

eCommerce MasterPlan
Chloë Thomas
Trying to work out how to acquire more customers?
Need to improve customer retention?
Or just looking for some reassurance you’re on the right track?
That’s what the eCommerce MasterPlan is here for.
Every week we interview an e-Commerce business person (owner, manager or marketer) with a fascinating insight into successful online retailing.
Their business might be a UK mail order retailer, an online-only store from Australia, or a brick and clicks business from the USA – but every one of them is doing something we can all learn from.
Many of our guests are using Shopify & Klaviyo, but we also have guests using Wix, Bigcommerce, Woocommerce, Omnisend and Magento. So you're sure to find an episode that directly helps YOU.
Listen for advice on what to do next, the reassurance you’re heading in the right direction and all the inspiration you need to grow your eCommerce business without losing your life in the process!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/
Need to improve customer retention?
Or just looking for some reassurance you’re on the right track?
That’s what the eCommerce MasterPlan is here for.
Every week we interview an e-Commerce business person (owner, manager or marketer) with a fascinating insight into successful online retailing.
Their business might be a UK mail order retailer, an online-only store from Australia, or a brick and clicks business from the USA – but every one of them is doing something we can all learn from.
Many of our guests are using Shopify & Klaviyo, but we also have guests using Wix, Bigcommerce, Woocommerce, Omnisend and Magento. So you're sure to find an episode that directly helps YOU.
Listen for advice on what to do next, the reassurance you’re heading in the right direction and all the inspiration you need to grow your eCommerce business without losing your life in the process!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 6, 2023 • 31min
How do you do a great Re-platform? Our 6 Expert guests share their best tips
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 buzzwordsDownload our ebook >> https://ecmp.info/ebook "500 Top Tips to Make Your eCommerce Business More Profitable" Find the tech to solve your challenges at eCommerce Tech >> https://ecmp.info/techDownload our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Oct 30, 2023 • 36min
Fashion, PR, and Circularity with The R Collective's Christina Dean
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 Download our ebook >> https://ecmp.info/ebook "500 Top Tips to Make Your eCommerce Business More Profitable" Download our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Oct 23, 2023 • 30min
Generating €5 Million in Online Sales selling Sustainable Fashion with Dedicated's Kalle Sjöholm
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 Download our ebook >> https://ecmp.info/ebook "500 Top Tips to Make Your eCommerce Business More Profitable" Download our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Oct 16, 2023 • 37min
High Growth Success for a D2C Brand with Mark Rushmore, SURI
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 Download our ebook >> https://ecmp.info/ebook "500 Top Tips to Make Your eCommerce Business More Profitable" Download our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Oct 9, 2023 • 30min
Increasing Revenue from Six to Eight Figures with LensDirect's Ryan Alovis
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 Download our ebook >> https://ecmp.info/ebook "500 Top Tips to Make Your eCommerce Business More Profitable" Download our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Oct 2, 2023 • 36min
Doubling Sales in a Year as a Fashion Brand with Black & Beech's Stacey Grant-Canham
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 Download our ebook >> https://ecmp.info/ebook "500 Top Tips to Make Your eCommerce Business More Profitable" Download our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Sep 25, 2023 • 38min
Gift Cards, Loyalty and China Expansion with Elisabeth de Gramont, Frank And Oak
Elisabeth de Gramont is the Head of Impact at Canadian fashion brand Frank And Oak. A bricks and clicks B Corp retailer founded in 2012 that now has 15 stores in Canada and does the other 50% of its sales via its Shopify site. Elisabeth is also Chief Brand Officer at Unified Commerce Group.In this episode we discuss:How do you determine your top customers?How does Frank and Oak communicate their sustainability practices to their customers?Lessons from a brand strategist and consumer marketing expertThe key considerations for Western brands looking to expand into the Chinese marketTime stamps:[05:01] The brand’s focus on sustainability and timeless pieces.[09:15] Using innovative materials for sustainable fashion.[17:18] Need someone on the ground in China.[22:45] Identify loyal customers and reward their loyalty.[24:23] Encourage team to share weekly recommendations for inspiration.[29:54] Insights from Elizabeth on sustainable brand evolution, transparency, and China expansion.Contact SHOPLINE >>> https://ecmp.info/shopline Find the tech to solve your challenges at eCommerce Tech >> https://ecmp.info/techDownload our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Sep 18, 2023 • 35min
