What We Get Wrong About E-Commerce

This week we dig into some of the myths, misleading clickbait headlines, and often unfortunate misunderstandings surrounding the growth of online shopping, both across the last two decades and accelerated more recently by the COVID-19 crisis. In particular, we dig into:

• The evolution of modern retail from a relatively simple world where brick & mortar and e-commerce were largely distinct activities with dedicated supply chains, to a much more complex, blended and hybrid one.
• How stores have, rather ironically, become increasingly important in driving e-commerce success and often essential in the fulfillment of online orders.
• Some of the endemic profitability challenges for many aspects of online shopping, including the grocery sector and for many digitally native vertical brands
• Why the idea that COVID accelerated e-commerce growth by 10 years ins't close to being right.
• How the assumption that growth in online sales comes at the expense of physical retail is often very wrong.
• And why profitable online shopping growth is about to become much more challenging.

We also take on the nonsense around Saks (and others) splitting up and spinning out it's online business.

But first we open up the episode with the Top 3 retail stories that caught our attention this past week, including unpacking Amazon's very lackluster earnings report and online sales deceleration, yet another new CEO at JC Penney (possibly the worst job in retail), and what Rent the Runway's disappointing IPO might portend for the frothy valuations digitally native retail brands are commanding.

We also have a quick chat with David Macadam, CEO of the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and Retailers about the upcoming MENA Retail Congress in Dubai which will feature an opening keynote from Steve.

Steve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his website. The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available at Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel here.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Registration is open for a special webinar featuring Steve in conversation with Placer AI's Head of Analytical Research RJ Hottovy. From changing shopping patterns to emerging market opportunities, shifting consumer demand continues to reshape the industry. So don't miss this data-driven session unpacking the most important trends defining today’s marketplace and the strategies leading brands are using to win retail's future. It's all brought to you by Placer.AI and It all happens on Tuesday September 29 at 1pm ET..

Register here today:

https://www.placer.ai/discover-events/discover-shifting-consumer-demand

About Us

Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.

Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2026 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.