The rise of in-store retail media will prove that the physical store is the next major media channel for brands.

Despite the word “recession” hanging in the air, US retailers had an okay Q4 in 2022. But some recurring themes persisted: Shoppers pulled back on discretionary spending, opted against home renovations, and generally avoided high prices. Here’s a look at how those trends affected earnings.

The labor market is extremely challenging for retailers and restaurants: Quit rates are on the rise, which is making it difficult for companies seeking to improve the customer experience.

Tighter economic climate forces companies to focus on profitability: The paradigm shift away from long-term bets has driven changes everywhere from Amazon to Wayfair to Sweetgreen.

Macy's and Best Buy are seeing a drop in sales of nonessential goods: Economic uncertainty, inflation force consumers to focusing on necessities like groceries.

People aren’t moving as much as they used to: That poses a challenge to home improvement retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot, as well as retailers that sell home-related items.

Deal-seeking by consumers, heavy discounting from retailers, and a longer holiday shopping season drove an uptick in returns during the 2022 holiday season. Retailers will need to plan their promotional calendars carefully to manage returns in 2023.

Target expects a tough year ahead: But there are several reasons why it may navigate slowing retail sales growth better than some of its competitors.

The 2022 holiday season’s solid retail sales gains were mostly attributable to inflation, but they nevertheless paint a cautiously optimistic picture for the 2023 holiday season.

Amazon expands its ultrafast delivery options: The retail giant is investing in same-day delivery amid growing competition from Target and others.

Click and collect has matured as an ecommerce channel, but growth will slow as pandemic concerns alleviate.

Target is spending $100 million to expand its next-day delivery capabilities: The retailer plans to have at least six new sortation centers to make delivery cheaper, faster, and more efficient.

This report is a guideline to help marketers understand retail media through market size estimates, growth projections, and analysis of the complex landscape of buyers, sellers, and intermediaries.

Retail layoffs garner headlines but they’re not the full picture: The number of people working in retail continues to grow—we break it down.

Potential UPS strike hastens last-mile diversification: Rival FedEx, as well as local carriers and retailers’ logistics services, are reaping the rewards as companies try to minimize disruption.

Consumers pulled back on spending in December: Even as inflation eases, consumers’ diminished spending power is forcing them to make choices about what they buy.

Fewer potential buyers think they’ll make a deal next year, citing a recession, fears about talent retention, and fintech uncertainty as reasons why.

Retailers’ return rates are rising: That’s a significant challenge to merchants’ bottom lines, but it also presents an opportunity for those that offer a straightforward process.

Which retailers and brands won (or lost) in 2022? Retailers that catered to the budget or luxury ends of the price spectrum did well, while those that dealt in discretionary categories like apparel and electronics saw the biggest drop-off in consumer spending.

Which categories will perform well in 2023—and which will stumble? Some of this year’s trends will continue into next year, while changing consumer behaviors will drive others’ rise—and possible fall.