EP77: Here’s what we think is happening in 2026 (ecom and business predictions)

In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer, formally Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma’s Pride) get into what eCommerce actually looks like in 2026, and spoiler: it’s not just “more ads and more AI.”

The crew breaks down how financial modeling, privacy shifts, and AI are changing the way brands operate, while personalization goes from “nice to have” to table stakes. They talk about why websites are turning into loyalty hubs, why more DTC brands are opening retail stores and owning manufacturing, and what big moves (like a potential Chewy acquisition) could signal about where the market is headed.

What you’ll hear:

• Why personalization is about to explode (and what powers it)
• How AI is reshaping both customer behavior and internal teams
• The future of DTC retail and why physical assets matter again
• Why websites are becoming loyalty channels, not just storefronts
• The business model shifts brands need to be ready for by 2026
  

If you’re building, operating, or investing in eCommerce, this episode is a fast, honest look at what’s coming next and what actually matters.

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Big shoutout to our sponsor who makes this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences via email and sms with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Subscribe at https://asompod.com

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00:00 Teaser Trailer

03:49 Reviewing Last Year's Predictions

04:31 TikTok and Social Commerce Insights

09:25 Subscription Models and SaaS Trends

19:06 Meta's Dominance and Social Commerce

28:41 AI's Impact on eCommerce

35:05 Discussing Predictions for 2026

35:29 The Shift in User Experience and AI's Role

37:24 Personalization and Data Privacy Trends

42:50 The Future of Retail and D2C Brands

50:23 The Importance of Brand Assets

01:02:04 The Decline of eCommerce and Rise of Loyalty Channels

01:07:42 Predictions for the Pet Industry

01:10:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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