A retail media network is a platform created by retailers that allows advertisers to buy advertising space on the retailer’s digital assets, utilizing the retailer’s own customer data to reach shoppers at various stages of their purchasing journey.

By leveraging first-party customer data, advertisers can connect with potential customers directly through a retailer’s channels, reaching them at crucial points in their decision-making process, including the point of sale (POS).

The goal of a successful retail media network is to effectively monetize all available channels in a manner that is brand-safe and compliant with privacy regulations, ultimately reaching the end consumer with targeted advertising.

On a retailer’s website, advertisers have the opportunity to showcase their ads on prominent pages such as search result pages. For example, a sponsored post from a laptop manufacturer may appear on a department store search result page for “laptop,” targeting shoppers who are specifically searching for that product. This targeted approach allows advertisers to tailor their messaging to shoppers who have already expressed interest in a particular item, increasing the likelihood of conversion.