This week, online reviews convince Gen Zers, Valentine's Day breaks records, and where consumers learn about new products.
The explosive rise of dupe videos—where shoppers hunt for budget versions of luxury items—is reshaping how retailers compete for customers. With rising financial pressures, shoppers are increasingly turning to store brands and lower-priced alternatives that mimic higher-end products. This shift is not just a matter of necessity but has also evolved into a culture where consumers proudly share their budget-friendly finds.
Victoria’s Secret’s rebooted fashion show resonated with Gen Z: That, alongside the company’s efforts to expand and refresh its assortment, resulted in a solid holiday performance.
Spanish-language removal serves as a cautionary tale: Brands must embrace inclusivity to tap into Hispanic consumers’ loyalty and $2.8 trillion market.
Viewership of children’s cable programming declined significantly in the past decade. Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network lost more than half of their total viewership between 2016 and 2023, according to Nielsen.
From avatars to real-life purchases: Roblox’s branded worlds deliver deeper consumer interaction and emerging 3D ad standards for marketers.
While 2024 saw the rise of “Sephora kids”, in 2025 more beauty brands may target Gen X consumers to grow sales amid a challenging economy.
Nearly half (49.4%) of US Gen Z consumers skip events due to high ticket prices, according to a September report from Merge.
A lot can happen in a week. Rue21’s customer overlap with TikTok Shop could position the brand to benefit from a potential TikTok ban. Meanwhile, Gen Z consumers are increasingly choosing alcohol-free lifestyles, reflecting health-conscious preferences. Cost-consciousness drives brand switching, but convenience remains key in purchase decisions. Here are five stats that caught our eye this week.
The FTC restricts use of minors’ data: The rule requires two instances of parental consent to collect data, but it may not survive the next administration.
The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Big Show closed earlier this week, bringing together retailers, tech companies, and industry experts to discuss the future of retail. Key takeaways included Gen Z’s influence on shopping, which will last even if TikTok goes away, the accelerating trend cycle, hesitation to adopt new payment technologies, and the transformation of digital grocery. Here are four takeaways from the event.
High-quality visuals or graphics would be the highest factor for AI-generated ads to grab the attention of both millennials (45%) and Gen Zers (50%), according to an October survey from Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and Sonata Insights. While celebrity or influencer endorsements would be the least effective way to get millennials (12%) and Gen Zers (17%) to take note.
A class action lawsuit against Google has big implications: Big tech’s streak of regulatory woes continues, even with change in US leadership.
Meta, Amazon join list of companies ditching DEI efforts: Evidence shows consumers reward commitment to social causes, but companies are making political calculations.
69.0% of US baby boomers are willing to wait for a worker to unlock a product when they see it in the store, according to Numerator. That figure is much lower for millennials (56.5%) and Gen Zers (57.2%).
The National Retail Federation (NRF)’s Big Show is happening in New York City this weekend, and will offer an opportunity for retail media networks (RMNs) to pitch themselves to advertisers. Even though retail media is huge—exceeding $62 billion in US ad spend this year per our forecast, most of those ad dollars will go to the biggest RMNs. The remaining players are vying over the same $8.58 billion that isn't scooped up by Amazon, Walmart, or Target.
The UK joins the global crackdown on data: Regulators are set to designate platforms under a new law that imposes significant restrictions.
“Underconsumption core” trends on TikTok: 3 in 5 Gen Zers are following the trend, leading many to cut back on online shopping.
Social media dominates teen lives: Balancing screen time, mental health, and meaningful digital engagement becomes increasingly urgent for parents and educators.