AI bypasses search: Nearly 1 in 5 consumers have bought from an AI recommendation without searching first, according to exclusive Fractl data.
Sharper pricing helps reverse volume declines.
Fuel perks deepen engagement long before shoppers reach the store.
Consumers are saving and delaying discretionary purchases, putting pressure on retailers to show value.
In making an early move for AI discoverability, Square launches an app and plugin to boost its merchants’ AI visibility.
As consumers pull back on spending, rewards logic could help boost discretionary spend.
A smaller, regional acquisition aims to sharpen its competitive edge.
Extensive Spanish-language support can attract underserved customers as digital insurance extends beyond sales.
AI alone no longer sets leaders apart; integrating generative, predictive, and agentic AI with strong governance does.
Anthropic enters pharma, eyeing drug development that positions it as both a partner and potential rival to drugmakers.
While most marketing leaders know AI-driven discovery is reshaping how consumers find brands, almost none of them have built the infrastructure for it. They know a partner is driving discovery. Their systems cannot pay for it. From a partner's perspective, those two positions look identical.
AI fraud distorts ad data: AI-powered bot traffic hit 40%, skewing metrics, inflating costs, and steering ad algorithms toward fake success.
AI creates new work: AI is speeding content creation, but governance and workflow organization—not AI itself—are the biggest deciders of efficiency.
Companies rethink AI layoffs: Employers are restoring some human roles after AI faltered, showing the value in human experience and skills on teams.
This summer, Banana Boat rolled out a creator-led campaign to shine some light on consumer attitudes and to promote its “Sheer Sensitive” sunscreen line with social media, retail media networks, and Major League Baseball media channels.
Instagram rewards strategy: Use Reels for discovery, carousels for storytelling, and questions to spark discussion as responsiveness becomes a competitive edge.
TikTok turns microdramas into ad inventory: Growth Max lets brands build or sponsor episodic content as viewers watch ads to unlock more episodes.
Finance apps lead Day 2 app activation in North America at 23.76%, the only category besides health & fitness (20.32%) to clear 20% and roughly 3x the return rate of food & drink apps (7.93%), according to a March report from Airship.
New laws and higher costs test Shein and Temu’s playbook.
Specialization and steady client service could help it win more commercial customers.