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Early data from RetailNext reveals a notable shift in consumer behavior this Black Friday. In-store traffic across the United States declined by 3.6% compared to the previous year. This aggregate reduction, reported by RetailNext—a leading authority in retail intelligence and traffic analytics trusted by over 560 global retailers—signifies more than a simple drop in footfall. It confirms a fundamental change in how and when consumers engage with physical retail environments. The data, collected from tens of thousands of U.S. stores across diverse retail segments, underscores a new era where shoppers are more deliberate and value-conscious, treating marquee promotional events as part of a longer strategic hunt for optimal pricing and utility.
The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in marketing is undeniable. From streamlining operations to personalizing customer experiences, AI promises a new era of efficiency and effectiveness. Yet, amidst the excitement, a critical question lingers: are we truly harnessing AI’s power or merely scratching the surface? The 2025 Cella Intelligence Report reveals a stark reality: while AI adoption is increasing, genuine expertise remains elusive.
The 2025 Pre-Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) period has again demonstrated the holiday shopping season’s dynamic and hyper-growth nature. Early data from STORD’s live 2025 Black Friday Cyber Monday tracker, spanning from Sunday, November 23rd, through Wednesday, November 26th, reveals significant year-over-year increases in order volumes, Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), and Average Order Value (AOV) across multiple retail categories.
The annual Cyber Week sales period continues to be a critical benchmark for overall digital commerce performance, revealing essential shifts in consumer behavior and technological adoption. Pre-Black Friday findings from Salesforce, based on billions of consumer interactions across its Commerce, Marketing, and Service platforms, underscore significant digital sales growth alongside the ascendance of artificial intelligence (AI) as a pivotal driver of both customer experience and revenue.
The consumer’s voice has never been more accessible, and technological advancements, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), are accelerating data analysis. Despite these capabilities, many organizations remain hampered by fragmented, reactive approaches to consumer insights. This fragmentation creates significant gaps between understanding consumer needs and executing decisive business actions.
New generative AI promises to help marketers create tailored ad variations quickly, boosting efficiency and engagement across Facebook and Instagram campaigns.
And they aren’t alone. The holiday season is the equivalent of the Super Bowl for many brands, where a single campaign can define the entire year. Yet, for every heartwarming success story, there are countless others that miss the mark. So how do brands de-risk their biggest creative investments and ensure their message will actually resonate with consumers? Joining me to discuss is Nataly Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi.
Just when we thought we had a handle on the omnichannel chaos, along comes the generative AI revolution, adding a powerful, and at times bewildering, new dimension. The pace of change is no longer just fast; it’s blistering. The fear of being left behind is palpable, and the pressure to demonstrate quantifiable impact amidst this whirlwind has never been greater.
Today, Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) and Semrush Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SEMR) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Adobe will acquire Semrush, a leading brand visibility platform, in an all-cash transaction for $12.00 per share, representing a total equity value of approximately $1.9 billion. Semrush is a powerful partner for marketers looking to manage brand visibility and audience reach through its data-driven generative engine optimization (GEO) and search engine optimization (SEO) solutions.
Appian, a leader in AI process automation, announced that the “Bring AI to Work(flow)” solution built on the Appian Platform by Appian and Ignyte Group has been named a Pioneer in Healthcare Innovation and a winner of the HL7 AI Challenge, a global competition recognizing excellence in advancing health data interoperability and ethical AI.
