This Week in Retail Media

Chris McLelland joins Kate to discuss why measurement has been a key topic of retail media discussion for 2025 and where scrutiny on incrementality, data use and privacy will take the industry in 2026. Chris shares his takes on why not all metrics are created equal and why standardization is key if retailers want big marketing investment. Find out more about Chris on his linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mclelland-7b1a6250/More on Walkbase: https://www.walkbase.com/Chris’s article on clean rooms: https://retailmediaworld.com/privacy-and-data/how-clean-are-data-clean-rooms/Final few tickets for What’s in Store for Retail Media Networks at NRF’s Big Show in New York are available here: https://stratacache.com/en/nrf-2026-retail-media-networks/For those in Europe. You can learn more about What’s in store for Retail Media Networks in Düsseldorf here: https://stratacache.com/en/euroshop-whats-in-store-for-retail-media-networks/

Kate sits down to chat to Edward (Ed) Hall of PRN to chat through the great strides made by the grocery sector in 2025 to increase their digital in-store retail media capabilities. Looking at the difference between in-store retail media and DOOH as well as what brands and shoppers should expect from in-store digital, the discussion also includes Ed’s retail media resolution for 2026. Final few tickets for What’s in Store for Retail Media Networks at NRF’s Big Show in New York are available here: https://stratacache.com/en/nrf-2026-retail-media-networks/For those in Europe. You can learn more about What’s in store for Retail Media Networks in Düsseldorf here: https://stratacache.com/en/euroshop-whats-in-store-for-retail-media-networks/

Jonathan and Kate end the last regular episode of the year with a look at why Home Depot is setting up a squad of influencers ahead of the World Cup. The duo then lament the current state of post-transactional ad insertion before exploring the increase in sponsored adverts.  Tickets for What’s in Store for Retail Media Networks taking place on January 10 and presented by STRATACACHE with NRF are going FAST. Register for your tickets at STRATACACHE.com.Story One:Home Depot provides creators centralized hub https://chainstoreage.com/home-depot-provides-creators-centralized-hubStory Two:Walgreens Advertising Group teams up with Rokt on AI-powered retail media ecosystem https://drugstorenews.com/walgreens-advertising-group-teams-rokt-ai-powered-retail-media-ecosystemStory Three:Sponsored products coverage climbs 7% as retailers shift to dynamic ad placementhttps://ppc.land/sponsored-products-coverage-climbs-7-as-retailers-shift-to-dynamic-ad-placement/

Advertising spend is to go up, Holiday spend is up and Albertsons ups its AI. Kate and Jonathan take a merry walk through the top stories This Week, In Retail Media.Learn more about What's in Store for Retail Media Networks at NRF and register for your tickets at STRATACACHE.comStory One: WPP estimates commerce media spending to overtake TV this yearhttps://digiday.com/media-buying/wpp-estimates-commerce-media-spending-to-overtake-tv-this-year/Story Two:CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor’s November Data Shows Strong Year-Over-Year Growth in First Half of Holiday Season https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/cnbc-nrf-retail-monitor-s-november-data-shows-strong-year-over-year-growth-in-first-half-of-holiday-seasonStory Three:Albertsons Introduces Agentic AI Shopping Assistant https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/features/news-briefs/albertsons-introduces-agentic-ai-shopping-assistant

Jonathan and Kate explore the likely impact on the retail media ecosystem of the IPG takeover by Omnicom. Then they discuss why challenger brands are thriving online and why Morrisons are installing 300 digital screens. Learn more about What's in Store for Retail Media Networks at NRF and register for your tickets at STRATACACHE.comStory One: Omnicom Closes $13 Billion Deal for IPG, Creating Advertising and Communications Gianthttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/omnicom-closes-deal-ipg-advertising-mega-deal-1236436486/Story Two: IPG Study Reveals Legacy Brands Losing Agentic Commerce Warhttps://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411004/ipg-study-reveals-legacy-brands-losing-agentic-com.html?edition=140734Story Three:Morrisons joins forces with BMO for DOOH advertising debuthttps://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/11/morrisons-digital-screens/

