Commerce Experience
The Commerce Experience is a podcast hosted by Elena Kacan and Roxy Couse, two women with deep backgrounds in marketing and merchandising. Each episode focuses on the rapidly evolving ecommerce industry, covering consumer trends, technological shifts, and the increasing role of AI. The hosts bring a community-focused perspective, drawing on their work at Bloomreach and their connections with industry practitioners and leaders. It's a resource for ecommerce professionals looking to stay ahead of change and build engaged communities.
Episodes
Why Aren’t More People Talking About Mental Health in E-Commerce?
81% of working adults believe employers should prioritize employee mental health, yet 77% feel it's not discussed enough.In this episode, Roxy and Elena dive into the critical intersection of mental health and workplace culture in the high-pressure world of ecommerce. They explore how to navigate the chaos of Black Friday, create a culture of openness and flexibility, and take actionable steps to
What’s Fueling the $1.5 Trillion Subscription Boom?
Subscriptions are everywhere, from streaming services to pet supplies delivery — and they’re changing the ecommerce industry in ways we couldn’t have imagined even 20 years ago. In today’s episode of Commerce Experience, Roxy and Elena examine the world of subscription models and how brands are building loyal customers (and recurring revenue streams) with convenience and predictability. But as com
Can Fast Shipping and Sustainability Coexist in Ecommerce?
With one-click orders and two-day shipping becoming the norm, how can companies align with these consumer expectations while embracing sustainability? In today's episode of Commerce Experience, Roxy and Elena chat about the sustainability landscape in ecommerce. They highlight cost-saving and eco-friendly strategies while discussing how brands, like Patagonia and IKEA, are embracing sustainability
One-Click Checkout: How Simplified Payments Supercharge Shopping
Online payments are rapidly becoming more seamless, and the question is: Is your brand keeping up? As consumers increasingly demand convenience, simplified payment options are not just a preference; they're reshaping the future of ecommerce transactions.In this episode of Commerce Experience, Roxy and Elena discuss the evolving landscape of online checkouts, from one-click purchasing to MasterCard
The Ozempic Craze Is Reshaping Commerce: Here’s How
Brands and retailers are experiencing a shake-up unlike any before, driven not by tech but by the growing use of weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. With millions of Americans turning to these GLP-1 medications, supplement stores, including GNC and Vitamin Shoppe, are just a small fraction of businesses, racing to tap into the trend.In this episode, Roxy and Elena explore how retailer
Marketing on Roblox: The Next Big Thing or Just Hype?
Virtual concerts on Roblox gained massive popularity during the pandemic, but did you know brands are now using the game to leverage immersive marketing tactics to connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha?In this episode, Roxy and Elena explore the growing appeal of Roblox as a marketing channel, where major brands like Nike, Hilton, and Paramount are crafting virtual experiences to build brand awareness
Private Labels: A Glimpse Into Walmart’s Playbook
With grocery prices on the rise, are private-label products the answer for cost-conscious consumers? Today, we’ll explore how big-name retailers are shaping the future of affordable shopping through proprietary brands.In this episode of Commerce Experience, Roxy and Elena dish their thoughts about Walmart's latest private label launch, Bettergoods, chat about their personal favorites — like Target
An Executive-Level Breakdown of AI’s Impact on Search
In order to unlock AI’s highest potential in shopping experiences, we need to understand how AI understands us: our language, our buying patterns, and our search preferences.Joining co-hosts Elena and Roxy on this week’s episode is Xun Wang, CTO at Bloomreach, who gives the 411 on how AI and large language models (LLMs) are revolutionizing the way consumers search online. When the customer is gran
The Future of Shopping Is..."Phygital"?!
