Shows
Future Commerce“Five Thousand Years” Only Brands SurviveA replay from VISIONS Summit: NYC featuring Future Commerce Co-Founder Phillip JacksonWhat happens when you bury the essence of an entire civilization fifty feet underground? Live from VISIONS Summit: NYC, Future Commerce co-founder Phillip Jackson takes us on an archaeological journey through time capsules—from the monuments of the Westinghouse's World's Fair to NASA's Golden Record floating through space. Through the lens of these cultural artifacts, we explore a provocative thesis: that commerce is culture, and in five thousand years, only brands will survive to tell our story.What We Buy Buys Us Back2025-06-2724 min
Future CommerceTrue Classic Wants to Be a 200+ Year Old BrandJoin us for a live session from The Whalies in LA with Bryan Cano, Head of Marketing at True Classic, on a recent meteoric rise to an $850M valuation. Bryan reveals how True Classic is democratizing AI adoption across their organization by turning every employee into a technology architect and maintaining human empathy that drives authentic brand connection. We explore how tactical innovation serves a grander vision: transforming from a men's apparel company into a cultural force that builds confidence and community for decades.Maybe AI Can Make Us More HumanKey takeaways:AI...2025-06-0639 min
Future Commerce[DECODED] Positionless Marketing: Enter the Age of Hyper-ExecutionIn this kickoff episode of Decoded, Phillip Jackson sits down with Pini Yakuel to explore the concept of "positionless marketing" — a radical rethinking of how marketing teams operate in an AI-powered world. Drawing inspiration from the evolution of positionless basketball, Pini argues that marketing, like sports, is evolving toward roles defined by agility and capability, not titles or silos. The conversation weaves through leadership, startup culture, and how Optimove is enabling marketers to work faster, smarter, and more autonomously.Key TakeawaysPositionless marketing is a mindset — It's about autonomy, adaptability, and eliminating bottlenecks, not just rearranging the...2025-05-2836 min
Future CommerceEverything Must MergeMassive acquisitions—from Skechers to Touchland to Foot Locker—aren’t just headline fodder; they reflect deeper shifts in how value is defined in commerce today. Phillip and Brian explore what this means for brand identity, consumer behavior, and retail strategy, while diving into everything from Ghost Nutrition’s licensing fallout to how Ozempic might reshape fashion trends. It’s all a signal: the future of commerce is being redrawn across culture, tech, and even your closet.The Skechering of CommerceKey takeaways:The recent wave of M&A is less about scale, and more about...2025-05-231h 00
Future CommerceCommerce as Sacred SymbolLive from Los Angeles, Phillip and Brian explore bizarre and brilliant intersections of commerce and culture of late, from commerce themes in Sinners to pope merch to DIY luxury. In an episode that’s part futurist insight, part sacred absurdity, they connect the dots between retail psychology, meme theology, and trade policy. PLUS: Phillip and Brian head to The Whalies with Triple Whale. Coming up on the show, catch their live interview from The Whalies with Bryan Cano of True Classic!High Church, Low InventoryKey takeaways:The Commerce of Catholicism – Pope transitions now driv...2025-05-161h 06
Future CommerceCringe Sincerity and the Return of eBayPhillip and Brian bring hot takes on eBay’s Met Gala presence, the latest tariff turmoil, and the future of autonomous driving. PLUS: Dissecting Warren Buffet’s retirement and new research on Gen Z vs. Millennial communication trends. The Y2K Bug Zapped Us Into PostmodernismKey takeaways:Trends that feel like youth trends are actually just internet trends. Their effects are now felt across generations, not siloed age groups.There has been a shift from modernism to postmodernism, and in turn, sincerity to ironic insincerity.Boy Meets World: 25 years after its series finale airs...2025-05-091h 16
Future CommerceThe Great Consumption CrisisBrian dials in from B2B Chicago, Phillip gets existential, and Alicia Esposito returns to the show and makes her debut as the newest member of the Future Commerce team. This week, we unpack music festivals’ escalating cost of participation, Coachella as a retail laboratory, and how looming global trade challenges overconsumption. PLUS: The auto industry experiences a rare analog awakening.It Was Big Hibiscus All AlongKey takeaways:70% of B2B purchasers are Gen Z or Millennials.Tariffs are a real threat – Brands are bracing for supply chain disruption, with some using tariff warn...2025-05-021h 17
Future CommercePraying To AI in A New Cultural ClimatePhillip and Brian dig into the cultural implications of AI’s new role—not just as a tool, but as a confidant, a co-pilot, and even a therapist. They also get into the Kraft Heinz x A1 viral moment, trade war disinformation on TikTok, and how AI-fueled consumer aesthetics are transforming luxury. Plus: A new HBR report shows “therapy and companionship” is now the top use case for GenAI. What does this mean for society and us as individuals?The Secret’s in the SauceKey takeaways:Kraft Heinz's real-time A1 ad proves responsive marketing...2025-04-2550 min
Future CommerceThe Next Wave of Marketers: Curious, Collaborative, Chaos-EmbracingLive from Optimove Connect, Brian sits down with Optimove CEO Pini Yakuel and Nikolas Badminton, Chief Futurist at Futurist.com, to unpack the philosophical and practical implications of 'positionless marketing'—a radical rethink of organizational roles in the AI era.Mind Over MechanismKey takeaways:Positionless is Power: The most innovative organizations won't be flatter—they'll be fluid. Roles dissolve; talent flows where it’s needed.AI Is the New Intern: It drafts, it preps, it gets you started—but the genius still has to come from you.Old Process ≠ New Potential: Layering AI on legacy...2025-04-1135 min
Future CommerceThe Marketer’s North Star is MythBrian goes live from Optimove Connect in London to explore how the idea of “positionless marketing” is revolutionizing the way we think about team structure, agility, and creativity in marketing. He chats with endurance swimmer and environmental activist Lewis Pugh, as well as DAZN’s Ria Chin-You and Optimove’s Paul O’Shea, about marketing’s future and how AI is shaping it.Strive for EpicKey takeaways:[12:25] Lewis Pugh shares how emotional drive and preparation fuel extraordinary feats—like swimming across the North Pole—and what brands can learn from that level of purpose.[20:29...2025-04-091h 19
Future CommerceDesigning AI for Serendipity with dotdotdashLive from the Lore Bookshop at Shoptalk Spring, Phillip and Brian sit down with friends of the podcast and creative heavyweights Nick Susi and Mai Nguyen of dotdotdash to unpack their latest work with Nike—the groundbreaking AIR Imagination project. Nick and Mai pull back the curtain on what it takes to build immersive, AI-powered brand experiences that actually feel like the brand—and why surprise and delight matter more than ever in a world obsessed with optimization. Plus, hear how they’re redefining user experience through experiments like Chromaverse and their take on AI as a “serendipity engine.”This...2025-04-0348 min
Future CommerceUlta’s Blueprint for Digital BeautyFeat. Josh FriedmanLive from Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas, Phillip and Brian sit down with Josh Friedman, VP of Digital & eCommerce at Ulta Beauty, for an insider look at how one of America’s leading beauty retailers is evolving its digital experience. From launching a curated, invitation-only marketplace to expanding into wellness and enhancing in-app experiences, Josh shares how Ulta is blending personalization, innovation, and culture to deepen customer relationships. If you're in ecommerce or retail, this episode is packed with insights on community, category expansion, and retail media.Extending the Endless Aisle2025-04-0130 min
