Amazon will sell products from its Whole Foods private labels in Singapore, a country where it has no physical stores, per Bloomberg. That experiment could be repeated in other markets, giving the retailer an opening to grow its grocery business without investing in brick-and-mortar retail.
The FDA is considering a change to the labels of Tylenol and other drugs containing acetaminophen. The new label would warn that using these drugs during pregnancy might be linked to a higher risk of autism and ADHD in children. Marketers in this space will want to be transparent in ads and promotional materials that their medicine contains acetaminophen since consumers are far less familiar with ingredients than prescription drug brands. Campaigns should avoid using language overstating the certainty that acetaminophen isn’t linked to autism and re-emphasize that pregnant women should always consult their doctors before taking the medicine.
Walmart is adding pharmacy home delivery for specialty drugs that need to be refrigerated, such as GLP-1s, insulin and liquid antibiotic amoxicillin. Walmart’s move to add GLP-1 drugs to its pharmacy delivery services will be a customer pleaser and could force other players operating in retail and prescription drug markets to make similar moves as consumers grow increasingly frustrated with their drugstore experiences.
A new schizophrenia drug from Bristol Myers Squibb will get the same price tag in the UK when it launches next year, complying with President Trump’s demand to equalize US drug prices with other developed countries. Trump has public sentiment on his side, with most Americans eager for lower drug costs. We think drugmakers’ public pledges for price cuts and fairer global equality for select brand name drugs can appease both the Trump administration and consumers. Even limited price cuts can have outsized significance in the context of regulatory and public scrutiny.
DirecTV has launched on Vizio Smart TVs, broadening its reach and opening fresh advertising opportunities for brands, the companies announced Monday. DirecTV’s expansion into Vizio’s smart TVs dramatically widens its streaming footprint and gives advertisers a more measurable, performance-driven environment.
Nearly half of US adults have changed their streaming subscriptions in the past six months, with cost now serving as the top driver of both cancellations and new signups. Two-thirds of those who dropped a streaming service said it was too expensive, per YouGov. As cost sensitivity rises, building trust through easy trials and frictionless exits will be crucial. The platforms that focus on quality service and diverse content over hype and lock-in systems will make their offerings feel more like essential services.
The EU is investigating whether Apple, Google, and Microsoft are doing enough to curb online financial scams, per Ars Technica. The European Commission (EC) will send formal requests for information under the Digital Services Act (DSA), targeting fake apps, fraudulent search results, and scam accommodation listings on Booking.com. Ad campaigns appearing in search results, mobile apps, or Bing ads could face more scrutiny or be caught up in regulatory nets. Brands that lead with transparency and consumer protection will not only comply, but also gain an edge should platforms tighten controls.
Nvidia will invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI in $10 billion stages and supply the processors for 10 gigawatts of new AI data centers—an energy load equal to New York City’s peak demand or enough to power 7 million to 9 million US homes, per CNBC. Big Tech is locking arms to secure control of the AI future. These alliances blur the lines between investor, supplier, and customer, concentrating power among a few giants. If the project delivers, Nvidia’s dominance grows. If not, the “Stargate effect” looms—ambitious AI ventures that overpromise and underdeliver.
Toys R Us will open 10 new flagship stores and 20 seasonal holiday shops by year-end, doubling down on its return to physical retail. If the retailer can consistently find ways to make in-store shopping fun, its strong name recognition and nostalgic pull should help it recapture meaningful market share.
YouTube is an effective channel for reaching Gen Zers as use and creators influence expand, per our 2025 Gen Z Social Media Usage report. Over half (56%) of Gen Z social media users are spending more time on YouTube than they did a year ago, per YouGov. YouTube’s momentum with Gen Z shows its evolution from an entertainment hub to a discovery and shopping engine. Brands need to not only show up, but also design for searchability, optimize creator partnerships, and explore cross-screen viewing and messaging outreach.
Spirit Airlines’ financial troubles exposed weaknesses in the ultra-low-cost airline model. The carrier has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection twice in the past year, most recently in late August, and is aggressively cutting costs to rightsize operations. The ultra low-cost model isn’t dead—carriers such as Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines are still profitable—but it’s in trouble. Should costs increase and middle- and lower-income consumers continue to cut back, bargain-hunting travelers may face much higher fares as airlines replace economy seats with pricier ones.
Gen Z’s expected holiday spend in 2025 is $1,357, down 22.5% from 2024, according to July data from PwC.
Retail media has rapidly evolved from a nascent idea into a core pillar of digital advertising. “If retail media was a baby, it would be like crawling or maybe walking… you still need to get the fundamentals right,” said Arthur Sylvestre, vice president, digital commerce at Danone North America at EMARKETER’s Future of Digital Summit event.
For Gen Z and millennials, shopping is about belonging as much as buying. From pop-ups to print catalogs, physical experiences paired with digital touchpoints are reshaping how brands build loyalty and cultural connection.
Google’s ad tech remedies trial kicked off Monday as the search giant looks to prevent an ad tech breakup that would fundamentally alter the future of the open internet. If successful, the DOJ’s case against Google would reshape how open-web ads are bought and sold. Multi-billion dollar opportunities will open for competitors, potentially creating a more competitive—but less predictable—ad tech landscape for advertisers.
Rival marketplaces are stepping up efforts to chip away at Amazon’s dominance by offering sellers lower fees, operational support, and omnichannel opportunities. AliExpress is cutting shipping costs in Europe and Latin America, Temu is aggressively promoting in the US, Shein is leveraging its manufacturing network through Xcelerator, and Walmart is blending in-store displays with AI-driven marketplace tools. Meanwhile, Amazon remains the giant, expanding logistics and seller services like Multi-Channel Fulfillment and Buy with Prime. While Amazon’s marketplace share still leads, projections show a gradual slip, signaling more power and leverage shifting toward sellers.
Molson Coors has named 24-year veteran Rahul Goyal as its next CEO, tapping a leader with deep experience across IT, finance, and strategy, as well as a track record of diversifying beyond beer through partnerships with Coca-Cola and acquisitions in the non-alcohol space. Goyal takes the helm at a turbulent time, with alcohol consumption in the U.S. at historic lows and health concerns driving more consumers away from drinking. Political and economic pressures further complicate the outlook, leaving Molson Coors with seasoned leadership but an uncertain path forward in a challenging market.