Commerce Experience

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

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 privacy, ethics, and the importance of cultivating a data-driven culture in retail.

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.

TLDR;

• The critical role of loyalty programs in customer retention
• Gamifying the customer journey
• Designing exclusive and personalized experiences

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, Conversational Commerce at Bloomreach. With an impressive track record, including stints at Google and as the Founder/CEO of Radiance Commerce (acquired by Bloomreach in 2023), Vikas offers a rich perspective on the subject.

TLDR;

• The explosive rise of GenAI that has refined conversational commerce technologies over the last 24 months
• Exciting ways AI-powered shopping assistants are set to revolutionize both marketing and merchandising 
• Tips and tricks for getting the green light and budget to dive into the world of conversational commerce

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 Roxy Couse, Director, Customer Experience Group, sit down at Bloomreach’s Charlotte, North Carolina office to break down the nuances behind the current market trends and discuss strategies to navigate the changing tides in luxury e-commerce. They'll examine how these preferences for value and authenticity over mere brand names are reshaping consumer behavior and what this means for luxury retailers.

TLDR;

• Shift in consumer preferences toward value over brand names
• The rise of dupe culture and its impact on luxury ecommerce
• Strategies for luxury brands to adapt and stay competitive in the changing market

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 the space, Salee unveils the blueprint for constructing a commerce empire that stands the test of time.

Discussed in this episode:

• Merchandising tactics tailored for both online and brick and mortar
• The secrets behind effective marketing strategies and mastering the art of brand management
• Navigating the evolving retail landscape with insights on trends, personalized consumer experiences, and technology adoption