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Chinese ecommerce brands like Temu and Shein are already slashing US spend. Meanwhile, Reddit and Pinterest are gaining ground, fueled by AI tools, international growth, and ecommerce integrations. Streaming platforms are proving resilient as linear TV continues its decline.

The news: Podcasts are becoming a popular way for brands to reach engaged audiences, with viewership mounting and new platforms throwing their hats in the ring. Podcast viewership is thriving, reaching over 140 million US listeners in 2025, according to our forecast. Listeners will surpass 150 million by 2027. Our take: Podcasts are shaping up to become a strong contender in media consumption, with nearly 70% of US adults ages 18 to 24 listening at least one per month, per our forecast. As platforms battle to be the leading home for podcasts, advertisers need to pay attention and tailor strategies.

The news:The Krispy Kreme鈥揗cDonald鈥檚 marriage is ending. The announcement comes less than two months after the companies said they were pausing a nationwide rollout鈥攄espite doughnuts being available in 2,400 McDonald鈥檚 locations鈥攖o reassess the profitability of the expansion. Our take: The breakup with McDonald鈥檚 comes at a tough time for Krispy Kreme鈥攁nd for many other quick-service chains. The company has pulled its 2025 forecast, paused its dividend, and is now refocusing on what matters most: boosting cash flow, improving efficiency, and growing in a way that actually makes money in the US. The McDonald鈥檚 partnership gave Krispy Kreme more visibility, but not enough profit. With costs rising and margins getting tighter, the company is shifting its focus from rapid expansion to ensuring its business is built to last.

Our take: Higher prices will make it harder for Best Buy to win over wary shoppers, who are highly deal-focused and uninclined to make big-ticket purchases.

The insight: The US is mired in the 鈥渨orst housing market in almost 50 years,鈥� RH CEO Gary Friedman said during the company鈥檚 Q1 earnings call, as high housing costs and economic uncertainty chill demand. Our take: With the sluggish housing market showing few signs of improvement, retailers must lean into any pockets of opportunity they find. For RH, that鈥檚 burnishing its luxury credentials and pushing deeper into hospitality, while Wayfair is leaning on its diverse supplier base. The resilient pro market is another area companies should look to take advantage of as they try to ride out the downturn.

The news: US retail sales fell more than expected in May from April, the latest sign that tariff fears and economic volatility are affecting consumer spending. Our take: While May鈥檚 retail sales data largely show that consumers are hanging in, the situation remains unpredictable鈥攅specially given the fact that tariff-driven price hikes have yet to kick in for a multitude of everyday purchases, including groceries and apparel.

Department store sales fell 2.1% YoY in the first four months of 2025, per US Commerce Department data, even as shoppers spent more on apparel and furniture. Macy鈥檚 pointed to 鈥渟ome moderation in consumer discretionary spending鈥� and more promotions from competitors as headwinds in the year ahead, which could complicate its ability to manage tariffs.

While the retailer is trying to climb out of the hole by investing in stores, expanding private label partnerships with companies like Disney, Champion, and Kate Spade, and boosting its ecommerce capabilities, those efforts have yet to deliver the turnaround Target needs.

US smart wearable users will surge past 100 million by 2025 as AI capabilities drive adoption. Generational preferences, device convergence, and rising form factors like smart glasses and rings will reshape the market through 2028.

It anticipates an acceleration in 2026 to 1.4%, 0.2 percentage points lower than its initial forecast. Zoom in: The EU鈥檚 forecasts are an attempt to quantify the impact tariffs will have on its economy鈥攂ut, as our own updated forecasts emphasize, that鈥檚 a task easier said than done given the fluidity of the Trump administration鈥檚 economic policies.

Walmart also pointed to its ecommerce investments as an important buffer against volatility, noting that consumers increasingly value delivery speed and convenience. Walmart 鲍厂鈥� ecommerce sales rose 21% in Q1, helped by faster delivery, marketplace expansion efforts, and its rapidly growing advertising business.

But it does come with its share of risks鈥攏amely, alienating less affluent shoppers who are more sensitive to higher prices. Editor鈥檚 note: This content is part of 蘑菇AV鈥檚 subscription Briefings, where we pair daily updates with data and analysis from forecasts and research reports.

As a result, ecommerce growth is likely to fall short of earlier projections, even as the channel continues to gain long-term traction. Go further: Check out our tariff coverage, including our Live FAQ: The Impact of Trump鈥檚 Tariffs on Consumers, Businesses, and Trade, as well as our report on The Impact of Tariffs on US Businesses.