This episode, recorded at the close of 2019, offers a fascinating look at the pre-pandemic ecommerce landscape and expert predictions for 2020. While some predictions may now serve as historical context due to unforeseen global events, the underlying strategic thinking about customer acquisition, retention, and technological shifts remains valuable for understanding long-term ecommerce trends and adapting to future changes.
Key takeaways
Review past predictions to understand how quickly the ecommerce landscape can shift and identify areas of consistent growth or disruption.
Analyze pre-pandemic assumptions about consumer behavior and technology adoption to better inform current strategies.
Despite unforeseen events, foundational ecommerce principles like customer lifetime value, efficient ad spend, and brand building remain critical.
Consider how 2020 predictions about mobile commerce, personalization, and new selling channels have evolved and where opportunities still exist.
Evaluate your own business resilience by reflecting on how well your operations would have adapted to the rapid changes that unfolded shortly after these predictions were made.
For our 100th episode we wanted to do something different. Rather than one guest, we invited 6 of our most popular guests we’ve ever had on the show. Since we’re wrapping up 2019, we decided to ask these super smart eComm pros what their top predictions were for 2020. They did NOT disappoint. We cover some GREAT predictions including: How and why some merchants will shift some of their focus away from Amazon (we’re already seeing this with Nike). How merchants will shift their video strategy in 2020 (will we go short form or long form?) Why “profitability” may be the focus rather than scale in 2020 How SEO is shifting away from traditional keywords in 2020 How automation is working (and how it doesn’t replace everything) How new privacy laws and policies will make things harder (and easier) for marketers Plus more!
Review past predictions to understand how quickly the ecommerce landscape can shift and identify areas of consistent growth or disruption.
What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Analyze pre-pandemic assumptions about consumer behavior and technology adoption to better inform current strategies.
What does this episode say about customer retention?
Despite unforeseen events, foundational ecommerce principles like customer lifetime value, efficient ad spend, and brand building remain critical.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
Consider how 2020 predictions about mobile commerce, personalization, and new selling channels have evolved and where opportunities still exist.
What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Evaluate your own business resilience by reflecting on how well your operations would have adapted to the rapid changes that unfolded shortly after these predictions were made.
