Don “eCommerce” Brett

Store ops doesn’t need less chaos, it needs better orchestration. 👉 See how retailers can turn sales-floor complexity into revenue opportunity.

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🧠 Pricing isn’t just about cost, it’s about perception. Consumers want value that feels fair, competitive, and aligned with your brand. 📊 With eComm Hub’s Price Tier Analysis, you can: - Understand how pricing affects consumer sentiment - See how you compare across price tiers - Monitor pricing consistency across channels - Catch MAP violations before they damage your brand ▶️Watch the video to see how it works and start making pricing decisions with confidence. Plus learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dG2XxW-2 #eCommerce #PricingStrategy #Retail #DigitalShelf #AIInsights

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If you are looking ways to incubate new products or brands to develop the data required for more traditional sell-in, be sure to read this piece by Simpactful's Senior Consultant, Kyle Gustafson.

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Back in Atlanta for an energizing few days at the Total RetailTech Conference! I had the privilege of joining a powerhouse panel "Building High-Impact Teams Through Modern Organizational Design" alongside: Karen Etzkorn CIO, QVC Group Sneha Narahalli, VP, Head of Product & UX, Sephora Jefferson Haddox, CTO, Omni Retail Enterprises Together, we explored how evolving organizational design can unlock performance, foster innovation, and drive cross-functional alignment. One of the most compelling takeaways came from Sneha’s insights into SEPHORA’s “pod” structure—dedicated, cross-functional teams that own the full product lifecycle. This model has driven clarity, accountability, and innovation. At Patagonia, we’ve adopted a similar approach, though we’ve faced challenges when pods are stretched across multiple initiatives. It was a valuable reminder that focus and resource alignment are critical to success. Karen shared her experience building a hybrid centralized/decentralized model across QVC’s global, multi-brand portfolio. Her perspective on balancing storytelling, content, and commerce—especially with the added complexity of live broadcasting—was incredibly relevant to the work we do at Patagonia. Karen also shared that building effectiveness through major change requires time and true connection between teams. Which was a topic Jeff empathized in his discussion about building a strong team centered around trust and genuine connection, especially in fast-paced, high-growth environments. His people-first approach resonated deeply with me, as I’ve seen firsthand how strong culture fuels agility, innovation heathly team dynamics. I shared how my team & I continually refining our processes and team structures to stay nimble in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. There’s no one-size-fits-all framework—what worked previously may not work in the near future. The key is to stay curious, adaptable, and aligned to customer needs. A big thank you to Dr. Janet Sherlock, Founder & CEO of Org.Works, with her wealth of Retail experience for moderating with such thought-provoking questions, and to Total Retail and Women in Retail Leadership Circle for creating a space for meaningful dialogue and connection. If you haven’t attended this event, I highly recommend it. The conversations were intimate, insightful, and incredibly relevant for today’s retail leaders. Total Retail #highimpacteams #Digitalleadership #Patagonia #Agileteam #centersofexcellence

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Walmart’s Q2 results are drawing mixed headlines, but they show acceleration across the areas that matter most to advertisers. Signals from this quarter: - Ad revenue +31% in the U.S., +46% globally (including Vizio) Walmart’s acquisition of VIZIO is now flowing into results, linking CTV with closed-loop attribution. Brands can plan top-of-funnel video and lower-funnel search in one ecosystem, measured directly against sales. This quarter, the numbers show advertisers clearly leaning in. - Same-day delivery volumes up ~50% Store-fulfilled delivery is up nearly 50%, and one-third of digital orders arrive within three hours. That fulfillment velocity creates new high-intent ad moments (shoppers checking their app for pickup readiness, adjusting baskets, planning quick replenishment orders). Lots of opportunity to align retail media with these moments and influence purchase decisions in real-time. - Global e-commerce +25% YoY E-commerce outside the U.S. grew +22%, while international advertising rose +15% (led by Flipkart). Walmart’s retail media flywheel is scaling internationally – and it's a chance for advertisers to test, learn, and replicate strategies across regions, with Walmart as a unifying partner. - Sam's Club e-commerce +26% Between Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Flipkart, Walmart has built a multi-faceted and international network that reaches diverse shopper segments. More places to activate retail media, more audiences to engage, and more opportunities to coordinate strategies across platforms. I think Q2 underscores the breadth of Walmart’s ecosystem and the pace at which it’s evolving. For advertisers, the challenge lies in tapping into that while staying agile to shopper and market dynamics.

