GELF NYC ’23 was a success – it was great to see the East Coast GELF community out in force! Thanks to all the speakers, sponsors and of course the GELF community of retail and brand execs! Registration is now open for GELF LA ’24 – and stay tuned for our date in Mid-February (likely Thursday February 22nd). Executive at retailers and DTC brands can register now at the GELF LA ’24 event site!
GELF LA 2023’s return to the DGA at our normal February time slot was a great success – thanks to the West Coast GELF’ers who joined us! Now we look forward to getting the GELF community back together again on the East Coast in Manhattan!
GELF NYC 2023 will bring together experts and executives from retailers and brands of all shapes and sizes. Top global consumer brands will join digital-natives and digitally-led brands from the fashion and apparel world, health, cosmetics and beauty, consumer electronics and other leading retail verticals for one full day of education, sharing and networking. Digital commerce innovators, cross-border ecommerce experts and global DTC ecommerce thought leaders will debate how today’s push for profitable international expansion frames their global retail ecommerce strategies.
Are you a retail ecommerce leader interested in speaking at GELF NYC 2023 on Thursday, October 12th? If so, please contact the GELF producers by emailing speak@globalecommerce.co
As always, GELF NYC 2023 is a retailer/DTC brand-only, sponsor-only event. If you are a cross-border solution provider, an ecommerce platform or marketplace operator, software company, agency, data aggregator, logistics provider or other global ecommerce solution or service provider interested in sponsoring and attending GELF NYC ’23, we would love to have you join us as a sponsor. Please contact sponsor@globalecommerce.co
The program theme for GELF NYC 2023 is Profitably Scaling Customer Engagement Globally. As always, GELF speakers will deliver an energetic and engaging combination of global ecommerce strategy and international growth tactics and best practices.
You can count on the following topics being part of the October 12th program:
Networking starts during breakfast, extends into lunch and keeps accelerating into our late afternoon reception. So raise your hand and get involved as we schedule our One-to-One@GELF NYC ’23 meetings, organize Executive Peer Discussion Meetups, and get retail leaders seated for our Global Ecommerce Leaders Podcasts.
GELF succeeds when the community steps up and helps drive the conversation. When you register, let us know what topics you’d like us to include in the program, peer discussion groups and networking events.
Bring your experiences and questions. Leave with insights and answers.
Thanks to all of the speakers joining us at GELF NYC '23 on Oct 12th.
Interested in GELF's past programming – and curious about what lies ahead?
Check out the The GELF YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/
@TheGlobalEcommerceLeadersForum) AND listen in to our Global Ecommerce Podcast (global-e-commerce-tech-talks.simplecast.com).
If you are a retail or brand executive interested in sharing your global DTC, cross-border or international ecommerce experience, please contact us at speak@globalecommerce.co. If you're a solution provider interested in sharing your global expertise, please email us at sponsor@globalecommerce.co!
We welcome the GELF community back to Convene Midtown as we begin the GELF NYC ’22 Program and thank our speakers and sponsors!
We will explore how key international ecommerce trends & market data frame the day’s program and examine key drivers of global DTC and cross-border ecommerce growth.
How is Global DTC defined today? To quote one global ecommerce leader, “Owning the relationship, but being available to global shoppers wherever they are.”
Consumers around the world are increasingly indifferent to borders between markets and/or channels. Tasked with being consumer-led, leaders at retail brands need to provide a consistent shopping experience across channels and across borders – one that also delivers the local experiences and engagement shoppers value.
Today’s push for profitable growth adds additional complexity to international expansion planning. GELF’s opening keynote panelists will speak to how their organizations are profitably scaling global retail ecommerce sales by blending and balancing digital and physical retail experiences.
Scaling global retail ecommerce sales requires meeting international shoppers across DTC ecommerce, international marketplaces, social platforms and/or physical retail stores. We will explore how digital leaders are aligning channel strategies and operations and collaborating on marketing and customer ownership and as well as technology and innovation.
Learn how leaders are collaborating with global marketing, ecommerce and intn’l retail channel partners and driving digital transformation throughout their global retail distribution networks.
