But the most successful creator brands sell in multiple channels, including ecommerce platforms, owned websites and apps, and in stores. Our forecast includes only sales that originate or take place on social media. Making real money from merchandising is a long shot for most creators. For one, anything beyond a mug or a T-shirt will generally require access to capital.
Amazon strengthened its grip on ecommerce in 2024: The retailer warded off growing competition from Temu and Walmart by improving delivery speeds, offering deals, and enhancing Prime benefits.
The majority (77.7%) of ad spend in the US is digital. Retail dwarfs all categories in terms of sheer size, but its position as a growth driver falls this year as telecom takes the top place.
Amazon鈥檚 earnings follow a familiar pattern: The retailer expects solid sales growth as investments in convenience resonate with shoppers, but profits will be pressured as tariffs take their toll.
Chinese ecommerce players Temu and Shein disrupted the digital advertising market in 2023 as they competed to attract online shoppers by bidding up keywords鈥攑articularly in apparel and accessories and home goods. But Temu has also been on a global tear, expanding to nearly 80 countries since early 2023. It has diversified ad spending accordingly to acquire customers in new markets.
Walmart dominated the US retail landscape in 2024: The mass merchant鈥檚 ability to offer savings and convenience won over shoppers, and its growing ecommerce and advertising businesses are helping it make inroads against Amazon.