Commerce Today
Ecommerce insights merchants can use today
About the show
Short, actionable updates on ecommerce and omnichannel technology that help merchants of all sizes succeed. We focus on things you should be doing today to be successful in the ecommerce industry.
Episodes
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Episode 134: Millennial B2B Buyers: Reshaping Digital Sales with Self-Service and Speed
July 29th, 2025 | 20 mins 16 secs
ai personalization, b2b digital transformation, b2b ecommerce, b2b purchasing trends, b2c expectations, commerce today podcast, digital experience, gen z buyers, joshua warren, lead decision-makers, millennial b2b buyers, omnichannel strategy, sales strategy shift, self-service buying, transparent pricing
In this episode of Commerce Today, host Joshua Warren dives into the powerful influence millennials are having on B2B buying behavior. Now comprising 73% of all B2B buyer roles—and 44% of lead decision-makers—millennials are reshaping the buying journey with expectations rooted in their B2C experiences. Joshua unpacks the shift toward transparent pricing, self-service tools, and seamless digital interactions, and explores why traditional sales tactics are losing ground. With Gen Z already entering the market, B2B brands must modernize quickly. From AI-powered personalization to omnichannel experiences, this episode offers strategic insights for adapting your digital approach and staying ahead in the evolving B2B landscape.
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Episode 133: EPR & Packaging Laws: California SB-54 and New Costs of Ecommerce Packaging
July 22nd, 2025 | 22 mins 52 secs
california packaging law, circular action alliance, ecommerce compliance, ecommerce logistics, ecommerce packaging laws, environmental regulations, epr, extended producer responsibility, green packaging, recycling regulations, sb 54, sustainability
In this episode of Commerce Today, host Joshua Warren explores the rising impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws on the e-commerce industry. With packaging regulations gaining traction across the U.S., Joshua breaks down what businesses need to know—highlighting California’s SB 54, which requires all packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032. He explains how these laws will drive up costs, require registration with organizations like the Circular Action Alliance, and demand immediate action from sellers. The episode also covers the environmental goals behind EPR: reducing waste, enhancing recycling systems, and spurring sustainable packaging innovation. A must-listen for e-commerce businesses preparing for a more regulated, eco-conscious future.
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Episode 132: ADPPA and 2025 State Privacy Laws: New Rules for Data Privacy Compliance
July 14th, 2025 | 24 mins 14 secs
adppa, american data privacy and protection act, california privacy law, commerce today, consumer data rights, consumer request mechanisms, data mapping, data privacy, data protection, ecommerce compliance, ecommerce podcast, joshua warren, legal compliance, online business compliance, privacy law patchwork, privacy notice updates, privacy policy, privacy regulations, state legislation, state privacy laws
In this episode of Commerce Today, host Joshua Warren breaks down the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. state privacy laws and what they mean for e-commerce businesses. With over 20 states now implementing their own regulations—including eight new laws in 2025—Joshua explains the growing complexity of compliance. He also covers the stalled progress of the proposed American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA), which aims to unify privacy standards nationwide. Listeners will gain insights into key requirements, state-specific quirks, and actionable steps like updating privacy notices, mapping data, and setting up consumer request mechanisms.
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Episode 131: How Generative AI Is Powering Personalized Ecommerce (Without a Heavy CDP)
July 8th, 2025 | 22 mins 14 secs
ai tools, ai-driven commerce, ai-powered marketing, amazon-level personalization, business revenue, customer behavior, customer engagement, customer preferences, e-commerce, generative ai, marketing automation, mid-sized businesses, personalization, personalized shopping experience, product recommendations, small businesses
In this episode of Commerce Today, we explore how generative AI is revolutionizing personalization in e-commerce. From tailored marketing to smart product recommendations, AI is helping brands—especially small and mid-sized businesses—deliver Amazon-level experiences without massive investments. We break down why personalization matters, how AI can predict customer behavior even without logins, and the real impact on engagement and revenue. Get practical insights and real-world examples to help your business thrive in the age of AI-powered commerce.
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Episode 130: Claude Code Shrinks Ecommerce Re-Platforms from 6 Months to 1-Week
July 7th, 2025 | 22 mins 22 secs
adobe commerce, ai coding agents, ai in ecommerce ask chatgpt, ai loop, automation, billable hours, claude code, codex o3, dev shops, ecommerce development, extension development, github workflow, magento, productivity, proof of concept, replatforming, shopify, sprint delivery, value-based pricing, windsurf
In this episode of Commerce Today, Joshua Warren dives into the latest advancements in AI coding agents and what they mean for ecommerce development. He shares how tools like Claude Code are drastically reducing project timelines—turning what used to be six-month replatforming efforts into one-week sprints. Drawing from a recent proof of concept, Joshua explains how a six-step AI loop (plan → code → test → commit → CI → repeat) positions AI as a powerful coding partner for Magento, Shopify, and Adobe Commerce projects. He also discusses how smaller dev shops can now compete with large teams, why extension developers need to rethink pricing and testing strategies, and how value-based pricing is overtaking traditional billable hours. Whether you're a developer or decision-maker, this episode offers practical insights into the rapidly evolving role of AI in ecommerce.
