January 09, 2025

Hello, it’s Thursday. We'd like to express our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the California wildfires. Sending strength and gratitude to the brave first responders and volunteers working tirelessly to protect lives and communities.

In today’s edition:

—Vidhi Choudhary, Alex Vuocolo

RETAIL MEDIA

Year of scale

Grocery TV

The rise of retail media networks continued in 2024, and this year shoppers can expect to spot even more ads on retail websites.

The last two years have seen new retailers emerge and launch retail media networks. Among the top 100 retailers in the US, 80% have already started building or are working with a third-party to build out a retail media network.

Although Amazon dominates the retail media space with roughly 75% of retail media ads, other retailers have also begun reporting double digit growth in their ads business. Take Walmart Connect, for instance, which grew quickly in 2024, and posted 26% growth in the third quarter, Walmart reported. Emarketer expects Walmart’s ad business to grow 31.6% for the full year in 2024.

Looking ahead, experts told Retail Brew, retail media networks will become more mainstream in 2025. Standard ad units like—display ads, sponsored search ads, and product ads—will become widely available across ad platforms like Amazon, Trade Desk, and Criteo, among others.

Keep reading here.—VC

Presented By Bloomreach

Build those IRL connections

Industry conferences sound great, offering a chance to network and get new ideas. But they can be overwhelming, overscheduled, and…stressful.

So when Bloomreach partnered with Google and Shopify to create an event, they decided to host a retreat, not a conference. Think of the NRF Retreat as an opportunity to polish your networking skills and cut through the noise in a relaxing, laid-back setting.

At the Equinox Hotel on Jan. 13, industry leaders will come together for a day of food, drinks, and relationship building. Attendees can mix and mingle with other commerce merchants and partners in an intimate setting (with amazing views, too, FWIW).

If you’re looking to recharge and stay ahead in the e-commerce landscape, you can do both at the same time during the NRF Retreat.

Secure your spot.

E-COMMERCE

Holiday highlights

Freshsplash/Getty Images

Shoppers were living in the moment, and thinking ahead, this holiday season, according to the latest data from Shopify shared first exclusively with Retail Brew.

Predictably, sales of holiday party essentials such as beverage chillers (up 134%), instant film cameras (121%), and cocktail and barware tool sets (89%) saw big increases in December, in addition to holiday gifts such as e-book readers (303%), coloring books and pads (280%), and candle making kits (262%).

But looking ahead, shoppers also invested in their New Year’s resolutions. Sales of spin exercise bikes were up 384%. Stylus pens were up 120%, and planners were up 69%. There were smaller increases in the sale of Pilates reformers, yoga mats, pocket notebooks, and desk calendars.

In a similar vein, shoppers seemed to prioritize self-care in December, with heavier demand for products such as eye pillows (up 118%), heating pads (67%), message cushions (60%), and electric massagers (52%).

Keep reading here.—AV

MARKETING

Marketing forces

Person in business attire hurdling over a construction barricade

Francis Scialabba

Marketing might be fun, but no one said it would be easy.

In the new year, marketers are facing new technology, new consumer habits and preferences, and a constantly shifting landscape (like the fate of a TikTok ban that’s now in the hands of the Supreme Court).

We asked marketers about the biggest challenges they anticipate facing in 2025 to find out straight from the source what they think will be their biggest hurdles—and find out what opportunities could be waiting on the other side.

Keep reading here on Marketing Brew.

Together With Swap Commerce

Scaling your ecommerce brand doesn’t have to be scary. Unlocking new global markets, embracing hyperlocalization, linking all your ecommerce tech together—these are all common challenges and opportunities explored in Swap’s Future-Proof Ecommerce Report. Swap is the ecommerce OS for Shopify brands, consolidating shipping, returns, package protection, tracking, and cross-border logistics under one roof. They know their stuff. Dive into the report and start scaling with confidence.

SWAPPING SKUS

Today’s top retail reads.

Tok of the town: As a TikTok ban looms, brands and creators brace for impact with billions of dollars on the line. (the New York Times)

High standards: For brands hoping to capture the attention of the cost-conscious consumer, they will have to prove their worth first. (Business of Fashion)

Taking over: Why Japan views the foreign acquisition of 7-Eleven as a potential security threat. (Reuters)

Retreat + relax: Looking for tranquil vibes at your next industry event? The NRF Retreat hosted by Bloomreach, Google, and Shopify is your chance to connect with e-commerce leaders in a laid-back setting. Register today.*

^{*A message from our sponsor.}

JOBS

Be part of something bigger than job boards. CollabWORK taps into niche communities and newsletters like Retail Brew to connect you with relevant opportunities. Expand your network and discover roles that are just right for you—click here to see jobs selected for Retail Brew readers.

Retail Media Customer Success Manager at an undisclosed organization (in person)
E-Commerce Sales Manager at Gold Medal Products Company (in person)
Director of eCommerce at The Gerson Companies (in person)

NUMBERS GAME

The numbers you need to know.

Americans may have overspent this holiday season, according to a new survey. In its latest Credit Card Debt Study, WalletHub estimated that credit card debt increased by $90 billion during 2024.

Overspending, inflation, rising costs, and a general sense of “FOMO” all factored into the jarring number.

And while consumers seemed to have spent beyond their means throughout the year, the holidays clearly made a significant dent.

Over 1 in 10 of those surveyed said that the holidays “blew up” their credit card debt.
Meanwhile, about 1 in 5 people said they were likely to accumulate even more credit debt by the end of this year.

If these numbers weren’t concerning enough, it turns out many Americans don’t have a strategy to get out of their debt situation.

46% of those surveyed said that they do not have a debt payoff plan, while ~1 out of 5 Americans planned on transferring their holiday debt to a new credit card.

It does not help that the debt most Americans are under is fairly significant.

Currently, the average American household has $10,751 in credit card debt.
Yet, only 2 out of 10 people expressed being “very stressed” about their credit card payment.

In fact, many seemed much more concerned about the current state of the economy. According to the data, six times more people said they were more worried about inflation than their credit card debt.

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RETAIL MEDIA

Year of scale

Presented By Bloomreach

Build those IRL connections

E-COMMERCE

Holiday highlights

MARKETING

Marketing forces

Together With Swap Commerce

SWAPPING SKUS

JOBS

NUMBERS GAME

SHARE THE BREW

Older messages

☕️ It’s giving lemons

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars: Can't-Miss Marketing Brew Event!

☕ Boxed in

☕ Not so fast

☕ City of mobility

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