Serving 160k Customers Custom Fit Fashion with Jess Fleischer, Son of a Tailor
Jess Fleischer is the Co-Founder & CEO of Son of a Tailor, a clothing technology company making custom fitted casual clothing for men. Founded in 2014 they’ve served over 160,000 customers so far. In this episode we discuss:Peer-to-peer models with returns and secondhand products in the fashion industryHow can you create a personalised shopping experience AND be sustainable?What are the benefits of using video content in Facebook ads?Improving sustainability practices in product lifecycle and end-of-life solutionsModels for sustainability in the fashion industryTime stamps:[03:35] eCommerce transformed fashion supply chains, sparking change.[07:51] Small brands need to address sustainability issues.[11:02] P2P businesses increasing.[15:34] Challenges of customer onboarding process in business.[18:21] Video ads on Facebook showing website checkout process.[22:44] Entrepreneurs should start with non-online options.[26:30] Keep it simple, no need for calculations.[27:28] Fashion sustainability: streamline supply chain, increase profits, inspire others, improve customer experience, and use social proof.Contact SHOPLINE >>> https://ecmp.info/shopline Find the tech to solve your challenges at eCommerce Tech >> https://ecmp.info/techDownload our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Sep 11, 2023 • 40min
Hiring for Growth: How do you build a great eCommerce team? with Andy Davies, Vertical Advantage
Andy Davies is an eCommerce recruitment specialist working for Vertical Advantage and Nurture Talent. Working across Europe, he’s helped brands big and small to grow their teams the right way, including everyone from Nestle, to DTC brands making their very first hire.In this episode we discuss:How does the concept of "Moneyball" apply to recruitment?How can smaller, lesser-known brands compete for talent?The advantages and disadvantages of dividing specialisms within a teamThe pros and cons of simple subscriptions for both businesses and customers Time stamps:[04:09] Tech impact on market not as pessimistic.[06:48] Finding value in recruitment, particularly in Amazon.[10:24] Why big brands not always worth the cost.[18:52] Growth role in companies are not linear[22:36] Tips for hiring: define needs, understand growth and use LinkedIn for networking.[25:09] Top Tips.Contact SHOPLINE >>> https://ecmp.info/shopline Find the tech to solve your challenges at eCommerce Tech >> https://ecmp.info/techDownload our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Sep 4, 2023 • 38min
The Pre-Loved Fashion Market with Oxfam's Andrew Ostcliffe
Andy Ostcliffe is Head of eCommerce and Retail innovation at Oxfam. Oxfam is the leading UK charity fighting global poverty and the UK’s best loved charity shop chain – with over 575 stores across the UK, a thriving online store that’s built on Oracle plus selling on Ebay and Etsy. Across the retail channels they do just under £100 million, with 10% coming from online.In this episode we discuss:The impact of pre-loved clothing on the fashion industryWhat role do Influencers play in selling pre-loved clothing?How can mainstream retailers get involved in the secondhand market?Leverage online shopper activity and product trends to inform physical shopsTime stamps:[05:05] Having a large corporate following, diverse donations and popular charity shops.[08:06] Using online data for trends.[11:09] Consumers want bargains and unique clothing options.[14:40] How Oxfam promotes sustainability in product sourcing.[20:33] Be genuine, use take back schemes and why influencers matter.[24:10] Tips for listing on eBay.[25:45] Flexible working is changing how Oxfam communicates.[30:23] The pre-loved movement.Contact SHOPLINE >>> https://ecmp.info/shopline Find the tech to solve your challenges at eCommerce Tech >> https://ecmp.info/techDownload our new ebook... https://ecmp.info/ebook 500 Tips to Increase Your ProfitsGet all the links and resources we mention & join our email list at https://ecmp.infoLove the show? Chloe would love your feedback - leave a review here: https://ecmp.info/review or reply to the episode Q&A on Spotify.Interested in being a Sponsor? go here: https://ecmp.info/sponsor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/