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M&A activity in the marcom space fell 37% in 2024: The decline shows a field in peril鈥攂ut preparing for a rebound promises success.

As tariffs raise prices for many businesses, banks are finding solutions to keep their customers satisfied.

As on-device AI fizzles, bold hardware is back鈥擲amsung鈥檚 sleek, hinge-forward design aims to reset smartphone expectations and premium pricing logic.

Higher prices could impede volume growth and raise credit card issuers鈥� delinquencies

Perplexity鈥檚 new ad makes Google a target: The company鈥檚 biggest ad yet, led by 鈥淪quid Game鈥� star Lee Jung-jae, could continue the push toward a more divided AI market.

US consumer spending was resilient in 2024, but confidence is fading: Tariffs, layoffs, and inflation fears threaten to slow momentum as economic uncertainty looms.

In the first half of 2025, tariffs rattled retailers, consumer trust wavered in the face of muted DEI efforts, and fast-fashion platforms like Shein and Temu braced for policy whiplash. Meanwhile, private label products surged in popularity, and the retail world took a closer look at generative AI鈥攏ot just for buzz, but for tangible impact across the shopper journey. Here are the top stories from H1 2025 and why they matter for the rest of the year.

Amazon Haul expands overseas as de minimis uncertainty clouds domestic prospects: The low-cost marketplace is now available to UK and Saudi Arabian shoppers.

Online fashion sales growth in France is stabilizing as global competitors capture market share and social platforms become more influential.

The Big Four data war: Omnicom and Publicis are pulling ahead in AI and productivity tools. How will others respond?

Meta estimates that the infrastructure could 鈥渃reate up to 3.7 million new jobs in the Asia-Pacific region by 2025.鈥�. Google recently announced plans for its own subsea cable linking Australia鈥檚 Indian Ocean territory to the northern garrison city of Darwin. It鈥檚 also connecting Portugal, Bermuda, and the US through its Nuvem subsea cable.

Even as ecommerce alcohol sales rise, physical stores continue to dominate the path to purchase. Nonalcoholic beverages and Dry January are also picking up steam.

Amazon鈥檚 MX Player acquisition reignites the battle for Indian consumers: $100 million purchase gives Amazon ownership of the largest free streaming service in India.

With an antitrust trial on the horizon, Google is slashing jobs and budgets to hedge against a forced Chrome divestment.

QVC partners with TikTok as time runs out on second ban deadline: The retailer鈥檚 bet on the platform reflects both the growing importance of social commerce as well as confidence in TikTok鈥檚 future.

No other market in the world comes close to China when it comes to ecommerce. Its highly competitive digital market has spurred retail innovations that are making their way around the world.

Amazon insists it won鈥檛 display tariff costs on products after White House backlash: Despite political heat, radical transparency may be best for retailers in an uncertain environment.

How time spent with media, device ownership, and media adoption stacks up in the United States.

Temu, Pinduoduo anger Chinese sellers as push for lower prices and generous returns policies eat away at profits: That could complicate the former鈥檚 efforts to win over US merchants

Nine in 10 consumers worldwide use social media to keep up with trends and cultural moments, according to a January report from Sprout Social.

Gucci sales slid 25% in Q1: The brand鈥檚 struggles put parent company Kering in a tough spot as it attempts to navigate a slowdown in luxury goods spending.