shop across merchants and Google Services, find savings, and check out
Higher fares and fewer flights test demand in a slowing economy.