Growing Ecommerce – The Retail Growth Podcast

Learn about the future of marketing from Daniel Smulevich of Jellyfish, as he guides us through the MarTech revolution in a landscape brimming with change. This episode isn't about chasing shiny new tech; it's about strategic problem-solving and making tech work for your marketing needs.We dissect the tech FOMO that grips the industry, using platforms like Roblox as cautionary tales, and emphasize the importance of thoughtful tech adoption. Daniel describes the imperative for realignment of data and analytics roles, which need to shift from mere tech support to strategic business advisors. We also discuss choosing between creating your own technology or investing in off-the-shelf solutions. either way, you must ensure that your decisions are informed by deep industry knowledge and the right balance of manual and automated processes.This episode is a must-listen for any marketer looking to stay ahead in a dynamic, data-driven world.

Temu's advertising has been at the center of countless headlines in recent months. However, journalists don't know advertising well enough and don't have the data necessary to tell the full story. Mike has monitoring Temu for months – and mega-advertisers like Amazon, Wish, and eBay for years. He ties together all of his research on Temu so far into a single story exploring their dramatic rise, and their performance impact on other advertisers. This episode isn't Wall Street analysts or regular consumers, it's for ecommerce advertisers and operators, and it's a story that no one else can tell.Please note there is a lot of data in this episode and you might want to watch the video feed for the best experience.

Mike shares updates about two trending areas to watch this year. First is the rise of marketing mix modelling. He digs into Google's new Meridian model, including a refresher on Marketing Mix Modelling, a reminder of Meta's competing offer (Robyn), and Meridian's USPs. Then he shares a big change in the marketing activity of fan favorite Temu. We'll leave you in suspense on that one – listen to find out!
Discussed in this episode:
A recording of Mike's webinar, "What's IN and what's OUT in 2024 ecommerce?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HF27Tjm4po

Get a heap of ecommerce & marketplace insights from Vinnie O'Brien, whose expertise from eBay to DTC brands sets the stage for a riveting discussion. Together with host Mike Ryan, he tackles the contrasting marketplace ecosystems across the US and EU, dissecting how these differences influence business tactics, and debates whether retail media networks are now indispensable in today's digital economy. For up-and-coming brands, Vinnie gives his seasoned perspective on navigating Amazon's platform and the discipline required to succeed. He also addresses the contentious emergence of marketplace software providers like Miracle. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the e-commerce space looking to refine their strategy and understand the broader industry landscape.
We delve into the pivotal role operational excellence plays in the infancy of a brand, the cost of negative customer experiences on repeat business, and the strategic decisions that new brands face in an increasingly competitive digital arena. Whether you're a retailer, a brand owner, or an e-commerce enthusiast, these stories reveal the crucial elements of scaling and sustaining a profitable online presence.

Unravel the complexities of the ecommerce universe as we sit down with Stefan Wenzel, veteran leader from eBay Germany, Otto Netherlands, and McLaren Automotive. This episode holds a wealth of insights, from understanding Otto's metamorphosis into a leading marketplace to examining the undercurrents that differentiate established goliaths like Amazon and eBay from emerging powerhouses Temu and SHEIN. Stefan's seasoned perspective guides us through the convoluted terrain of marketplace dynamics, acquisition strategies, and customer experience nuances that only a true expert can decode.
The swift ascent of SHEIN and Temu in western markets is dissected, revealing how these juggernauts are attempting to overcome the classic chicken-and-egg marketplace conundrum through futuristic logistical and manufacturing strategies. Oh, and ads. Lots of ads.

Join us as we navigate the choppy waters of ecommerce remarketing with Phillip Ivellio-Vellin, exploring the ramifications of the impending Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Google Consent Mode's implementation deadline of March 6, 2024. This episode promises to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to t thrive in an environment where privacy regulations and tech giants' policies collide.
From the implications of user consent to the future of cookie tracking, our deep dive into the evolving digital landscape is a must-listen for every marketer and ecommerce professional seeking to maintain a competitive edge.Phillip offers his expert insights on the delicate balance between data compliance and business performance, shedding light on the industry's pivot towards prioritizing user privacy without sacrificing remarketing efficacy. Hang on as we dissect the future of ad campaigns and present an outlook on how these seismic shifts are poised to change digital advertising strategies.

