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This could give Chime access to more Gen Alpha and Gen Z customers.

Drivers overwhelmingly prefer voice assistants over drive-thrus, presenting a ripe opportunity for restaurants to cash in on convenience and curbside cravings.

Restaurant visits are declining as consumers worry about their finances: Uncertainty is pushing customers to be more discerning about where they spend their food dollars.

As a result of US tariff policies, most Americans expect consumer good prices to鈥�. A) Increase. B) Decrease. C) Stay the same. Some 47% of US adults expect prices to increase a lot, and another 30% expect them to increase somewhat, per April 2025 data from Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. April 24, 2025. True or false?

The news: Gen Z is preparing an ambitious lineup of summer fun鈥攊ncluding domestic and international travel, shopping and dining, and vacation upgrades鈥攖o a degree that outstrips millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers, per a study by Bread Financial. Our take: Gen Zers invest in work/life balance and are willing to spend to maximize their R&R experiences. Brands should meet this generation with luxury-first options and seamless experiences to maximize their return on investment for the younger cohort willing to spend to make a good time a great one.

The trend: Value-seeking behavior is on the rise, though not without some volatility, per Deloitte. Our take: Consumers鈥� growing focus on value doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean they want the cheapest option. In fact, up to 40% of how consumers evaluate value comes from nonprice factors, per a separate Deloitte study. That鈥檚 a critical distinction for brands. While it can be tempting to lean into discounts, a narrow focus on price cuts can hurt long-term brand equity. Brands that offer added value鈥攖hrough better quality, service, loyalty programs, or other innovations鈥攁re seeing stronger purchase intent and increasing consumer share.

Amazon tests yet another grocery format: Amazon Grocery, which is located next to a Whole Foods Market, aims to fill the hole left by the sister brand鈥檚 restrictions on certain ingredients.

Grocery prices remain front of mind for many consumers: That presents an opportunity for value-oriented merchants such as Aldi, Target, and Walmart to steal share by offering low prices for Thanksgiving staples.

The news: Amazon plans to bring same- and next-day delivery to more than 4,000 smaller cities and rural communities by year鈥檚 end. Our take: Amazon鈥檚 growing focus on rural delivery is squarely aimed at deepening Prime鈥檚 value, driving higher engagement, and unlocking long-term loyalty in a market that still holds plenty of untapped potential.

Albertsons struggles to fend off competition from mass merchants and club retailers: The grocer is leaning on promotions, private labels, and its pharmacy business to attract value-focused shoppers.

The news: The UK economy contracted by the most in 18 months in April due to the twin pressures of tariffs and tax increases. Our take: The UK economy鈥檚 contraction in April sets the stage for another year of tepid growth. Despite a highly publicized (and yet to be finalized) trade deal with the US, macroeconomic uncertainties are set to weigh heavily on corporate and consumer sentiment, while rising household and business expenses will limit investment and consumer spending.

Consumer packaged goods brands will continue to pour money into the RMNs run by retailers that sell their products. But they鈥攁nd the rest of the advertising ecosystem鈥攚ill hold off on spending more with non-endemic partners. Advertisers鈥� hunt for incrementality will influence how RMNs evolve.

Luxury brands are grappling with downturns in the US and China, the largest markets for personal luxury goods, and will have to seize opportunities for growth from new markets and product innovation.

The news: Walmart is testing dark stores in Dallas and Bentonville, Arkansas, as part of its broader effort to speed up deliveries, per Bloomberg. Our take: Amazon鈥檚 latest pledge to offer one- or same-day delivery in 4,000 smaller cities and rural areas by year鈥檚 end is the latest salvo in its relentless quest to raise the bar on convenience. For Walmart, keeping pace isn鈥檛 optional鈥攊t鈥檚 essential. Fortunately, Walmart has the scale and infrastructure to compete. Fast delivery isn鈥檛 just about logistics; it鈥檚 a powerful driver of customer loyalty. When shoppers know they can get essentials like toothpaste at their doorstep within hours, they鈥檙e more likely to click the buy button rather than venture out to a store.

Consumers are eating at home more often: Cooking is on the rise as shoppers look to save.

Looking ahead: P&G鈥檚 ability to grow sales without leaning on price hikes is an encouraging sign for the CPG industry as companies try to win back volume lost to private labels and cheaper rivals.

Wonder acquires a media company, Unilever dedicates more spend to influencers, and Ulta launches a third-party marketplace. Here are the eight most interesting retailers and brands from last month, as ranked on our 鈥淏ehind the Numbers鈥� podcast.

President Donald Trump鈥檚 shifting stance on tariffs has created a volatile environment for both consumers and retailers. With some Chinese goods facing tariffs as high as 245% and a blanket 10% on most imports, the market is seeing rapid shifts in consumer behavior, supply chains, and strategic planning.

That鈥檚 good news for restaurants and CPGs, provided they鈥檙e able to satisfy Gen Zers with the types of exuberant and diverse flavor profiles鈥攁nd colorful products鈥攖hat resonate strongly with the cohort.

2025 could be another tough year for luxury companies: LVMH鈥檚 rough Q1 reveals considerable challenges as US spending drops.

Believe it or not, the year is already halfway over. For advertisers, it's been a whirlwind with economic upheaval, massive AI adoption, Google upending search, and working hard to understand Gen Z. Oh, and remember when TikTok went dark for a weekend?