Adobe

Checkmate launches mate AI marketing platform

Checkmate, a consumer shopping platform backed by Google Ventures and Mantis VC, revealed mate, an AI marketing platform built on its first-party shopper data. Mate is already used by over 700 brands — including Everlane, Billabong, Brooklinen, Malbon and JD Sports — and the company says the business is profitable and on track for roughly a $15 million run rate by year-end after being built with zero marketing spend. Checkmate says its consumer app has captured more than 100 million shoppers and 12 billion intent signals that power mate’s AI agents. Early brand results cited include Everlane attributing $480,000 to mate in under 30 days (2,450 orders, 30% lift in conversion) and PSA Skincare reporting a 150% lift in ROAS. Founders Harry Dixon (CEO) and Rory Garton-Smith (co-founder) lead the team.

Mid-2026 Consumers Buy Less, Spend More Per Order

A mid-year benchmark from impact.com, covering 2,319 same-store retail brands in H1 2026, finds US consumers making fewer purchases but spending more per order. Transactions fell 7% year-over-year while average order value (AOV) rose 16% (from $111 to $130), producing an overall 8% increase in consumer spend. Per-item prices paid rose 13% YoY while online list prices increased only 2–3% (Adobe Digital Insights). Click volume rose 6% but conversion rates dropped 12%, indicating longer consideration cycles. Partnership channels shifted: Loyalty & Rewards grew its share (51% to 54%), Technology Solutions partners increased transaction volume (+15% YoY), and Voucher/Coupon partners declined (11% to 5%). Brands increased total spending on partners (+10% YoY) and moved toward performance-based commission models.

WRITER Named Market Shaper in Gartner AI Agents Report

WRITER, an enterprise AI agent platform, was recognized as a Market Shaper in Gartner’s inaugural Emerging Market Quadrant™ for AI Agents for Marketing — Startup Vendors. The mention follows WRITER’s recent product updates, including the release of Palmyra X6 and major upgrades to WRITER Agent, plus enterprise features like Playbooks, Skills, brand controls, prebuilt connectors to major enterprise systems, and governance capabilities. Gartner defines Market Shapers as vendors with high potential for market disruption and execution. WRITER cites large enterprise customers using the platform to scale agentic marketing and revenue workflows.