Google's guidance on consent management requirements in the EEA and UK:

https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/14505993

Are you ready to uncover the future of Google Ads? Brace yourself as we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of Google's advertising platform, with a specific focus on the rising dominance of Performance Max (PMax), Demand Gen campaigns, and YouTube shorts. Mike dissects how PMax is transitioning from a mere extension of Smart Shopping campaigns to a possible replacement for all campaign types, and grapples with the changing nature of this technology.He dives into the prospect that PMax could replace keyword search campaigns, an idea that Google is at least flirting with, as evidenced by a recent survey. Mike further attempts to disentangle the relationship between PMax and Demand Gen campaigns, and predicts a sharp rise in YouTube Shorts ads throughout 2024. This future could be a mixed bag for different kinds of advertisers, presenting both challenges and benefits. So gear up and join us on this enlightening exploration as we decode what future holds for Google Ads!

Unveiling the hidden world of Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising and software development is none other than one of the founders of True Clicks, Wijnand Meijer. Meijer joins us to guide us down his unique path into PPC and software development - a journey sparked by a simple idea to bridge a gap in the market. This lightbulb moment led to the genesis of the PPC Survey, a community-led initiative that aims to share invaluable, up-to-the-minute data within the PPC industry. Since its May 2022 inception, this project has garnered an overwhelmingly positive response.

Fasten your seatbelts as we navigate the most recent findings from the PPC Survey, revealing the inner workings and sentiments within the industry. We bring to you the reality of job satisfaction in the PPC realm, where seeing the fruits of their labor is the highlight for as many as 62% of industry professionals. Don’t miss our discussion on the financial angles of PPC management, where we uncover that managing a single account leads to higher spend levels for in-house teams. We also shed light on the top pain points for PPC agencies, with the crown taken by unrealistic client expectations. And let’s not forget the future - we're talking scripts and AI in PPC!

Our deep dive doesn't stop there. We take you through the projections from the PPC Survey of 2024, laying bare key trends and forecasts. This data-heavy chat covers the rising trust in Microsoft compared to other platforms, such as Google, Twitter, and Amazon, and the average number of scripts running in each account. From the projected spend for major campaign types to satisfaction levels with Google Ads features, we've got it all. Whether you’re a seasoned PPC professional, or taking your first steps in the industry, this episode is packed with priceless insights into the current and future state of PPC. You don't want to miss it!

Wondering about the hidden potential of product segmentation in ecommerce? Join as we peel back the layers on this fascinating topic. We'll discuss the tension between efficiency and scale, and explore how product segmentation can help you navigate these opposing forces. Discover the relevance of the 1970s BCG Matrix in today's ecommerce world, learn about the role of algorithms in solving the fascinating "multi-armed bandit" problem, and get insights into Google's Shopping Graph and Audience Graph.

We'll dissect the intricacies of the modified BCG matrix ("heroes and zombies"), weighing its pros and cons. Get ready to see how a multi-dimensional approach, which considers a balance of performance data and off-channel data like margin, can offer potential benefits. We'll debate the limitations of two-dimensional models and the potential of AI in understanding multi-dimensional spaces. As we reach the end of our journey, we'll reflect on the challenging economic climate and its impact on marketing effectiveness. Let's challenge traditional best practices and consider the vast possibilities of product segmentation together. This episode promises to change the way you look at product segmentation!

Are you ready to peel back the curtain on Google's shadowy world of search auctions? Prepare for a shocking journey that will explore the murky details of Google's alleged auction manipulation, as revealed in the Department of Justice antitrust investigation. This is an absolute must-listen for anyone in the e-commerce space, as we navigate the mechanics of their reserve price increases, the mysterious RGSP system, and the controversial practice of 'squashing.' We'll dissect how these manipulations effectively push up the average Cost Per Click (CPC) and what this means for advertisers.

We're going to get up close and personal with the RGSP - Randomized, Generalized Second Price auction - system that Google uses to decide auction winners and runners up. It's a system that, on the surface, seems advantageous for consumers and advertisers alike. But as we dig deeper, we'll expose potential side effects and its anti-competitive implications. Through this episode, you'll gain a greater understanding of the 'squashing' system, its role in Google's revenue growth, and why these tactics might just paint a picture of greed. We'll explore the conflicts of interest and trust issues that arise when the auctioneer also plays bidder. This episode is all about the why, the how, and the what now – you won't want to miss it!