eCommerce MasterPlan

Danny Garg is the CEO & founder of Valka Yoga. Founded in New Zealand in 2017, Valka Yoga now also sells to the US, UK, and Australia and is growing 30% year on year. They now sell via their Shopify site and wholesale offering via their own site and Faire and do about $500,000 per year.Listen to discover:Danny’s eCommerce journey to consistent 30% annual growthValka Yoga’s international team structureHow Valka Yoga keep costs and carbon down with their global fulfillment methodsHow Danny decided to expand the range from purely Cork to Copper!The huge marketing channel shift from Ads to Affiliates and Influencers that's driving growthHow Danny's put Social Proof at the heart of their growth strategyWhy listing on wholesale marketplace Faire has been a great step to B2B eCommerce sales growthKey timestamps to dive straight in:[04:28] India and New Zealand influenced sustainable mindset. Researched yoga mat materials, discovered cork.[08:03] Mix of factors: Carbon footprint, shipping costs. Locally-made products reduce carbon footprint.[12:57] Help studios customize products, gain customers' confidence.[13:47] Prominent social proof boosts wholesale sales growth.[17:22] Overseas shipping profitable, favorable payment terms.[23:07] Seeking eco-friendly materials and local production....This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ian Leslie is the CMO at US homewares brand Industry West. It all started with Industry West in 2010… now they have a Shopify store and B2B sales reps, with sales of over $20m a year.He's back on the show AGAIN to share his latest insights on the eCommerce market with host Chloe Thomas and all of you listening.Always insightful, in this episode we discuss:The main decision to move from Magento to ShopifyHow do you enhance interaction with B2B customers on Shopify?Why they're redesigning their Shopify store alreadyThe four best marketing strategies used by Industry WestWhat is the significance of customer research in decision-making?The surprising role of SMS marketingTime stamps:[08:19] Hoping for the best iteration of the site. [11:52] Encourage the team to understand customers and trade.[13:55] Direct mail with unique promo codes drives results.[18:31] Catalogs are costly, but direct mail is more manageable.[20:50] The Book explores free will and decision-making process.[23:21] Essential analytics and audience targeting....This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Alison Metcalfe is a Merchandiser. She ‘does stock’ to create efficiencies in the supply chain and maximise profit for retailers. She’s worked at many high street brands including BHS, Woolworths, and M&Co, and most recently spent 13 years as Merchandise Co-ordinator for fashion at John Lewis.In this episode we discuss:How to effectively promote and mark down stock that is not sellingWhy is June a time for deeper discounting?Merging sales data and stock informationWhy do you need to analyse sales in units rather than just cash turnover?Key signs or indicators of a stock problemTime stamps:[04:24] Ideal plan: offer customers what they want.[08:37] Clear roles for buyer, merchandiser and marketer.[11:07] Sales first, stock units indicate problems.[15:25] Get rid of unnecessary stock through promotions.[17:54] Retailers not effectively using paid systems.[25:18] Merchandising: key to managing stock for profit.[26:10] Exit strategy, key sales periods, and stock management....This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Maxim Gelmann is the founder and Chief Stroodle at Stroodles, DTC sellers of eco-tableware. Founded in 2018 they now sell via a B2B trade site, a B2B sales team and a D2C site, both built on Shopify. With sales to over 250 businesses in the hospitality industry.In this episode we discuss:How can a business effectively balance B2B and D2C operations?Portraying sustainability positivelySuccessful brand partnerships in the eCommerce spaceThe importance of giveaways and joint marketing effortsHandling logistics in-house versus outsourcing to a third-party fulfillment centerTime stamps:[00:56] Importance of brand, outsourcing logistics, building partnerships.[03:38] Changing negative stereotypes, promoting fun sustainability.[09:02] Transition into growth after overcoming obstacles. [10:40] 2 warehouses for distributors and direct consumers.[16:03] Benefit from partnerships to maximise resources and audience.[19:09] Social media marketing.[20:08] Partnerships and benefits.[23:30] Giveaways open you to large audiences at minimal cost.[27:07] The brand expanded into kids' activity packs and explored partnerships for selling on Instagram. ...This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re in a fascinating time in the world of eCommerce websites. We’ve left the era of “just use Shopify”, and getting back into the world where which platform you choose to be the basis of your tech stack can have a fundamental impact on your success over the next 5-10 years.A replatforming project isn’t one to be taken lightly. It can have a huge impact on your future success – screwing it up, or enabling it It can have a huge impact on your team and their effectiveness. And during the project, it can have a huge impact on day-to-day workloads. A little (well, a lot) of thinking and planning can go a long way.We've asked our 6 experts to answer this question "What does a merchant planning a replatform need to know about right now?"Our experts:Lee Frankland, DWSJames Gurd, Re:platform Podcast / Digital JugglerMontserrat Cano, International ConsultantSimon Wharton, PushONSandra Markey, LoqateGabe Macaluso, OmnisendTime stamps:[01:40] Thinking and planning saves time, money, and sanity.[05:41] Clear destination crucial for efficient replatforming journey.[08:35] Communicate platform change, integrate apps, and inform customers.[10:22] Optimise website with planning and collaboration[13:58] Change management: mapping operational impact and training needs.