#retail-media

#retail-media

Globally, we're seeing a boom in the launch of retail media networks. Last year, UK supermarket Co-op established the Co-op Media Network, offering advertisers a way to connect with their shoppers via off-site digital media channels. At the start of this year, WHSmith founded a retail media ad network across the US and Canada with a particular focus on airports, railway stations, and resorts.

Retail media promises billions in new revenue, but for grocers, the real test is whether their data can deliver. By 2025, RMN revenue is projected to hit $176.9 billion globally, overtaking combined TV and streaming revenues and accounting for 15.9% of total ad spend ( GroupM, This Year Next Year 2024 ). For grocery retailers running on razor-thin margins, this feels like salvation.

The offering, Front Row Connection, is powered by Epsilon Retail Media and comes as the retail media network space continues to evolve and mature. Front Row Connection looks to put brands on the digital shelf of DSW's website to help them connect with consumers and grow loyalty. The network offers high-impact placements like sponsored product ads and banners - table stakes for retail media networks - and is designed for both consumer discoverability and marketing performance.

Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as both a tailwind and a potential risk for The Trade Desk. On the one hand, the company has invested heavily in AI to enhance its platform. On the other hand, AI-powered search and content shifts could shrink the very pool of ad inventory that The Trade Desk depends on. For investors, the key question is whether AI ultimately tilts toward being an opportunity or a threat.

There's rarely a dull moment in platform land but even by those standards, this year has been unusually turbulent. A new administration in Washington, rising competition, regulatory pressure and economic uncertainty have all collided to reshape the platform landscape. The Result is a new, more fragile equilibrium for the companies that once seemed untouchable.

We don't see retail media as just a shakedown of our suppliers to pad our margins so we can fund our attempts to compete with Amazon, Monahan said. All those dynamics are real, but the offer that we have is about driving collective growth, [including] category growth [and] real, incremental sales growth.

While retailers rush to launch new ad formats and in-store screens, brands have a simpler request: prove that their advertising works. With Circana's acquisition of Nielsen's Marketing Mix Modeling business in August and NCSolutions in June, the company is positioning itself as the independent arbiter retail media desperately needs. Leading this charge is Cara Pratt, just 90 days into her role as President of Global Retail and Media, who brings the unique perspective of having built Kroger's retail media network from the inside.

For full-year 2025, revenue is projected to rise +17.4% YoY, while EPS is expected to grow just +5.1% YoY, indicating limited operating leverage.

Brian Monahan has been appointed as the new head of Albertsons' retail media business, succeeding Kristi Argyilan. He previously led retail media strategy at Dentsu for nearly eight years.

The goal is to match Ocado's shopper data with the publishers' audience behavioral and contextual data to unlock more granular ad targeting for advertisers.

A multiphase holiday campaign recognizes that peak shopping periods aren't monolithic events. They are complex, multiphase journeys requiring distinct creative approaches.

CTV ad spending is projected to reach $33.35 billion this year, while retail media's 19.7% growth will be more than double the growth in overall digital ad spending.

This partnership empowers retailers with Goldbach's local advertising power and GoWit's full-service operations, ensuring streamlined access to robust retail media solutions.

Advertising executives say this new spin on retail media is the next logical step for companies building out ad businesses, such as Instacart and CVS.

The acquisition of Symbiosys will significantly enhance DoorDash's advertising capabilities, particularly allowing its advertisers to reach audiences through off-site channels like Google and Instagram.