> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nearmedia.co/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Neeva Outlook, Stores Driving E-tail, 'Roaring 20s' Looking More Likely - URL: https://www.nearmedia.co/neeva-outlook-stores-drive-e-tail-roaring-20s-looking-likely/ - Published: 2021-03-10T17:12:14.000Z - Updated: 2021-03-10T17:30:06.000Z - Author: Greg Sterling - Tags: News ### Does Google Challenger Neeva Have a Chance? I was given early access to [Neeva](https://neeva.co/?ref=nearmedia.co), the new search engine created by former Google ad boss Sridhar Ramaswamy, who became disenchanted with the advertising business model. I pledged not to write about it. But [others](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/361241/he-built-googles-ad-biz-and-is-now-launching-a-s.html??ref=nearmedia.co) have. Forbes reports that Neeva's total funding is now $77.5 million at a valuation of $300 million. Beyond using privacy and a monthly ($5 - $10) subscription model, Neeva is planning to differentiate with features. However, it will be months before it's available to the public. **Our take:** - Neeva has almost no chance to seriously challenge Google, despite growing concern about ads, tracking and privacy. - Only a small minority are likely to pay the monthly subscription fee but 10 million users paying $5 per month would generate $50 million in revenue. - The likely near-term endgame for Neeva is an acquisition, potentially by someone like Apple. ### Stores: E-commerce Secret Weapon Though it may be counterintuitive, physical stores helped traditional retailers in 2020 succeed at e-commerce. People have been talking about "omnichannel" retailing for years but it's finally here. Data [from multiple retailers](https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2021/03/09/how-big-retail-chains-fared-online-in-2020/??ref=nearmedia.co) show how e-commerce growth was fueled by stores. Most major retailers saw double-digital e-commerce gains and used stores to fulfill many, if not most, online orders. Target [fulfilled an astonishing 95%](https://www.nearmedia.co/google-most-trusted-targets-stores-are-the-key-volvos-online-exclusive/) of e-commerce orders through stores. Curbside pickup/BOPIS was also a top innovation during COVID implemented by 100K brands around the globe, according to Shopify data. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/80/0380d96d-ef7e-450e-96b3-2963e18aaab5/content/images/2021/03/Screen-Shot-2021-03-10-at-7.23.36-AM.png) **Our take:** - Under economic pressure, many retailers are shrinking their footprints. This needs to be done; there's also danger in closing stores. - There's divergence between retailers investing in stores (e.g., Target, Sephora) and closing stores (Topshop, Disney, Gap). We'll see how this all plays out. - Data show consumers buy more from brands online in markets with corresponding stores, less when stores disappear. ### Roaring 20s: Offline Economy Set to Boom There are numerous [indications](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/21/business/economy/pandemic-economic-boom.html?ref=nearmedia.co) that the economy will come roaring out of hibernation after vaccinations reach critical mass. Business and [investor optimism](https://www.investors.com/news/economy/us-economy-optimism-surges-vaccines-stimulus-checks-ibd-tipp-march-2021/?ref=nearmedia.co) is up. Another potential harbinger of a robust economic recovery is [Chinese movie ticket sales](https://www.theringer.com/movies/2021/3/9/22320223/movie-theaters-reopening-china-box-office-records?ref=nearmedia.co), which have set new records. The data suggest a strong consumer desire to return to "normal life." The US also exhibits signs of pent-up demand for an "offline" return to restaurants, retail stores and movie theaters. And a [new Yelp report](https://www.yelpeconomicaverage.com/covid-19-anniversary.html?ref=nearmedia.co) tracks the 2020 impact on SMBs, which wasn't as bad as feared: \~500K new business starts. **Our take:** - The assumption that the future is entirely online is simply wrong. We now are firmly in a hybrid, O2O world. - There will clearly be more e-commerce and behavior changes based on new pandemic behaviors (e.g., WFH, home workouts, grocery delivery) - Omnichannel companies, including DTC, that integrate online and offline will be best positioned to "win the future." ## Short Takes - US bill to [help ](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tech-antitrust-media/u-s-lawmakers-to-introduce-antitrust-bills-to-protect-news-media-idUSKBN2B216J?ref=nearmedia.co)**[news publishers bargain](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tech-antitrust-media/u-s-lawmakers-to-introduce-antitrust-bills-to-protect-news-media-idUSKBN2B216J?ref=nearmedia.co) with Google, Facebook**. - **Target putting more DTC brands** [on its store selves](https://www.morningbrew.com/retail/stories/2021/03/01/target-now-carries-dtc-apparel-diffusion-lines?ref=nearmedia.co). - **Sendible [acquired](https://www.sendible.com/insights/new-story-starting-for-sendible?ref=nearmedia.co)**[ by Alpine Software Group](https://www.sendible.com/insights/new-story-starting-for-sendible?ref=nearmedia.co) and now a part of Traject. - **Kayak [opening](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kayak-to-open-its-own-hotel-in-miami-beach-301243572.html?ref=nearmedia.co) "tech-forward" boutique hotel** in Miami Beach. - Has Zoom [killed](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/opinion/business-travel-videoconferencing.html??ref=nearmedia.co) "**gratuitous business travel**?" Hint: yes. - **T-Mobile [selling](https://www.wsj.com/articles/t-mobile-to-step-up-ad-targeting-of-cellphone-customers-11615285803?ref=nearmedia.co) your mobile data** to marketers unless you opt-out. - Trustbuster: Biden [nominates](https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/03/09/scoop-biden-taps-another-big-tech-trustbuster-492042?ref=nearmedia.co) **tech critic** **Lina Kahn to FTC**. - **Apple privacy suit in France**: [capturing user data without consent](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-france-lawsuit-idUSKBN2B10Y6?ref=nearmedia.co). [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/80/0380d96d-ef7e-450e-96b3-2963e18aaab5/content/images/2021/02/near_memo_banner.png)](https://nearmedia.co/memo?ref=nearmedia.co) Please let us know what you think. Email [gsterling@nearmedia.co](mailto: gsterling@nearmedia.co) with suggestions and recommendations.