[17:55] Content migration[23:36] Ignoring buzzwords...This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Christina Dean is the founder and CEO of The R Collective, an upcycled fashion brand and social impact business that rescues luxury brands’ excess materials and collaborates with award-winning sustainable designers to create circular fashion. Founded in 2017 they are selling via their Shopify store and wholesale. They have rescued 238,000 yards of fabric and 8,100 square feet of leather.In this episode we discuss:Why excessive textile materials pose a challenge for charities and businessesThe issue of excess and waste materials in the fashion industryRepurposing and reusing fabric and clothing protected by intellectual propertyHow do partnerships with luxury brands help in creating circular fashion?Why is getting control of inventory crucial in becoming more sustainable?Time stamps:[03:57] From dentist to journalist to sustainable fashion.[06:31] Businesses donate excess materials to nonprofits.[11:19] Complexity of using luxury brands' excess stock.[14:55] Recycling luxury brand materials into new products.[17:16] Supply chain analysis proves recycling is environmentally beneficial.[21:48] Inventory control is crucial for sustainable businesses.[24:04] Press involvement is crucial for business success.[28:07] Fashion waste creates opportunities for sustainability.Free 1 Hour Consultation with Connected Sourcing >> https://ecmp.info/sourcing Save 15% with Zitec >> https://ecmp.info/zitec ..This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kalle Sjöholm is the eCommerce manager at Swedish fashion brand Dedicated. Founded as an environmental retail chain in 2006, Dedicated is now selling from 3 stores in Sweden, various retailers around the world, and globally via its Centra eCommerce store. In total they did sales of just under 10 million euros in 2022 about half via the eCommerce store.In this episode we discuss:How does Dedicated communicate their sustainability efforts?What is the significance of their "Plant Friday" initiative?What role does the wholesale aspect of business play in the overall sales strategy?New areas of sustainability… and how to not sound like your greenwashingTime stamps:[04:27] Selling clothes with sustainability focus.[06:44] Action over talk, prioritise sustainability in practice.[09:36] Office team with production, design, eCommerce, and sustainability.[13:34] Understanding the team and questioning the choice of platform.[16:59] Season is important despite world instability.[19:47] Collaboration key.[23:08] Insights on brand structure and collaborations.Free 1 Hour Consultation with Connected Sourcing >> https://ecmp.info/sourcing Save 15% with Zitec >> https://ecmp.info/zitec ..This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mark Rushmore is the co-founder at SURI – short for Sustainable Rituals – a future focused wellness brand, most famous for their electric toothbrush, the world’s most sustainable electric toothbrush! Founded in 2021 they started shipping in May 2022, and grew to 7 figures in the first 13 months via their Shopify site and Amazon, and have now launched in High Street Retailer Boots.In this episode we discuss:Creating the Minimum Lovable ProductThe impact of customer reviews play in influencing purchasing decisionsAddressing the issue of toothbrush wasteWhy be fully focused on growing your direct-to-consumer (D2C) channel?Reaching customers through major retailers like Amazon and BootsTime stamps:[02:31] Co-founders tackle waste in the FMCG industry with sustainable toothbrushes.[07:43] Minimum lovable product and customer reviews.[10:27] Becoming competent at spinning plates.[13:06] Focusing on other areas of growth.[16:14] Unaddressed problem in toothbrush market.[19:41] Growing D2C, but also utilising Amazon and Boots.[22:50] Power pitching to journalists and word-of-mouth recommendations.[25:34] Collaborate with Google Sheets, Slack automation, and Mac text replacement.Free 1 Hour Consultation with Connected Sourcing >> https://ecmp.info/sourcing Save 15% with Zitec >> https://ecmp.info/zitec ..This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ryan Alovis is the CEO at LensDirect. The latest iteration of the eyewear business founded by his great grandfather in 1910. Ryan bought back the family business in 2009 growing it 30,000% since then. The current set up is a fully custom eCommerce store doing over $25million per year.In this episode we discuss:Building a custom website and operating within healthcare regulationsThe significance of the LensDirect brand namePatience versus impatience in businessLensDirect's offerings and customisation optionsThe complex process of replacing lenses and glasses in the optical businessTime stamps:[05:20] How LensDirect built a custom site for their business.[08:27] Combining relationships, technology, and customer satisfaction for success.[10:48] Seizing opportunities wisely.[16:34] On success from 80% culture and 20% leadership[18:51] Using SMS is highly effective for building a customer list and pushing sales.[22:26] Adopting a profit-first mindset.Free 1 Hour Consultation with Connected Sourcing >> https://ecmp.info/sourcing Save 15% with Zitec >> https://ecmp.info/zitec ..This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Stacey Grant-Canham is the creative director and founder of Black & Beech, a feminist fashion brand. Founded in 2016 they sell via their Shopify site. Black & Beech are a 6-figure retailer and are currently doing double last year’s sales.In this episode we discuss:Incorporating political and social issues into the brandHave a strong presence on special occasions or holidaysThe impact of mindset on Stacey’s business growthWhy you need good people in a business for it to growTime stamps:[06:48] Develop, sell, and expand product range consciously.[11:03] Black & Beach’s success after mindset shift.[15:43] Taking business seriously and scaling with good people.[19:02] Challenges with Royal Mail strikes and growth.[22:32] Campaigning for International Women's Day drove traffic.Free 1 Hour Consultation with Connected Sourcing >> https://ecmp.info/sourcing Save 15% with Zitec >> https://ecmp.info/zitec ..This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/--- Download our ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your Profits Get all the links and resources we mention and join our email list at https://ecmp.info Love the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode QandA on Spotify. Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy