Corporate commitment to sustainability is intensifying, with 88% of companies globally identifying it as either a primary (53%) or partial (35%) driver of long-term value creation—up three percentage points from 2024. The insight comes from Morgan Stanley’s Sustainable Signals: Corporates 2025, a survey of over 300 sustainability decision-makers at public and private firms with revenues exceeding $100 million. North American and European companies showed the largest increase in viewing sustainability as a value driver—up 9 and 10 points respectively. Meanwhile, APAC companies reported a shift toward risk management. Despite capital intensity, over 80% of companies can measure return on investment (ROI) for sustainability-related spending, such as capital expenditures, R&D, and operational costs. 83% say they measure ROI for sustainability as easily as for other investments, with just 2% reporting difficulty. Spending is relatively balanced across goals: 22% focus on capex and R&D for new projects, 30% on opex for risk reduction, and 31% pursue a blend of both. Utilities and tech sectors prioritize new investments, while communication services and real estate emphasize operational risk mitigation. Investment requirements remain the top hurdle, with 24% citing them among their top three barriers. Political and macroeconomic uncertainties (17%) and difficulty assessing current sustainability performance (16%) follow closely. Still, 65% of companies say they are meeting or exceeding expectations on their sustainability strategy—up from 59% in 2024. APAC reported the strongest progress gains, growing from 53% to 60% year-over-year. The physical impacts of climate change are already being felt: 57% of companies report business disruption from climate-related events in the past year, rising to 73% in APAC. The most cited impacts include extreme heat (55%), extreme weather (53%), and rising operational costs (54%). Over the next five years, three-quarters expect physical climate risks to affect demand, costs, and investor relationships. More than 80% feel “very” or “somewhat prepared” to enhance resilience across infrastructure, Climate transition risks are also looming large. Between two-thirds and three-quarters of companies see a likely business impact from policy changes, shifting markets, or rising stakeholder expectations. The most likely outcomes include higher operating costs (71%) and increased investment requirements (69%). supply chains, financial risk, and community engagement. The top opportunity cited for sustainability over the next five years is improved profitability, mentioned by 25% of respondents. Other priorities include revenue growth (19%) and lower cost of capital (13%). However, costs remain a top concern. Half of companies flagged cost-related challenges—including higher prices or reduced profitability from process changes—as their biggest threat. Key enablers for successful sustainability strategy include: Technological advancements (33%); A favorable economic and operating environment (32%); Growing client demand (28%).
Splitit expanding its orchestration service to let processors participate in the transaction while giving them issuer channels through which to make direct offers to the consumer and also adding digital wallets to the mix
Splitit’s approach in the service economy is to construct an orchestration layer that lets customers pay for purchases over time using cards. “We’re expanding our service offering with more capabilities via the processor and the issuer based on the demand by these various players,” John Beisner, head of client success at Splitit, said. Among the near-term initiatives lies the ability to let processors participate in the transaction and give the issuer channels through which to make direct offers to the consumer amid a merchant interaction. As to the changing dynamics in the competitive arena of installment payments, Beisner said, “you’ve got the typical buy now, pay laters. You also have bank financing offers and other FinTechs involved in making financing offers to consumers.” “We think that by orchestrating that, bringing it into a single experience… we’re doing that at a level where it’s not just eCommerce, but it’s also for in-store transaction,” he said. “So, we’re trying to bring all of that together and provide a very focused capability to enhance the consumer experience. We’re also making sure that we maintain the relationship between the merchant and the consumers.” Consumers, in turn, discover that they can manage their funding more adroitly and find the spending power to “upgrade” their purchases to bigger-ticket choices as they don’t have to take out new loans to do so, he said. “We’re spending time getting out front of the transactions so that the consumer understands that they have options and that these are not loan-based options,” Beisner said. The checkout experience remains the same, as consumers enter their card details (or if they are already registered with a merchant, one-click checkout is an option). Splitit is also adding digital wallets to the mix, including Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, he said, “where the merchant does not even need to be signed up, where the customer can walk in with their wallet into any storefront and make a purchase — and then decide how they want to split those payments up,” he said. Splitit will also be rolling out a service where the merchant and the consumer share in the cost — “and we’ll still be using the ‘open to pay’ on a card to make that decision,” rather than a new loan, he said.