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Episode 129: Optimize Your E-commerce Data Flow: From Manual to Real-Time Integrations
June 24th, 2025 | 27 mins 57 secs
api workflows, business process optimization, commerce today, crawl-walk-run approach, csv file transfers, data automation, digital transformation, e-commerce efficiency, e-commerce systems, error reduction, event-driven architecture, joshua warren, manual data entry, operational scalability, real-time integration
In this episode of Commerce Today, host Joshua Warren tackles the hidden costs and inefficiencies of manual data entry in e-commerce. Drawing a clever parallel between switchboard operators and outdated business processes, he highlights the need for modern automation. Joshua introduces a crawl-walk-run strategy to help businesses transition from basic CSV transfers to real-time APIs and event-driven workflows. Packed with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to boost accuracy, scalability, and operational efficiency in their e-commerce systems.
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Episode 128: Get More From Your E-Commerce Agency - And Know When to Walk Away
June 17th, 2025 | 20 mins 22 secs
agency management, agency partnership, agency transition, business playbooks, commerce today podcast, digital asset ownership, ecommerce, ecommerce growth, ecommerce strategy, govern own exit, joshua warren, kpi management, post-contract best practices, quarterly business reviews, vendor drift
In this episode of Commerce Today, host Joshua Warren explores the critical—but often neglected—steps that come after hiring an e-commerce agency. From avoiding "vendor drift" to maintaining control of your digital assets, Joshua outlines the common mistakes brands make post-contract and how to prevent them. He introduces three powerful frameworks—Govern, Own, and Exit—designed to help e-commerce businesses manage agency relationships with confidence and clarity. Whether you're starting a new partnership or re-evaluating an existing one, this episode provides actionable strategies to ensure long-term success. Plus, get a sneak peek at Joshua's upcoming book on e-commerce growth.
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Episode 127: Mastering EOS Scorecards - Boost Your E-Commerce Metrics
June 10th, 2025 | 17 mins 53 secs
business operations, business transformation, case studies, creatuity, data-driven, e-commerce, e-commerce strategy, entrepreneurial operating system, eos, joshua warren, leadership team, performance metrics, scorecard, team meetings, vanity metrics, vitality metrics
In this episode of Commerce Today, Joshua Warren, CEO of Creatuity, explores how e-commerce businesses can leverage the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) scorecard to drive meaningful results. He explains why tracking vitality metrics—not vanity ones—matters most, and how a simple five-metric scorecard can boost performance. Joshua also breaks down EOS fundamentals, shares real-world examples, and provides practical tips for building better scorecards and more effective leadership team meetings. A must-listen for anyone looking to transform their e-commerce operations through data-driven leadership.
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Episode 126: Personalization in 2025: The 5-Level Ladder from “Hi" to Predictive Service
June 3rd, 2025 | 26 mins 12 secs
b2b, b2c, case studies, commerce today, creatuity, customer engagement, customer experience, data-driven marketing, digital marketing, e-commerce personalization, joshua warren, kpis, litmus test, netflix, personalization ladder, personalization strategy, quick wins, revenue growth, targeted ads, user experience
In this episode of Commerce Today, host and Creatuity CEO Joshua Warren takes a fresh look at e-commerce personalization. Using real-world examples—from Netflix’s smart recommendations to the pitfalls of over-targeted ads—Joshua explores what makes personalization effective versus intrusive. He introduces the five-step "personalization ladder," sharing actionable tips, quick wins, and KPIs at each stage to help brands level up their personalization strategy. The episode wraps with real-life case studies and a five-question litmus test to ensure your efforts stay customer-friendly. Whether you're in B2B or B2C, this episode will help you drive revenue and deliver better customer experiences through smarter personalization.
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Episode 125: Optimizing Your E-Commerce Team: Org Charts & Team Design Strategies
June 2nd, 2025 | 23 mins 39 secs
agency resources, b2b e-commerce, commerce today, creatuity, decision-making, e-commerce strategy, e-commerce team structure, enablement pod, growth pod, in-house team, joshua warren, omnichannel retailers, organizational design, platform pod, product owner, project manager, pure play e-commerce, revenue growth, team optimization, team productivity
In this episode of Commerce Today, Joshua Warren breaks down the best practices for structuring e-commerce teams to boost efficiency and profitability. He outlines three core e-commerce business types—sidecar B2B, omnichannel retailers, and pure play companies—and introduces a flexible team model built around three essential pods: Growth, Platform, and Enablement. Joshua explains how outdated org charts can cost you money and shares how to align your team for modern e-commerce demands. He also clarifies the roles of product owners vs. project managers and offers advice on blending internal and agency talent for maximum impact. Whether you're scaling up or streamlining, this episode is packed with actionable insights to strengthen your team and your bottom line.
