Each January, retailers collect in New York Metropolis for the Nationwide Retail Federation’s Large Present to get the newest on every thing from theft-prevention devices and biometric trackers for employees to techniques for stopping frequent returns amongst prospects.
And retail media now has a devoted part on the convention, since an growing a part of retailers’ margins comes from promoting advertisements, not promoting merchandise.
The expansion in retail media comes as retailers are going by way of a metamorphosis. Malls are making a comeback (possibly) and in-store retail is including extra friction (these locked-up compartments), as on-line buying turns into even quicker and extra frictionless to spur consumption.
All of those dynamics had been on show on the convention, as AdExchanger Senior Editor James Hercher stories.
Privateness priorities in 2026
Then, we give a 10-minute primer on privateness priorities for 2026. Regulators are focusing their consideration on three major areas: children, well being and AI.
Anybody processing information, focusing on advertisements or operating campaigns on or about children or well being ought to know a misstep may appeal to the eye of organizations just like the FTC.
And AI, an rising space, is amplifying the potential harms of focusing on children. For instance, AI chatbot therapists, and youngsters utilizing chatbots to the detriment of their psychological well being, are attracting consideration in mainstream media.
Is your advert platform’s agentic interface good sufficient to know when it’s being requested for information about children or well being? As AI know-how matures and adoption enhance, 2026 will possible maintain some attention-grabbing developments on the privateness entrance.