LendingClub is buying AI-powered spending intelligence platform Cushion that ingests users’ bank transactions and purchase data to help them track their bills, make on-time payments, manage subscriptions, build credit, and monitor BNPL loans
LendingClub announced the acquisition of intellectual property and select talent behind Cushion, an AI-powered spending intelligence platform, providing a natural complement to LendingClub’s suite of mobile financial products and experiences. Cushion’s AI-powered technology ingests users’ bank transactions and purchase information to help them track their bills, make on-time payments, manage subscriptions, build credit, and monitor BNPL loans. Scott Sanborn, CEO of LendingClub said, “Cushion’s technology complements our DebtIQ experience to provide our members with the tools and information they need to take control of their debt and spending. With credit card balances and interest rates at historic highs and consumers seeking ways to keep more of what they earn, the need for our solution has never been greater.” Adopting Cushion’s technology will eventually allow LendingClub to provide much-needed visibility into a consumer’s financial obligations beyond traditional credit monitoring. It builds on LendingClub’s acquisition of Tally in Q4 2024, which will simplify credit card management, help users optimize payments, reduce interest, and improve credit health.
NielsenIQ report shows 59% of U.S. consumers open to buying more private label products if a larger variety were available while 72% think private labels are good alternatives to name-brand products
New data from NielsenIQ reveals that consumers are open to increasing their spending on store brand products if more items were available. In NIQ’s report, 59% of U.S. consumers say they would buy more private label products if a larger variety were available. The report also found that 72% of consumers said private labels are good alternatives to name-brand products, with 75% saying store brands are a good value for the money. At retail, consumers said they are most likely to purchase private label products at supermarket/grocery stores, dollar stores, discount retailers, and pharmacy/drug stores. Additionally, 59% of consumers said they trust store brands since they are endorsed by the retailer. That level of trust is consistent across four key demographic groups, with 58% of Baby Boomers, 55% of Gen X, 63% of Millennials, and 62% of Gen Z saying they trust private label brands. With annual sales of private label products up 4.1%, according to NIQ, nearly half of consumers (49%) said they’re likely buying more private label products than ever. The rate of sales growth for private label is outpacing the Top 100+ national brands (+2.4% annual sales growth), the Top 11-100 national brands (+2.3%), and the Top 10 national brands (+1.7%). The Nielsen report also highlighted the price differences between private label and national brands across several key categories. As a whole, branded products on average are sold at prices that are 19% higher than store brands.
OpenAI’s Shopify partnership to make online shopping a more personalized experience direct integration of product details, pricing and ‘Buy Now’ button into the UI
OpenAI’s integration with Shopify is expected to revolutionize online shopping, transforming the internet into a more personalized experience. The integration will allow digital personal shoppers to know customers’ size, style, and preferences, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their purchases. This could lead to a shift from traditional storefronts to full-service consultants and lifestyle experts. The adoption of Gen AI will result in lower return rates, reduced bounce rates, and a rise in’shopper loyalty’ as consumers build an affinity with stores that make their lives easier and feel special. To optimize the integration, brands should focus on user-generated content, build a real community, and train their assistants cleverly. The partnership between OpenAI and Shopify could mark an unprecedented step forward in using Gen AI as a shopping tool. By integrating product details, pricing, reviews, and even a ‘Buy Now’ button directly into the UI, the future of online shopping will be significantly changed. The winners will be those that think beyond the transaction and create experiences that feel truly personal.
Survey shows 78% consumers think in-aisle ads being the most effective at driving future purchase consideration followed by storefront screens (76%)
According to a new survey from technology solutions provider Vistar Media and consumer research firm MFour, 95% of consumers felt either positive or neutral toward retail media ads. Visual formats are the most effective, according to the survey, with 72% of shoppers approving of parking lot screens as the first point of contact with the brand. In-aisle screens (68%) and storefront/entrance screens (64%) also have strong approval, which Vistar Media says proves their value in “guiding decisions and providing relevant product information” to shoppers. Only 4% of consumers reported that in-store ads detracted from their shopping experience. 50% of those who felt the ads improved their experience cited their visual appeal, while 34% valued the product information and 27% enjoyed the entertainment factor. 44% of shoppers surveyed said they made a purchase because of an in-store ad. Engagement was even stronger in specific placements, as 58% shoppers who viewed front entrance ads bought the advertised product immediately, and 31% of those who saw in-aisle ads redeemed a coupon or discount code. Among those exposed to parking lot ads, 32% went on to visit the brand’s website, and 19% of in-aisle viewers interacted with QR codes or digital links. 71% consumers said they were more likely to consider a brand they saw advertised, with in-aisle (78%) and storefront (76%) ads being the most effective at driving future purchase consideration.
