Have you heard of the Commerce Experience podcast? This is our podcast series offering a fresh and unique perspective on commerce trends, strategies, tech stacks, and more. It’s hosted by our very own Elena Kacan, the Senior Manager of Community and Social Media, who helps bring engaging discussions to life with industry leaders. Some of our notable guests include Cherene Aubert, the VP of Digital & Commerce at ILIA, and Prakash Hariharabalan, the Senior Director of Marketing Analytics at Signet Jewelers.
Let’s explore three memorable moments from the Commerce Experience podcast that have captivated listeners and provided them with actionable insights to transform their online businesses.
The Rise of AI-Powered Personalization in Ecommerce
The ecommerce landscape is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the advent of AI-powered personalization. This technology is not just a buzzword; it’s a game-changer that is redefining how online shopping experiences are crafted. For businesses looking to stay ahead, understanding and leveraging AI-powered personalization is no longer optional — it’s essential.
Customers today expect customized experiences when they shop online. They want to feel understood, valued, and catered to on an individual level. To achieve this, you’ll want to use AI to personalize recommendations, keep track of inventory levels, and make the entire experience more seamless. For example, if a customer owns a dog, they don’t want to see a bunch of ads for cat food. Or, if they already purchased an item, don’t make the mistake of showing them the same types of items again — instead, use AI to serve up complementary products they might like based on their preferences and purchase history.
Check out the full episode for more insights from Andrew Laudato, the COO at The Vitamin Shoppe, and Josh Baumrind, the Chief Partnership Officer at the Retail AI Council.
Conversational Commerce: The Future of Ecommerce?
Conversational commerce is going to play a big role in the future of ecommerce. This technology opens up new possibilities for creating even more personalized and engaging shopping experiences.
As conversational commerce continues to advance, chatbots are becoming more sophisticated, and capable of understanding complex queries and emotions. By leveraging chatbots and AI technology, businesses can provide personalized, efficient, and secure shopping experiences.
AI-powered chatbots can also analyze customer interactions to identify recurring issues and provide valuable insights to businesses. These insights help companies improve their products and services, ultimately leading to a better overall customer experience.
For businesses looking to thrive in this new era, adopting conversational commerce is essential. This is how customers will want to interact with brands as they shop, and you’ll need to invest in conversational commerce solutions to drive more meaningfully personalized experiences.
Check out the full episode with Vikas Jha, the VP of Engineering, Conversational Commerce at Bloomreach for his thoughts on generative AI and its impact on ecommerce.
The Future of Loyalty Programs
Driving customer loyalty is absolutely crucial for ecommerce success, and loyalty programs play a big part in that. A properly executed loyalty program doesn’t just keep customers coming back — it turns them into advocates.
The key is crafting experiences that go beyond basic rewards, transforming interactions into memorable moments. By doing so, brands create emotional connections that foster genuine loyalty. Sephora’s Beauty Insider program is a prime example. It combines personalized product recommendations with exclusive events and early access to new products, creating a comprehensive and rewarding experience for its members.
Another part of effective loyalty programs is the idea of “don’t make me think.” That is, the entire customer journey should feel natural and seamless — by removing any friction (in your loyalty programs or otherwise), you create a better experience that keeps customers coming back.
Remember, loyalty is more than a program — it’s a relationship. For more tips and examples, check out the full episode here.
Tune Into the Commerce Experience Podcast for More Insights
The future of ecommerce is all about personalization, connection, and innovation. There’s so much change in ecommerce right now, from AI-powered personalization and conversational commerce to developing more customer-centric journeys.
On the Commerce Experience podcast, we bring on top leaders in ecommerce to provide the actionable insights and strategies you need to thrive. Stay ahead of industry trends and gain valuable knowledge by tuning in now!
