Retail Media Networks: A Rising Force in Digital Advertising
Retail Media Networks (RMN) have become a hot topic in the digital advertising industry in recent years! According to the latest forecast from WARC, global retail media ad spend is projected to reach USD 153.3 billion in 2024—an increase of nearly USD 18 billion compared to 2023, with an annual growth rate of 13.7%.
Retailers are offering advertisers the ability to place ads on their own e-commerce platforms or in collaboration with other ad networks. This enables advertisers to not only run ads but also target audiences using first-party data collected by retailers. As third-party cookies phase out, first-party data becomes increasingly critical, making RMNs a powerful tool for advertisers and a promising monetization method for retailers.
What Are the Benefits of RMNs for Advertisers and Publishers?
For Advertisers – A Solution for the Cookieless Future
As consumers become more protective of their personal data, relying on third-party cookies is no longer viable. RMNs allow for precise targeting through first-party data, whether used on the retailer’s own platform or securely shared with third-party platforms. This helps advertisers improve targeting accuracy and ROAS (Return on Ad Spend).
Expanding Ad Channels and Touchpoints
Traditional retail advertising was limited and manual. With RMNs, advertisers can leverage programmatic bidding, access rich customer data, and link ad campaigns to conversion metrics—boosting marketing effectiveness.
For Retailers – A New Monetization Channel
Retailers can transform their digital platforms into advertising spaces, monetize their traffic, and create new revenue streams. RMNs improve user experience with interest-based ads and strengthen brand-retailer partnerships.
The Evolution of RMNs: 1.0 to 3.0
RMN 1.0 – Basic Ad Space Monetization
Retailers opened their platforms for brand ads, mostly static banners. Bidding models were basic, and measurement was limited to metrics like CTR.
RMN 2.0 – Programmatic Advertising & Data Utilization
With advancements in ad tech, RMNs became smarter. Retailers adopted DMPs/CDPs to offer behavioral targeting, dynamic ad delivery, and full-funnel reporting—enabling real-time optimization and better ROI.
RMN 3.0 – Omnichannel Integration & Personalization
In this phase, RMNs become a strategic hub. Ads extend across channels including physical stores, live commerce, and social platforms. AI enables predictive targeting and personalized content—creating a seamless, closed-loop journey from impression to conversion.
How AnyMind Can Help
AnyMind offers end-to-end solutions for building and scaling Retail Media Networks. From system setup and data integration to programmatic execution and optimization, we support retailers through every RMN stage—1.0, 2.0, and 3.0.
Our solutions cover multiple ad formats—static, video, and rich media—across both web and app environments. Additionally, AnyMind’s publisher network helps retailers promote premium ad inventory to a wide base of advertiser partners.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your retail media strategy, AnyMind delivers the technology, tools, and expertise to help you succeed.
