EUDR amended to remove all printed products from regulations

Consumer behavior is predictably unpredictable, says Vidhya Srinivasan, vice president and general manager of Google Ads, but AI advancements have found new ways for businesses to reach people with engaging experiences on Google and YouTube. "Capturing people’s attention today is a big challenge," Srinivasan wrote. She added that helping businesses solve it is a top priority. Srinivasan on Monday published her 2025 letter to the industry, sharing insights on how consumer behavior is changing and ways that Google can help. She also announced this year's Google Marketing Live event, scheduled for May 21.

A Swedish furniture and home decor giant is celebrating a key milestone with nine months of promotions. Ikea U.S. is launching a 40-week long customer appreciation campaign in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Now through June 29, customers can take advantage of exclusive product offers, gift card giveaways, limited-edition Ikea apparel, and special in-store events. "Since opening our first U.S. store in 1985, we've grown and adapted to meet the evolving needs of our customers," said Jordi Esquinas Gimenez, chief commercial officer at IKEA U.S. "What remains constant is our commitment to making well-designed, high-quality home furnishings affordable and accessible. This campaign is our way of celebrating our customers – thanking them for 40 years of trust and looking ahead to what we can build together in the future."

Following a sluggish trend, shopper activity remained subdued in April. Although demand for apparel remained robust, other sectors experienced declines compared to the previous year. Despite economic challenges such as inflation, consumer engagement persists, contributing to our optimistic outlook for 2024. While the economy is expected to slow in the upcoming months, steady growth is still anticipated throughout the year. The National Retail Federation predicts retail sales will increase 2.5% to 3.5% in 2024, signaling a return to pre-pandemic growth levels. Monitoring this trend closely, especially as we transition into Q2, will be crucial.