BFCM Records, Ecomm Stockholm Syndrome, and Life’s Cheat Codes

Ecommerce Experiences is the weekly newsletter that combines need-to-know news, insights, and market research for ecommerce leaders who want to think smarter and thrive. If you enjoy this newsletter, send it to an industry friend. If you received this from a friend, you know what to do: Subscribe

Hello, and happy Friday!

We want to talk about the trend of questioning BFCM discounts. We’re talkin’ people pulling Amazon price histories to see if brands spiked prices a month early to give the illusion of a deal. People revealing pricing cards layered behind Black Friday ones in stores where the price was originally…the same? These practices seem unethical. Questionable at best. But we want to know your thoughts. Hit reply and give us a piece of your mind. 

Now, to the good stuff. 

BFCM ‘23 Beats Online Records (Thanks BNPL?)
This year saw record spending, and it was supported by Buy Now, Pay Later platforms. According to Adobe Analytics data, Black Friday shoppers spent $9.8 billion online (up 7.5% YoY), and Cyber Monday shoppers spent $12.4 billion online (up 9.6% YoY). On Black Friday, $79 million in sales came from BNPL (up 47% YoY)–beaten only by Cyber Monday at $940 million in BNPL sales. 
Full Black Friday story
Full Cyber Monday story

Don't Succumb to Commerce Stockholm Syndrome 
Decision-makers often suffer from Stockholm Syndrome because they sympathize with vendors perceived as safe choices and fear trying something less familiar. As a result, projects continue to go over budget and take longer than planned. Ask yourself: Am I empathizing with my captor, or am I willing to break free to try something that’s best for my company?
Full article

Generative AI Shifts Email’s Role in CX
Email was traditionally an expensive and unsatisfactory customer experience solution due to the time and effort required to address queries. But generative AI, paired with automation, has made email interactions faster, more accurate, and cost-efficient. With it, you can save $$$ and capitalize on the pros presented.
Full article

FEATURED

POV

Industry Jargon Is the Silent Killer of B2B Marketing
In a quest to be compelling and authoritative, we end up using jargon and buzzwords—terms like disruptive and world-class—that obscure our message and deem it virtually meaningless. 
Full story

On Creating Beautiful Things 
A short thought piece on how good design is the embodiment of passion, of caring for a craft, and of loving the process.
Full article

Startups: Reputation Isn’t as Powerful as You Think
He started a WordPress hosting company. His audience called 18,000 blog subscribers an “unfair advantage,” but it only gave him two signups. Where it did help was in building a standout team. 
Full story

What Your Blog Marketing Should Look Like in 2024
A discussion on blogging’s relevance; how varied content formats in your blog contribute to omnichannel, search, and audience success; and the role of AI reliant on dependable data. 
Full article

ADVICE

Ecommerce Communities to Grow Your Expertise
A collection of free and paid communities dedicated to ecommerce businesses where professionals meet, share experiences, and get advice. 
Full list

Small Changes, Big Impact: Seo Schema
This Ecommerce Fuel podcast episode breaks down the evolution of SEO in recent years, demystifies schema markups, and shares valuable insights on structured data. 
Full episode

Life Is a Video Game—Here Are the Cheat Codes
Want to win at life? If the answer is yes, duh, or YES, this short (adult) guide covers the levels you face, life’s design of Solutions and Distractions, and the 5 cheats you need to win.
Full article

DATA

Why and When Customers Love Minimalist Packaging
Researchers find that people are willing to pay more for products in minimalist packaging due to an association with purity (fewer ingredients, preservatives, etc). But this isn't the case for generic brands where simplicity equals lower quality—or when they want to indulge.
Full article

Rigid Returnable Packaging Could Cut Waste 90%
A recent report by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation with major brands from Amazon to Coca-Cola found that switching from single-use to returnable packaging could slash GHG emissions 35%–69%, water use 45%–70%, and material use 45%–75%, among other findings. 
The article
Full study

Surprise! Rounding Up Price Discounts Reduces Sales?
A study finds that rounding up price discounts, such as a 7.7% discount to an 8% discount, actually reduces purchase intentions.
Full study

Pinterest Report Displays the App’s Value for Luxury Brands
A new Pinterest report claims their users are more affluent, intentional, and open to luxury brands’ messaging than other platforms’. One stat: their users spend 87% more on luxury goods.
Full report

IDEAS

Walmart’s Shoppable Rom-Com
Walmart has planned a 23-part holiday commercial series called “Add to Heart”—a pun on “add-to-cart.” The “RomCommerce” effort will run on TikTok, Roku, YouTube, and Walmart’s social channels and showcase 330 products.
Full story

Companies Using AI for Resilient Supply Chains 
Learn how companies like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and Unilever are using AI to plan for and adapt to supply-chain disruptions.
Full story

How DoorDash Grew to Dominate in 3 Years
This insightful LinkedIn post shares the 4 tactics DoorDash took to go from a 16% share of the US delivery app market to 53%. 
Full post

Feature Product Benefits in Your Image Gallery
A skincare brand found that less than 50% of visitors viewed product pages beyond the first scroll but did scroll through the image gallery. They increased conversions 14% on these pages by highlighting benefits in image galleries.
Full case study

TOOLS & TECH

21 of the best new tools and features from Shopify’s Editions Summer ’23. More

Amazon officially joined the ranks of brands releasing AI-powered image generators with Titan Image Generator, now available in preview for AWS customers on Bedrock. More

TikTok launched a series of tap-through Creative Cards: simple, data-backed prompts and tips designed to help you brainstorm content ideas. More

Snapchat is testing an ad-free paid plan in Australia that removes Story and Lens ads. It could have an impact on ad reach but likely won’t. More

United Airlines is thinking about using passenger data to sell targeted ads on its in-flight entertainment systems and app. More

TAKE A BREAK

For the love of the planet: Google’s first geothermal project is now operational and contributing carbon-free energy to the electric grid.

For the love of mystery: All lost airline luggage is sold at a store in Alabama.

For the love of connection: Think about spaces in a more ‘Japanese’ way to help focus on the relationships that matter.

For the love of good news: A Sumatran rhino calf born in Indonesia adds to the endangered species’ numbers. 

For the love of tools: This site tells you how long it’ll take to finish that book.


That’s a wrap–

• We ❤️ Ecommerce and want to hear from you! What's on your mind? How can we help? Have a question? Want to share a story? Hit reply and let us know.

• If you enjoyed this issue, share it with an industry friend. (Thanks!)
  
  And, of course, have an awesome weekend 🙂