Future CommerceGen Z Buys the Vibe, Gen X Pays the BillLive from the buzzing floor of ShopTalk Spring, Phillip, Brian, and marketing expert Elizabeth Schmidt unpack everything from nostalgic branding and Gen Z marketing to luxury retail and AI in education. We digest key themes we heard during ShopTalk in real-time and share a compelling look at how relationships and storytelling are driving the next chapter in retail.You Can’t Optimize Your Way to A MythKey takeaways:[02:30] CEO Richard Dixon emphasized Gap’s legacy as a canvas for American culture and its pivot toward digital-first experiences while embracing nostalgia.[08:30] Kevin O'Leary argues that...2025-03-2847 min
Future CommerceThe Dystopic Future of Social CommerceScripted, mass-produced influencer marketing has sent the internet spiraling toward a dystopian era of “loser-generated content.” Plus, we share key insights from eTail West, a sneak peek into Future Commerce’s Word of Mouth Index with Fairing, and dissect some disturbing internet finds of the week.The End of the World As We Know ItKey takeaways:[04:00] Lemon Balm Tea’s influencer campaign: Meanwhile, on TikTok, a scripted ad for Lemon Balm Tea sparks hundreds of fake testimonials. How many “highest-paid nutritionists” can there really be?[14:00] Old men yell at the Cloud: Is the internet dead? TikTok, Twit...2025-03-0758 min
Future CommerceBiohacking Too Close to the Sun?We unpack the market reactions from the NikeSkims turnout, the fantastical and terrifying future of gene editing, and Howard Lutnick’s first moves as Commerce Secretary. PLUS: Future Commerce is headed to Shoptalk! Phillip and Brian bring the heat from Palm Springs!Coming Up: Don’t miss our coverage of Howard Lutnick’s First 100 Days. Follow our show wherever you listen to podcasts, subscribe to our weekly newsletters, and join us on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X. We Almost Never Doubted You, Nike Key takeaways:[:03:00] Howard Lutnick sworn in – twice, for...2025-02-2838 min
Future CommerceThe Mind-to-Market Future is Infinitely ShoppableWe peer into commerce’s self-driven future and see new frontiers arising for AV-centric city planning, (more) invasive advertisement integration, commerce-based search engines, and Meta mind control. PLUS: Phillip and Brian designate their week’s heroes and villains, and we get excited about the official Adobe x Future Commerce Shoptalk After Party!Think It, And It Will Be DoneKey takeaways:[9:00] News from the week: Shopify earnings, Klaviyo, bird flu, and the latest from Future Commerce.[15:30] Autonomous Vehicles Will Redesign Commerce: AVs will create massive changes in urban planning, retail, and logistics.[19:00] Amazon’s Next B...2025-02-211h 10
Future CommerceThe Surveillance GenerationPhillip and Brian look into tomorrow’s creator economy, shaped by the role of AI-driven agents in commerce and attention as currency. While rising generations invisibly develop instincts for algorithmic curation, Mr. Beast’s Feastables collect dust in your local Walgreens. PLUS: We bring you along to our NRF panel discussion alongside our friends from BigCommerce.Velocity Over VolumeKey takeaways:Mr. Beast on Colin and Samir: His too many failed sidequests reveal a bigger picture about the viability of creator-led trends in the long term.The future of creator-driven consumer trends is agent-driven.Gen...2025-02-111h 09
Future CommerceWe Are So Back: Yuppies, Starbucks, and Gen XThis week, we’re live-reacting to battles across culture. It’s DeepSeek vs. OpenAI, Millennials vs. Gen X, and Starbucks vs. Sharpies (Sharpies won). PLUS: The Flappy Bird effect drives an aftermarket of devices with TikTok access, yuppie culture booms, and Waymo strikes again. The Other Side of Headless CommerceKey takeaways:DeepSeek’s Disruption – A powerful, cheap, open-source AI from China that is sending shockwaves through the industry, challenging Nvidia’s dominance and raising economic concerns.The Death of Loss Leaders? – AI optimization could make it easier for consumers to game retail pricing, forcing busin...2025-01-3153 min
Future CommerceAgentic Ghettos: When Silicon Meets SapiensIn this landmark discussion from NRF 2025, we lay out our theory of commerce's next evolutionary leap: the necessary fusion of human and artificial intelligence in digital spaces. As today's retailers hastily construct separate domains for silicon and carbon-based shoppers, we explore why this well-intentioned bifurcation may be precisely the wrong approach. From Salesforce's stumbling first steps with Agent Force to NVIDIA's more integrated vision, we examine how commerce might pioneer a symbiotic digital future. PLUS: Our 2025 journal, LORE, makes its debut!Key Narratives:The Evolution of Digital Agency: Tracing the path from simple chatbots to truly...2025-01-1751 min
Future CommerceThe Future of TimelessnessThis week, we’re unpacking Adobe’s holiday shopping report, the AI bot takeover, and the dead internet theory. As 2025 kicks off with powerful demand for both in-person experiences and AI-driven, frictionless online shopping, we’re peering into the future of the tension. PLUS: Phillip the Time Capsule Guy takes us back in time, and 5,000 years into the future.Is AI Just Making Spam More Scalable?Key takeaways:[00:14:30] “Black Friday shopping is one of the most isolating things you can do now. It used to be a team sport, something you'd all go out and do…y...2025-01-101h 05
Future CommercePredictions 2025: The Rise of Gen X & AmericanaIn our biggest episode of the year, we explore seismic shifts coming in 2025: from the return of Gen X leadership to a new wave of American counterculture. We revisit our eerily accurate 2024 predictions while laying out bold forecasts for retail consolidation, AI evolution, and the changing media landscape. Plus, we dive deep into why Google might be poised for a massive comeback and how Walmart is transforming into a media empire."Quantum Intelligence & Objective Truth": Key Moments from Our 2025 PredictionsOn Taste & Truth (13:12) - "I believe that taste is the unique ability to recognize objective truth...2025-01-032h 26
Future CommerceFC Radio Theater: The Wrong PartIntroducing a Future Commerce Radio Theater production: The Wrong Part, an original story by Brian Lange. Performed for radio by Joseph Discher. Voice production by Whole Story Studio.The Wrong Part can be found in the Muses journal, available for purchase at shop.futurecommerce.com. Stay tuned for our upcoming radio theater readings: A Day in the Life of Nana Alexa by Erin DaCruz.Timecodes:[00:00:19] Act 1[00:11:35] Act 2Associated Links:Enjoy The Wrong Part in print: Order the Muses journalGet your copy of the Archetypes journalCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck o...2024-12-2023 min
Future CommerceFC Radio Theater: Dissociating at CostcoIntroducing a Future Commerce Radio Theater production: Dissociating at Costco, an original story by Brian Lange. Performed for radio by Joseph Discher. Voice production by Whole Story Studio.Dissociating at Costco can be found in the Archetypes journal, available for purchase at shop.futurecommerce.com. Stay tuned for our upcoming radio theater readings: A Day in the Life of Nana Alexa by Erin DaCruz, and The Hardest Part by Brian Lange.Timecodes:[00:00:20] Chapter 1[00:08:19] Chapter 2[00:17:45] Chapter 3[00:26:43] EpilogueAssociated Links:Enjoy Dissociating at Costco in print: Order the Archetypes journalGet your copy o...2024-12-1829 min
Future CommerceKate Fannin: “We Should Measure ROE — Return on Experience”Retail and customer experience expert Kate Fannin brings brands down to earth for a living, driven by her consulting mantra, “People buy things; they pay for experiences.” Drawing from her career journey across iconic brands like Gap, Nordstrom, and Estée Lauder, Kate offers insightful strategies for curating meaningful customer connections that make even online shopping feel like window shopping in your favorite small town.“The Invitation to Come and Stay Awhile”Key takeaways:Human connection never went out of style, even as digital capabilities flourish.If a brand’s technology isn’t solving a pain point...2024-11-2957 min
Future CommerceCommunicating Context Across CulturesPhoebe Yu loves jumping down rabbit holes with the audience of her curiosity-driven channel on YouTube that focuses on research, human psychology, and culture, specifically within the tech sector. But if something interesting finds its way into the comment section, she’ll deep dive into that too. Listen now to Phoebe Yu’s conversation with Phillip and Brian!Looking Back to Look ForwardKey Takeaways:[00:10:39] “Research is always iterating just like design. So I really want to keep that active research going, including participation from the audience.” - Phoebe[00:13:06] “Japan has been living in the year 2...2024-11-0146 min
Future CommerceThe Haunting at Toys ‘R Us SunnyvaleThis week we unpack multisensory commerce, the economical ebb and flow of re-commerce, and reflect on Phillip’s keynote at the Motion Creative Strategy Summit. PLUS: Spooky Commerce is back. Phillip, Brian, and Sarah journey to a haunted 1980’s Bay Area Toys R Us.The Duality of RecommerceKey takeaways:Tactile interactions produce profound experiences – something digital media cannot replicate. Phillip’s keynote presentation at the Motion Creative Strategy Summit highlighted the polymathic inspiration of tactile creativity.[00:09:30] “Things that you consider to be highly immersive aren't as immersive as you think they are. The sphere is...2024-10-1844 min
Future CommerceYou Can Buy Haunted Dolls on eBayFrom dead-and-undead-again crypto cycles to eBay’s paranormal side, we explore the range of the paranormal in this week’s installment of Spooky Commerce. Listen now!Crypt-O-Currency, Panic Buying and Paranormal DucksKey takeaways:eCommerce giants like Pinduoduo (Temu’s parent company) are contributing to deflation in China by flooding the market with cheap goods.Disaster alerts compete with the attention economy. In our daily flurry of push notifications, we might also be alerted of an impending natural disaster.Despite repeated crashes, the cryptocurrency market continues to revive itself.{00:03:55} "The visual language of a hurric...2024-10-1134 min
Future CommerceThe Future of Buying Software?If buying software were a cage match, the RFP would be a royal rumble. Dive into the weird world of software buying and the flawed nature of RFPs with Philipp Krueger and Jason Nyhus, as we explore insights from the latest Future Commerce report, "The Honest Truth."Lies, Damned Lies, and RFPsKey takeaways:“The Honest Truth” report reveals that 81% of merchants expect software implementation to differ from their original RFP expectations.Companies value both speed to market and customization, but these priorities are often at odds. Integrating AI into software selection processes can free...2024-09-2753 min
Future CommerceAI Agents Are Here. “Brands” Might Be In Danger.Phillip and Brian debrief this year’s All-In Summit, which touched on coming societal changes due to AI. From the impact of automation to the power of data, they talk through these technological advancements that are reshaping the way we shop, work, and interact.PLUS: An exciting sneak peek of the upcoming VISIONS Summit in LA!Stealthily Building an InstitutionKey takeaways:VISIONS Summit LA is October 10, and your first look at our speaker lineup is finally here.This year’s All-In Summit explored AI’s expanding role in commerce – and our day-to-d...2024-09-201h 26
Future CommerceThe Future Consumer is OmnimodalRecorded live from BigSummit, Phillip and Brian join John Affourtit (Senior Director of Strategic Sales at Attentive) and Melissa Dixon (Senior Director of Content Marketing at BigCommerce) to share expert insights on the future of consumer behavior. Dig into the newest Future Commerce & BigCommerce report: New Modes, Redefining Personalization In the Age of AI and learn how brands can stay ahead of ecommerce’s rapidly evolving landscape – from the rise of “omnimodal” shopping to AI’s growing role in personalization. Listen now!The New Consumer JourneyKey takeaways:{00:09:30} "Consumers are shifting from an omnichannel shopping j...2024-09-1034 min
Future CommerceRewind: Shopping with GhostsParasocial Relationships Will Change Retail ForeverWelcome to Future Commerce Rewind, our summer series where we compare today's news against episodes from the archives. Today, we revisit our historic 300th episode from 2023, where we explored the future of commerce shopping experiences through parasocial relationships. We also cover how the chat interface, a UI prediction we made just a year ago, is influencing commerce today. Listen now!Unlocking TomorrowKey takeaways:[00:02:07] Phillip: "In London, print reading is still a cultural staple and independent eyeglass retailers are thriving. It's a fascinating blend of old-world...2024-07-191h 02
Future CommerceFrictionless isn't FictionlessFuturism in review: flying cars and frictionless commercePhillip and Brian chat about the futurism movement in art and how it relates to commerce, specifically, the idea of passatisme, which is an obsession with the past that signals everything backward would be supplanted by futurism. Generally, it sounds a lot like effective acceleration or the beginning of a movement where people are railing against a prevailing nostalgic posture that culture has of looking backwards, and they are aggressively trying to pull the culture into looking forward. It feels very much like a Future Commerce thing to talk...2024-06-1453 min
Future CommerceWhat is Futureproof For Gen Alpha?Walmart is Experimenting in the Present to Create the FutureIn this episode Phillip and Brian discuss Walmart Realm and the plays that Walmart has been making towards a younger female media-savvy audience. There's so much there that is shopping content, it is ecommerce-centric, but it's entertainment, and it just gets the ecommerce crowd so riled up. Listen now and join the conversation!Absolutely Locked InKey takeaways:{00:29:03} - “It's for an in-store audience, and that's also really important. This is an opportunity to pre-sell. We talked to BK Beauty about the po...2024-06-0757 min
Future CommerceBuilding Culturally Intelligent BrandsPhillip and Brian sit down and have an enlightening conversation with the author of Cultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy, Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel. This book is the “How It's Made” for building culture-shaping brands, providing more understanding of how boardrooms, researchers, and foresight professionals think about their work. Listen now and join the conversation!Not a burden of some, but a responsibility of allKey takeaways:{00:07:39} - “When we think about resonance, naturally, I think we ought to ask, "Well, how do we actually shift our attention on the customer...2024-05-171h 12
Future CommerceBuilding Culturally Intelligent BrandsPhillip and Brian sit down and have an enlightening conversation with the author of Cultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy, Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel. This book is the “How It's Made” for building culture-shaping brands, providing more understanding of how boardrooms, researchers, and foresight professionals think about their work. Listen now and join the conversation!Not a burden of some, but a responsibility of allKey takeaways:{00:07:39} - “When we think about resonance, naturally, I think we ought to ask, "Well, how do we actually shift our attention on the customer...2024-05-171h 13
Future CommerceAll Hail the Corporate AnniversaryPhillip and Brian discuss the forgettable nature of AI music. Corporations' birthdays are an essential thing that we need to care about now. Also, an update on Lammers Law: everything eventually becomes an ad. PLUS: OSHA for the MIND?? Listen now.The Right to DisconnectKey takeaways:- Amazon is scaling back its Just Walk Out technology from its Amazon Fresh grocery stores. Due to technical limitations in grocery stores, it will be constrained to airports and small-format stores.- JPMorgan's use of customer transaction data for targeted advertising highlights the...2024-04-121h 11
Future CommerceThe Future of Brand Activations feat. Paola Pugliese, Frette“Customer obsession” is an overused phrase. But for Frette, it just might be true. Phillip and Brian sit down with Paola Pugliese of Frette to discuss heritage luxury, DTC-specific category extensions, and the future of brand activations at cultural events. Recorded live at eTail West.“Quiet Luxury is Not a Trend”Key takeaways:- The power of consumer demand has grown, with brands needing to be true to their values and work closely with customers for relevance and delight.- Frette focuses on partnerships with select partners, such as hospitality properties and desi...2024-03-2235 min
Future CommerceThe Addiction EconomyMrBeast has some recent learnings in trademark legalities and how hard DTC chocolate can be, and McDonalds is not answering back Phillip’s question. Plus, was the Super Bowl really the most-watched human event or do we just have too many ways you count who is watching, more people, and more widespread and varying broadcast options? And could a giant sphere be coming to a city near you? Or perhaps even your very own home? So much to talk about, so listen in now!“The McRib and Shamrock Shake Loophole”Key takeaways:- McDona...2024-03-0854 min
Future CommerceWhen Technology Changes, Context ChangesThis week on the podcast, Phillip and Brian discuss the debatable success of the KITH loyalty launch, the “debauchery” during the prior eCom boom cycle, and the forthcoming Apple Vision Pro’s impact on Commerce. PLUS: Save the date for SXSW 2024! Listen now!“No one wants to make a decision about the future without data from the past”Key takeaways:- Incorporating tier-exclusive products into a loyalty program can provide real value and make customers feel special and incentivized to continue purchasing.- The potential for current technology was always built into the t...2024-02-0652 min
Future CommerceApplebee's and the Rise of Boring MembershipsThere are some compelling storylines to follow already in 2024, and Phillip and Brian have some hot takes on X creator payments and deepfakes, why “boring” seems to cut through the noise now, and some excitement about Vision PRO. Also, are we to the point now where innovation means working with the algorithm versus working around the algorithm? Listen now for this and more.A Boring Membership for EverythingKey takeaways:- Deepfakes are becoming more prevalent, creating opportunities for both entertainment and deception.- Shop Pay is helping Shopify build a stro...2024-01-3053 min
Future CommerceAfter Dark: Yotpo Pricing Update, Trendcore, Reading List 2024Our Predictions episode was packed with many great insights and discussion points, but the guys had even more to discuss regarding what 2024 has in store. PLUS: Rite Aid gets a hefty penalty from the FTC, healthcare trends, “Trendcore” and “trendwashing”, and what Phillip and Brian are reading right now.Product is Content{00:08:41} - “The terminally online people are the ones who are constantly trying to gain recognition by glomming onto other people's visible success, and Yotpo just didn't have that kind of brand affinity in social media.” - Phillip{00:28:41} - “2024 is just gonna be another really rough year in...2024-01-2355 min
Future CommerceOur 2024 Annual PredictionsThe Vogue of eCommerce{00:10:02} - “Depending on where you sit in your economic pessimism, if you believe that the economy continues to rip in 2024, then Costco is a no-brainer choice. If you believe that the economy is going to see challenges in 2024, then Costco is still a safe choice.” - Phillip{00:22:05} - “The problem is a lot of these brands, Joanns and Michaels in particular, did a really bad job with digital enablement. And so it's gonna be a really hard road for them to come back around and have someone who's really far down the road of digita...2024-01-162h 01
Future CommerceBURLYCORE in ‘24: Bring Back the HackersKicking off our 2024 season of the podcast, Phillip and Brian discuss the storylines of the upcoming NRF Big Show. PLUS: the spatial computing hype cycle is upon us, as is a new handheld device revolution. Listen now!The Year of Spatial Computing{00:09:54} - “Shopify has conquered down market, and so naturally, the most obvious place for growth is in the enterprise, and it's just where they have to go. And then, one of the reasons why Shopify struggled mightily trying to sell to the enterprise initially is because they didn't hire what I would consider to be...2024-01-1256 min
Future CommerceBONUS: Walmart's "Add to Heart" RomCommerce Wrap-Up Show! (feat. Rhian Beutler and Jaci Jackson)It's a Christmas Eve miracle! We return with a FULL WRAP-UP of Walmart's first shoppable "RomCommerce" series, "Add to Heart"! Join Rhian, Jaci, and Phillip as we unwrap the greatest gift of all — a shoppable Christmas holiday rom-com!This episode is made possible by BundleIQ. Get your own private GPT, chat with websites and videos, and summarize Youtube channels with their exclusive Google Chrome extension today by signing up with our exclusive offer! Go to bundleiq.com/futurecommerce
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Future CommerceMemory Morphing: How Media Reshapes Recall and Taints NostalgiaDid you miss MUSES? Tune in for a mini recap at the beginning of the episode. Stick around as Phillip and Brian dive into the intriguing world of how digital media influences and sometimes distorts our memories and perceptions, particularly in the context of business and cultural trends.Ripples in a Stream{00:08:20} - “We had Chloe Ryan, who's the CEO of Acrylic Robots, sit on the panel, and her perspective is this is a new technology that allows for reproduction, not mass reproduction, but reproduction for digital artists to actually sell web to print, direct to co...2023-12-221h 14
Future CommerceWho Participates in the Multiplayer Future?Phillip sat down with Deana Burke for the 100th episode of the Boys Club pod. They talk the Multiplayer Brand and some of the Future Commerce thinking about what makes eCommerce special and how brand operators are trying to tune out the noise and think bigger than tactics. We're moving up out of strategy into vision and how company leaders are looking at new channels to grow digital outside of just websites. One of those channels, of course, is metaverse.Our Work Has Range{00:11:02} - “There is a percentage of people that wanna participate in building a...2023-12-0845 min
Future CommerceThe Rise of Workflow Automation: The ServiceNow Agency Opportunity in the EnterpriseThe shift towards low-code platforms like ServiceNow has changed the landscape for service agencies, requiring them to adapt their approach and focus on specific solutions. Phillip and Brian sit down with friend and mentor Jon Klonsky to discuss his new venture, which will specialize in implementing and rescuing failed implementations of the ServiceNow platform.“Measure twice, cut once, and test often”{00:12:55} “Only organic growth, as opposed to purchased growth, can be a better line to run so that you don't get ahead of your skis.” - Brian{00:13:59} - “So many people, especially if you talk to the invest...2023-12-0153 min
Future CommerceBoys Club v. Future CommercePhillip and Brian sit down with Natasha and Deana, Co-Founders of Boys Club and mavens in the web3 and crypto world. They discuss what place legacy brands have in web3, what the challenges are for adoption, who’s helping, and who’s hurting. But what will it take to get there? A Well-Governed Potluck{00:20:20} - “A big part of the value set of web3 is this idea of shared and distributed ownership, and governance, but ownership being a big part of that. And I think if you're a global corporate brand, that's gonna be at odds with sh...2023-11-2457 min
Future Commerce[DECODED] Additive to the Cart: CRO DecodedThis season on "Decoded," presented by BigCommerce, we'll delve into the intricate processes behind successful brands. Discover how they conceptualize and debut new products, set their objectives, make pivotal decisions, and foster seamless collaboration across their teams to breathe life into a new product.Our guest on our 5th episode of Decoded Season 2 is none other than Brian Schmitt. He is the Co-Founder at surefoot, which is a conversion rate optimization testing company. He has 20 years of experience in delivering optimization. And by his account, testing hasn't really changed all that much in these 20 years, and maybe...2023-11-0747 min
Future CommerceThe Collapse of Convoy"Everything's dopamine-centric" and today we explore how the industry of logistics and eCommerce are no different. PLUS: Kris Gösser join us to discuss the rise and fall of Convoy. Listen now!We Need More Daring{00:17:03} - “Everything's very dopamine-centric. And it is, it is preying on your like, "I'm going to gamble a little bit. I'm going to spend a little money and see if this is worth it." And sometimes the thing that is worth having spent the time is the dopamine and not the product that you got at the end.” - Phillip{00:28:34} - “I...2023-11-031h 07
Future Commerce“Decoding” the Gartner Magic QuadrantWe love a good chart, and every year, Gartner provides us with one that gets a *lot* of buzz. In this episode, Aaron Sheehan joins Phillip to unpack and unlock the mysteries and myths of the Magic Quadrant and ways it can benefit those having a look and those who have been placed on it. Why is context so important in understanding this and other reports, and why doesn’t anyone talk about The Critical Capabilities report that comes out simultaneously? Listen now to this insightful discussion!Smoke-Filled Rooms{00:17:05} - “These methodologies get a little calcified prob...2023-10-271h 11
Future CommerceConstraints and LimitationsPhillip and Brian discuss current events and news in the eCommerce space, Phillip reveals how he likes long walks with ChatGPT, and what if Brian was right all along about AI Butlers? What limitations will be needed as products like Rewind become more adopted? What constraints to context will these types of technologies overcome? And how much should brands strive to meet the moment? Listen now for all of this and more!FaceTiming with ScarJo{00:11:42} - “We talked a lot about body data early on and even for many years and those biometric markers and...2023-10-2042 min
Future Commerce"I Do Not Consent to Your Livestream" - Rapid AI Adoption and Its Effects on CommerceWith AI-generated content becoming so prevalent, it’s sometimes harder to tell what is real and what is fake. How does this change the way people invest in search, and what kind of ramifications does it have on Google, for example? Also gadgets are cool, but the commerce implication is not just that you have to buy it, it's that they provide a new platform for customer shopping modality. Listen now for this and more future forecasting with Phillip and Brian.Fooled in the Present{00:06:22} - “Maybe there is this idea that we need to continue to c...2023-10-0642 min
Future CommerceFrequent Flier Free-AgencyPhillip and Brian look at loyalty programs including Delta’s, which may turn Brian into a United or an Alaska guy, recap some compelling highlights from the All-In Summit that Phillip went to, and remind us why commerce really matters and can bring about powerful change as we work to shape it. “A Giant Pain Fest”{00:09:02} - “Loyalty is a form of arbitrage. Customers have always figured out how to game rewards programs, but loyalty programs in particular are a short-term play.” - Phillip{00:14:03} - “The world does revolve around this value extraction and trying to maximize the...2023-09-2247 min
Future CommerceConsumer Muses & Strategic InnovationPhillip and Brian, AKA Clarks stan, are joined live at eTail in Boston with the Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at Clarks, Tara McRae, as she shares about what she believes the future of commerce is, what makes innovation truly meaningful, and how a company can stay relevant after 200 years.And before that, the guys review a review of The Multiplayer Brand, complete with a couple of compelling pull quotes.Bubbling Up{00:12:46} - “For a brand that's been around for nearly 200 years, we're an extremely diverse brand and we serve a very diverse audience. So...2023-09-0848 min
Future CommerceCulture is the Future of CommerceTo understand the future, you must understand culture. That’s the focus of today’s syndicated episode with our friends from eCommerce Fuel. Andrew Youderian sits down with Phillip to discuss the Future Commerce perspective on how cultures adopt commerce as a means of belonging, and how those behaviors are shaping our vision of the future. Listen now! Real Brands Take Time to Build. We’re in too much of a hurry.Branding is not just about aesthetics; it's about endurance and persistence.Physical media provides a grounding experience amidst the digital world.Nostalgia and nostalgic content...2023-08-1857 min
Future Commerce"The Balenciaga Pope"Consumers hold more power than ever before, brands are at the center of a moment, and generative AI is creating an opportunity for people to make bigger cultural critiques. How far can you control how your images are being used? How much does your own literacy of culture and media enlighten your understanding of the nuances of the subtext? Why does this all really matter in commerce, art, and culture? Eating its Own Tail{00:03:43} - “We've become known at Future Commerce for hosting salons, and now we have this new Future Commerce learning offering. If you are...2023-08-1155 min
Future Commerce"Blimp Commerce"What is the often-overlooked marker of body data?{00:08:55} - “The culture of commerce right now is participatory and people right now are building on each other's ideas so rapidly and in real time that they can manifest things that it used to be only a luxury brand could pull something like that off.” - Phillip{00:11:45} - “It's context collapse. This is effectively deepfaking the world, resetting how people think about things. It's artificial context.” - Brian{00:13:51} - “The strategy is literally nothing more than getting in a room with your marketing team and even with your brand team and sittin...2023-08-0452 min
Future CommerceBandwagon Bandwidth: Should Every Company Be a Media Company?"In the future, every company is a media company." That’s hogwash, according to Tommy Walker. Tommy is all too familiar with this ideology and the pitfalls in the business of creating media and aggregating attention.Listen in to hear this insightful discussion and join the conversation.“Committed to the Bit”{00:05:03} - “Understanding the cost structure and what it takes to hire talent and all of that, without that sort of knowledge, if you don't have that currently right now, then no, not every company needs to be a media company. You're better off spending...2023-07-2852 min
Future CommerceAI Should Empower Your Workforce, Not Replace ThemBrian Lange sat down with visionary Brian Roemmele this week, and luckily we get to listen in on a couple of hours of their conversation! Are you an AI user in the workplace? If so, Brian Roemmele challenges you to look at AI as a tool for creativity and empowerment, rather than replacement. Don’t Throw the Baby out with the Bathwater{00:03:30} “We're not designed to be in safety literally our entire life. We should always be a little unbalanced and a little challenged. So the same is true with AI. And that challenge forces creativity.” - Brian...2023-06-302h 20
Future CommerceWinner Sells AllJust in time for the release of his new book, Jason Del Rey sits down with Phillip and Brian and talks about his research in the histories of Walmart and Amazon, what he learned that matters to consumers today, and what he’d like to see in the future of commerce. His book, Winner Sells All: Amazon, Walmart, and the Battle for Our Wallets is being called “A riveting investigation of the no-holds-barred battle between Amazon and Walmart to become the king of commerce.” It’s a must read, and it’s out TODAY, June 20th! Listen now to hear more...2023-06-2052 min
Future CommerceThe [True] Cost of ConvenienceWelcome to the membership revolution where suddenly airlines are the talk of the town. With a flat fee comes compromise, but are you willing to give up convenience for a cheaper price? Also, if you haven’t yet, take a look at your Shop Pay app and check your wallet out. You may have some cash to burn sitting in the account courtesy of the annual “Shop Pay Shop Day,” which totally existed before this year…right? Tune in now to hear the rest.Loyalty is a Two-Way Street{00:13:14} “The loyalty in the ERP space, and what your...2023-06-0955 min
Future CommerceMockup Madness: The Gamification of the Checkout ExperienceMockup Culture is everywhere these days. We have seen things from Wes Anderson Star Wars to Gucci Spring lookbooks created in MidJourney, the possibilities are truly endless. Join Phillip and Brian as they explore the notion that we now live in a time where any dream can be transformed into reality, no matter how bizarre or outlandish. They explore how prominent brands like Telfar are embracing the concept, utilizing gamified pricing strategies to captivate consumers. As they dissect these phenomena, they unravel the concepts of "hyperstition" and "metamodernism" and examine their implications for the modern consumer. Stay tuned for...2023-05-2647 min
Future CommerceThe Future of eCom is Dead CelebritiesThe way that we buy is changing dramatically. Folks make less concerted purchases of a higher order value based on this really brief calculus of what kind of a product it is, where you are in your need for that product. Over the past seven years of doing this show, we’ve seen how much attention has been fractured. Parasocial relationships are entertainment mixed in with social media mixed in with commerce. Listen in now as Phillip and Brian discuss these ideas and more! Entertaining Relationships{00:03:26} Le Creuset has a new colorway, and their paper bag rev...2023-04-2157 min
Future Commerce2023 is the Year of Good EnoughLots of thoughts and feelings and experiences after NRF this year. Alicia Esposito sat down and interviewed our very own Phillip Jackson, along with Adam Blair, to debrief The Big Show and discuss what’s coming and what needs to be happening next in the world of commerce and why it’s a good time to be excited about it. Listen in now to hear it all, including intriguing metaphors and talk of noodles!Close The Loop0:04:15 - Lots of positive excitement was abuzz at NRF, even with the pain of Q4 in the past, ther...2023-02-1752 min
Future Commerce[STEP BY STEP] What is the Role of Solid Fundamentals in Scaling My Business?We’re in Season 11 of Step by Step and this season, we’re focusing on architecting your business for a dream exit. We’ve partnered with OpenStore to bring you stories from real founders who have successfully built and sold their businesses and will equip you with the tools you need to confidently sell your own business.In this episode of Step by Step, Phillip and Brian talk to Manny Estrada, the founder of Wearva, about the role of solid fundamentals in scaling a business. Manny emphasizes the importance of having a strong team and giving them the op...2023-02-0238 min
Future CommerceThe Human Use of Human BeingsIs the current shift to more machines reminiscent of the eCommerce movement, where ease of use and fewer middlemen were promised but where actually more middlemen are created? What is ChatGPT leading to already, how will that continue to influence the future, and what did Norbert Wiener say back in 1964 that was chillingly accurate? There is a lot to discuss, so listen now! Say That, But Shorter“Layoffs are refocusing where the priorities are in one part of the business to futureproof itself for the next generation.” - PhillipA lot of what was predicted by analysts as be...2023-01-2744 min
Future CommerceCrossing the RubiconEven in the aftermath of difficulties within the retail and commerce world, there is a relentless positivity and excitement shared among those living and working in it. This was evident at The NRF Big Show this year. Have a listen as Phillip and Brian share more about their perspective on this and what this could mean for the very near future!Aggressive OptimismThe NRF Big Show was great, and everyone was enthusiastic about being there, back at the Big Show like old timesWalmart Technologies and the strides they are making is impressive and really overtaking...2023-01-2052 min
Future Commerce2023 Predictions: Looking Back, Looking ForwardSome Bold PredictionsWho are The Biggest Retail Winners of 2022? What about The Biggest Retail Losers of 2022? Are these surprises? Who will it be for 2023?“If there is digital business to be won, Walmart can win it and they'll win it away from Amazon.” - Phillip“The call to work back in the office again is going to spur a set of entrepreneurs from big and small brands alike,” leading to growth in the maker economyThe Biggest DTC Winner prediction for 2022 was so so right and was basically a no-look half-court swish, but will this be the case for our...2023-01-131h 38
Future CommerceOur Favorite Product Placements in Film, Feat. Andrea Popova, CEO and Co-Founder of Consumer Packaged Goods DirectoryIf only there was a directory where we can find out concise information about CPG and also a directory of agencies for brands to find. Well, there is! Listen in as Phillip and Brian discuss the CPG world with Andrea Popova and also find out what some of their favorite product placements in films are and why the future of feature is different.McCallister MoneyCPGD is a wealth of information for leaders in the CPG world and a great resource for connections and was a huge lucky moment for AndreaTikTok is just not the same...2022-12-1348 min
Future CommerceFOMO Is Not A Strategy [feat. Dr. Amy Gershkoff Bolles, Global Head of Digital and Emerging Technology Strategy at Levi Strauss and Company]Phillip and Brian talk with Dr Amy Gershkoff Bolles about how having an innovation strategy that connects to your larger corporate strategy and a very disciplined approach, looking for opportunities that add value for your business and most importantly for your customers, is key to longevity. Evaluating opportunities in the digital and technology space, given how much opportunity there is, is a very important discussion. Listen in to hear what they are doing at Levi’s, and how the future there is bright.It’s in the JeansIt’s so important to be both building for sc...2022-11-1848 min
Future CommerceDeepfake the WorldOn today’s episode, Phillip and Brian discuss e-biking and deficient snack drawers, AI and the recent developments within use cases for eCommerce, and also about that guy in Starbucks who was in full-VR use like it was his job. Was it his job? I mean, he did have a tie on.Jeroboam-sized BOOMCHICKAPOPHow has Phillip’s experience with being a one-car family for a year been going and wait, how many miles has he either biked or run this year so far?Artificial limitations can provide great opportunities to be creative and intentionalHow’s your s...2022-11-1157 min
Future CommerceThe Quiet BuilderseCommerce is in need of a deconstructionist movement. Brands should question the norms of their behaviors and their beliefs of “best practices,” but we don’t always take time to reflect.In this episode, Phillip and Brian explore the nature of deconstructionism, why eCommerce is due for a deconstructionist movement, the quiet builders in our space, and the influence of artists in our space. Listen now!Building the FutureAn eCommerce deconstructionist movement is needed where we question our norms and we question our beliefs and why we do the things we doPeople who build...2022-09-2336 min
Future CommerceIs Private Equity Sexy Now? feat. Magdalena KalaMags joins Phillip and Brian to discuss the role of Web3 and the blockchain as we enter into the new wave of commerce. Does Web3 open up a new world of possibilities for brands to interact with and meet the needs of their customers? How can brands and investors partner with celebrities to solve problems? Listen now! Mindful Web3A successful approach to Web3, from a brand perspective, is asking questions like "Why would we do this? Why should we care? Why should our customers care? And what can we bring to the table that's different a...2022-09-2049 min
Future Commerce[VISIONS] Episode 5: The Role of Commerce in SocietyShow Notes“Being a retailer of a brand, there are a number of different pressures that I think they have to address, but in doing so, it will only make them stronger companies. It'll only make consumers want to shop with them more.” - Miya KnightsWhen it comes to sustainability, are consumers really adhering to their convictions or are convenience and practicality leading to incongruent behavior there?“Retailers are going to have to be a lot more transparent and a lot more in the same way that they've had to cope with the diversification of channels, the complexity of jus...2022-09-051h 04
Future Commerce[Step by Step] What Is the Role of Data in Improving eCommerce Experiences? (Feat. Brian Walker, Chief Strategy Officer at Bloomreach)Want to get more from this season of Step by Step? Download our free accompanying guide. Personalizing Your Data ToolsAll the uncertainty around the economy, inflation, and interest rates is affecting decision making and freezing the market.“Redeploy budgets and focus on getting more out of the existing database of customers you have. Ensure that their journeys support what they're trying to accomplish as consumers and how they want to engage with your brand.” – Brian WalkerWe’ve been talking about personalization in eCommerce for decades, but very few brands are actually doing it.“Those who are persona...2022-08-3157 min
