Walmart announced last week it has launched a new artificial intelligence assistant called "Sparky" that will summarize product reviews, offer recommendations and help shoppers plan purchases. Separately, the global coffee chain Starbucks unveiled a generative AI assistant for baristas that will allow employees to ask questions about menu items and troubleshoot equipment issues, according to…

Advertisers are expected to pour over $62 billion into retail media this year, up more than $10 billion from last year, making it the go-to channel for ad spend. Built on a strong foundation of first-party retailer data and closed-loop measurement, the U.S. retail media ad market is moving beyond e-commerce into new ad formats,…

If you’ve somehow missed the pastel-colored bottles popping up in every Gen Z tote bag, Touchland is the brand that’s made clean hands cool. The company has grown to $130 million in annual sales and built a brand universe that transcends hygiene. Now, with its recent acquisition into the Church & Dwight family, it sits…

With economic uncertainty, rising costs, and shifting regulations piling on, the pressure on retailers is only intensifying. Shoppers are thinking twice about every purchase. And sustainability? It can start to feel like just another box to check instead of the strategic lever it truly is. When done right, sustainability leads to smarter operations. Reducing waste,…

In today’s competitive retail landscape, simply having a loyalty program isn’t enough to cut through the noise and capture the attention of discerning consumers. In one recent survey, 63 percent of respondents said they base their purchases on the loyalty programs they’re in. Even still, retailers face increasing pressure to differentiate themselves and create more…