Gift cards continue to be one of the most resilient and valuable product categories in retail, and the latest research shows that their importance is only growing. According to new findings from NAPCO Research and Blackhawk Network (BHN), the U.S. and Canada gift card market is projected to reach $311.7 billion by 2029, reinforcing gift…

U.S. retail sales remained unchanged from September to October as consumers moderated their spending ahead of the holiday season. The U.S. Census Bureau provided the October sales numbers earlier this week; the report was delayed more than a month because of the 43-day government shutdown that occurred earlier this fall. Americans spent $732.6 billion in…

In 2025, retailers were faced with the challenge of navigating an economically uncertain future. With unknown impacts of inflation, high interest rates, and a poor labor market outlook, retailers turned to promotions as a key tool to keep consumers engaged. While product quality and design remain the primary drivers for sales, shoppers are increasingly focused…

E-commerce is evolving in ways that most retailers aren’t prepared for. The next wave of online shopping won't happen primarily on websites, it will happen through artificial intelligence agents that browse, compare and recommend products on behalf of consumers. Companies that lack the data architecture to serve these agents will become invisible to an important…

Artificial intelligence has moved beyond the pilot phase in retail. Most major retailers now use AI across their operations, with 92 percent of retail marketers reporting active AI adoption this year alone — and more than half planning to increase their investment. The global AI retail market is projected to reach over $160 billion by…