#19 - Have you ever made 1M$ in 1 Hour?
AI Impact & Self-Gifting. Ecommerce Performance Gap. TrueLayer's Open Banking. Khy Hits 1M$ in 1 Hour. Waterdrop to the U.S.
Hello everyone 👋
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: on every online store I go… Preparations for BFCM are locked-in and all anyone with your info is bombarding emails with holidays season checklists.
It’s that time of the year 🎅💸
From my side, I have as usual 5 new insights and articles to share, I believe you’ll find them valuable. Write in the comments what you learnt from it or if there’s anything I missed that should in this curated list. Thanks 🙏
5 - AI Impact & Self-Gifting Surge This Christmas
As we gear up for the festive season, two major e-commerce trends are taking centre stage, reshaping the retail landscape. First, data reveals that Australians increasingly rely on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to simplify Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) deal hunting, though there's some hesitation about its impact on personalized shopping. At the same time, a broader survey unveils a significant shift in American consumer behaviour, with 64% expressing a desire for self-gifting during BFCM. This growing trend provides a strategic opportunity for merchants not only to cater to traditional gift purchases but also to tailor sales for those looking to treat themselves. The blend of AI's influence and the surge in self-gifting highlights the need for retailers to embrace tech-driven engagement while maintaining a human touch, meeting the diverse preferences of consumers especially during this shopping period.
4 - Ecommerce Performance Gap
The Czech company vshosting~ research spotlights a performance gap in the UK's e-commerce, where major players lag in vital web metrics compared to fast-growing businesses. With 67% missing loading time benchmarks, savvy merchants can seize an opportunity to boost conversion rates by investing in crucial upgrades. The report reveals tech disparities, emphasizing the need for major players to adopt IPv6 and CDN. Closing these gaps not only improves web performance but also gives businesses a competitive edge in the dynamic e-commerce arena.
3 - TrueLayer's Open Banking Revolution
Europe's premier open banking payments network, TrueLayer, has unveiled its payments app on the Shopify App Store, presenting a potential revolution in digital payments for UK and EU merchants. With Maplin already on board, the app allows merchants to swiftly incorporate instant bank payments into their checkout process, ensuring a faster, more secure, and cost-effective payment option compared to cards or PayPal. Despite limited current country support, this move aligns with the established open banking trend in many Central European countries, marking a significant leap for the digital payment industry.
2 - Khy Hits 1M$ in 1 Hour
Kylie Jenner's latest business endeavour, the Khy clothing line, achieved a remarkable feat, surpassing $1 million in sales within just one hour of its launch on Shopify. The reality star's affordable faux leather collection, in collaboration with Berlin-based label Namilia, witnessed rapid success, with standout pieces like a trench coat ($198) and a minidress ($98). The efficient handling of this significant launch sets a stark contrast to recent incidents, such as Sephora's store outage during a major sale, highlighting the importance of robust Ecommerce platforms.
1 - Waterdrop: from Austria to the U.S.
Vienna's Waterdrop, famed for its innovative flavoured water tablets, has surged to success with over $100 million in European sales in 2021. Launched seven years ago in Austria, the brand, envisioned as a "micro-drink," prioritizes sustainability with real plant extracts. Founder Martin Murray's perseverance through initial skepticism resulted in a market-ready product, tested and refined through consumer feedback. Waterdrop's expansion from Austria to the U.S. marks a remarkable journey, navigating challenges in a competitive market. Apologies for the delayed share, but the brand's triumph merits recognition.
“Our e-commerce will always exist”
Waterdrop CEO Martin Murray
App of the week: Instant.so
This no-code Shopify page builder, introduces Sections, a game-changing feature enabling direct editing of custom Shopify Sections within the Shopify editor. This innovation converts Instant-created Sections into native Shopify Liquid code, ensuring seamless integration with themes and metafields. The addition of App Island enhances compatibility with any Shopify app block, providing unprecedented customization options. Instant's commitment to empowering merchants with creative freedom reaches new heights with this revolutionary feature, setting a new standard in Shopify page building.