Retail media networks hold September upfronts for marketers
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 10
Retail media networks hold September upfronts for marketers
9 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 10
Albertsons, Home Depot, DoorDash and JPMorgan Chase are among participants in an Ascendant-organised event timed to marketers' annual vendor planning.
The pitches will stress measurable sales impact and broader brand-building rather than TV-style spectacle, as agencies seek a centralised way to compare fragmented retail media offerings.
Retail media is forecast to top TV ad revenue globally, but Amazon still dominates the US market, leaving smaller networks under pressure to simplify buying and prove wider marketing value.
Amazon's ad empire controls 80% of the market. Can competing retailers unite, or will they be conquered one by one?
With most advertisers distrusting the metrics, is the retail media boom a $174 billion house of cards?
As AI agents threaten to bypass retailers, can the industry's pivot to physical stores save its multi-billion dollar boom?
Retail Media’s Next Chapter: Performance, AI, and the $100B+ Commerce Opportunity
Overview
Ascendant Network is launching SHOWCASE on September 2, 2026, to redefine how brands and advertisers engage with the fast-growing retail media sector. As the industry reaches a crucial inflection point, SHOWCASE is designed to address increasing fragmentation and complexity by offering a cohesive, commerce-focused, and data-centric platform. The event will emphasize tangible outcomes and sophisticated data analytics, directly meeting advertisers’ need for clear return on investment. By setting a higher standard for performance and measurable impact, SHOWCASE aims to shape the next chapter of retail media partnerships and industry growth.