Ä¢¹½AV

The economy is looking good as the calendar turns to 2025: Consumers are in a good position to spend, but the new administration’s policies could change that trajectory.

2025 will bring significant change to the retail industry: Several of the main trends dominating retail—genAI, RMNs, and China’s ecommerce disrupters—will look very different this time next year.

The year of AI: Artificial intelligence invaded all aspects of life in 2024, from work to play and generation to generation. New genAI players appeared to take on megaliths like Google and Meta. It would be a copout to say that 2025 will bring more of the same, but we expect startups to begin taking more market share from Big Tech and challenging the status quo.

Walmart dominated the US retail landscape in 2024: The mass merchant’s ability to offer savings and convenience won over shoppers, and its growing ecommerce and advertising businesses are helping it make inroads against Amazon.

We may have been a little too early with some of our predictions—rollouts for Paze and FedNow took longer than we expected

China’s struggling economy will continue to frustrate retailers in 2025: We expect retail sales to grow just 3.5% in the absence of stimulus measures to boost consumption and sentiment.

Physical campuses for creators set to return: These spaces could offer creators and brands opportunities to collaborate and learn as the industry professionalizes.

Despite rapid digitization, providers shouldn’t close their retail doors just yet

Mobile-first gaming leads the charge into 2025: Smartphones and portable consoles are reshaping gaming as enhanced hardware makes premium mobile games a competitive force.

Ä¢¹½AV clients' top 10 '24 topics : CTV led ad growth, AI drove innovation, and retail media surged, while TikTok and Gen Z reshaped the landscape.

Netflix's NFL debut sets records: Despite technical hiccups, Christmas Day games drew over 24 million viewers each, boosting the platform’s sports ambitions.

The minimum wage will rise in 23 states next year: That will eat into retailer and restaurant margins, leading some to hike prices at a time when consumers are incredibly price sensitive.

Google, Apple, and Samsung integrated genAI into their flagship devices, but delays and tepid consumer interest signal challenges ahead.

Big Tech battled Europe’s new rules in 2024: Apple opened its ecosystem to comply with DMA while Meta faced fines and scrutiny over data use and subscriptions. We can expect continued stringent regulations.

It opened up its ecosystem and seemingly gave up its grand financial services ambitions. But it’s still a major payments player.

Despite overall satisfaction, consumers will make the switch for the right offer. This lack of loyalty should make issuers rethink their retention strategies

What’s next for retail media? The rapidly expanding ad channel is facing growing pains as the majority of RMNs struggle to keep pace with Amazon and Walmart.

Strategic alliances expanded EV capabilities this year, but high prices, limited infrastructure, and possible tax credit cuts could challenge growth.

Increased time spent on CTV, social video’s shopping influence, and a larger share of working Gen Zers will give advertisers new opportunities for growth. Here are five charts to help your business understand these changes and kick-start the new year.

Keep it simple, smart, and familiar: Forget futuristic pendants and pins—AI wearables that look like regular gear but pack powerful features will be the ones capturing market share in 2025.

Big Tech’s energy shift: Companies like Google and Microsoft are increasingly turning to nuclear energy to meet the escalating power demands of AI, but regulators could stop projects before they start.

In 2024, retail media and CTV converged: First-party data enables precise targeting, while connected TV enhances ad personalization and tracks purchase behavior.

Green shoots emerge in the restaurant industry: After a challenging 2024, executives have reason for optimism in the year ahead.