In the digital age, more screens means potentially more eyeballs on a brand, and many retailers are taking advantage of that.

Retail media networks, advertising platforms where retailers offer ad space to third parties, are more prevalent than ever. Insider Intelligence’s Andrew Lipsman even said 2023 is “retail media’s inflection point.”

As with any business strategy, however, some do it better than others, and marketers have their opinions about who’s doing it well and who isn’t.

Wally’s world: A survey of 215 marketers found that 36% believe Walmart has the most promising retail media network in the brick-and-mortar space, according to global tech firm Lotame.

• Last week, CNBC reported that the company is aggressively pushing into the space with more third-party ads displayed at self-checkout lanes, TV sections, and even the store’s sound system.
• In the physical space, marketers thought Target (15%) was the next most promising, followed by Costco (12%), Best Buy (5%), Ulta (5%), Sam’s Club (4%), and Lowe’s (4%).

“When you think about our store, our store footprint and the percentage of Americans that we reach through our stores, we can deliver Super Bowl-sized audiences every week,” Ryan Mayward, senior vice president of retail media sales for Walmart Connect, the retailer’s advertising business, told CNBC.

Swipe up: As for the digital world, outside of Amazon, 34% of respondents believe eBay’s retail media network has the most going for it, followed by Etsy (19%), Uber (15%), and Instacart (15%).

• In an earnings call earlier this year, eBay CEO Jamie Iannone said the company’s network only has “room to grow,” given the growth of e-commerce broadly and the emphasis on collecting first-party data through loyalty programs and transactions.

“These findings offer a valuable perspective for advertisers, retailers, and marketers alike to refine their strategies and tailor their efforts to the most promising platforms,” Fred Marthoz, VP of revenue and global partnerships at Lotame, said in a statement. “As the retail landscape continues to evolve, understanding consumer preferences and perceptions will be key to driving growth and meaningful engagement.”—KM

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There’s always a lot happening…in life, but also in fashion. (We’re not sure about the life part, but we can at least help you keep track of the biggest moves in the fashion industry from the last month.)

For example, one iconic shoe retailer is thinking of an IPO, and a mega luxury conglomerate has reached a special deal with the Paris Olympics. Keep reading to get all the deets.

Prada takes a stab at beauty…again: After conquering the fashion world, Prada is now keen to try its hand at beauty. The Italian luxury brand launched its Prada Skin and Prada Color lines earlier this month.

• The lines, which L’Oréal developed, include skin care products like serum, moisturizers, and cleaners, and makeup including eyeshadows, lipsticks, and foundations. It marks the retailer’s second attempt at beauty; its skin care line debuted in 2000 and was reportedly discontinued “shortly after.”

Adidas scores big with Yeezy sales: Adidas may have been worried about what it’s going to do with all that extra Yeezy inventory, but it seems like there was little cause for concern. After announcing it would in fact sell the Yeezy products earlier this year, the brand made $437 million from sales in the second quarter.

• While the company will be donating over ~$121 million of the profits to support charities like the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and the Anti-Defamation league, it has already reduced its projected loss from Yeezy with the new sales numbers.

Birkenstock preps for IPO: Sure, Birkenstocks never had the reputation for being the prettiest shoe out there, but that’s not stopping its owner, L Catterton, from launching an $8 billion IPO in…maybe September?

• Per Bloomberg, the private equity firm is in talks with Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase & Co. to potentially list Birkenstock in the US. Nothing’s been decided yet, but if it happens, it could push the retailer’s value to as much as $10 billion.

LVMH will sponsor the Paris Olympics: Rumor has it that LVMH had been pining for the Olympic Games in Paris, and all that wishing seems to have paid off. The luxury giant reportedly reached a deal to sponsor the Games.

• While the terms of the deal—which cost around 150 million euros ($166 million)—were not disclosed, brands like Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, Dior, and Chaumet will reportedly design medals. Meanwhile, Sephora, which is also owned by LVMH, will sponsor the Olympic torch relays. “The Games are an opportunity to make France shine,” Antoine Arnault, the son of LVMH chair and CEO Bernard Arnault, said in a statement.—JS

3D billboards have grown in popularity around the world over the past few years, offering a new way for companies like Google and BMW to capture attention. Even though the availability of 3D billboard space is limited, and placing them can be cost-prohibitive, marketers in the OOH sector told Marketing Brew’s Jasmine Sheena they’re seeing increased interest from brands.

Keep reading here.—JS

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Today’s top retail reads.

Tight-fisted: Retailers are cutting back on customer rewards and privileges as they try to bring down the cost of making sales in a low-growth environment. (CNBC)

End of an era: East Asian manufacturers are struggling to find young workers, and globally the number of cheap labor markets is dwindling, which could put the kibosh on the era of super inexpensive goods in Western markets. (the Wall Street Journal)

Mellow yellow: US trucking giant Yellow has officially declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, putting about 30,000 jobs at risk and rattling the freight industry. (the New York Times)

Retail marketing hits and misses from the past week.

Fry funeral: KFC Canada last week held a mock funeral for its notoriously “soggy” French fries, as it prepared to unveil a new, crispier variety of the ubiquitous fast-food side. While some customers appreciated the chain’s self-deprecating (and somewhat morbid) joke, others found it “disrespectful.” (KFC Canada on YouTube)

Triumphant return: E-commerce platform Overstock.com had long struggled to get customers to associate its brand with home goods. Now, following its purchase of Bed Bath & Beyond, the brand is taking to social media to hammer home the point once again—this time, with a new name. (Bed Bath & Beyond on Instagram)

Stand up competition: Comedian Jim Gaffigan is seen cracking jokes to Walmart customers in this ad for Straight Talk Wireless, a Verizon wireless carrier sold exclusively at the retailer. The campaign marks a pivot away from Straight Talk’s recent string of animated ad spots. (Straight Talk Wireless on YouTube)