Seven in Ten Companies Plan to Increase Retail Media Budgets, But Scale and Measurement Remain Key Barriers

Rhea-AI Summary

TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) released findings from the 2025 Annual Trends Study, conducted by The Path to Purchase Institute, showing that 70% of companies plan to increase their retail media budgets in 2025. The research reveals that 80% of marketers consider retail media as effective or more effective than other digital channels.

Key findings show that retail media spending is shifting from trade budgets (decreasing from 26% to 20%) to media budgets (increasing from 74% to 80%). However, significant challenges persist, with 88% of marketers seeking proof of sales lift and ROI from campaigns. Brands currently work with an average of eight retail media networks, with 49% engaging with five or fewer networks.

The study highlights disparities between national retailers and broader retail industry platforms, with national retailers rated 3.4x higher in capabilities related to scale, targeting, and measurement.

Positive

• 70% of companies planning to increase retail media budgets in 2025
• 80% of marketers rate retail media as effective or more effective than other digital channels
• Shift from trade budgets to media budgets indicates growing strategic importance

Negative

• Significant measurement and ROI attribution gaps across retailers
• adoption beyond major national platforms
• Substantial disparity in capabilities between national and regional retailers

News Market Reaction

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+1.52% News Effect

On the day this news was published, TRU gained 1.52%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

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TransUnion Research Reveals Growing Investment and Challenges in Retail Media Networks

CHICAGO, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) announced today newly commissioned research by The Path to Purchase Institute (P2PI), the 2025 Annual Trends Study, highlighting continued growth in retail media investment alongside persistent challenges in optimizing these platforms. The study reveals that 70% of companies plan to increase their retail media budgets in 2025. However, persistent challenges such as scale, targeting, and measurement remain key obstacles to broader growth across the retail industry.

"Retail media is undeniably reshaping the way brands connect with shoppers, but proving its value isn’t always straightforward," said Mark Rose, senior director, market strategy for TransUnion’s retail business. "Brands face challenges with targeting and measurement consistency across retailers, as well as comparing ROI across retail media and other digital media channels. The key is solving these challenges with the development of aligned best practices to broaden participation in retail media growth industry-wide.”

Brands are optimistic on the future of retail media
Eighty percent (80%) of marketers recognize the value of retail media, saying it is as effective or more effective than other digital channels. Whereas annual trade budgets have traditionally formed the basis for retail media budgets, the survey found that 70% of retail media spending was incremental to those annual budgets.

Accordingly, respondents reported that retail media spending was less likely to come from trade budgets (decreasing from 26% of retail media spending in 2024 to 20% in 2024) and increasingly from media budgets (increase from 74% of retail media spending in 2023 to 80% in 2024). 

Identifying room for improvement
However, gaps in measurement and ROI attribution across retailers remain critical barriers. The study identifies key priorities for marketers to address these issues, including: 

• 88% seek proof of sales lift and ROI from campaigns 
• 45% prioritize comparable cross-retailer measurement and attribution 
• 42% call for standardized metrics and definitions 
• 39% emphasize the need for offline and online attribution 

The research found significant differences in retail media networks across the industry. On average, brands were 3.4x more likely to rate the largest national retailer platforms as Excellent or Very Good in capabilities related to scale, targeting, and measurement.

“As retailers adopt industry standards they will see improved ratings,” added Rose. “However, retailers beyond the largest national platforms will also need to simplify and streamline how brands can partner with them for large-reach national campaigns.” 

Areas in Which Retailers are Rated as Having Very Good or Excellent Capabilities

Retailer Type	Traffic-driving	Targeting	Measurement	Sales Growth	ROI
National Platforms	45%	50%	49%	43%	42%
Broader Retail Industry*	15%	16%	11%	13%	15%

*National and regional retailers excluding the national platforms

According to the report, brands currently work with an average of eight retail media networks, with nearly half (49%) engaging with no more than five networks. National retailer platforms lead in adoption, reflecting their competitive advantage in targeting, traffic-driving, and measurement capabilities. 

"Retail media can reshape how brands connect with consumers, but we must address its challenges head-on to ensure its actual growth meets projections, and in a way that enables broad participation across the retail industry," Rose concluded. "Focus on scale, targeting, and measurement is key to unlocking its full potential for everyone involved."

Explore the full findings of the 2025 Annual Trends Study and learn how these insights can inform your strategy.

Click here for more information about TransUnion’s TruAudience® marketing solutions.

About the 2025 Annual Trends Study
The 2025 Annual Trends Study was conducted by the Path to Purchase Institute between August 26 and October 9, 2024, surveying 67 professionals working with retailer media networks. The study focuses on trends in retail media investment, engagement, and performance, offering actionable insights for brands and retailers.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)
TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world. http://www.transunion.com/business

Contact	Dave Blumberg
	TransUnion
E-mail	david.blumberg@transunion.com
Telephone	312-972-6646

FAQ

What percentage of companies plan to increase retail media budgets in 2025 according to TransUnion (TRU)?

According to TransUnion's research, 70% of companies plan to increase their retail media budgets in 2025.

How many retail media networks do brands typically work with according to TRU's 2025 study?

According to the study, brands work with an average of eight retail media networks, with nearly half (49%) engaging with no more than five networks.

What are the main challenges in retail media networks identified in TRU's 2025 study?

The main challenges identified are scale, targeting, and measurement consistency across retailers, as well as difficulties in comparing ROI across retail media and other digital channels.

How much more likely are brands to rate national retailer platforms as excellent compared to other retailers in TRU's study?

Brands were 3.4x more likely to rate the largest national retailer platforms as Excellent or Very Good in capabilities related to scale, targeting, and measurement compared to other retailers.

What percentage of marketers seek proof of sales lift and ROI from retail media campaigns according to TRU's research?

According to the study, 88% of marketers seek proof of sales lift and ROI from retail media campaigns.