When Southwest Airlines announced they were charging for bags, Amtrak posted on X, “Guess we’re the only ones doing free baggage now.” The post, followed by more info on Amtrak’s baggage policy, is an example of what Amtrak senior manager of social media Nicolle Lopez calls its infotainment strategy, designed to educate and entertain at the same time.
As customers grab the same grocery staples they have for decades, Walmart is betting that gamifying the experience will challenge those habits. The retailer plans to launch Walmart Unlimited, a three-part miniseries that features the entrepreneurs behind its products. Launched last month on Spatial, the game includes full commerce integration that enables in-app purchases.
As the mall's place in consumers' lives changes, brands are left to focus on bringing people in through experiences and attractions, or on forging their identities outside of those retail spaces. "A lot of people are going to malls, but they're not necessarily going there to shop," said our analyst Rachel Wolff on a recent episode of "Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail." Instead, people are visiting malls for restaurants, to socialize, or for experiential attractions.
Gen Z is feeling squeezed: High living costs are driving Gen Zers to spend nearly twice as much as they save, which is leading them to prioritize essentials.
Learn what’s behind the distrust and how banks can overcome it.
Despite new restrictions and parental tools, the platform couldn’t block off-platform contact attempts, spotlighting its challenges in protecting underage users.
UK investigates how children’s personal data is used: The move comes as people are increasingly wary about invasive data collection practices.
Almost three-fourths (74.8%) of Gen Zers will be digital game players by 2027, according to our December 2024 forecast.
This week, small businesses express concerns about President Trump’s policies, private label brands gain traction, and Gen Z embraces AI for shopping. Meanwhile, TikTok music influences purchases, and excessive advertising drives cart abandonment.
US Black adults spend the greatest share of their total TV time watching cable (22.4%), followed by broadcast (21.8%), according to a 2025 Nielsen report.
The uncertain future of TikTok and the changing social media landscape has made complicated partnerships and engagement measurement in the creator economy. But creators are ready.
While many users sell products via Twitch livestreams, Amazon has yet to position the platform as a rival to other social video commerce sites like TikTok Shop.
Less than a third of US consumers with a household income of more than $100,000 see fast food as a luxury, compared with 71% of consumers with an income of less than $30,000, according to April 2024 data from LendingTree.
Online reviews are vital to the shopping experience, but a growing wariness of fake reviews and AI's escalation of the problem has recently spurred governments to act.
Gen Z gamers prefer shooting games and action/adventure games, according to an April 2024 survey by Collage Group
A lot happens in a week, so every Friday we're going to analyze all the new data and provide you with some of the key takeaways. Welcome to the Friday 5. This week, price comparisons drive online shopping, consumers consider their grocery necessities, and retail media proves its effectiveness to consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands.
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.