### Retail Media Expands Beyond RetailersRetail media traditionally focuses on retailers' first-party transaction data, brand advertisers' spending, and supporting AdTech vendors. However, this overlooks innovation in the pre-purchase phase, where multi-retailer shopper apps, digital leaflet aggregators, and deals platforms capture shopper intent before retailers engage. These platforms lack stores or checkout systems but generate valuable reach and explicit intent signals, enabling brands to target audiences across social, video, and CTV via off-site activation.Platforms demonstrate this shift: Flipp, post its September 2024 merger with MEDIA Central Group, reaches over 400 million shoppers across 27 markets, powered by 400 billion shopping signals, delivering 103% lift in purchase intent and 4:1 incremental ROAS. Blix in Poland serves 10 million users annually, with 1.1 billion e-leaflets viewed and 140 million products added to lists, yielding 30-40% lower CPC and 80-90% higher CTR for brands. Tjek in Scandinavia, via apps like eTilbudsavis, reaches 2 million users and converts 59% of engaged shoppers to store visits through dynamic catalogues.### Capturing Pre-Purchase IntentShoppers signal intent by searching products, building lists, and comparing promotions in these apps, creating targetable segments like category buyers or brand switchers. This demonstrated intent—tied to specific purchases and stores—powers personalised advertising outside the platforms. Aggregators provide cross-retailer visibility, revealing patterns no single retailer can detect, such as behaviour across six Polish chains for an FMCG brand.### Impact on E-Commerce Product Feeds and CataloguingThis expansion demands richer, standardised product feeds to fuel intent signals. Aggregators rely on dynamic data from leaflets and lists, pushing for real-time syndication across platforms. AI integration accelerates this: generative models automate product descriptions and standardise content quality, addressing fragmented feeds. Up to 69% of sellers report revenue growth post-AI adoption, with 72% cutting operational costs via automated cataloguing.### Elevating Card Quality and Assortment SpeedIntent platforms highlight gaps in card completeness—static PDFs evolve into shoppable catalogues with video and availability data. AI-driven matching ensures high-fidelity cards, improving relevance for pre-purchase planning. No-code SaaS tools enable rapid MVP launches in 2-3 months, automating feed updates without custom dev, which speeds assortment rollout and matches shopper missions. Machine learning analyses card compliance, boosting search accuracy and reducing manual errors. For e-commerce businesses aiming to improve their data management, it's worth exploring a [price list processing program - NotPIM](/blog/price_list_processing_program/) to streamline the process.### No-Code and AI as EnablersSaaS and no-code platforms underpin this trend, offering flexible pricing and auto-updates for quick scaling. They integrate AI for predictive demand, personalisation, and cross-platform management, aligning with skeuomorphic shifts where intent data becomes the core layer. By 2030, systemic AI will drive e-commerce growth, automating from feed generation to off-site targeting. *Gazeta.ru*. This creates a unified content infrastructure, where aggregated signals optimise full-funnel performance without siloed retailer data. *InternetRetailing*. If you're looking to understand the building blocks, learn about the fundamentals of a [product feed - NotPIM](/blog/product_feed/) and how to set it up. As you work on your product feeds, remember to use the right tools for the job. Explore the benefits of using a [delta feed - NotPIM](/tools/deltafeed/) to save resources in the long run.As e-commerce evolves, the focus on pre-purchase intent signals, driven by AI and no-code solutions, is becoming increasingly crucial. For NotPIM customers, this trend underscores the importance of high-quality, standardized product data and agile feed management. Those seeking to capitalize on this shift can leverage our platform's capabilities to streamline feed preparation, enhance product data, and quickly adapt to evolving advertising landscapes, ensuring they remain competitive. This allows businesses to seamlessly connect with shopper intent and maximize their reach. For insights on maintaining a competitive edge, consider how to create [sales-driving product descriptions without spending a fortune - NotPIM](/blog/how-to-create-sales-driving-product-descriptions-without-spending-a-fortune/).