Speakers:
The post-pandemic shopping journey has changed – and in some countries, markedly so. We’ve seen the overcorrection to DTC and the more recent correction back to stores and “physical” retail.
Still, international ecommerce growth rates continue to outpace most domestic online sales. Although cross-border DTC strategies continue to be the tip of spear when it comes to international expansion, profitably expanding into new global markets today requires a more holistic approach – one that can lean heavily on international franchise partners and distributors.
In Part 2 of GELF’s Executive Leaders Keynote Panel, leaders at Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and DVF share how they are driving transformation among their international distribution, franchisees & B2B trade partners.
Knowing when to lead and when to follow in international markets isn’t always straightforward. Mike, Karen and Claudia discuss exclusive vs. selective distribution models, do’s and don’ts for marketplace selling, protecting brands – and how to help distributors take their digital/omnichannel game to the next level.
Hear how leaders are balancing global ecommerce opportunities and operations as they learn from some international partners while leading the charge to “ecommerce-enable” other global distribution partners.
We’ll discuss how brands are designing and executing profitable global distribution strategies that better serve digital-savvy global consumers wherever and however they choose to shop.
Speakers:
Our morning keynote fireside chat will dive into how DTC brands are capitalizing on cross-border ecommerce opportunities and scaling their international online success over time.
The conversation will focus on the importance of staying agile in an ever-fluctuating global marketplace and how the ability to react and execute quickly requires leveraging data-driven insights. This agility is especially crucial in a today’s business environment where global markets continue to experience inflationary headwinds, geopolitical turbulence and changing consumer sentiments.
David Benayoun, Co-founder & CEO at Ana Luisa and Matthew Merrilees, Global-e’s N. America CEO, will discuss how deftly managing first-party data allows brands to localize operations, set optimal international pricing strategies for each market, accelerate growth profitably and maintain desired profit margins.
Speakers:
Today’s e-commerce buyers expect a seamless experience when they shop with their favorite brands, no matter where they are in the world.
The global ecommerce landscape has matured. Providing your international customers with an engaging shopping experience is no longer as simple as translating a website and shipping packages overseas.
Multi-local ecommerce is about providing a domestic-equivalent experience at every stage of the shopper journey, from demand generation to reverse logistics. Merchants who put the customer first by providing superior service will win in both the short and long term.
Learn how a multi-local approach can benefit your brand in 2024 and beyond.
Speakers:
Grab a quick refreshment, chat with our sponsors and get ready for the morning breakouts!
GELF’s Global Marketing Showcase explores how three brands are blending direct-to-consumer ecommerce, wholesale retail partnerships, influencers and in-person activations to profitably build their brands globally.
The DTC growth era saw inexpensive capital fueling growth via performance marketing engines and paid media. As we move into the “DTC Plus” era, more leading brands are letting their customers drive the conversation. Our panelists share how they are building brands globally by engaging directly with consumers via influencers and curated, in-person activations & PR.
We explore how one digital-native brand relatively early in its international journey is “flipping the script” by first building wholesale partnerships in several new intn’l markets before launching DTC operations.
We also discuss the evolving roles of products and pricing as changing consumer shopping journeys require a re-balancing of channels. Learn how exclusive, personalized products can be part of the international brand-building equation and how social marketing programs that include both B2C and B2B influencers can help brands balance the marketing mix.
Speakers:
Innovations in machine learning and artificial intelligence promise global ecommerce leaders a range of enticing opportunities to scale data-intensive sales and operational initiatives across the value chain.
Some global ecommerce leaders are using AI to engage consumers by localizing and translating content as well as scaling conversational commerce and customer care. Others are leaning into AI to scour the dark web for security threats and detect fraudulent patterns and transgressions from terabytes of order transactions.
Hear how Sideshow and Warner Media are using AI to secure customer data and transactions, scale engagement of customers in different markets, and personalize conversations and messaging across channels while helping shoppers discover relevant products & services.
Speakers:
Our morning Customer Engagement Showcase explores how global brands are using video to connect with online shoppers on a personalized level to boost engagement, reduce returns, and drive sales.
