Commerce Experience

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...

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 co...

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...

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 MasterCar...

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 retaile...

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...

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 Targe...

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 g...

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...

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...

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 Auber t, 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 creat...

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...

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 busines...

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, Co...

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 a...

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...

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...

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...

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 fra...

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. T...

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 a...

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...

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...

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....

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...