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SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 |
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What’s the main reason US consumers use retail apps when shopping? |
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A) Convenience B) Loyalty rewards or points C) Access to exclusive deals or discounts D) To avoid in-store shopping |
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TOP STORY |
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AI and agents will drive 21% of holiday orders globally, an estimated $263 billion in sales, per Salesforce’s holiday forecast. |
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Salesforce justified its bullish view by noting that traffic from AI assistants has skyrocketed this year. |
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The company’s internal data found that online traffic from AI assistants spiked 119% YoY in the first half of 2025, with conversion rates over 700% higher than social media traffic, and 200% higher than traditional search.
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Others have seen an even bigger surge: Adobe reported a 4,700% YoY increase in generative AI (genAI) traffic in July, although the company noted that genAI traffic is still “modest” compared with other channels.
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More than half (52%) of US consumers plan to use genAI to shop online this year, while 38% have already done so. |
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IN THE NEWS |
Best Buy relies on stores and data to grow ad business. Though not new to retail media, the chain is looking to expand beyond its tech niche and establish itself as a full-funnel solution for marketers. Read online |
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Other headlines: |
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Strong August sales mask cracks in consumer confidence. Back-to-school spending was strong and wealthy shoppers spent freely. Read online
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Consumer tech brands face pressure to prove value this holiday. US adults plan to spend over $900 on average on consumer tech products, but they’re concerned about tariffs and prices. Read online | | | |
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ANALYSIS |
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American Eagle’s latest ad with Sydney Sweeney is sparking debate across the political spectrum, with opinions ranging from those who believe the “good jeans” pun promotes eugenics and white supremacy to those who praise the ad for its “anti-woke” message. But regardless of where you land on the campaign, American Eagle is giving advertisers key lessons in toeing the line between bold branding and cultural missteps. |
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PODCAST |
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On today's episode, we discuss Delta’s decision to use personalized AI pricing, how consumers feel about dynamic pricing, and if retailers can keep shopper trust through AI experimentation. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram. “Behind the Numbers” is made possible by Nielsen. |
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