Learn how global leaders are cost-effectively integrating video-first strategies for upcoming holiday promotions. We will explore key success factors behind building a successful video commerce team, creating shoppable content, and efficiently launching a video-first ecommerce strategy.
We will share data and case studies from Bambuser illustrating how video commerce helps boost conversion online and strengthens the bottom line by:
The session will include a complimentary Video Commerce For The Holiday Season Guide for all attendees.
Speakers:
Canadian consumers value brands that are truly committed to lowering the carbon footprints of their global operations, perhaps even more so than their neighbors to the south. How can US and international brands serve greener cross-border shoppers from Canada – especially when facing economic headwinds that risk countering the gains made to date on sustainability initiatives?
One answer is to follow the lead of Canada Post, which has recently launched its carbon neutral ground shipping service in Canada. Drawing on new research and insights from The Pulse of the Conscious Consumer, hear more about how the “Four Ps” can help global ecommerce leaders have authentic conversations with Canadian cross-border shoppers about how their operating partners are reducing carbon footprints and investing for a greener tomorrow.
We will discuss how implementing ESG policies, optimizing packaging, designing greener plants and distribution hubs are some of the ways to start a purposeful conversation with today’s eco-sensitive shoppers. Learn how to share insights that convey that what’s good for the planet is good for people – and for the bottom line.
Speakers:
Lunch will be relaxed and delicious as the GELF NYC ’23 conference attendees network with other ecommerce leaders and meet our sponsors!
GELF’s afternoon keynote panel breaks down the dos and don’ts of selling successfully online to shoppers in Europe.
Gordon Knox, COO at FitFlop, shares how lessons learned from his experience with Burberry and Super Dry are helping his team at FitFlop optimize operations, logistics and delivery as they move the 40-year-old UK legacy wholesale brand up market and into the next era of global DTC commerce.
Our panelists share invaluable insights into the complex European delivery landscape. Hear how FitFlop is working with the nShift team to use the post-order experience to gain competitive advantage. Learn more about:
Speakers:
Demand for luxury products has driven of the growth of DTC cross-border ecommerce for decades. The benefits of DTC – capturing higher margins, controlling the brand voice, owning the customer relationship – are especially alluring to luxury brands whose success depends on fostering the loyalty of their clientele and investing to strengthen the relationship.
Leaders in the luxury space are ushering in the next phase of international retail ecommerce sales growth. Headwinds like higher capital costs, increase in media/marketing expenses and inflated operating costs have changed the math for building brands in new global markets.
Today’s business climate encourages collaborating with partners instead of going it alone. GELF’s afternoon keynote fireside explores the partnership between Glopal and Balmain, a leading European luxury fashion brand. Balmain serves a worldwide clientele atop a Commerce Cloud Platform enhanced by Glopal’s global support for cross-border DTC operations.
Hear how a broad range of enhanced customer experience initiatives from international checkout optimization to returns management has increased international conversion rates and fostered customer loyalty.
Join us as we look to the future and explore how brands like Balmain will leverage innovative global ecommerce technology to collaborate with B2B channel partners and platforms to serve brand aficionados and clients in fast-growing markets around the world.
Speakers:
Retail ecommerce operating structures are evolving with the times. DTC leaders understand the value of engaging directly with their end customer and cherish the benefits of controlling their brand’s story.
Yet they have learned that profitably expanding into new markets and new channels in today’s business climate requires collaboration with a range of retail partners across digital and physical shopping channels.
Our afternoon case studies explore how several well-known brands are pursuing new global operating structures that blend the best of DTC with retail partner-centric models. Join us as we revisit traditional retail takes on margin-sharing, customer data management, channel inventory ownership and technology investment.
Hear about lessons learned to date and how global DTC ecommerce and retail leaders plan to scale new operating structures globally.
Speakers:
Grab a refreshing juice or coffee – or join a One-to-One@GELF meeting!
Our community asked us to coordinate and curate opportunities for digital commerce executives to meet others with common interests facing similar challenges.
