Weekly Round Off With HTE 🎉

Get ready to stir up some excitement in your day with the juiciest industry gossip around! 👀

Sit back, relax, and sip on your favorite drink because we've got a wild ride of news to share with you! 🎉

From the latest trends to the craziest stories, we've got it all. So put on your party hats and let's turn this Sunday into an epic celebration! 🔥

Here is what we have today:

📢 Walmart, Amazon, and Other Retailers are Stepping Up Their Advertising Game!

📱 Get Ready for the Boom: Mobile AR Revenues to More than Double by 2027!

🧑🏻‍💻 Social Media Sites Push Positive Impact in the Face of Data Privacy Concerns

🛍 Google Gets Shopping in Shape with Generative AI

Walmart, Amazon, and Other Retailers are Stepping Up Their Advertising Game!

Oh boy, have you heard the news? Brick and mortar retailers are on a mission to pump up their profits by tapping into customer data and selling ads on their websites and mobile apps. And they're not playing around - even Amazon and Walmart are getting in on the action, directly competing with tech giants like Google and Facebook for a slice of the ad revenue pie.

Now, selling ads isn't a new concept - Sears used to have a "Wall of Eyes" that played commercials to shoppers in their electronics department (weird, right?). But the game has totally changed with the rise of e-commerce. Retailers are discovering that they can make bank by selling ads directly to vendors on their digital platforms, and using all sorts of fancy tools to track how those ads are impacting sales.

But don't be fooled - it's not as easy as slapping a random ad on a website. Retailers have to make sure the ads align with their values, customer demographic, and overall image. No one wants to see a liquor ad when they're trying to build a bear, ya feel?

Amazon was the OG of this game, realizing early on that their treasure trove of customer data was worth a ton to advertisers. And now, experts predict that retail advertising networks in the US could be worth a whopping $100 billion by 2026. That's a lot of cheddar.

But why the sudden push? Well, with inflation on the rise and consumers cutting back on spending, retailers are scrambling to find new ways to make moolah. They're looking under every nook and cranny for anything that still has a little bit of value - from closing stores to charging vendors more fees.

So there you have it, folks. Retailers are getting savvy and figuring out how to turn customer data into big bucks. Who knows, maybe one day we'll see ads for Build-A-Bear's new line of liquor-filled teddy bears. Okay, probably not, but you never know.

Get Ready for the Boom: Mobile AR Revenues to More than Double by 2027!

Get ready to step into the future of shopping! Mobile AR (augmented reality) revenues are set to more than double from $18.67 billion this year to a whopping $39.81 billion in 2027, according to ARtillery Intelligence. That's a lot of moolah! These figures include consumer and enterprise applications such as productivity software, entertainment and games development, retail/ecommerce enablement software, and even AR-powered advertising and marketing apps.

Speaking of AR ads, they're still in their early days, bringing in $3.50 billion this year. That's 18.8% of total AR revenues and 0.7% of total mobile ad revenues worldwide. So, there's plenty of room for growth, folks!

But who's leading the pack in the AR ad space? Snapchat Lenses, baby! This year, they're raking in $1.51 billion, leaving Meta's $730 million in the dust. And despite only 12.4% of US adults using AR for shopping, Snap is partnering with big retailers like Amazon and Princess Polly to offer virtual try-on options.

So, what does this mean for e-commerce? It means the shopping experience is about to be much more fun and interactive! With AR, shoppers can virtually try on clothes, test out makeup, and see how furniture will look in their homes. And with the rise of AR-enabled ads, retailers can showcase their products more immersive and engagingly. Who needs a physical store when you can shop from the comfort of your phone?

Social Media Sites Push Positive Impact in the Face of Data Privacy Concerns

Social media sites like TikTok and Instagram are in hot water over data privacy issues. But fear not, they're fighting back with grassroots marketing campaigns, showing their positive impact on Americans. And boy, do they have an impact!

Take TikTok, for example. In their "TikTok Sparks Good" campaign, the company showcases user testimonials, including one from a member of the Air National Guard who uses TikTok to post informational videos to the military. TikTok is doing its part to show that it's not just for dancing teens anymore.

And Instagram is getting in on the action too. They recently launched a TV ad showing a young hockey player posting videos of his practices on Instagram, with his mom helping to manage his screen time and any negative comments. We all need a mom like that, right?

But why the sudden push for positive advertising? Well, it's likely in response to the U.S. government's scrutiny of social media sites, particularly regarding data leaks. For instance, authorities are still investigating the leak of classified military documents that were later publicized by Russia on social media sites. And the Federal Trade Commission is looking into Twitter's alleged violations of privacy rules. Yikes!

But that's not all. Lawmakers are currently considering a bill called the Restrict Act, which would ban any communications tech produced by six foreign adversaries deemed a security threat by the U.S. government. These adversaries include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela. This could have serious implications for ecommerce ads and marketing.

Think about it. Many ecommerce businesses rely heavily on social media sites to advertise their products and reach new customers. If the Restrict Act were to pass, it could limit the ability of these businesses to use certain platforms for advertising purposes. That could mean fewer eyeballs on their ads, which could translate to fewer sales.

But fear not! While the future is uncertain, there are plenty of other advertising avenues available to ecommerce businesses. They could try email marketing, influencer partnerships, or even good old-fashioned billboards. Hey, who doesn't love a good billboard?

In the end, social media sites will continue to fight back against data privacy concerns and push the positive impact they have on society. And ecommerce businesses will find new and creative ways to reach their audiences, no matter what roadblocks come their way. It's a wild world out there, but we're ready to take it on!

Google Gets Shopping in Shape with Generative AI

Google's new generative AI-powered search tool is taking the shopping experience to new heights! With the Search Generative Experience (SGE), consumers can now easily find what they're looking for with a quick search. Say goodbye to endless scrolling and tedious filtering, and hello to a personalized, streamlined shopping experience!

Using Google's Shopping Graph, which has over 35 billion product listings, SGE offers an overview of the top factors to consider, along with products that fit the bill, reviews, ratings, and prices. Plus, consumers can ask more questions and get answers in a snap, like "which ebike is the safest?" Google has truly upped its game!

And the best part? SGE is available as part of Google's experimental "Search labs" program, with a waitlist opening today for eager shoppers in the US.

But let's not forget about the ads, folks! SGE will continue to feature search ads in dedicated ad slots throughout the page, so businesses can still get in on the action and reach their target audience.

It's no secret that online shopping habits are changing, especially among younger generations. In fact, did you know that more Gen Z consumers start their product searches on TikTok than on Google? That's why Google is stepping up its game with SGE and its AI-powered features, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of the online shopping experience.

So, the next time you're looking for a "good bike for five-mile commute with hills," just give SGE a try and let the generative AI do the work for you!