The retail world has gone through its fair share of evolutions, but what’s been happening recently? Oh, just retailers turning their own ecosystems into full-blown advertising machines, powered by a gold mine they’ve been sitting on for years—data. Tom Burgess, President of Snipp Interactive, joined The Longer Game podcast to share his thoughts on this retail evolution, and let’s just say, if you’re not paying attention, it’s time to wake up.

For a long time, retailers collected first-party data through loyalty programs. They had all this juicy info on what their customers were buying, and… didn’t quite know what to do with it. Maybe they felt like they were snooping. Maybe they were just intimidated by all the numbers. Who knows? What we do know is this: once they figured it out, they were unstoppable.

🛍️ The Retail Media Revolution: What Took So Long?

Retailers have been collecting data from loyalty programs for years. If you’ve ever used one of those loyalty cards at your favorite store, you’ve been part of the system, my friend. But here’s the kicker—retailers didn’t know what to do with all that information. It’s like having a winning lottery ticket but being afraid to cash it in.

Eventually, they got over their fear and realized how powerful that data was. Boom. Enter Retail Media Networks (RMNs). Retailers suddenly realized they could not only advertise to their customers directly but also invite brands along for the ride. Think of it like a party where the guests are paying for the snacks (whether they like it or not). It’s a win-win for retailers and, well, not always for brands.

🏗️ Should You Build Your Own Loyalty Program? Careful What You Wish For!

Retailers are now at a crossroads. Do they stick with third-party loyalty programs, or do they take the plunge and build their own? It sounds tempting, right? Building your own system gives you total control, allows you to tailor everything to your business needs, and cuts out the middleman.

But here’s the thing: it’s a lot harder than it looks. Everyone loves the idea of building something from scratch, but once they’re knee-deep in the project, they realize it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Building your own loyalty system requires a level of expertise that most retailers just don’t have. And when things start crashing (and trust us, they will), it’s a mad scramble to fix it. Tom Burgess said it best: “You might be better off sticking with a third party—at least for now.”

📱 From Multi-Channel to Omni-Channel: The Next Big Leap

The buzzword in retail is no longer just “multi-channel”—it’s “omni-channel.” But what does that even mean? Essentially, it’s about creating a seamless brand experience across every platform where customers interact with your brand, from in-store to online, mobile, social media, and even your emails.

Omni-channel is not just about being present everywhere, but about being consistent. Your brand’s voice and messaging need to align across all these channels. If one platform tells a different story than another, you’re in trouble. Retailers and brands need to collaborate to make sure the customer journey feels cohesive, not like a patchwork quilt of confusion.

💸 The "Retail Media Tax": Love It or Hate It, You Can't Avoid It

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the so-called “Retail Media Tax.” Brands have started to feel like they’re being forced to pay up just to stay in the game. The retailers have their own networks now, and if brands want visibility, they’ve got to spend. It’s that simple. Retailers have essentially turned this into a pay-to-play model. Sure, brands benefit from the exposure, but let’s not pretend it’s a gift. It’s a strategic move by retailers to boost their revenue by tapping into ad dollars.

And yes, brands might complain about this "tax," but at the end of the day, it’s the cost of doing business in today’s retail ecosystem. The good news? If you play it right, the returns can be worth it.

🧐 So, What’s Next for Retail Media Networks?

Here’s where things get interesting. Retailers have already made massive strides in leveraging first-party data to boost ad revenues through their RMNs. But now, they’re starting to hit audience caps. There’s only so much they can advertise to their existing customer base without things getting a little crowded. This means the next phase is going to require more creativity. Retailers will need to expand their ad inventory or explore new ways to engage their customers if they want to keep the momentum going.

And for brands, the lesson here is clear—adapt or get left behind. Whether you view the Retail Media "tax" as a necessary evil or just another marketing cost, the fact is, it’s here to stay. The smartest brands will figure out how to leverage these networks to their advantage, even if it means playing by the retailer’s rules.

🚀 Ready To Dive Deeper?

If you’re in retail or just curious about where this industry is headed, you’ve got to hear the full conversation with Tom Burgess. His insights on the retail evolution, loyalty programs, and the rise of Retail Media Networks are spot-on. Spoiler alert: there’s more disruption on the horizon. Don’t get caught off guard.

👉 Follow our page and watch the full conversation on The Longer Game to stay ahead of the curve.