As Nielsen’s 7th Annual Marketing Report hits our table, we cross at the back of the stats to determine what it tells us about the way forward for retail media – and what to do subsequent.
Retail media networks (RMNs) are shifting out of the shadows and speedy turning into the superstar performers in entrepreneurs’ media mixes. According to Nielsen’s 2025 Annual Marketing Report, just about two-thirds (65%) of worldwide entrepreneurs say RMNs will play a larger position of their technique this yr, with that determine emerging to 74% in North America.
No longer only a bottom-funnel play, RMNs are an increasing number of getting used around the complete buyer adventure, from model development to conversion, as entrepreneurs glance to do extra with much less. But that shift isn’t with out its rising pains.
So what does this imply for retail media decision-makers and the way are you able to flip this pattern into motion?
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1. Full-funnel pondering is a should
The file highlights a big evolution: RMNs are getting used to strengthen model campaigns and new product launches, now not simply direct gross sales. That’s a cue for entrepreneurs to push past ROAS and reframe RMN good fortune metrics round consciousness, engagement and long-term price. Are you development model fairness or simply chasing clicks?
2. Measurement remains to be messy
Only 32% of entrepreneurs globally say they measure virtual and conventional spend holistically and retail media is including to the complexity. With many platforms providing best in-platform or customized attribution equipment, cross-channel dimension stays patchy at very best. The name to motion? Pressure your RMN companions for unbiased third-party dimension that’s similar throughout your media combine.
3. Don’t omit regional nuance
The file unearths that whilst North America is main the rate, Europe is extra wary, with simply 48% anticipating RMNs to develop in significance. Usage patterns range too: Asia-Pacific entrepreneurs lean on RMNs for conversions, whilst Europe favors top-of-funnel consciousness. One measurement doesn’t are compatible all – construct methods that mirror native marketplace adulthood and use instances.
4. Build for potency, now not simply pleasure
With 54% of entrepreneurs making plans to chop advert budgets this yr, RMNs should end up their price. That approach getting granular on what works – and what doesn’t – throughout concentrated on, codecs, and inventive. Think smarter retail media, now not simply extra.
In a fragmented, unsure media panorama, retail media gives uncommon readability: it’s data-rich, brand-relevant, and (if measured proper) performance-proven. But because the channel matures, the problem now could be much less about experimentation and extra about integration.
The TL;DR takeaway for Drummies
Retail media isn’t a sparkly new toy any longer – it’s a significant, strategic channel that calls for simply as a lot rigor as the remainder of your media combine. As budgets tighten and expectancies upward thrust, it’s now not sufficient to easily display up at the shelf. To in point of fact free up RMNs’ full-funnel attainable, entrepreneurs should transfer past experimentation, spoil down dimension silos and get started not easy extra readability, consistency and cross-channel duty. Retail media is rising up. Your technique will have to, too.
Want to stick forward? Check out our Retail Media for Drummies information for simpler pointers, equipment and cheat sheets to supercharge your technique.