Kate and Jonathan discuss what Walmart’s quarterly results say about its identity as a media brand or retailer or both. The partnership between Albertsons Media Collective and NBCUniversal is also explored with tensions around new digital signs at Toronto’s Union Station bus terminal and their use of facial-detection technology. Secure your spot for What’s in Store for Retail Media Networks. More information and a link to purchase tickets at STRATACACHE.com.Story One:Walmart’s ad business surges 53%, e-commerce growth tops 20% for 7th straight quarter https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/walmarts-ad-business-surges-53-e-commerce-growth-tops-20-for-7th-straight-quarter-84556.htmStory Two:Albertsons and NBCUniversal Introduce CTV Closed-Loop Measurement https://progressivegrocer.com/albertsons-and-nbcuniversal-introduce-ctv-closed-loop-measurementStory Three:Digital ad using facial recognition in Toronto’s Financial District draws concerns, expert weighs inhttps://nowtoronto.com/news/digital-ad-using-facial-recognition-at-torontos-union-station-draws-concerns-expert-weighs-in/

This week Jonathan and Kate take a look at the partnership between Uber and Loblaws and what Loblaw Companies Limited are saying about their retail media earnings potential. From there, the duo turn to massive signs in escalator spaces in the John Lewis Bluewater store. Finally, Tik Tok takes a turn under the spotlight as the platform releases its Safety Report. To find more information on and to get tickets for What’s in Store for Retail Media Networks at NRF’s Big Show please visit. https://bit.ly/4oUQVYIStory One:Loblaw and Uber Eats team to bring on-demand grocery delivery to more Canadians https://chaindrugreview.com/loblaw-and-uber-eats-team-to-bring-on-demand-grocery-delivery-to-more-canadiansStory Two:John Lewis unveils cutting-edge retail media suite in refurbed Bluewater store https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/11/john-lewis-retail-media-3/Story Three:TikTok Outlines Latest Measures To Protect In-App Shoppershttps://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-shop-safety-report-2025/805086/

Jonathan and Kate consider the custom attention metrics being offered by Uber Advertising before turning towards Co-Ops 1000th front of store screen. The dynamic advertising duo then discuss how Amazon are bringing everyday essentials into Whole Foods. The agenda for What’s in Store for Retail Media Networks at NRF’s Big Show is now available with new speakers added each week.Story One:Uber Launches A Platform-Specific Attention Metric With Adelaide And Kantarhttps://www.adexchanger.com/platforms/uber-launches-a-platform-specific-attention-metric-with-adelaide-and-kantar/Story Two:Co-op Media Network installs milestone 1000th front-of-store digital screen https://www.theretailbulletin.com/food-and-drink/co-op-media-network-installs-milestone-1000th-front-of-store-digital-screen-05-11-2025/Story Three:Amazon’s grocery store dreams are reshaping Whole Foodshttps://www.theverge.com/news/814454/amazon-whole-foods-fulfillment-concept-store

After a week off - Kate and Jonathan return to discuss if Amazon is truly being helpful with their new AI tool, why apps in store are useful and lucrative as Walmart reveals their holiday plans, and what might be holding in-store retail media back.Story One:Amazon Launches New AI Shopping Tool in US for the Indecisivehttps://www.businessoffashion.com/news/technology/amazon-launches-new-ai-shopping-tool-in-us-for-the-indecisive/Story Two: Walmart Looks to ‘Rewrite the Holiday Playbook’ with New In-Store AI Experienceshttps://www.retailtouchpoints.com/topics/data-analytics/ai-machine-learning/walmart-looks-to-rewrite-the-holiday-playbook-with-new-in-store-ai-experiencesStory Three:IAB Europe updates retail and commerce media landscape map https://ppc.land/iab-europe-updates-retail-and-commerce-media-landscape-map/