The combination of AI and personalization is shifting customer expectations for shopping experiences at an astonishing pace.In today’s episode, we’ll get a first-hand look at the real-world application of AI to create personalized customer experiences at scale, with the Head of Digital and Ecommerce at Miele, Sergei Moiseev-Liberman. As a high-end German manufacturer of premium home appliances an
What the Retail AI Council Wants You to Know about AI
Too many conversations about AI in commerce fail to account for the legitimate questions and concerns of retailers that are being asked to take a huge leap of faith into a new world. Without clear guidance from trusted sources, the gap between technological advancements promoted by AI providers and the readiness of retailers to adopt these technologies will only continue to widen.This week, Elena
The Secrets Behind ILIA Beauty’s 55K-Waitlist Product
Crafting a buzzworthy launch is truly an art form, especially in a crowded market — like beauty — where it can be tough to stand out.Today, we’re joined by Cherene Aubert, VP of Digital & Commerce at ILIA Beauty, who has a proven track record of disrupting industries with her innovative ideas around product launches. She and Elena delve into the realities of omnichannel marketing, how creativi
How This Major Jeweler Thinks You Can Use Data for AI Success
How are AI and data science transforming data teams’ workflows, business strategy, and the overall customer experience? Prakash Hariharabalan, Senior Director of Marketing Analytics at Signet Jewelers — an overarching umbrella company that houses Jareds, Zales, Kay Jewelers, and more — stops by the show to break down the secrets of truly leveraging data in ecommerce. He and Elena delve into data p
Loyalty Programs That Actually Work
Discover how loyalty programs can transform customer relationships. From Sephora to Kohl's and Elf, brands are evolving to incentivize and gamify the customer journey, creating extraordinary experiences that go beyond “just perks.”In this episode, Elena and Roxy delve into the distinctions between loyalty and rewards programs and explore how to tailor the best approach for your e-commerce business
How GenAI Changed Commerce Forever
Generative AI (GenAI) is rapidly transforming the e-commerce industry, urging forward-thinking businesses to dream bigger than ever before. Among the burgeoning areas of innovation is conversational commerce, which is increasingly becoming a dedicated budget item for marketers and merchandisers. For deeper insights into this evolving field, Elena got together with Vikas Jha, VP of Engineering, Con
Is the Golden Era of Luxury Ecommerce Ending?
A large market shift is happening in luxury ecommerce. Millennials and Zoomers alike are prioritizing value over brands, and with dupe culture being extremely popular amongst the younger demographic, luxury ecommerce needs help to stay relevant. Even big media outlets, like The New York Times, are noticing the change in its recent article, “Has the Luxury E-Commerce Bubble Burst?”Today, Elena and
Learn To Build Ecommerce Merchandising Strategies Like a Pro
With the increasingly crowded ecommerce landscape of 2024 and beyond, carving out your brand's unique online merchandising strategy is paramount. But how do you get started?In today's episode, Elena is joined by Salee Suwansawad, the trailblazing Digital Site Merchandising Leader at VF Corporation, which is home to brands like Vans, Timberland, Northface, and more. With a wealth of experience in t
OLLY on ECommerce’s Future: Simplicity Over Complexity
Ecommerce continues to evolve at a pace that is hard to fathom — let alone keep up with. In this episode of the Commerce Experience, which was recorded live at Shoptalk Spring in Las, Vegas, Elena sits down with Jennifer Peters, Senior Manager of ECommerce at OLLY PBC, and Phillip Jackson, Co-Founder of Future Commerce, to look at how e-commerce is prioritizing simplicity over complexity with the
What’s All the Hype With Experiential Retail?
In 2023, there was a spike in experience, or experiential, retail. But what is experience retail? It’s a strategy that focuses on creating unique, immersive, and memorable experiences for customers — both online and in store. For example, the widespread excitement around pop culture-related events, like the Barbie movie or the Taylor Swift Eras tour, helped immerse consumers wholly into a particul
Do More with Less: Crush Goals with a Small Team
In the current economic environment, the directive to "do more with less" has become an inescapable reality for marketers. Tasked with driving ambitious results on a shoestring budget and a lean team, the challenge is not merely to keep pace but to stand out and thrive. Into this challenging scenario, Natalie Marcotullio, Head of Growth and Operations at Navattic, brings to the table a unique fram
Using Hershey's Approach to Unlock Digital Commerce Success
Marketing teams run a million miles a minute, but one central focus fuels those that win — impenetrable teamwork and a customer-centric approach that focuses on curating the shopping experiences that make sense to them. This unwavering dedication to understanding and meeting the ever-changing needs of their customers sets the stage for groundbreaking strategies and unparalleled business success.To
Retail Reimagined: Selling “Experiences” in the AI Era
How well do you know your customers?Yes, yes, you “know them.” You know their purchasing habits, their demographics, and the various styles trending. But how deep down the rabbit hole are you going as a retailer in trying to truly understand and connect with them on a personal level? In today’s episode of Commerce Experience, Jillian Borde, Marketing Director at Double Stitch by Bedsure, talks abo
Community and Commerce: Customer Engagement’s Two-Way Street
Elena links up with Desiree Natali, the innovative Director of Social Media at The Honey Pot Company, for a chat about community marketing, grassroots efforts, experimentation and testing, and much more.In marketing, one fundamental lesson remains true: embracing change and being open to trying new things is key. In this episode of the Commerce Experience, Desiree Natali, the Director of Social Me
Upskilling in AI: Insider Tips From Bloomreach Ambassadors
AI is the new hire you’ve always dreamed of. But the onboarding process is going to take some time. For the time being, your team’s knowledge and skillset will be the secret sauce to reaping the benefits of the AI technology that’s evolving in front of our eyes by the minute. Joining Elena on the Commerce Experience to talk about using AI in e-commerce, marketing, and more are two of Bloomreach’s
The Secrets to Becoming a Limitless Leader
What are the traits of a limitless leader, and how would you transform in 2024 if you tapped into this wisdom?Today, Elena is joined by Dr. Mary Hemphill, a leadership expert and development coach, author, and highly regarded communicator. She holds a PhD in Leadership Studies and has impacted nearly 50,000 leaders around the world with her transformational and innovative development strategies. M
Pop Culture's Impact on Commerce
Join host Elena Kacan in her debut episode of Commerce Experience, as she sits down with Roxy Couse (Head of Strategy at Bloomreach) and Phillip Jackson (Co-founder of Future Commerce) to discuss the intersection of pop culture and online shopping. From Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce trends to the grandma chic aesthetic, this conversation unpacks how what's hot right now can make or break your onli
TRAILER: A New Era for the Commerce Experience Podcast
Welcome to the all-new, Commerce Experience podcast. We're still bringing you must-hear insights, but now with a new host, Elena Kacan!Elena is a dynamic marketing strategist and community marketing manager with a passion for empowering data-driven creators and optimizers who are looking to take their game to the next level.Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, we're on a mi
Shifting Trends in Retail And A Look at Canadian Retail, with Michael LeBlanc
In this episode, we’re delving into the economic growth opportunities and challenges faced by retailers across North America, with a special focus on Canada. From the influx of immigrants to the transformation of skill sets and technology investment, we explore the evolving landscape of the retail industry.We’re joined by Michael LeBlanc, Michael is the Founder and president of M.E. LeBlanc &
The Future of Retail And AI: Highlights from The Edge Summit Pt. 2
In August industry leaders gathered in Napa Valley to discuss the exciting fusion of AI and e-commerce with a particular focus on the challenges and potential solutions within the online shopping journey. With visionary keynotes and sessions focused on new and emerging applications of AI, the Edge Summit shapes a new future for online shopping — from marketing to site search and beyond.In today's
