Podcast
Commerce Experience
Hosted by Bloomreach · EN
Welcome to The Commerce Experience with Elena Kacan and Roxy Couse — two trailblazers in ecommerce who bring a unique perspective as one of the only women-led podcasts in the industry. With their combined backgrounds in marketing and merchandising, Elena and Roxy dive into the strategies and perspectives necessary to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry shaped by consumer trends, technological advancements, and the growing influence of AI.
Meet Your Hosts:
Elena Kacan, Senior Community Marketing and Social Media Manager at Bloomreach – A dynamic brand marketing strategist, Elena is the driving force behind Bloomreach’s community and ambassador initiatives, social strategy, and podcast. As a frequent Skillpop instructor (covering topics like AI for marketers and personal branding), a regular expert panelist and emcee with Carolina Women in Tech, and a brand ambassador for the Community-Led Alliance, she’s passionate about connecting with industry practitioners and leaders to foster an engaged, supportive community that benefits everyone in ecommerce.
Roxy Couse, Director, Community and Content Marketing at Bloomreach – With a strong foundation in merchandising from her experience at Dillard’s and Whirlpool, Roxy brings over a decade of expertise in ecommerce strategy, UX, and content marketing. Featured in Business Insider, Newsweek, and Women and Retail, Roxy is also a known voice in ecommerce, as well as on TikTok and Instagram where she connects with nearly 270k followers. Her approach to building engaging, results-driven shopping experiences adds depth to every podcast conversation.
Join Elena and Roxy for candid conversations and actionable insights, all from a perspective you won’t find anywhere else in ecommerce.
Meet Your Hosts:
Elena Kacan, Senior Community Marketing and Social Media Manager at Bloomreach – A dynamic brand marketing strategist, Elena is the driving force behind Bloomreach’s community and ambassador initiatives, social strategy, and podcast. As a frequent Skillpop instructor (covering topics like AI for marketers and personal branding), a regular expert panelist and emcee with Carolina Women in Tech, and a brand ambassador for the Community-Led Alliance, she’s passionate about connecting with industry practitioners and leaders to foster an engaged, supportive community that benefits everyone in ecommerce.
Roxy Couse, Director, Community and Content Marketing at Bloomreach – With a strong foundation in merchandising from her experience at Dillard’s and Whirlpool, Roxy brings over a decade of expertise in ecommerce strategy, UX, and content marketing. Featured in Business Insider, Newsweek, and Women and Retail, Roxy is also a known voice in ecommerce, as well as on TikTok and Instagram where she connects with nearly 270k followers. Her approach to building engaging, results-driven shopping experiences adds depth to every podcast conversation.
Join Elena and Roxy for candid conversations and actionable insights, all from a perspective you won’t find anywhere else in ecommerce.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Aren’t More People Talking About Mental Health in E-Commerce?
Jan 2, 202500:15:29Tap to summarize81% of working adults believe employers should prioritize employee mental health, yet 77% feel it's not discussed enough.In this episode, Roxy and Elena dive into the critical intersection of mental health and workplace culture in the high-pressure world of ecommerce. They explore how to navigate the chaos of Black Friday, create a culture of openness and flexibility, and take actionable steps to prevent burnout — all while ensuring long-term success for your brand.TL;DR:Strategies to combat burnout in ecommerceThe mental health impact of unrelenting consumer demandHow employee wellbeing drives long-term customer satisfaction
Transcribe →What’s Fueling the $1.5 Trillion Subscription Boom?
Dec 19, 202400:25:01Tap to summarizeSubscriptions are everywhere, from streaming services to pet supplies delivery — and they’re changing the ecommerce industry in ways we couldn’t have imagined even 20 years ago. In today’s episode of Commerce Experience, Roxy and Elena examine the world of subscription models and how brands are building loyal customers (and recurring revenue streams) with convenience and predictability. But as competition grows, so do the challenges of standing out and keeping subscribers engaged and interested in your services.Is there a secret behind successful subscriptions? And what does it take to win over the notoriously fickle modern customer long term?TL;DR:How subscription models have transitioned from novelty to a cornerstone of modern ecommerceThe balance between predictable revenue benefits and the challenges of churn and customer fatigueProven strategies to attract, engage, and retain loyal subscribers through personalization and consistent value
Transcribe →Can Fast Shipping and Sustainability Coexist in Ecommerce?