Lenders to retailers are worried about tariffs leading to inflated debt to maintain liquidity cushion, that could make up half the value of invoice financing
With tariffs threatening to raise prices, creditors that lend to the retail space are reportedly worried, citing the example of Saks Global Enterprises. That department store chain’s creditors were already concerned, even before Saks announced plans to raise more debt, as its notes that mature in 2029 had dropped by 40% in value in the space of five months. Saks recently said it aims to raise as much as $350 million via a new loan, funds that will help the company maintain what CEO Marc Metrick called an “ample” liquidity cushion, even as it deals with future liabilities such as the first interest payment on its 2029 notes. Some advisers are cautioning banks and private credit outfits that steep apparel costs shouldn’t alter their appraisals of client inventory when making loans. In fact, this is a major topic of discussion at banks such as Wells Fargo, the bank’s head of global receivables and trade Daniel Pfeiffer told. “There’s a lot of discussion right now about the value of the current appraisals, how tariffs show up on invoices and how that flows through to when the goods are sold,” Pfeiffer said. “That cost is on the invoice as well, and in some scenarios could make up half the value of what you’re financing.”
Verizon launches 3-year price lock guarantee on all mobile and home internet network plans targeting the growing number of households with connected devices
The average Verizon internet household now manages 18 connected devices and consumes 656 GB of data monthly, up 6% YoY, according to the latest Verizon Consumer Connections Report. Verizon is offering an industry-first 3-year price lock guarantee on all myPlan (mobile) and myHome (home internet) network plans, available to both new and existing customers. The offer meets a growing consumer demand for financial stability, control and simplicity — especially as families weigh technology investments alongside everyday priorities. Verizon is also now offering a free phone to new and existing wireless customers on any myPlan when they trade in a device — regardless of its condition. Plus, get even more immediate savings when bundling home internet, taking $15 off the total monthly bill. Families can stay confidently connected — with steady rates on core services like calling, data and texting. Customers can also save over 40% on five of the most popular subscription services Plus, free satellite messaging on qualifying devices. Verizon’s 3-year price lock guarantee offers predictable, multi-year stability across connectivity costs. As families upgrade their homes and devices, Verizon’s price lock guarantee offers something rare in tech: predictability.
Visa’s push to embed its tokenization-based payment network into AI systems, including chatbots and agents could transform ecommerce by letting online shoppers use natural conversation with an AI agent to make purchases
Soon online shoppers will be able to make purchases straight from their chatbots, which could drive the biggest shift in shopping since Amazon or the iPhone. Visa on announced a push to embed its payment network into AI systems, including chatbots and agents. The effort is in the early testing stage, with Visa listing OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, Mistral and Perplexity among its partners.”We think the shift could rival the level of impact that e-commerce and mobile commerce themselves have [had],” Visa chief product and strategy officer Jack Forestell said. Visa demoed how a user can enter their payment information into a chatbot, just once, and use natural conversation with an AI agent to purchase a range of goods and services. Under the hood, Visa is incorporating the tokenization technology it has used to secure mobile and online commerce, combined with mechanisms for communicating authentication, payment intent and instructions. “We could give AI agents payment tools today, and they’d be able to go out, access your credentials, your cards, your money, and go spend it,” Forestell said on stage Wednesday. “That would just uncover a bunch of other really important problems that we need to get solved before we take step one.” Forestell is “hopeful that within the next 12 months” people have the option to use autonomous agent payments, at least within certain use cases. Separately, OpenAI said that ChatGPT search will begin including direct product links in its results, starting with categories including fashion, beauty, home goods and electronics. Experts say retailers need to start rethinking their e-commerce strategy to prepare for chatbots to play a significant role. The shift could allow companies to spend less on search advertising, but having the most up-to-date information on products and their availability will become more important, Pimberly CEO Martin Balaam told.
Tandem’s second charge mortgages platform features advanced API integration enabling brokers to submit applications electronically, significantly reducing manual data entry
Tandem is taking a major step forward with the launch of Connect by Tandem – a next-generation lender platform designed to transform the broker experience through automation and smart technology. The introduction of Connect is a pivotal moment in this journey, redefining how brokers interact with the bank by streamlining case management and saving valuable time. Connect is a pioneering loan processing platform that allows brokers to transact seamlessly with Tandem. Tandem has always been known for speed and efficiency and Connect takes this to the next level. An extensive test phase has already demonstrated its impact, shaving an impressive 4.5 working days off processing times. Key features include: 1) Advanced API integration – Enables brokers to submit applications electronically, significantly reducing manual data entry. 2) New broker portal – A single, central hub for automated underwriting policy requirements and case tracking, document uploads and case updates. 3) Automation – Streamlines processes such as EPC discounts, AVM’s and affordability checks.4) Enhanced document management – Simplifies uploads, tracking and case notifications for brokers.