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The TL;DR:

• Let’s Chat D2C: 2024 BFCM Ecommerce Trends you need to pay attention to…

• What I’m Thinking about this Week: Traveling Light for Sales and Networking

• The D2Z Podcast: In this week’s episode, I sat down with Andy Hilliard, CEO of Accelerance, to discuss how to successfully build and scale an international development arm for your business.

• App Updates & Highlights: Monocle. An AI-powered incentive platform that helps consumer brands personalize offers.

• Upcoming Events: I’m headed to Chicago for the Recruiting Operations Conference from Wednesday to Saturday. Let me know if you’re in the area and want to connect!

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Let’s Chat D2C - 2024 BFCM Ecommerce Trends you need to pay attention to…

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) approach in 2024, the ecommerce landscape is evolving rapidly. Businesses are preparing for one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, and several key trends are shaping how ecommerce brands can maximize their success. With new technological advances and shifting consumer behaviors, the 2024 BFCM season presents both opportunities and challenges. Let's explore the top trends and how Shopify, a dominant platform in the ecommerce space, is adapting to these changes.

1. Personalization at Scale

In 2024, personalization remains king, but it's taking on a new form. Shoppers expect hyper-relevant recommendations, curated product selections, and personalized offers throughout their shopping experience. Brands using AI-powered platforms to analyze customer data can offer this level of personalization without manual effort. Shopify has responded by integrating more AI-driven features into its platform, including advanced analytics tools that help merchants segment their audience and offer tailored promotions during BFCM.

Key takeaway: Brands leveraging AI-driven personalization through Shopify will stand out in the crowded BFCM marketplace.

2. Omnichannel Shopping Experiences

Consumers are no longer confined to one channel for their shopping. In 2024, a seamless omnichannel experience is crucial. Shoppers expect to browse on social media, shop on mobile, and complete their purchases on desktop—or in-store, if applicable—without friction. Shopify has expanded its capabilities to support merchants with tools like Shopify POS (Point of Sale) that allow brands to unify their online and offline sales channels. This allows businesses to engage with customers wherever they are, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints during BFCM.

Key takeaway: Shopify merchants who create an integrated omnichannel experience can boost conversions and offer a superior shopping journey for BFCM buyers.

3. Sustainability and Ethical Consumerism

More than ever, consumers are looking for brands that align with their values, particularly when it comes to sustainability. In 2024, eco-friendly packaging, carbon-neutral shipping, and sustainable product sourcing will be major factors in purchasing decisions during BFCM. Shopify has introduced its Shopify Planet feature, which enables merchants to offer carbon-neutral shipping options by offsetting delivery emissions. Brands that take these initiatives seriously can appeal to the growing demographic of eco-conscious shoppers.

Key takeaway: Aligning with sustainability trends via Shopify's eco-friendly tools can lead to a competitive advantage this BFCM.

4. Social Commerce on the Rise

Social commerce is not new, but in 2024, it has matured significantly. Consumers are increasingly discovering and purchasing products directly through platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Shopify has made it easier for merchants to leverage these channels by offering built-in integrations with social media platforms. Features like Shopify Buy Buttons allow customers to complete transactions without leaving the app they’re browsing. This feature is particularly useful during BFCM when customers want to act quickly on deals they find while scrolling.

Key takeaway: Shopify merchants who integrate social commerce into their strategy will be able to capture impulse buyers more effectively during BFCM.

5. Subscription Models and Loyalty Programs

In 2024, brands are focusing on building long-term customer relationships, not just driving one-time sales. Subscription models and loyalty programs are proving to be effective tools for customer retention. Shopify's Shopify Subscriptions allows merchants to seamlessly offer subscription options during BFCM, ensuring repeat business beyond the holiday season. Additionally, Shopify's loyalty app integrations enable businesses to reward customers for purchases, fostering long-term loyalty even after the holiday rush.

Key takeaway: Brands that implement subscription models or loyalty programs via Shopify can turn BFCM into a customer retention opportunity.

6. AI-Enhanced Customer Service

With the high volume of inquiries and orders during BFCM, providing excellent customer service is critical. In 2024, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are helping businesses handle customer queries more efficiently. Shopify has enhanced its customer service options with AI-driven tools like Shopify Inbox, enabling brands to manage customer communication across multiple platforms, including email, chat, and social media, all in one place. This automation can be a game-changer during the BFCM rush.

Key takeaway: Shopify merchants using AI-driven customer service tools will be better equipped to handle the surge in demand and keep customers satisfied.