Dec 5, 202400:25:16Tap to summarizeWith one-click orders and two-day shipping becoming the norm, how can companies align with these consumer expectations while embracing sustainability? In today's episode of Commerce Experience, Roxy and Elena chat about the sustainability landscape in ecommerce. They highlight cost-saving and eco-friendly strategies while discussing how brands, like Patagonia and IKEA, are embracing sustainability through initiatives such as buyback programs.TLDR Exploring the balance between rapid delivery and eco-conscious strategiesUnpacking how leading brands weave sustainability into their DNAHow AI innovations are revolutionizing green business practices
Transcribe →One-Click Checkout: How Simplified Payments Supercharge Shopping
Nov 21, 202400:28:34Tap to summarizeOnline payments are rapidly becoming more seamless, and the question is: Is your brand keeping up? As consumers increasingly demand convenience, simplified payment options are not just a preference; they're reshaping the future of ecommerce transactions.In this episode of Commerce Experience, Roxy and Elena discuss the evolving landscape of online checkouts, from one-click purchasing to MasterCard's bold initiative to eliminate manual card entry by 2030. The two also explore how these advancements are transforming shopping experiences on a large scale, making it easier and faster for consumers to complete their purchases (perhaps, too easy!).TLDRMasterCard's initiative to phase out manual card entry by 2030 and its impactHow innovations like digital wallets and one-click shopping are streamlining consumer transactionsThe effects of streamlined checkouts on consumer behavior and retail strategies
Transcribe →The Ozempic Craze Is Reshaping Commerce: Here’s How
Nov 7, 202400:27:27Tap to summarizeBrands and retailers are experiencing a shake-up unlike any before, driven not by tech but by the growing use of weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. With millions of Americans turning to these GLP-1 medications, supplement stores, including GNC and Vitamin Shoppe, are just a small fraction of businesses, racing to tap into the trend.In this episode, Roxy and Elena explore how retailers are adapting their strategies, from redesigning store layouts to targeting new customer segments. They’ll explore the ripple effects these medications have on consumer behavior, the challenges and opportunities, and what they mean for the future of industries, such as health and wellness, food and beverage, and beyond.TL;DRHow GNC and Vitamin Shoppe are rethinking their store layouts to appeal to GLP-1 usersThe wider industry reaction — from Walmart to Nestlé — to shifting consumer habitsThe market potential and concerns around GLP-1 medications and their influence on retail strategies
Transcribe →Marketing on Roblox: The Next Big Thing or Just Hype?
Oct 24, 202400:23:42Tap to summarizeVirtual concerts on Roblox gained massive popularity during the pandemic, but did you know brands are now using the game to leverage immersive marketing tactics to connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha?In this episode, Roxy and Elena explore the growing appeal of Roblox as a marketing channel, where major brands like Nike, Hilton, and Paramount are crafting virtual experiences to build brand awareness among younger audiences. With marketers feeling the pressure to be everywhere at once, our co-hosts ask the critical question: Is it truly effective to be on every, single marketing channel?TL;DRRoblox’s emergence as a key platform for brand engagement, driven by the growing demand for experiencesTips for experimenting with, navigating, and optimizing your chosen marketing channelsData’s role in understanding your audience and making impactful, personalized marketing decisions
Transcribe →Private Labels: A Glimpse Into Walmart’s Playbook
Sep 5, 202400:19:50Tap to summarizeWith grocery prices on the rise, are private-label products the answer for cost-conscious consumers? Today, we’ll explore how big-name retailers are shaping the future of affordable shopping through proprietary brands.In this episode of Commerce Experience, Roxy and Elena dish their thoughts about Walmart's latest private label launch, Bettergoods, chat about their personal favorites — like Target’s 50+ private labels — and explore how these products offer quality to consumers at a lower cost to brands, as well as increased personalization, improved customer loyalty, and more.TLDRThe rise of private-label brands and notable examples in the grocery industry and beyondThe role of consumer data in creating personalization for successful private-label productsWalmart’s launch of Bettergoods and the strategy behind the company’s first private brand food launch in 20 years
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An Executive-Level Breakdown of AI’s Impact on Search
Aug 22, 202400:43:31Tap to summarizeIn order to unlock AI’s highest potential in shopping experiences, we need to understand how AI understands us: our language, our buying patterns, and our search preferences.Joining co-hosts Elena and Roxy on this week’s episode is Xun Wang, CTO at Bloomreach, who gives the 411 on how AI and large language models (LLMs) are revolutionizing the way consumers search online. When the customer is granted a more personalized and relevant shopping experience, it’s better for both the customer and the brand — Xun breaks down exactly how AI can assist commerce professionals in achieving that goal.TLDRHow LLMs and vector technologies help search accuracy and personalizationWhy intent, product performance, and sophisticated algorithms improve ecomm searchThe ways merchandisers can tap into AI to make product discovery a better experience
Transcribe →The Future of Shopping Is..."Phygital"?!
Aug 8, 202400:25:59Tap to summarizeThe combination of AI and personalization is shifting customer expectations for shopping experiences at an astonishing pace.In today’s episode, we’ll get a first-hand look at the real-world application of AI to create personalized customer experiences at scale, with the Head of Digital and Ecommerce at Miele, Sergei Moiseev-Liberman. As a high-end German manufacturer of premium home appliances and commercial equipment, personalization is crucial for Moiseev-Liberman’s team at Miele. With Elena, the two explore how integrating AI-driven personalization engines into marketing strategies and creating seamless "phygital" (physical and digital) experiences are now essential focuses for ecommerce companies.TLDR:Leveraging AI to enhance customer experiences and streamline workflowsHow to bridge the gap between online-offline journeysImproving brand loyalty a customer-centric approach that measures delight
Transcribe →What the Retail AI Council Wants You to Know about AI
Jul 25, 202400:22:25Tap to summarizeToo many conversations about AI in commerce fail to account for the legitimate questions and concerns of retailers that are being asked to take a huge leap of faith into a new world. Without clear guidance from trusted sources, the gap between technological advancements promoted by AI providers and the readiness of retailers to adopt these technologies will only continue to widen.This week, Elena speaks with Andrew Laudato, COO at The Vitamin Shoppe, the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Retail AI Council, and Josh Baumrind, Chief Partnership Officer at the Retail AI Council. Andrew and Josh are committed to educating commerce professionals about the potential of AI and bridging the gap between partners and retailers — meaning, there’s no one better equipped to provide a trusted overview of the opportunities, challenges, and concerns presented by artificial intelligence.TLDR;Why AI can enhance customers’ shopping experiences with relevant information What you should do to maintain realistic discussions about AI commerce solutionsHow to address the latest ethical and legal considerations of AI in retail
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