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Episode 124: The Dangerous Pitfall of Being Too Data-Driven: Simplify Your Analytics Focus
May 20th, 2025 | 21 mins 23 secs
advocacy, analytics, business growth, commerce today, customer journey, data-driven, decision-making, e-commerce, engagement, evaluation, hero metric, impactful decisions, interest, joshua warren, kpis, linkedin, purchase, retention, simplify metrics
In this episode of Commerce Today, Joshua Warren explains how relying on too many metrics can overwhelm e-commerce businesses. He recommends focusing on one key "hero metric" at each stage of the customer journey—from interest to advocacy. With practical KPIs and clear guidance, this episode helps businesses simplify analytics and make smarter, more impactful decisions.
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Episode 123: The Dangerous Pitfall of Being Too Data-Driven: Simplify Your Analytics Focus
May 13th, 2025 | 21 mins 23 secs
advocacy, analytics, business growth, customer journey, data-driven, decision-making, e-commerce, engagement, evaluation, hero metric, interest, kpis, metrics, purchase, retention
In this episode of Commerce Today, host Joshua Warren explores the dangers of being overly data-driven in e-commerce. He explains how focusing on too many metrics can create confusion and hinder effective decision-making. Instead, Joshua recommends identifying a "hero metric" for each stage of the customer journey, such as interest, engagement, evaluation, purchase, retention, and advocacy. He shares practical tips and key performance indicators (KPIs) to help businesses streamline their analytics and make more impactful decisions. Tune in for actionable insights that will help you grow your e-commerce business. For detailed instructions and formulas, reach out to Joshua on LinkedIn.
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Episode 122: Is Hyvä the Fast Track to a Modern Frontend? 5 Tests for Any Ecommerce Team
May 6th, 2025 | 13 mins 5 secs
actionable steps, adobe commerce, conversions, ecommerce optimization, ecommerce performance, hyvä, leak tests, magento, no fluff, performance, platform migration, revenue loss, slow storefront, speed, theme replacement
A slow storefront hurts conversions and revenue. In just 13 minutes, learn five actionable tests to see if Hyvä should replace your current Magento/Adobe Commerce theme—or if switching platforms altogether is worth it for better performance. No fluff, just practical steps.
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Episode 121: Replatforms Fail in the Boardroom - 3 Blindspots to Fix Now
April 29th, 2025 | 13 mins 39 secs
90-day pilot playbook, budget bloat, ecommerce replatforming, kill-switch chaos, launch delays, leadership mistakes, lean projects, linkedin template request, measurable outcomes, p&l owner, project cancellation, project failure, shiny object syndrome, success contract, why-now gap
Many ecommerce replatforming projects fail long before the first sprint begins—right at the leadership table. In this live episode, we dive into key reasons why, including the "Why-Now" Gap, where impulsive decisions turn into expensive mistakes; the lack of a true P&L owner, which allows committees to bloat budgets and delay launches; and "Kill-Switch Chaos," the challenge of knowing when to shut down struggling projects without acting too soon or too late. You'll walk away with a 90-Day Pilot Playbook designed to keep projects lean, measurable, and focused, along with a one-page “success contract” template you can start using immediately. Need the template? DM me "pilot" on LinkedIn and I’ll send it to you.
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Episode 120: Overcoming E-commerce Stagnation - Small Steps to Big Wins
April 22nd, 2025 | 14 mins 42 secs
analytics, business growth, commerce today, data-driven decisions, digital transformation, e-commerce, goal setting, incremental progress, practical tips, project management, re-platforming, stagnation, strategy, task management
In this episode of Commerce Today, the focus shifts from tech to strategy as host Joshua Warren shares practical advice for overcoming stagnation in e-commerce projects. Using the relatable example of cleaning a messy garage, he highlights the power of breaking big tasks into manageable steps. Whether you're re-platforming, launching new features, or navigating a complex project, Joshua emphasizes the value of incremental progress, clear analytics, and setting realistic goals to keep momentum going.
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Episode 119: From Kickbacks to Collaboration: E-Commerce Partnerships Explored
April 15th, 2025 | 13 mins 56 secs
adobe commerce, commerce today podcast, creatuity, dotdigital, ecommerce partnerships, ecommerce strategy, integration tools, ipaas, joshua warren, marketing automation, merchant-focused, north texas ecommerce, partnership value, shipperhq, shipping solutions
In this episode of Commerce Today, Joshua Warren, CEO of Creatuity, dives into what makes a true e-commerce partnership. He breaks down the difference between partnerships driven by profit and those built to genuinely support merchants. Josh spotlights four standout partners—IPaaS, ShipperHQ, dotDigital, and Adobe—and shares how they help elevate the e-commerce experience. He also invites North Texas pros to a local meetup at Martin House Brewing and offers a free session to solve your biggest e-commerce challenge. Don’t miss it!