7. Mobile-First Shopping

Mobile commerce continues to dominate in 2024, with more consumers using their smartphones to browse and make purchases. Ensuring a seamless mobile experience is no longer optional—it’s essential. Shopify themes are now optimized for mobile-first design, ensuring that merchants can provide a fast, responsive, and intuitive mobile experience during BFCM. Brands that prioritize mobile optimization will benefit from higher conversion rates, especially among younger consumers.

Key takeaway: Optimizing for mobile-first commerce through Shopify’s mobile-optimized themes is essential for success this BFCM.

Conclusion

The 2024 BFCM season promises to be a defining moment for ecommerce brands. With personalization, omnichannel experiences, sustainability, social commerce, subscriptions, AI-powered customer service, and mobile-first strategies leading the way, businesses need to stay ahead of the curve. Shopify continues to be a vital platform for brands to leverage these trends and capitalize on the opportunities this shopping season presents.

By adopting these trends, Shopify merchants can ensure they're well-positioned for a successful BFCM, turning the holiday rush into long-term growth.

What I’m Thinking About This Week - Traveling Light for Sales and Networking

Sales and networking in person have proven to be far more effective than anything else when it comes to achieving meaningful conversations, but it takes a lot of effort and travel to attend these meetings.

As a frequent traveler and road warrior, I've picked up some essential tips and tricks that have helped me stay on top of everything – all while bringing just one carry-on. Here’s how I made the last 45 days of consecutive travel work, and some advice for your next big trip:

1️⃣ Be Intentional with Your Travel
Instead of flying back and forth, I consolidated my trips to hit key events: Utah for Recharge's Brand Summit, Vancouver to meet our Shopify Partner Manager, NYC for the Principled Business Summit, San Diego for Commerce Roundtable, and more. I scheduled in-person SCALIS meetings along the way to maximize my travel time.

2️⃣ Mix Business with Fun
It wasn’t all work. From hiking in Vancouver to a weekend in Lake Tahoe with friends, I made sure to mix in some downtime and fun. Even extended my SF stay to enjoy the city's incredible food scene.

3️⃣ Stay Active and Keep a Routine
Fitness kept me sane. Even during packed schedules, I made time for 30-minute workouts or a quick 5K. Staying active helps keep your energy up and your mind focused.

4️⃣ Carry-On Only is a Game Changer
I saved hours by skipping the checked-bag lines. With some packing hacks (like rolling clothes into packing cubes), you can make a carry-on work for even extended trips.

5️⃣ Plan Lodging Strategically
Alternating between hotels and Airbnbs with laundry saved me from overpacking. Pro-tip: pay extra for location – it’s worth the time and transportation savings.

6️⃣ Bring All the Chargers
Make sure you’ve got chargers for every device. For me, that meant Garmin watch, Jabra headphones, Sony work headphones, and more.

7️⃣ Hydrate and Rest
Traveling can be exhausting, especially with new cities to explore every week. Hydrate, sleep, and take your vitamins to keep going strong.

8️⃣ Use Amazon and Uber Eats for Convenience
I couldn’t pack 45 days of Bella's food, so I used Amazon to ship supplies to my next destination. Uber Eats was a lifesaver for quick meals on the go.

9️⃣ Don’t Count on Airplane Wi-Fi
It’s hit or miss, so always bring offline work to keep you productive.

1️⃣0️⃣ Stick with One Airline
Loyalty pays off. I got upgraded to first class 80% of the time by sticking with one airline. Totally worth it!

This Week’s The D2Z Podcast

#126 – Building an International Development Arm

🎧 Listen Now 🎧

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Andy Hilliard to discuss how to successfully build and scale an international development arm for your business. Specifically, we explored the following:

💡 The key steps for developing a global presence

🌍 Managing cultural and logistical challenges in international markets

🧠 How to align global teams with your company’s mission

🔑 Strategies for scaling and managing international operations

🚀 Long-term benefits of having a strong international development arm

App Updates & Highlights - Monocle

What is it: Monocle is an AI-powered incentive platform that helps consumer brands personalize offers.

Differentiator: It allows brands like True Classic, Honeylove, and Death Wish Coffee to improve offer performance by using AI to give each customer an offer that maximizes incremental returns. You can leverage dynamic offers in Email & SMS channels, on-site, and ads.

Starting Price: Reach out for preferred pricing.

How We Use It: With Monocle's platform, we can better protect our client’s brand equity, avoid one-size-fits-all discounts, and typically see a 30%+ increase in Gross Profit from offers.

Upcoming Events

I’m headed to Chicago for the Recruiting Operations Conference from Wednesday to Saturday. Let me know if you’re in the area and want to connect!