Based on community feedback we gather during registration, we’re developing a chance for you to talk shop with other execs whose global ecommerce operations – or aspirations – are at a similar state of maturity.
Each small group discussion will be facilitated by a table leader or two. Stay tuned for our topics!
Our panelists speak to the pros and cons of selling to global consumers via international marketplaces, cross-border DTC and retailer partner-centric distribution channels. Hear how existing global distribution and company cultural differences can impact which channel platform strategies and partner combinations work best where.
Our conversation will span Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific, as we discuss different business models from a global branded manufacturer, a circular economy business and a DTC startup expanding internationally. We will explore why cookie-cutter international expansion strategies can crumble when cutting and pasting from one global region to the next.
Our panelists will discuss balancing DTC, marketplaces and distributor channels – and how marketing, pricing dynamics, and controlling the brand are key ares of focus when cost-effectively building brands in new markets.
Speakers:
Our Global Growth showcase features several brands that are relatively early in their global retail ecommerce journey. Our panelists discuss the key market dynamics driving their international ecommerce expansion plans and how they are investing in new products and partners to accelerate growth beyond their traditional DTC operations.
We explore how digital marketing, social content and influencer marketing programs drive international product discovery for consumers – and for new global retail/wholesale partners.
We share five secrets to thriving internationally in the DTC Plus Partners Era and for building loyal customers for the next phase of global retail growth.
Speakers:
We wrap up GELF NYC ’23 with a Town Hall conversation where we recap key themes from the day’s conversations and discuss the path forward for DTC and omnichannel brands seeking to grow global retail ecommerce sales.
Our panelists explore how global ecommerce leaders can leverage technology and innovation to execute global growth strategies.
We examine challenges and opportunities related to marshaling and managing customer data, building product repositories and order management systems that support both B2B and B2C customers/order flows, and balancing conflicting priorities when striving to make operations more sustainable.
Our panelists share different takes on how AI will help brands scale customer engagement as we wrap up the day’s program and kick off the closing reception!
Speakers:
Grab a cold one, enjoy some delicious appetizers and network throughout the GELF NYC ’23 Closing Reception!
If you are an experienced executive from an online retailer or brand and are interested in speaking at GELF NYC '23 on October 12th, please email Kent, Jim and Scott at speak@globalecommerce.co
VP, eCommerce, GoPro
President, North America at MYTHERESA
CMO, Papier
GM, KraveBeauty
Director Digital & Ecommerce, Cerberus
Director of E-commerce, DVF (Diane von Furstenberg)
Director, International Partner Digital, Victoria’s Secret
AVP, Digital Strategy & Operations, Bath & Body Works International
Co-founder & CEO, Ana Luisa
Managing Partner, APL- Athletic Propulsion Labs
Sr Director of E-Commerce and Omni-channel, Overtime
VP – International E-Commerce, American Eagle Outfitters
Chief Digital Officer, Citizen Watch
COO, Fitflop
CEO, Wolven
Global Operations, eBay
Project Director, Balmain
Senior Manager, Global Payment Operations & Risk (Fraud), Warner Bros. Discovery
SVP of Digital Marketing and Ecommerce, AERIN
GM, Global Ecommerce & DTX, Logitech
Sr. Vice President of Direct to Consumer, What Goes Around Comes Around
Chief Digital Officer, Solo Brands
VP Marketing, Sideshow Collectibles
Senior Operations Manager, Eleven by Venus Williams
Latin America and Asia Pacific President, Wahl Clipper
Vice President of Marketing & Ecommerce, Icer Brands
Director of Operations – Consumer Direct, Burton Snowboards
Chief Revenue Officer, ESW
EVP, Customer Growth, nShift
President of Americas, Bambuser
Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), iAdvize
GM of Marketing, Canada Post
Co-founder & COO, Glopal
CEO, North America, US, Global-e
Vice President, Global Direct Sales at Kount (an Equifax Company)
Chief Executive Officer, Red Van Workshop
E-Commerce Evangelist, Mats&Axel
E-Commerce Evangelist, Mats&Axel
Co-Founder, Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum
Co-Founder, Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum
Co-Founder, Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum
