Ecommerce Straight Talk: Recent Episodes
Sprague Media
Ecommerce Straight Talk Where we dive into the latest eCommerce and retail industry trends, behaviors, and news, so you don’t have to!
How A Superbowl Ad Sent Death Wish Coffee Into Bootstrapped Growth Mode, With Will Critcher. Ecommerce Straight Talk Episode 16 This week we're chatting with Will Critcher, the Director of Ecommerce at Death Wish Coffee.
Death Wish Coffee makes the worlds strongest coffee, with twice the amount of caffeine as a regular 'cup of joe'.
Join us in talking about all things Ecomm, including:
- Winning a free Superbowl commercial.
- How to manage with insane growth.
- Dealing with Amazon inventory issues.
- Leveraging and scaling retail.
- Prioritizing people, product, and processes.
How to Scale a Product From Launch to Retail With David Katz, CEO of Swaggr
Ecommerce Straight Talk Episode 15
This week we're chatting with David Katz, the CEO of Swaggr. Swaggr has created products around sustainability and recyclable plastics.
Launching a brand from farmer's markets to scaling in retail, how Swaggr built a loyal brand community.
Join us in talking about all things Ecomm, including:
- Launching products on Indigogo.
- Using farmer's markets to build a community.
- How to get your product into retail stores.
- Leveraging and scaling retail.
- Why paid channels are so important for DTC.
Margins, Multipliers, and Manufacturers, How To Sell Your Ecommerce Store with Jeet Banerjee Ecommerce Straight Talk Episode 14 From entering the Ecommerce space to exiting, how you can build an efficient Ecommerce store with Jeet Banerjee. Jeet is an Entrepreneur who has started, scaled, and sold over 7 Ecommerce brands.
Join us in talking about all things Ecomm, including:
- How to find and vet manufacturers.
- Best time to exit the market.
- How to sell your Ecommerce store for the most profit.
- What margins you should be aiming for.
- When to maximize your own industry knowledge.
How to Increase Ecommerce Growth Using Digital Advertising with Jonah Redel-Traub from Summit Golf Brands Ecommerce Straight Talk Episode 13 This week we're chatting with Jonah Redel-Traub. Jonah is the Director of Ecommerce for Summit Golf Brands.
Listen in on our discussion about all things ecommerce, including:
- Using Digital Advertising to increase traffic and conversions.
- How Golf performed during the pandemic.
- What outdoor Ecomm brands can do to increase growth.
- The effects of iOS-14 on the outdoor industry.
- Best traffic channels to take advantage of in 2021.
How to Get Your Ecommerce Brand Into Northern Europe & Asia (A-PAC) with Moon-Suck Song of Panagora ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 12 This week we're talking with Moon-Suck Song from Panagora. He's the CEO & Co-Founder of a digital agency in Northern Europe that helps Ecommerce brands break into Northern Europe and Asia (A-PAC). Watch full episode here https://youtu.be/1gSkg-ZCbAo Join us in talking about all things Ecommerce, including: * How to get a foothold into Asia (A-PAC) * How to decide on whether to move into Northern Europe * Kinds of brands that are successful in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark * Top traffic movers in Korea and Asia * Global Trends post-pandemic
How to Grow Your Ecommerce Business in 2021 with Colin Giblin at Turtle Fur Ecommerce Straight Talk Episode 11 This week we're chatting with Colin Giblin.
Colin is the Director of Ecommerce at Turtle Fur… A brand focused on making being happy outside easier since 1982 with quality headwear & accessories for all seasons and all lifestyles.
Join us in discussing all things eCommerce, including:
- Effects of massive mask over-inventory
- How to be persistent through Q3 and Q4
- Dealing with the changing purchase behaviors of consumers
- Growing a brand in 2021
Conversational Ecommerce & Back-To-School Ecommerce Straight Talk Episode 10 This week on Ecommerce Straight Talk we're discussing:
- Weber and Traeger go public
- TikTok IPO on ice
- Amazon and Google under investigation
- Klarna buys eComm tech startup Hero
- Back-to-School sales to hit record spending
How to Use Ecommerce Ad Automation with Adan De La Cruz at Revealbot ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 9 This week on Ecommerce Straight Talk we're chatting with Adan De La Cruz.
Adan is the Success Manager at Revealbot.
Join us in discussing all things eCommerce, including:
- Automation in Advertising Technology
- iOS-14 interruptions
- What’s working and what isn’t with Facebook Ads
- Scaling and Growing a brand in this "New Normal"
Starting and Scaling a Subscription Box Company with Cody Rich at Backcountry Fuel Box ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 8 This week on Ecommerce Straight Talk we're chatting with Cody Rich about Starting & Scaling a Subscription Box Company. Cody is the Founder of Backcountry Fuel Box and the Creator of The Rich Outdoors Podcast. Listen in on the discussion covering all things eCommerce, including: Subscription Box Companies Branding in 2021 Contending with the latest iOS issues Scaling and Growing a brand in this "New Normal" Join us every Thursday for more interviews with industry leaders and eComm store owners as we discuss all things eCommerce.