Future Commerce“The Algorithm Made Him Do It” (Vibes Over Data )Vibe Shift, Say What?Brian is live from Etail East, covering what’s going on, how it went, and how far conference season has come since last year.We’re not talking about data anymore… we’re talking about vibes. We talk about them in The Senses, but the vibe shift is different for everything.“The funniest thing about this idea of vibe shift is that everyone is having a really hard time defining what it is and where we're going.” – BrianIn the wise words of Brian Lange, “you can’t have a vibe if you’re not with somebody.”Every...2022-08-191h 00
Future Commerce[VISIONS] Episode 4: Our Sh*itty Robot FutureWe live in a world that doesn’t work all the way. Is the amount of automation and machine learning and AI and even robotics that we're implementing in the world, displacing people's jobs and having a human impact?Show Notes“It's creating some dynamics where a much smaller number of people can drive outcomes with a much larger number of dollars. If we're not really effective at promoting financial literacy and asking some big questions about what's different looking 20 years ahead from what the last 20 years were like, then there's going to be some collateral dama...2022-07-2951 min
Future Commerce[VISIONS] Episode 2: The DiscourseWhat makes people happy? Are brands capable of instilling happiness? In today's episode, we go live to the Visions Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida, to engage in a frank conversation about what motivates a consumer, and what power we truly have in fulfilling their needs and desires. Listen now.Show NotesAre we able to make customers happy? Is that our job? Brands may have given themselves a role in society that nobody asked them to fulfill.There’s a value system change taking place where more is not better, it’s damaging to the cons...2022-07-151h 00
Future CommerceThe Mild Mild West (A Recap of RICE 2022)As Promiscuous as a GibbonBrian led a whole track on IRCE and helped cover tracks on personalizing your digital economy, Gen Z being underbanked, using data to fuel personalized experiences, finding opportunities in micro-segments, and more!“It's interesting how many folks from traditional design backgrounds actually wind up in eCommerce and then they get into the side of the business where it's just talking about how do we apply design, how do we apply design to this sort of what is no longer a Wild West but more of like a Mild West of design aesthetic?” -PhillipThere isn’...2022-05-201h 10
Future CommerceAnnouncing: Casting Visions (Looking Beyond Commerce)The Evolution of Future CommerceToday we’re talking about the future of Future Commerce, going in depth on all our deep and dreamy stuff we got going on!“Commerce is relationship, identity, and connection between people. As we see changes in the way that people relate, commerce is affected and vice versa. As commerce changes, the way that people relate is changed.” - BrianBecause everyone has the ability to change, we at Future Commerce want to grow and adapt with the change, commence Casting Visions: building in public. Casting Visions will be the spot of Future Commerce where...2022-02-1852 min
Future CommerceConspicuous ConsumptionCrossborder, Spotify, and The Truths of Modern Living“A lot of growth in retail and eCommerce is trying to sell you things that really nobody actually needs.” - PhillipBehavioral purchasing modes help explain personal shopping habits and the need to stock up on a product one really likes. We all have behavioral purchasing modes, even though each individual might go about it differently.Step by Step Season 7 Preview: The future of many brands is to go cross-border. But American brands cannot expect that other countries and cultures will have the same shopping habits and demand curve as US mark...2022-02-1142 min
Future Commerce2022 Predictions: Back to the FuturePredicting the Ecom, DTC, and Tech winners and losers of 2022It’s a new year and spoiler alert…Brian still loves Costco. He’s actually banking that it becomes the biggest retail winner of 2022, whereas Phillip is rooting for GAP Brands (Old Navy, Banana Republic, Atheta)Will Amazon come out as the biggest retail loser of 2022? Possibly. Everyone is feeling the effect of disinformation and it doesn’t seem to be getting betterCould beauty brands be leading the way in DTC this year? Phillip and Brian are thinking Harry’s and Hero Cosmetics“To criticize a direct to consumer bra...2022-01-071h 22
Future Commerce"The Internet Has So Much More Potential" - For the Risk TakersSmart Contracts are the New Covenants “All this stuff is stuff that's been out that we've been talking about for quite some time, but it's actually finding its way into the mainstream now and that's really exciting.” -Brian The future is fractional ownership and we are seeing it happen right now with an autonomous organization potentially fractionally owning the governance of us all being able to acquire a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America.“There's an ecom brain drain risk here in that these sexier, open source projects today are effectively of this variety where f...2021-11-191h 03
Future CommerceA Transaction Isn't an Exchange of Goods (Feat. Romain Lapeyre, Gorgias)Superseding Customer Relationships "Relationship supersedes brand" is a phrase that we've often said on the podcast, but Phillip is calling this into question.A transaction doesn’t have to be an exchange of goods or monetary. It can be influence, it can be power dynamics, it’s identity exchange.“What often is overlooked is the employee experience in delivering service and support. It's never been more important than it is today.” -PhillipGetting customer service right during post purchase is important and solidifies loyalty, but prepurchase is just as important. “The role of a customer support agent is morphing into somethi...2021-11-0553 min
Future CommerceIntroducing Infinite Shelf: Can We Stop Being So Binary?!?Having Conversations That Don’t Exist in Other PlacesWelcome to Infinite Shelf, a human-centric show designed to help explore what it takes to make brands, products and services hit the right recipe of connection, relevance, emotional attachment, and, of course, profitability.Phillip and Brian of Future Commerce join Ingrid to welcome Infinite Shelf to the networkThe three play a game of “Get off my Lawn,” where INgrid has the guys guess what different TikTok lingo means.“When we talk about Infinite Shelf, the stuff gets onto the shelf somehow and the stuff gets taken off the shelf by someo...2021-11-0340 min
Future CommerceThe Great American Mall Comeback - The Return of Mall BrandsBankruptcy and financial peril is the rite of passage for the Mall brand.The return of mall brands is upon us. But how did they make the turnaround? By taking risks, for one. Partnering with Kanye could be a mistake, or stroke of genius to take the storied brand back into the premium category and pivot away from availability to scarcity.“I actually see the partnership between Kanye and GAP as actually the start of the Gap turnaround. I mark that as the moment. From a cultural standpoint and brand standpoint, the partnership with GAP and Kanye was th...2021-09-241h 09
Future CommerceMillennials Think They Invented EverythingThe Internet is a Literal WebCongratulations to friend of the show, Ian Leslie, and to Industry West for ranking on 2PM’s DNVB list and for Adobe Experience Maker Awards. Phillip and Brian talk about the Adobe Experience Maker Awards, the rankings, and ask the question of how some brands are ranked so highly. Millennials didn’t invent meal prep delivery. Schwann foods, and catalog delivery — even the milkman — are all examples of modern reimagining of pre-existing retail models.In eCom news, Shopify continues to eat the world, bringing in another investment of Stripe, and launching payments buttons a...2021-06-1855 min
