Leading US banks are not just going digital; they are realizing that digital savings and loans alone do not ensure sustained engagement or profitability. These services must connect to the banks' core strengths: trust, scale, and long-term financial relationships.
"The future of the wallet is very different than it is today, as it's becoming a much more dynamic surface," said Eric Senn, CEO and cofounder of digital wallet development startup Badge. He pointed to Apple's new ticket interface as an example-not just a ticket but a portal to merch, food ordering, and venue maps. To Senn, it's part of a larger shift: the wallet becoming a core layer of the iOS and Android ecosystem, not just a feature tucked inside it.
By the end of 2026, more than 80% of small businesses will be using artificial intelligence for marketing. That's the picture emerging from Constant Contact's Q1 2026 Small Business Now report, which surveyed over 1,500 SMB owners across five countries. The numbers tell the story: 54% of small businesses already use AI marketing tools, and another 27% plan to start this year. In a single calendar year, AI will go from a slight majority to near-universal adoption among small businesses.
The bath and body care brand, which boasts 3 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, has spent the past year using an AI-powered community management tool to analyze comments, direct messages and other social interactions across its channels. What began as a way to respond faster to customers has evolved into a broader system for identifying product demand, measuring sentiment around launches and informing innovation decisions.
As the market grows increasingly saturated with traditional digital content, brands are exploring new ways to stand out by engaging more than just sight and sound. Advances in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), spatial audio and other immersive technologies are opening the door to richer, more memorable brand experiences that feel interactive rather than interruptive. The challenge is knowing how to experiment thoughtfully and how to use these tools to deepen connection without novelty overshadowing their purpose.
MoEngage, a customer engagement platform used by consumer brands across 75 countries, has raised $180 million in a Series F follow-on round just over a month after securing $100 million, with a majority of the latest funding providing liquidity to investors and employees through secondary transactions. In the latest raise, about $123 million was secondary, including a $15 million employee tender that provided liquidity to 259 current and former employees, while the remaining $57 million was raised as primary capital and went into the business.
Spice company Diaspora Co. shares founder Sana Javeri Kadra's personal journey as a means to demonstrate its commitment to empowering South Asian spice farmers. Kadra grew up in Mumbai; as a young adult, she moved to California to pursue a career in food justice and began to reflect on the echoes of colonial exploitation in the contemporary spice trade. "I was slowly discovering that not much about that system had changed,
The holiday season is one of the most important times of the year for businesses looking to connect with their customers and boost sales. Holiday email marketing has become a cornerstone of any successful marketing strategy, especially as more shoppers turn to online shopping for convenience and variety. Well-crafted holiday email campaigns allow businesses to reach their target audience directly, share special offers, and build lasting brand loyalty.
"Rufus is expected to generate over $10 billion in annual incremental sales for us," Jassy said on the call. According to Jassy, 250 million shoppers have used Rufus this year, with monthly active users growing 140% year over year and interactions increasing 210%. Customers who engage with Rufus during their shopping journey are 60% more likely to complete a purchase compared to those who don't use the assistant.
In today's competitive business landscape, technology is no longer a support function; it is central to driving growth and strengthening customer engagement. Companies across industries are increasingly adopting digital tools to streamline operations, better understand their audiences, and create personalised experiences. From artificial intelligence and data analytics to blockchain, marketing automation, and cybersecurity, businesses are leveraging innovative solutions to expand and deepen connections with clients.