The Future of Retai And AI: Highlights from The Edge Summit Pt. 1
In August industry leaders gathered in Napa Valley to discuss the exciting fusion of AI and e-commerce with a particular focus on the challenges and potential solutions within the online shopping journey. With visionary keynotes and sessions focused on new and emerging applications of AI, the Edge Summit shapes a new future for online shopping — from marketing to site search and beyond.In today's
The Data-Driven Retail Transformation
The pursuit of simplicity often leads practitioners to oversimplify problems within the business. Today we explore how data can be leveraged more effectively to offer exceptional customer service.In this episode, Brian is joined by Eric Best, Founder & CEO of SoundCommerce, a commerce data solution provider that helps brands realize profitable e-commerce business outcomes. Join us as we discus
The Undeniable Impact of AI on Marketing
Generative AI has been all the talk this year, and the speed at which things continue to evolve and the implications for commerce as a whole are fascinating. In this episode, together with a handful of guests, we are going to look at questions about how this AI evolution is being experienced by marketers today and what that may look like in the future. Special Thanks to our guests, Daniel Edelman
Conquering New Markets And Navigating International Expansion
“I admire speed and companies that are able to execute fast because they will make a difference.” - Christian MaaßIn this episode, we delve into the world of music, art, and digital commerce with Christian Maaß, CDO & MD at Thomann Music. Brian and Christian dive into the impact of the pandemic on creative pursuits, the challenges of entering new markets, and uncover key insights for better di
Navigating the Path to Composable Commerce
Composability is redefining technology, commerce, and user experiences, today we explore this fundamental shift and the innovation it unlocks. Today on Commerce Experience Brian is joined by Michael Harvey, Chief Technology Officer at Corra.Join us as we discuss:Headless architecture: decoupling front end and back endComposable solutions for enhanced user experiencesThe future of commerce and how
Navigating Transformation: For AI and Humanity with Sergei Ostapenko
Step into the future as we explore the dance between artificial intelligence and commerce unveiling paths toward transformation and superior personalization.Today on Commerce Experience Brian is joined by Sergei Ostapenko, President and CEO of Mira Commerce. Join us as we discuss:The Future of commerce with AIThe human side of digital transformationDefining effective composable commerceThe war in
Generative AI: Redefining Digital Commerce as We Know It
Generative AI may be the most significant technology innovation to impact human culture and commerce since the iPhone launched in 2007, or for that matter, maybe the Internet itself. In this special narrative episode, Brian looks at the future of digital commerce and the ever-growing role that generative AI will play in the shopping experience. How’d we get here? How can we utilize these tools tod
Considering the CDP: Maximizing Customer Insights and Driving Growth With Data
How can businesses effectively leverage Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) to gain a competitive edge in the e-commerce industry?Today, two customer data experts, Amanda Elam (CMO at Bloomreach) and Cindy Marshall (CEO of SHINE Strategy) discuss the Customer Data Platform (CDP) space and its relevance and power within e-commerce.Join us as we discuss:Quality components of CDPsThe power of front-end se
Unlock the Psychology of Your Customers with Monica Sharma-Patnekar
Are you tired of wondering what your customers really want? Do you wish you had the key to unlocking their buying behavior? Today, Brain is joined by Monica Sharma-Patnekar, an accomplished brand, marketing, and strategy leader with over 17 years of global experience building brands. Monica is here to share her expertise on the psychology of customers in e-commerce and how to truly connect with th
Live From ShopTalk With Pete Franco, President of livingspaces.com
Straight from ShopTalk, it’s Commerce Experience! In this episode, Brian sits down with Pete Franco, President of livingapaces.com, live from the showroom floor at ShopTalk to discuss the best practices for procuring the right technology solutions. As someone with over 30-40 solution partners, Pete shares some of the lessons he's learned along the way and offers guidance for others looking to sele
Have We Reached Peak Amazon.com?