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Based on a survey of 6,000 shoppers across five major markets, this new report reveals the five ecommerce trends that will define winning strategies in 2026 – from spontaneous shoppers to the real impact of AI on product discovery.

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Retailer-owned brands have been outpacing national brands for years—and that growth isn’t just a response to today’s economic pressures. What’s often overlooked is how much these products have evolved. Early retailer products, like A&P’s in the 1900s, were generic and low quality. By the 1980s, they were called “private label”—usually just cheaper versions of national brands. But today’s “owned brands” are something else entirely. These are unique, differentiated products that consumers actively prefer. Costco’s Kirkland, Target’s Good & Gather, Walmart’s BetterGoods, and Kroger’s Simple Truth aren’t just matching national brands—they’re beating them. Some have even become so successful they’re sold beyond their parent retailers or in international markets. Gartner recently predicted that by 2029, 50% of sales will be retailer owned brands.

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Tariffs. Margin pressure. Shifting consumer behavior. Retail media isn’t getting easier—but your strategy 𝙘𝙖𝙣 get sharper. As budgets tighten, retail media becomes more critical than ever. That’s why our experts built this quick-hit audit checklist to help you zero in on what matters most right now: ✅ Shift spend to key moments—𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩. ✅ 𝙊𝙬𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙨 where shoppers start their search. ✅ Capture 𝙣𝙚𝙬-𝙩𝙤-𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 to drive incrementality. ✅ Tight margins? Use 𝙗𝙞𝙙 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 to keep CPCs down. ✅ 𝙏𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙋𝘿𝙋𝙨 & 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 shifts while tracking total sales impact. ✅ 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙘—ride out volatility with a steady hand. Use this checklist to stress-test your plan—and shift where it counts. Need backup? Learn more about our retail media services: https://bit.ly/4lMOTsr

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Interesting perspectives on the practical shifts impacting retail in 2026- especially the focus on strategy as part of category planning as Dr. Brian Harris details in this article- great read! https://lnkd.in/gzR3kcuv

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The Ulta–Target breakup says a lot about the future of retail partnerships. After creating more than 600 shop-in-shops together, Ulta and Target will end their partnership in August 2026. On the surface, it’s about sales declines, cluttered stores, and shifting consumer demand. But if you look closer, it reveals something deeper: This was never just a retail partnership—it was a brand identity test. For Ulta, the risks of being tied to Target’s recent struggles outweighed the benefits. With international growth on the horizon and a new digital marketplace under the “Ulta Beauty Unleashed” strategy, Ulta sees more value in independence and data control than in shared shelf space. For Target, the beauty aisle remains critical. But the road ahead looks different. Without Ulta, Target may lean harder into private-label skincare, mass beauty, and affordable wellness crossovers. Beauty becomes less about prestige and more about traffic, affordability, and loyalty plays. The split also mirrors a broader retail reality: collaborations only last if both sides keep evolving. When one brand feels pulled backward, the partnership clock starts ticking. So here’s the real question: --> Are beauty and retail partnerships still the future, or are we entering an era where independence and direct-to-consumer ecosystems win out? --> What do you think ? will Ulta thrive more without Target, or will Target prove it can reimagine beauty on its own? PS: If you’re looking for a sale, it might be the perfect time to check out Ulta. I am 😉

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“Marketers need to better arm themselves to make these decisions” indeed, Steve Boehler. This is one of those articles which, though brief, highlights a knotty “super-problem” for CPG brands. Proper serious stuff.

