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 competition grows, so do the challenges of standing out and keeping subscribers engaged and interested in your services.

Is there a secret behind successful subscriptions? And what does it take to win over the notoriously fickle modern customer long term?

TL;DR:

• How subscription models have transitioned from novelty to a cornerstone of modern ecommerce
• The balance between predictable revenue benefits and the challenges of churn and customer fatigue
• Proven strategies to attract, engage, and retain loyal subscribers through personalization and consistent value

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 through initiatives such as buyback programs.

TLDR 

• Exploring the balance between rapid delivery and eco-conscious strategies
• Unpacking how leading brands weave sustainability into their DNA
• How AI innovations are revolutionizing green business practices

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's bold initiative to eliminate manual card entry by 2030. The two also explore how these advancements are transforming shopping experiences on a large scale, making it easier and faster for consumers to complete their purchases (perhaps, too easy!).

TLDR

• MasterCard's initiative to phase out manual card entry by 2030 and its impact
• How innovations like digital wallets and one-click shopping are streamlining consumer transactions
• The effects of streamlined checkouts on consumer behavior and retail strategies 

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 retailers are adapting their strategies, from redesigning store layouts to targeting new customer segments. They’ll explore the ripple effects these medications have on consumer behavior, the challenges and opportunities, and what they mean for the future of industries, such as health and wellness, food and beverage, and beyond.

TL;DR

• How GNC and Vitamin Shoppe are rethinking their store layouts to appeal to GLP-1 users
• The wider industry reaction — from Walmart to Nestlé — to shifting consumer habits
• The market potential and concerns around GLP-1 medications and their influence on retail strategies

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 among younger audiences. With marketers feeling the pressure to be everywhere at once, our co-hosts ask the critical question: Is it truly effective to be on every, single marketing channel?

TL;DR

• Roblox’s emergence as a key platform for brand engagement, driven by the growing demand for experiences
• Tips for experimenting with, navigating, and optimizing your chosen marketing channels
• Data’s role in understanding your audience and making impactful, personalized marketing decisions

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’s 50+ private labels — and explore how these products offer quality to consumers at a lower cost to brands, as well as increased personalization, improved customer loyalty, and more.

TLDR

• The rise of private-label brands and notable examples in the grocery industry and beyond
• The role of consumer data in creating personalization for successful private-label products
• Walmart’s launch of Bettergoods and the strategy behind the company’s first private brand food launch in 20 years

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 granted a more personalized and relevant shopping experience, it’s better for both the customer and the brand — Xun breaks down exactly how AI can assist commerce professionals in achieving that goal.

TLDR

• How LLMs and vector technologies help search accuracy and personalization
• Why intent, product performance, and sophisticated algorithms improve ecomm search
• The ways merchandisers can tap into AI to make product discovery a better experience 

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 and commercial equipment, personalization is crucial for Moiseev-Liberman’s team at Miele. With Elena, the two explore how integrating AI-driven personalization engines into marketing strategies and creating seamless "phygital" (physical and digital) experiences are now essential focuses for ecommerce companies.

TLDR:

• Leveraging AI to enhance customer experiences and streamline workflows
• How to bridge the gap between online-offline journeys
• Improving brand loyalty a customer-centric approach that measures delight

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 speaks with Andrew Laudato, COO at The Vitamin Shoppe, the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Retail AI Council, and Josh Baumrind, Chief Partnership Officer at the Retail AI Council. Andrew and Josh are committed to educating commerce professionals about the potential of AI and bridging the gap between partners and retailers — meaning, there’s no one better equipped to provide a trusted overview of the opportunities, challenges, and concerns presented by artificial intelligence.

TLDR;

• Why AI can enhance customers’ shopping experiences with relevant information 
• What you should do to maintain realistic discussions about AI commerce solutions
• How to address the latest ethical and legal considerations of AI in retail

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 creativity can be empowered by AI, and the evolution of personalization and brand in the age of data privacy. 

TL;DR:

• Discover how to create a big splash with your product launch and maintain momentum with smart marketing strategies 
• Learn to balance data-driven decisions with human creativity in e-commerce
• Explore the challenges and approaches for delivering personalized experiences amidst data privacy concerns