For years Amazon has been an unstoppable e-commerce juggernaut with innovation mojo and an investment thesis that gave them license to spin Bezos’ legendary flywheel so fast that no one could keep up.But now? That mojo has turned to mush.Today, Brain explores the complex trap that sets Amazon up for a painful awakening. Join Brian as he walks us through:Amazon’s private label programs, politics, a
Women in Retail: Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce That Succeeds
March is Women's History Month, and what better way to celebrate than by highlighting the achievements of women in retail and e-commerce?In this episode, we’re joined by a special guest guide, Amanda Elam, Chief Marketing Officer at Bloomreach, as she speaks with Vickie Bond Mrva — a marketing leader for some of the most notable brands (Apple, Walmart.com, Clorox, and Lululemon to name a few) in t
Striving For Gender Equity and Representation in the Digital Age
E-commerce technology is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. With its rapid growth, the industry has also faced a number of challenges pertaining to gender diversity and inclusion — and these challenges are ones faced by nearly every business today.In this episode, Brian discusses gender equity, representation, and inclusion with the Chief Marketing Officer of Bloomreach, Amanda El
Decoding Delight and Delivering Amazing Customer Experiences
Some people view the grocery industry as a commodity, but at Lowes Foods a sense of fun, entertainment, and strong customer engagement has been fostered, differentiating the experience of shopping for groceries along the way. Today, we’re discussing the importance of creating customer experiences that surprise and delight with Tim Lowe. Tim is the CEO and President of Lowes Foods — a leading reg
Marketing to the Future: How to Sell to Gen Z
What does it take to market to and serve Gen Z effectively? What motivates them? What channels do they use? And how do they engage with brands? Join us as we explore the future of marketing and how to connect with the next generation of consumers. Tune into this special episode for discussions around: - Gen Z and Social Media - Pulling the Curtain Back on Influencer Marketing - The Need for Su
Tools for Digital Transformation - with Google’s Amy Eschliman
The impact of digital transformation on retailers cannot be overstated. With tackling commerce in the digital age, there are countless priorities, but what must be prioritized to see success in 2023 and beyond? Today, Brian speaks with Amy Eschliman, Managing Director of Cloud Retail Industry Solutions at Google. Join Amy and Brian and they discuss: - The pace of e-commerce modernization - Too
The Power of a Loyalty Program, with Zsuzsa Kecsmar
According to the 2022 Global Customer Loyalty Report, 67% of companies want to increase their investment in customer retention, but what’s the top way to achieve this? Loyalty programs. Today, we’re discussing the current state of loyalty programs and how to get the most from your own with Zsuzsa Kecsmar. Zsuza is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Antavo, a leading Loyalty Managment so
Digital Transformation In Uncertain Economic Times, with Nils Weber
In these uncertain times, it’s crucial to see the digital commerce landscape with clear eyes in order to choose the right path forward. Today, we’re discussing e-commerce in Central Europe and the evolving trends in digital commerce with Nils Weber. Nils is the Founder & Managing Director at Valantic CX, a digital transformation consulting firm with over 3,000 people based in Germany. We d
How the MACH Alliance Can Transform Your Innovation Roadmap
While the all-in-one enterprise suite has become increasingly popular, it doesn’t come without its pitfalls. There are complicated update processes that can be expensive and time-consuming, they lack needed flexibility, and often companies are forced to choose between using outdated technology or accepting an update that may change the entire way that software is used. What alternatives are avail
How Brands Can Adapt Their Creative Strategies for Rising Platforms
While Facebook and Instagram still dominate much of the paid social marketing space, competitors like TikTok and YouTube are gaining more and more real estate. The constantly-changing trends, platforms, and audiences make it seemingly impossible to nail down a creative strategy that can actually work. Lauren Schwartz, a Creative Strategist and Owner of The Loft 325, a creative studio that speciali
How Innovative Performance Marketing Can Transform Your KPI Focus
As the economy continues to shift, brands are frantically planning and strategizing for a potential downturn. Unfortunately, many companies are making cuts in the wrong areas, or basing their decisions on KPIs that don’t provide the correct information. So, where should brands be focusing with their marketing and content strategies, and how should they go about executing and measuring their perfo
Scaling Operations and Securing Financial Health in E-Commerce — A CFO’s Perspective
Without fulfillment, there is no product for the customer, no experience with your product awaiting them, and ultimately, no reason to sell a product. In this episode, we are exploring both domestic and international fulfillment and logistics with Brittany Smith, CFO at ShipBob, an international tech company that helps D2C e-commerce brands scale their fulfillment experience. Join us as Brian a
Complexities in Cross-Border E-Commerce with Evan Wright
The process of scaling an e-commerce business internationally is tumultuous. Whether it’s tax and financial transparency regulations that vary from country to country or how you display pricing so that customers can make fully-informed buying decisions, there are a lot of potential pitfalls that companies can fall into that can have a seismic impact. Evan Wright, Senior Director of Cross-Border
Conversational Commerce with Michael Ricci
Conversational Commerce may be on the rise in the US, but in many parts of the world, it’s already a normal part of everyday life. Across the globe, brands are engaging directly with their customers through text, WhatsApp, and other text-based apps, guiding them through the buying journey for everything from ordering a pizza to buying new clothes. Michael Ricci, Senior VP of Strategy at Sinch, joi
Mobile App Success in Digital Commerce with Matt Hudson
While everyone is looking at how the metaverse will impact the future, mobile apps are still king of the hill for creating omnichannel customer experiences and assisting consumers through their buying journeys. How can mobile apps help businesses succeed in 2022 and what new and innovative features are just around the corner? Matt Hudson joins the show to answer that and more. Matt is an experien
The "Meh-taverse" Pt. 2: Tactical Insights For Brands Turning to Virtual Spaces
In this episode, we are continuing the discussion we started in our last episode on the Metaverse. In that episode, we looked at a high-level view of the Metaverse’s impact on digital commerce. In this episode, Johnny Rodriguez, Director of Strategic Innovation at Fresh Consulting and thought leader in the Metaverse space, joins the show to share his experience with the Metaverse and how it is i
The “Meh-taverse” and What It Means For E-Commerce
In our ongoing “Take 10” series, Brian takes (at least) 10 minutes to share some perspective on current events, hot topics, and controversial issues within the commerce landscape. The metaverse fits in all three of those boxes, with gaming, NFTs, and AR and VR technology making waves seemingly day after day, it’s important for companies to measure how they should engage with the metaverse, how m
2022 CommX Research — Risks, Trends and Investment Priorities Among Digital Commerce Leaders
In 2022, companies are being pressed to find new, more effective ways to find and keep customers. The 2022 Digital Trends & Investment Priorities Report, co-published by Comm-X and CommerceNext, found that companies are still concerned with ongoing supply chain problems, rising customer acquisition costs, data privacy, and more. Facing these challenges, how are companies positioning themselv
Episode 42: Ukrainian Crisis In Focus with Igor Gorin, Founder & Global CSO of Astound Commerce
In this special episode of The State of Commerce Experience, host Brian Walker speaks with Igor Gorin, Founder & Global Chief Strategy Officer of Astound Commerce, who grew up in Ukraine. Astound is a commerce technology services business with a significant business presence in North America, UK, Europe and with software development centers in Bulgaria, Colombia, Slovakia, Turkey, and four l
Episode 40: Take 10: Holiday 2021, What Should We Expect?
The holiday season is quickly approaching, and retailers are in store for one of the most challenging seasons in recent memory. With low inventories related to supply chain and logistics, labor challenges, and drops in consumer confidence, retailers are preparing themselves for an interesting few weeks to come. To highlight the factors impacting online shopping this holiday, as well as how retai
Episode 39: Navigating Digital Transformation, with Howard Tiersky
With customers now expecting unified digital experiences wherever they shop, the need for digital transformation has never been more urgent to businesses. But there’s a huge difference between identifying what needs to change and making transformation happen. To learn more about what digital transformation really means, and to help you navigate the process within your company, host Brian Walker
Episode 38: Composable Commerce, with Jamus Driscoll
Every e-commerce leader has a vision for how their brand is going to stand out online. But forcing off-the-shelf commerce functionality into their digital architecture makes it difficult to bring that exact vision to life. To learn more about how composable commerce empowers digital teams to realise their visions of taking complete control of their digital commerce strategy, Brian Walker speaks
Episode 37: Evolving the Agency for a Digital Native Era, with Steve Soechtig of Ogilvy
It’s not only digital technology that’s advancing at warp speed — customer expectations have grown exponentially in recent years too. And when brands can’t keep up, customers simply move on. So how can businesses build loyalty in this challenging digital environment? To get first-hand insight into how brands need to be engaging with today’s consumer, Brian Walker speaks to Steve Soechtig, Glob
Episode 36: The European E-Commerce Climate, with Victor Terpstra
Though the impacts of the pandemic have been seen across the globe, it is clear that, while widespread, those impacts were not necessarily equal. One area where this is evident is in the disparity between US and EU/UK e-commerce growth, where increases in the EU and UK lag far behind that of the US. To learn more about the trends and business leader sentiment guiding EU e-commerce strategy throug
Episode 35: Evolving Education for Digital Commerce, with Dr. Kirthi Kalyanam
Digital has changed the landscape of retail, and colleges and universities are beginning to find innovative ways to reflect that in their curriculum. Brian Walker speaks to Professor Kirthi Kalyanam of Santa Clara University, a leading academic with research and expertise in retailing, internet, and multi-channel marketing, to learn how classrooms are evolving to keep pace with a changing industry
Episode 34: Bringing E-Commerce Thinking into Transportation with Ari Greenberg
How can industries that operate in physical experiences, many of which were hit hard by the pandemic, drive greater success by thinking like an e-commerce company? This is what Brian Walker and Ari Greenberg - Chief Commercial Officer at Brightline Trains, dig into in this episode of ‘The State of Commerce Experience'. Brightline Trains is the first and only privately funded high speed rail compa
Episode 33: The 2021 State of Commerce Experience Report with Sucharita Kodali
To stay ahead of the latest retail trends and keep pace with ever-changing consumer behaviors, you need data gathered from the front lines of commerce. And that’s where today’s guest has spent her entire career. In this episode, Brian Walker speaks with Sucharita Kodali, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, and leader of the 2021 State of Commerce Experience Report - a stud
Episode 32: The Digital Seeker Part 2 with Raj De Datta, CEO and Co-Founder at Bloomreach
In part one, Brian spoke to Bloomreach CEO Raj De Datta about his entrepreneurial journey and his role in evolving the company into the industry leader for eCommerce experiences. In this, the second half of their conversation, Brian speaks with Raj about his new book ‘The Digital Seeker,’ a how-to guide for digital teams to build winning digital experiences. Together, they discuss what it mean
Episode 31: The Digital Seeker Part 1 with Raj De Datta
People don’t go online because they want to watch ads, they go online because they want great experiences. That’s exactly why Raj De Datta co-founded Bloomreach back in 2009. In today’s ‘The State of Commerce Experience’ episode, Brian Walker speaks to Bloomreach CEO Raj De Datta to learn more about his entrepreneurial background and his role in evolving Bloomreach into the industry leader for e
Episode 30: Fostering Racial Diversity in Digital Commerce with John Thompson, former SVP, Best Buy
While many organisations have diversity and inclusion initiatives, there’s still a long way to go to make the C-suite, VP and director level grades as diverse as the consumers they serve. To find out how we can level the playing field, Brian Walker speaks to John Thompson, former SVP and GM at Best Buy, and one of the few black leaders at the helm of the US e-commerce industry. Together, they
Episode 29: Digitally Native Leadership with Charlie Cole, CEO at FTD
When you take up a new role as CEO, your first year is usually very hands-on as you scope out the challenges that lay before you. But what happens when that new role coincides with the worst global pandemic in the last 100 years? To find out how one global industry leader has navigated this huge challenge, Brian Walker speaks to Charlie Cole, CEO at FTD, the 110-year-old flower and gift delive
Episode 28: What eCommerce means for B2B Manufacturers with Randy Higgins from Shift7 Digital
As eCommerce accelerated in the wake of the pandemic, a shift in focus away from branch sales saw B2B manufacturers facing huge disruption to their traditional distribution model. To delve deeper into what's been happening in B2B manufacturing over the past year, Brian Walker speaks to Randy Higgins, Chief Strategy Officer at Shift7 Digital, the leading digital agency for manufacturers. Togeth
Episode 27: Leading a commerce platform into the next era with Brent Bellm
Like many in online retail, BigCommerce saw incredible year-on-year revenue growth during 2020, the year that was ‘make or break’ for so many businesses out there. But it didn’t come easy. To find out how they transformed their strategy to respond to the pandemic and were able to successfully complete an IPO in the midst of the downturn, Brian Walker speaks to Brent Bellm, CEO at BigCommerce. T
Episode 26: Insider secrets from Amazon with Colin Bryar, Co-Founder of Working Backwards
As one of the world’s leading organizations, Amazon’s approach to culture, leadership and best practices are unlike any other company out there. Brian speaks to Colin Bryar, former Technical Advisor to Jeff Bezos, to discuss what’s driven the incredible success of the eCommerce giant over the past three decades. Co-Author of Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon, r
Episode 25: Data-Driven Marketing with Peter Irikovsky, CEO at Exponea
“The companies that are becoming the future unicorns have the best data about their customers. We have clients that are 6X up, year-over-year. You can’t do that without knowledge of your customers.” Collecting customer data is key to any successful business that is looking to scale. But simply collecting masses of data won’t give you a competitive advantage – you have to truly understand that dat
Episode 24: The rise of marketplaces with Adrien Nussenbaum, CEO and Co-founder of Mirakl
“Stop thinking the only way you can make money is by selling assets that you make or buy. You can also make money by mutualising and monetising assets you have built over time, whether it's your brand, your partner network, your customer base or your access to markets.” Today’s customers expect to be able to buy exactly what they want, when they want it and for the best price available. This ri
Episode 23: Evolving Digital CX in Finance with Brad Strothkamp, Senior VP at Wells Fargo
"In customer experience, you have to tell a story. And that story is not just a customer story. It's an operational story, a cost story or a technology story that takes pretty sophisticated individuals to pull together. Tools are not going to help you as much as you might hope." When bank branches suddenly closed during the pandemic, it left many customers with no option but to try digital bankin
Episode 22: B2B eCommerce Market Size & Maturity with Mark Brohan, VP at Digital Commerce 360
"In about a year and a half, Amazon Business will be the biggest industrial distributor in the US by sheer product volume alone." Covid-19 has driven the fastest ever growth in eCommerce, but it alone isn’t the only factor behind shifting behaviours in B2B transactions. To explore how the market is evolving and find out more about how businesses can keep pace with ever-increasing customer demand
Episode 21: Innovating with AI & ML in Retail with Carrie Tharp, VP at Google Cloud
“Retail sites are a very static framework… they don’t represent at all how you walk into a mall or walk into a store and discover a product. To me, it's been an area begging for evolution for quite some time.” Digital marketplaces and eCommerce specialists were already forcing traditional stores to move from brick-and-mortar to a virtual world, but Covid-19 has dramatically accelerated the pace o
Episode 20: Evolving the digital agency with Jay Dettling, CEO of Ansira
"As an agency there was a time when you could just be tech focused and not worry about the creative design or the business strategy or how a particular solution was going to be operated. But now organisations are expecting those multi-disciplinary capabilities." The world of eCommerce is constantly evolving, and the pace of change has accelerated like never before during Covid-19 as the whole eco
Episode 19: Driving User Experience Design with Tamara Adlin, President of Adlin Inc.
“The way to handle customer mythology is not to gather data first. Stop for a second and illuminate that mythology, get it out on the table, because it doesn't match leader to leader to leader. And those mismatches cause misunderstandings and misalignments that are invisible to the people who are making these decisions that are now pulling the organization in slightly different directions.” Most
Episode 18: Digital Commerce in Post-Crisis China with Jeremy Goldkorn from SupChina
“eCommerce is huge in China – there are large populations in cities that are very dense; this, combined with low-cost couriers and wide availability of companies both large and small that cater to all sorts of niches, means a different level of adoption than you see elsewhere.” China has always been a fast-moving market when it comes to eCommerce and innovation, but the Covid-19 pandemic has give
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