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Here are product announcements three and four of the ten announcements @TheTradeDesk''s CEO Jeff Green promised: Number three: @Instacart and The Trade Desk team up for data! CPG brands can now use Instacart’s retail-purchase data to build custom, intent-driven audiences and track ROAS in real time—seamlessly across CTV, display & more. Cool retail media integration. Number four: EDO and The Trade Desk are teaming up to bring predictive mid-funnel CTV outcome data—like brand searches & site visits—into programmatic buys. Brands can now optimize across digital + TV in one platform using outcome-driven signals. The previous announcements: One, the launch of OpenSincera. https://lnkd.in/gCUjPYBt Two, introducing the Deal Desk feature in Kokai. https://lnkd.in/gzzD-Vdq Add to that Kokai's second birthday. https://lnkd.in/gh-A3vbx

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The Path to Purchase Institute delves into CVS Media Exchange (CMX)'s collaboration with Reddit, Inc. exploring why the RMN chose to partner with the platform. The partnership aims to assist brands in engaging with shoppers in a meaningful and contextually relevant manner. Parbinder Dhariwal Cyndi Loza check out the story at https://lnkd.in/ePmkZ-FN

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Chipotle’s new strategy highlights an emerging economic divide. The brand plans to increase prices but expects little backlash from its core consumer base earning over $100K annually. It’s a telling move that underscores how brands are tailoring strategies for the top end of the K‑shaped economy. 🍴💼 #Chipotle #BusinessStrategy #Economy #Pricing https://lnkd.in/eEawyvDx

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Inaction on tariffs isn’t a neutral decision. It’s a choice that puts trust, loyalty, and competitive edge at risk. Every price point shapes perception—and ignoring tariff pressure could cost more than margin. See how leading retail and CPG executives are staying ahead of external pricing pressure. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3HH6mCP

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Personalization isn’t about channels or platforms. It’s about giving customers what they actually want. In this episode of Here’s the Deal, Daniella Harkins shares the marketer’s checklist for data activation, from unifying your data to optimizing campaigns in real time.

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📈 Levi Strauss & Co.’s Earnings Call Highlights the Rise of Intelligent Retail: DTC Growth, Supply Chain Agility & Data-Driven Product Strategy Earlier this week, Levi Strauss & Co. released its Q1 2025 earnings report and a review of the conference call transcript reads like a blueprint for the modern, data-driven organization. Here’s what caught our attention at the Intelligent Enterprise Leaders Alliance 👇 🔍 Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Intelligence Levi’s is now generating 52% of its revenue from DTC channels, up from 50% last year. But what’s more compelling is how the company has used data to get there: improving product assortment, reducing promotions, increasing AURs, and using advanced content analytics to boost e-commerce conversion and customer satisfaction scores. 📊 Inventory & Supply Chain Optimization In response to global tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty, Levi’s outlined a sophisticated, data-informed supply chain strategy—citing vendor flexibility, agile sourcing from 28 countries, and real-time inventory planning as key strengths. These are the kinds of capabilities Intelligent Enterprises need in a VUCA world. 🧠 Product Fit Analytics & Consumer Insights From launching viral TikTok products to expanding women’s apparel through detailed customer segmentation, Levi’s has turned consumer behavior data into both innovation fuel and margin upside. Its success in winning with younger demographics shows how combining digital signals with cultural relevance can drive long-term value. 💡 What’s the IELA Takeaway? Smart data usage isn't just for SaaS companies. Every organization—regardless of industry—can create competitive advantage by integrating analytics into their go-to-market strategies, operations, and customer experiences. Levi’s story is a reminder that intelligent transformation isn’t theoretical—it’s practical, measurable, and already happening. 👉 Are you making similar moves in your organization? 👉 Which lessons from Levi’s are relevant to your work in data, strategy, or operations? #CustomerAnalytics #IntelligentEnterprise #SupplyChain #DataDrivenRetail #DigitalTransformation #RetailAnalytics #ProcessIntelligence #ContentAnalytics #CSAT #SupplyChainOptimization #ConsumerInsights Michelle Gass Harmit Singh Laurent Vasilescu Dana Telsey Matt Boss Jay Sole #DataDriven

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