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GELF Accelerate: March 25th 2021 Sessions On-Demand
1) Executive Leaders Keynote Panel: Re-prioritizing Global Ecommerce Opportunities
GELF’s spring virtual summit brought together a diverse collection of global ecommerce leaders and DTC brands who shared insights and advice about expanding their digital reach internationally. The summit is over but the content from our executive leaders keynote panel lives on here!
Speakers:
Our panel discussed how they are re-trenching and re-prioritizing global expansion plans. We explored whether regional and country priorities are changing as markets around the world look beyond the pandemic.
Our panelists also shared their POVs on how digital is disrupting global distribution and how they are growing international sales as new go-to-market partners and platforms take share from traditional retail wholesale partners. As global retail expands globally, DTC cross-border operations, international marketplaces and in-country sites all factor into the mix. For some brands, traditional international distribution partners play an important role; but these roles are transforming with the times. Check out the insights as we discussed the different approaches our leaders are following.
We also explored how the pandemic has changed the customer journey and how global ecommerce leaders are using customer-centric strategies to tune their products and marketing operations to new global buying behaviors.
Lastly, we discussed how leaders are growing their global teams and redeploying crucial assets as ecommerce moves to the main stage of global retail.
2) Afternoon Fireside: Following the Smart Money’s Lead
Our afternoon fireside welcomed two venture capitalists who shared their perspectives on the next phase of international ecommerce growth.
Speakers:
We explored the key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations guiding their DTC ecommerce portfolio companies and their future investments in global ecommerce infrastructure innovations. Scott and Crystal discussed how their focus on sustainability is guiding investments in fulfillment and logistical innovationers who are enhancing the post-order experience for cross-border shoppers.
Our fireside conversation also examined how the pandemic has transformed customer journeys in markets around the world; a recurring topic throughout the day. Scott and Crystal discussed which consumer’s buying behaviors they believe are temporary and which will be longer lasting.
We wrapped up by talking about the top “tech stack” investments ahead and how they will accelerate retail leaders around the next bend in the road to global ecommerce growth! We really appreciated Scott and Crystal sharing their time and insights.
3) Cooking Up Strategic Growth: A Cross-border Case Study with Made In and Flow Commerce
Our top sponsor Flow Commerce shared some much-appreciated data insights with the GELF Accelerate audience. With e-commerce booming worldwide, studies have found that well over half of online shoppers worldwide have made an online purchase from another country over the past 12 months.
But at the same time many brands have found cross-border e-commerce to be a challenging endeavor, sometimes resulting in high risk and cost. Managing all the factors that play into executing a successful cross-border strategy can be overwhelming, and operational hazards abound if brands aren’t careful.
This session examined the cross-border journey of cookware brand Made In, which was founded in 2016 by two lifelong friends. With a rich heritage in U.S. kitchenware manufacturing, the brand has garnered international attention for its fusion of high-quality, traditional European design and production with a modern, unique American style.
Speakers:
CEO and co-founder of Made In Chip Malt shared his assessment of the brand’s cross-border opportunity and spke to Made In’s strategic approach to global expansion. Flow Commerce CEO and co-founder Rob Keve contributed his analysis of the broader cross-border market as well as trends that drive success in international e-commerce.
Check it out here! Take-aways included:
4) Cross-border Operations: Fighting Friction on All Fronts
Although the global pandemic accelerated the boom in online shopping, other global trade, regulatory and operational headwinds continue to create friction on multiple fronts. All too often the end-to-end cross-border shopping experience bears the brunt of the negative impacts.
GELF was pleased that two speakers joined us direct from Germany (Yele) and Ireland (Gilles). The panel discussed how global ecommerce leaders are juggling regulatory changes, Brexit, payment and international fulfillment as they enter new markets and re-visit operations in existing markets. We debated whether retails’ secret for success has changed from location, location, location to logistics, logistics, logistics. Check it out here!
Speakers:
5) Global Growth Showcase: LATAM
The path ahead is defined by taking care of family, friends and neighbors. When it comes to taking care of business, our neighbors to the south represent the world’s fastest growing global ecommerce opportunities according to industry analysts.
GELF welcomed Matteo Ceurvels, Research Director, Latin America & Spain at eMarketer as we explore opportunities in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Peru.
After an opening trends deck, Matteo touched on how the pandemic has accelerated the shift from entrenched brick-and-mortar shopping in LATAM to digital. We discussed whether the shift to ecommerce has legs – and whether the delivery infrastructure in LATAM can hurdle persistent logistical constraints.
Matteo discussed balancing investments between cross-border operations and customer engagement – and how social fits into the digital marketing mix. Lots of great data in this session so check it out here folks!
Guest Analyst/Speaker:
6) DTC Leadership Panel: Re-Accelerating Global Ecommerce Growth
Check out GELF’s closing DTC leadership panel which featured four ecommerce leaders who shared their ambitious international growth plans last February at GELF LA 2020. Our panelists discussed how the pandemic temporarily sidetracked their global ambitions – and how they are re-accelerating their global growth today.
Speakers:
Supply constraints were the main culprits for the global expansion slowdowns, but the impacts were felt differently. We contrasted how fast-moving Digital Native DTC brands like Newton Baby and well-known global brands like Adam & Eve/PHE and Fender are managing supply and distribution friction as global ecommerce comes back online in a big way.
Our panel also looked ahead to new international market destinations for 2021. Hear how that they are building community via social apps and influencers and improving the post-order shopping experience as their global growth resumes.
Thanks for joining the on-demand session recaps! Hope you enjoy the sessions and will be joining us at GELF NYC 2021 when we are back in New York City at the NY Hilton Midtown. We cannot wait to see you in real life once again!
If you’d like to join us as speaker, please email speak@globalecommerce.co. Interested sponsors can reach us at sponsor@globalecommerce.co
Until next time!
The GELF team
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