Virtual Events, Gaming, and Omnichannel - The "New Normal" ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 7 This week we're discussing:
- LinkedIn is doubling down on pushing events to advertisers, for more ad $... 21 million LinkedIn members attended virtual events on the platform last year. While its livestreams increased more than 400% from September 2019–September 2020. The latest updates come roughly a month after LinkedIn said its ad revenue was up 60% YoY, surpassing $3 billion. Will virtual events continue the traction they've held during the pandemic?
- Roblox is an online gaming platform where users can immerse themselves in any of the 18 million virtual worlds. And in Roblox’s many worlds, players can buy an array of items from an Avatar Shop using the game’s currency – a Robux. Gucci decided to mark its 100-year anniversary by creating the "Gucci Garden". A game made up of various themed rooms. As visitors wandered the rooms, they could purchase exclusive virtual Gucci items for their avatars to wear. One item proved particularly popular – the limited-edition virtual Dionysus Bag with Bee, which Gucci was selling to gamers for an original price of 475 Robux (equivalent to $6). But, just as in the real word, users can re-sell the digital wears if the demand is high. And this bag was, leading one user to sell it on for over $4,100 – $800 more than the real thing... Should we expect to see more brands getting into gaming?
- Retail stores are increasing staffing to focus on BOPIS. We've discussed this in past episodes, but we're now starting to see retail brands focus on omnichannel and what it really mans for their business. With Micheals, Ulta, Build-A-Bear, Madewell, Kendra Scott, and Foot Locker going all in on omnichannel, we're seeing big box stores take advantage of the new "normal"... So, how can your "Regular-Joe", Ecommerce store owner, take advantage of Omnichannel?
- Ecommerce grew as much in the first 8-weeks of the pandemic as it did in the previous 8-years. With brands making huge investments into Ecommerce over the past year, more and more brands feel they need to hop on the Ecomm bandwagon. And although more folks are getting out and wanting to spend more of their $$ back into their local stores, we see 38% of consumers intend to do more shopping online and visit stores that provide great experiences. Instead of asking, "How does Ecommerce fit into a Post-Pandemic world?", we should be asking, "What consumer experience do I need to offer?"
- Instagram released a feature update that’s more relevant for retailers: Drops, a dedicated section where brands can release new products via Instagram Shopping. A few years into its mobile mall renovations, Instagram is still used for window shopping more than shopping shopping. Brands that’ve tried Instagram Checkout said the app has yet to generate meaningful purchasing activity, and their websites offer more relevant product information than the app supports. By introducing Drops, Instagram isn’t just directing shoppers to new releases. It’s also helping retailers make purchase journeys more obvious on the app. Do you foresee this to make an impact on brand sales through Instagram?
Shoppable Inventory Takeover ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 6 This week on Ecommerce Straight Talk we're discussing:
- Last year COVID pushed Prime day from July to October. And with a 17% increase in revenue from 2019, pulled in ~$10 BILLION in estimated revenue. Looking at the trends this year and purchasing patterns, are we going to see familiar numbers this year?
- According to the Morning Brew, Retailers’ Q1 earnings showed us people are back spending $$, with Retail sales up 37% YoY. Walmart, Target, The Home Depot, and Macy’s all reported strong numbers, thanks to continued growth in e-commerce and consumers making larger purchases. BUT, it wasn’t just the big players, either: Shoe Carnival posted its strongest quarter ever thanks to its loyalty program and in-store growth. Despite these impressive figures, analysts expect a leveling off at some point. When do you think retail sales will cool down?
- CNN Business says, Under Armour will raise its minimum wage to $15. With the bulk of service industry workers still collecting unemployment, are we going to continue to see a trend of brands increasing minimum wage?
- Since the advent of Ecommerce, dealing with returns has always been an issue and needed to be added into the margins. This has become an even bigger burden as we see returns averaging around 30% more than the value of the sale... Is it easier just to tell customers to keep the product and send a refund?
- We spoke about this a few weeks ago and its rearing its head again. Shoppable inventory is starting to make rounds on TV Networks and Streaming services. Amazon has been beta testing this idea, but now Netflix, Hulu, and some TV networks want to get on board as well. Allowing people to CLICK and buy while watching. Imagine watching an NBA pre-game and seeing your favorite player showing off some new clothes as he walks to the locker room. With shoppable inventory you will now be able to click or scan a QR code in order to purchase what the player is wearing... Would you ever buy something this way?
Last-Mile Delivery Bandwagon ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 5 This week on Ecommerce Straight Talk we're discussing:
- With Vacation rentals at 85% capacity through August and flight bookings up 111% YoY, do you think retailers are going to see increased purchase activity throughout the summer?
