After the dust settled on what can only be described as two highly satisfying virtual events in September 2020 and March 2021, we have reflected on what these two dynamic gatherings have taught us.

This is a pivotal moment for ecommerce marketers. As brick-and-mortar stores reopen and customers return to shopping in person, today’s marketing decisions will decide how many new customers ecommerce brands will retain or lose.

Instead of looking back on what has happened to the world of commerce in these challenging last 12 months, the brands set for success in 2021 and beyond are those with a strong eye on the future.

 

In March 2021 alone, two of the UK’s largest retailers announced major international eCommerce plays with Marks & Spencer expanding online to 46 new markets, and B&Q revealing plans to launch physical and digital channels in Saudi Arabia this autumn.

It shows digital development and 2021 UK retail plans are not restricted to home market, and several eCommerce Expo sessions highlighted the key challenges businesses face when operating across borders.

After March virtual, we caught up with Michelle Whelan, UK CEO, VMLY&R COMMERCE. Hear her fascinating insights on how social commerce is evolving and the impact of COVID-19. Plus an inside scoop on the social commerce projects VMLY&R COMMERCE have on the horizon. Read the full interview now.

Providing fast, always-on, personalized shopping experiences has traditionally been challenging. 

To develop loyal, repeat customers, online businesses need to be prepared to personalize their interactions and offer different ways to resolve inquiries, quickly. This can make customer support complex and time-consuming.

Enter Gorgias...

At eCommerce Expo virtual in association with Technology for Marketing, the industry cumulatively evaluated the significant trends that arose out of this period and delivered thought-provoking insights into how organisations dealt with online selling, virtual communication, and digital brand building.

One of those trends that revealed its prominence within the ecommerce marketing sphere, was the growing influence of social commerce. This piece will review how this was captured over the three virtual days, via Facebook, the rise of Snapchat and TikTok, and the overall evolving force of social commerce.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been considered for a long time to be something that is only used by huge businesses with enormous financial power and access to big data. But the truth is that AI can be used by business of all sizes, thanks to a diverse range of AI-driven tools and powerful applications.  In this article, we take a look at how your business can boost its sales and marketing efforts by utilising AI tools. 

Two weeks ago, eCommerce Expo 2021 virtual, in association with Technology for Marketing became a platform to voice collaborative insights on what’s really happening in the digital commerce world. Read Ben Sillitoe's second thought-led piece which reviews how prominent businesses Eurostar, Adidas and Love Home Swap discussed personalisation, first-party data and the subscription economy, at eCommerce Expo Virtual '21.

The events of 2020 have fundamentally changed the course of ecommerce. So, what can marketers and brands expect over the coming 12 months?

Our own Richard Robinson, Managing Director of Xeim Engage, asked the following panel of experts at eCommerce Expo 2021 for their opinions:

• Cassandra Stevens – Global Commerce Lead at Publicis Commerce
• Simon Kennedy – Manager, Experience Optimisation (Europe) at Adidas
• Lilia Dikova – Head of Digital at Bionic Business