<p>By: Mark Baum, Chief Collaboration Officer & Senior Vice President, Industry Relations, FMI</p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/retail-media-networks-illustration.tmb-large-350-.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=bdc21565_1" style="float:right;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:15px;" class="-align-right" alt="Digital innovations illustration" sf-size="100" /><p>The retail landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and Retail Media Networks (RMNs) are at the epicenter of this transformation. Evolving from shelf placements and in-store promotions, RMNs are becoming sophisticated multi-platform ecosystems driving growth and innovation across the grocery industry. FMI is excited to delve into these retail media strategies in 2025, focusing on their impact, opportunities and challenges for retailers and brands.</p><h5>Understanding RMNs: A New Era of Advertising</h5><p>RMNs enable retailers to transform in-store and digital ecosystems into dynamic advertising platforms. By leveraging first-party data, retailers can deliver personalized campaigns across multiple channels, including in-store displays, paid search, banner ads and Connected TV (CTV). This precision connects brands with consumers at critical moments in their shopping journey, building brand equity and increased transactions, maximizing ROI.</p><p>As omnichannel strategies continue to mature, RMNs have emerged as critically important growth engines. With retail media spending projected to grow significantly, these networks are becoming vital to the future retail landscape, driving innovation and success across industries.</p><h5>FMI Collaborates on Insights into Retail Media Evolution</h5><p>To help members navigate this transformation, FMI is collaborating with NielsenIQ and Think Blue Consulting to provide ongoing insights around the evolution of retail, decoding what works, what doesn’t and what needs to be done to optimize retail media networks for all stakeholders. This partnership delivers research and expert perspectives on challenges, opportunities and solutions for trading partners. FMI’s retail media initiative strives to help members:</p><ul><li>Maximize retail media investments.</li><li>Strengthen capabilities in this evolving space.</li><li>Drive growth and innovation in consumer engagement.</li></ul><p>A recording of the digital seminar <em><a href="https://educate.fmi.org/products/retail-media-networks-and-the-independent-operator-top-10-things-to-know-december-10-2024">Retail Media Networks and the Independent Operator: Top 10 Things to Know</a></em> (December 10, 2024) is available for on-demand viewing. </p><h5>Upcoming Session at FMI Midwinter</h5><p>On <a href="https://www.fmi.org/midwinter-conference/agenda#ebd8f313-b6c7-4343-9e53-a83fca42f9b5">Friday, January 31, 2025</a><strong>,</strong> during the noon to 1:30 p.m. Breakout Lunch & Learn Sessions at FMI Midwinter, Liz Buchanan of NielsenIQ and Manish Sharma of Think Blue Consulting will present <em>The Evolution of Retail Media.</em> They will share FMI’s newly published report on the Evolution of Retail Media, sharing strategies for leveraging RMNs to drive growth and innovation.</p><h5>Opportunities and Challenges in the Retail Media Marketplace </h5><p>While RMNs unlock immense potential, they also introduce complexities. There is a need to build bridges across the ecosystem. Standardized ROI metrics, consistent attribution models and transparency in ad pricing remain critical challenges. Additionally, the rapid growth of RMNs demands skilled teams, adept in data analytics, digital marketing and cross-functional collaboration. Current gaps have the potential to break down transparency and trust, eroding trading partner collaboration.</p><h5>What to Expect from FMI in 2025</h5><p>FMI’s exploration of RMNs will address several strategic imperatives, including</p><ul><li>Building Unified Frameworks and Standards</li><li>Integrating Retail Media Networks into Joint Business Planning</li><li>Transforming Organizational Capabilities</li><li>Leveraging Technology for Scalable and Sustainable Innovation</li></ul><p>FMI will provide actionable insights through ongoing thought leadership, through events, blogs, digital seminars and reports. Together, we will develop a future-focused vision, navigate challenges and seize opportunities in this dynamic space. By addressing current challenges and capitalizing on these opportunities, RMNs can become a cornerstone of modern retail and CPG strategies, driving measurable outcomes for brands, retailers and consumers.</p><h5>Join In: Shaping the Future of Grocery Retail</h5><p>The evolution of retail media signals a pivotal moment for the grocery sector. As FMI charts the future of retail media in 2025, we invite you to join the conversation. Together, we can shape a future where RMNs become strategic growth enablers for both brands and retailers.</p><p>We will continue to share the key developments that have and will define this transformation going forward. FMI will provide our members and the industry with insights, strategies and tools to help you thrive in this exciting new era.</p><p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/midwinter-conference" class="button">Midwinter Executive Conference</a></p>
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