- Peloton recently had some issues with their new product, the treadmill. Will people and children getting hurt and killed they've recalled all their treadmills. The projected impact of this recall is estimated to be around $165 million. As this hurts their reputation and wallet, will Peloton be able to overcome this disaster?
- The cost of not going digital was the tax legacy brands were paying. But the playing field has been altered. As of last week, less than 5% of the users of the latest iOS version (14.5) in the US have permitted Facebook to monitor their device activity. What effect do you think this will have on the smaller DTC brands vs the older legacy brands?
- According to Forbes, "Livestream shopping is having a renaissance, and QVC is still top dog. Qurate, QVC’s parent company, had its best quarter since its creation in 2018. Retailers including Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and even Petco are attempting to make their mark in livestream shopping."... Does livestream shopping have a future in the US post-pandemic?
- Walgreens started rolling out their same day delivery services. Introducing the ability to pick-and-pack through their app to allow for third-party delivery services to handle the last mile of delivery. On the heels of what we've been discussing over the past 2-episodes, what are the odds more retailers and even smaller brands, hop on this bandwagon?
Apple Faces Antitrust Case ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 4 This week we're discussing:
- "Apple hit with German Antitrust complaint as it prepares to roll out new iPhone software.", reported by Sam Shead of CNBC. With the new iOS-14 update, it seems like a lot of companies have sharpened their claws to combat Apple... Do you think this is just the beginning of the antitrust avalanche Apple will run into?
- The Retail Brew says, "Click and collect sales, including curbside pickup, made up around 9% of total US e-comm sales last year. An Ipsos survey found 78% of shoppers had used curbside pickup, or BOPIS, since the pandemic started. 69% planned to use it at the same level, or higher, post-pandemic"... Spinning off of what we discussed last week, are we going to be seeing a major shift in how brands think of omni-channel?
- "Lord & Taylor was just acquired by the Saadia Group, pulling them from a bankruptcy auction for $12MM.", Bloomberg reports. Lord & Taylor isn’t the first legacy retailer to restart from bankruptcy as an online-only venture.... Should we expect to see more of these older brands, with customer loyalty, begin to reemerge from insolvency?
- With the ever increasing prices of nostalgia online, whether through Ebay, or any other marketplace, Lids (the largest hat retailer) thinks hats will become the new sneakers, in terms of fostering an obsessive audience... Do you think Lids is on to something here? Or just pushing hype?
- Shopify's Q1 revenue exploded by 101% YoY, but their C-Suite imploded. With Shopify trying to reverse the executive exodus, will we be seeing a slow down in Shopify's innovation?
Join us every week for a new episode of Ecommerce Straight Talk, where we discuss Ecommerce trends, behaviors, news, and latest topics.
Retail Apocalypse ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 3 This weeks episode we're discussing:
- Your favorite classic movies could soon be adding product placement... Do you think this will be an effective way of marketing?
- With this increase in growth for Snapchat and now that their user base is more Android user than iPhone... How can Ecommerce brands leverage this insight?
- 15,000 influencers are launching new products lines... How do you think this will impact future influencer marketing campaigns?
- Discounted or resold furniture has had recent success for the simple reason that people moved a lot amid the pandemic... Do you feel we'll continue to see consistent sales in the resale industry?
- In addition to the pandemic, population dispersion has had a large effect on retail stores - included mostly in this are Malls... Do you think retail will make a come back as we start getting back to "Normal"?
More Brands Are Moving to Ecommerce ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 2 This weeks episode of Ecommerce Straight Talk we discuss:
- Apple's Spring Event took place yesterday. What we were really watching out for was iOS 14.5's AppTracking Transparency, what does this mean for brands and advertisers?
- Retail sales spike almost 10% in March, what has led to an increase in Retail sales?
- Jeff Bezos stepped down as Amazon CEO, what does this mean for Amazon moving forward?
- Facebook announced its moving into audio formats (like Clubhouse). Do you think Facebook will have success with this new format?
- Blockchain is allowing high-end brands another way of certifying original products, how do you think this will have a major effect on knock-offs and copycats?
- Has the pandemic paved the way for higher ticket items being purchased through digital channels?
Join us every week for a new episode of Ecommerce Straight Talk, where we discuss Ecommerce trends, behaviors, news, and latest topics.
Delays and Shortages Are Killing Inventory ECOMMERCE STRAIGHT TALK EPISODE 1 In our first ever Ecommerce Straight Talk episode, we discuss:
- How inventory delays affect marketing efforts and what to do about it.
- How engaging with customers on social media improves customer satisfaction and brand image.
- What to expect when moving business focus away from Amazon and into your own site.
- How to manage advertising budgets.
Join us every week for a new episode of Ecommerce Straight Talk, where we discuss Ecommerce trends, behaviors, news, and latest gossip.