The winners of 2021's holiday shopping season

Plus: How Spotify is evolving, the real threat to its podcast lead, and SXM Media's new AudioID March 1, 2022 /ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290= [The winners of 2021's holiday shopping season]() The rubber band effect drove much of the top performing product categories and retail brands in 2021, as they snapped back from mid-pandemic lows. Many standout performers from the 2020 holiday season also managed to extend their gains despite the challenging comparisons. Apparel and accessories was the top-gaining category due to pent-up demand. With demand reinvigorated for new wardrobes for returning to the office and social events, apparel and accessories ecommerce sales surged 22.5% to $45.35 billion to make it the No. 1 category in terms of both growth and dollar figure. The category’s propensity to rise and fall with the availability of discretionary income was also a factor. Consumer electronics also posted above-average gains. Consumer electronics clocked $44.66 billion, ceding the No. 1 position in ecommerce sales to apparel and accessories. But category demand remained strong. Apple’s blowout Q4 highlighted strength in iPhone, Mac, and AirPod sales, while gaming consoles, smart TVs, home audio, and smart home electronics all continued to perform. [Read the full article.]() [Analyst Webinar: The Programmatic Advertising Boom](=/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) Programmatic advertising is taking on an ever-greater share of total digital display ad spending. Learn our latest forecast, trends, and what advertisers need to know about ad tech consolidation, identity resolution, and more. Join eMarketer’s live Meet the Analyst Webinar, presented by Marketing Solutions, a division of T-Mobile USA. [Register Now](=/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) /ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290= [Podcast: How Spotify is evolving, the real threat to its podcast lead, and SXM Media's new AudioID](/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) On today's episode, we discuss Spotify's Q4 performance and what it tells us about how the audio streaming giant is changing. Then for "In Other News," we talk about what the biggest threat to Spotify's podcasting dominance will be and a new way to improve the accuracy of audio ads. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Peter Vahle. ["Behind the Numbers" is made possible by MNTN. Listen in.](/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) [chart-image](/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) [Q&A: Google Shopping brings value and inspiration to the forefront in the shopping experience](/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) Insider Intelligence spoke with Martha Welsh, who leads strategy, operations and go-to-market initiatives for Google Commerce, which includes Google Shopping, Travel, Payments, and Next Billion Users. [Read the full interview.](/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) [chart-image](/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) /ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290= ©2022 Insider Intelligence Inc. 11 Times Square, New York, NY 10036 eMarketer Daily is published by Insider Intelligence Inc. [Unsubscribe](/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) | [Change email address](/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) | [Update preferences](/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) | [Advertise](=/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) [Select "Research Submissions"](=/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=) for potential inclusion in the eMarketer Daily. If you cannot view the HTML newsletter, please [read it in your browser here](=/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290=). =/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290= =/ODY3LVNMRy05MDEAAAGC5MeUJCtaO2w-afZA5inkd6_vwOLizJ-MmZtQBlcXRGJadLcjOdFGbzjb7B4BbP2obxm9290= [Advertisement][Advertisement]