Microsoft makes its move in retail media

Author

Stephen Babcock
January 11, 2023

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Amazon piloted a new service that embeds Prime checkout and delivery on direct-to-consumer websites in 2022. After an invite-only period, it will be available to all U.S. merchants later this month. While the consensus indicates this could be a game-changer, success isn’t guaranteed. We’ve got questions.

Microsoft wants to create an omnichannel stack for retailers as they leverage first-party data and provide brands with advertising opportunities. New features rolling out under the banner of PromoteIQ include a network to help brands advertise on a retailer’s website, as well as tools that extend that retail media's reach to sites across the web and even brick-and-mortar stores.

In this week’s leadership moves, the CEO role is seeing transition at Designer Brands, Rite Aid, Vitamin Shoppe, Cotopaxi and Compana Pet Brands. Meanwhile, Impossible Foods hired a CPG leader as its first chief demand officer and Build-A-Bear is bringing on a CTO. On the Move has the latest comings and goings in retail, ecommerce and CPG.

Earnings calls so far this week offer a couple of bright spots for ecommerce. Home maintenance brand WD-40 saw 51% year-over-year growth in the most recent quarter as it makes digital commerce a “must-win battle.” Meanwhile, the grocer Albertsons said digital sales were up 33%, which helped to drive gains in top-line revenue.

With new integrations, brands and retailers who run ecommerce stores through BigCommerce will be able to set up ads on networks run by SourceKnowledge and Microsoft. Meanwhile, BigCommerce is also launching an integration timed with the Amazon Buy with Prime expansion.

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