Future Commerce[Step by Step] How Can I Utilize Shipping to Curate a Great Customer Experience?The Post-Purchase ExperienceConsumer expectations are almost unfair for smaller businesses. But that doesn’t mean brands can’t continue to provide a great post-purchase experience. Many brands have turned to 3PLs to help meet the demand of fast shipping and to keep shipping costs lower. “Brands have to be more transparent with customers. They need to give customers a choice around what services they offer and the price. A lot of brands are starting to use 3PLs to meet the customer demand, which means they're storing inventory somewhere else throughout the country to get shorter deliveries. Brands need to...2021-06-0340 min
Future Commerce[Step by Step] How Can I Wield Shipping to Acquire New Customers and Build Loyalty?Not a Cookie Cutter MethodWith the rise of shipageddon, shipping has become about getting products to the customer as safe and quickly as possible.Due to the different mentalities and thought processes of shopping during COVID, many customers choose different methods causing businesses to shift their concerns of shipping.“It's not just a cookie cutter thing where you're doing clothes or a hat or a shirt where you just throw it in a box. What we found is with the batch function on Shippo, we’re able to copy a certain order numbers into the search bar up t...2021-06-0131 min
Future Commerce“Bigger Than the Plant-Based Revolution” feat. Kevin Rutherford, CEO of Nuun EnergyThe 16-Year Old CPG StartupKevin shares his incredible work at Nuun Energy and their growth of being acquired by Nestlé Health Science.Sustainability and ESG are at the forefront of product innovation for Nuun, but category innovation and form factor are top of mind in fast moving consumer goods and CPG, as well.When it comes to health and creating new connections, information is right at our fingertips. Having information right when we want it is evolving our purchasing behaviors. This evolution means that we can make better decisions around health.“I'm less worried about competitors coming in...2021-05-2855 min
Future CommerceThe Future of eCommerce Agencies is Discourse- Our past informs our future decisions.The agency world doesn’t get enough respectAgencies are a necessary part of fractionalizing expertise. Legal and accounting are good examples of fractionalized professional services.The more mature you are as a business, the more it becomes imperative to bring those capabilities in house.Proof points of DTC brands who acquired professional services: Ro and GlossierAgencies are concentrators of expertise. Commerce platforms, like Magento, require domain expertise and platform specialization to implement — and many brands lack the ability to run this kind of operation in-house.“I don't think the agency world gets enough respect and agencies are concen...2021-04-301h 05
Future Commerce"Well Made": You Need to Have a Reason Why Something Should Exist feat. Stephen AngoSociety and Audience ConnectionThere’s a difference in connection with audiences—connection through logic (written) and connection through emotion (art).On emotional connection: “...when it connects with somebody, it deepens the experience of the things you’re trying to say through words.” - Phillip JacksonLumi is a software company connecting packaging manufacturers to brands and creating lasting relationships between those brands and manufacturers. Not only has COVID-19 affected manufacturing, but there’s a generational gap between manufacturers and brands. Lumi is bridging that gap.“I feel like we’re going to be in this golden age of business as perfo...2021-04-161h 17
Future Commerce"Building in Public" – How Building a Podcast Led to Personal GrowthThank you for being with us for 200 episodes of the Future Commerce podcast. In this episode, we look back on how we grew up from a podcast into a retail media research startup, and how building a show in 2016 led to personal and professional growth. Listen now!2016 to PresentWe launched in 2016. Our first guest was Scott Emmons and we talked about the online to offline blur in retail businesses. Every episode has been transcribed at FutureCommerce.fm. Everything we have said is searchable. “Technology adoption is always slower than you want it to be. You see...2021-03-2654 min
Future CommerceEcom for New Moms: The future of parenting at the intersection of technology and digital commerce (feat. Ingrid Milman-Cordy)This week, Ingrid joins Phillip & Brain to talk about her impressive baby registry, different mommy personas, and how monoculture is affecting their kids.Instacart for CMOs and PodcastsIngrid helped contribute to Kiri’s new book: “The power that Instacart unlocks has never really been in the hands of retailers or brands. In the year 2020, it has gotten significantly more advanced in the ways we’re able to actually market to a new consumer.” - Ingrid “I think to stand out in podcasting is the same challenge to stand out in the brand world… it’s all suffering f...2021-03-191h 08
Future Commerce"Your Tool, Your Sword, Your Treasure": Corporate Leadership in the post-Trump eraToday, Brian and Phillip talk about the extension of 2020 into 2021, corporate leadership, and personal data.
Corporate Leadership, Shopify, and Your Personal Data
Anything related to Donald Trump is effectively not what Shopify wants to promote. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat have all suspended Donald Trump’s account across their services. This brings to question businesses and their corporate leadership stepping forward.
Elon Musk has surpassed Jeff Bezos as the world’s richest man. Musk found ways of implementing what the future could be—compared to Bezos, who just found the most efficient way to do things.
eComme...2021-01-0851 min
Future Commerce"2-Day is Too Slow": How Darkstore's FastAF is Delivering on the New Customer Expectation, feat. Lee Hnetika, Founder and CEOLee Hnetinka, Founder and CEO of FastAF joins the podcast to talk about how FastAF is not only revolutionizing delivery but also offering its members a thoughtful, curated selection of products as a fresh take on the DTC marketplace.FastAF Now & 2021 ScalingFastAF is a two-hour delivery app to get premium essentials delivered, working with the likes of Aesop, Bala Bangles, and Vybes. FastAF is currently available in Los Angeles and New York.Currently, FastAF has micro-fulfilment centers to deliver their inventory from. In 2021, they’re planning on expanding cities and expanding geo-coverage within their existing ci...2021-01-0142 min
Future CommerceStairway to CEO: Trailblazing in Style with Brian Ree, Co-Founder & CEO of DAILYLOOKDAILYLOOK is a personal styling service that sends you a box of hand-picked fashion items right to your door every month. In this interview, Brian shares with us how he started his first business at 15 years old, created and then sold a newsletter with over 450k subscribers to a poker company, and then raised over $11M to build his company DAILYLOOK. Brian uncovers the challenges he faced from pivoting his business and shares some important red flags he looks out for when hiring.
In This Episode You’ll Hear About:
How Brian Ree started his first tu...2020-07-141h 18
Future Commerce"Microsoft Paint, but for Augmented Reality"From the Gutenberg Press to Twitter - how tech innovation gives legitimacy to our words. Phillip gets down and dirty with AI and warns retailers of marketing confusion. Also - what exactly is Deep Learning?
Show Notes
Vibe notice: if the vibe is different, it's because this is the first in-person episode with Phillip and Brian and they're having way too much fun with no imbibing of ethyl alcohol before recording.
For more information about the evolution of media and journalism check out Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan, a fascinating read covering the...2017-12-1245 min
Future Commerce"Consumerism is our Religion""If consumerism is our religion, then malls were our temples. Our temple now is the internet." Episode 53 is all about how Amazon owned Black Friday and while our heads were spinning they decided to take over Augmented Reality as well.
Did You Recover from the Holiday Shopping Blitz?
Brian favorite deal: buy a Google Home for $29 and link it up with your Google Express accounts to get a $25 credit for walmart.com.
Phillip's favorite: Timbuk2 had a 70% off sale on cyber monday. Brian is unimpressed.
Voice is Big in the News...2017-12-0547 min