Joshua Warren

Episode 146: Your Next Customer is an AI: Preparing for the Agentic Commerce Wave

October 21st, 2025  |  21 mins 33 secs

agentic commerce, ai shopping, ai-first world, automation, customer experience, digital reputation, digital transformation, ecommerce, ecommerce innovation, ecommerce strategy, future of shopping, real-time availability, structured data

The way we shop is about to fundamentally change. Soon, you won't just be selling to humans browsing your website; you'll be selling to AI agents making purchases on their behalf. This is the dawn of "agentic commerce." When a user asks their AI, "Find me the best product that meets these criteria," will your brand even be in the running? This episode is your playbook for the future. Discover the three foundational pillars you need to have in place—Structured Data, Real-Time Availability, and Digital Reputation—to ensure your business is visible and viable in an AI-first world.

Episode 145: Beyond the 'Buy' Button: A Playbook for Profitable Social Commerce

October 14th, 2025  |  19 mins 57 secs

brand loyalty, community building, content strategy, conversion strategy, customer engagement, customer trust, digital marketing, direct sales, ecommerce, ecommerce operations, influencer marketing, instagram checkout, omnichannel strategy, online retail, shoppable content, social commerce, social commerce playbook, social media strategy, social selling, tiktok shop

The line between content and commerce has vanished. Platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Checkout have turned social media from a discovery channel into a direct point of sale. But succeeding in social commerce requires more than just a 'buy' button—it demands a whole new playbook. This episode breaks down the "Three C's" of profitable social commerce: Content, Community, and Conversion. Learn how to create shoppable content that entertains, build a community that trusts you, and manage the complex operational backend required to turn likes into loyal customers.

Episode 144: The Amazon Dilemma: Winning on Marketplaces Without Killing Your Brand

October 7th, 2025  |  21 mins 25 secs

amazon profitability, amazon strategy, brand protection, channel friction, channel metrics, dtc, ecommerce, ecommerce growth, inventory management, marketplace management, marketplace optimization, multi-channel sales, profitability, retail strategy, vendor management

For many brands, selling on Amazon isn't a choice—it's a necessity. But it's a double-edged sword. The volume is massive, but the risks are real: margin erosion, brand dilution, and the danger of cannibalizing your own DTC sales. The question isn't if you should be on marketplaces, but how you do it profitably and on your own terms. This episode provides a strategic framework for navigating the Amazon dilemma. Learn how to manage channel friction, why real-time inventory is non-negotiable, and which metrics truly define success in a multi-channel world. It's time to treat Amazon not as a sales channel, but as a powerful vendor you need to control.

Episode 143: From Startup to Scale: The Playbook for Your First $10M

September 30th, 2025  |  20 mins 20 secs

critical hires, customer obsession, early-stage growth, ecommerce growth, ecommerce growth playbook, founders, high-growth small businesses, leadership, product-market fit, scalable engine, scaling to 10 million, startup to mid-market, sustainable success, tech debt

Many ecommerce leaders feel like they're drowning in the chaos of early-stage growth, juggling everything from marketing to fulfillment. But the journey from zero to your first $10 million isn't about doing more; it's about doing the right things. This episode adapts the core principles from The Ecommerce Growth Playbook for founders and leaders of high-growth small businesses. Discover how to apply the three levers of breakout growth—Customer Obsession, a Scalable Engine, and Leadership—to build a foundation that won't crack as you scale. Learn how to find product-market fit, avoid crippling tech debt early on, and make your first critical hires. This is your playbook for turning startup hustle into sustainable, mid-market success.

Episode 142: Surviving the 2025 USPS Rate Hike: Protect Your Margins Without Sacrificing Service

September 23rd, 2025  |  12 mins 4 secs

cost management, customer communication, ecommerce, july 2025, logistics, merchants, oversized packages, profitability, rate increase, shipping costs, shipping rates, shipping strategy, surcharges, usps, usps services

This 20-minute solo episode covers the July 13, 2025 USPS shipping rate increase. Joshua explains the 7.4 percent price hike, new oversized package surcharges, and which services are most affected. He also shares strategies for managing shipping costs, keeping customers informed, and protecting profitability.

Episode 141: Navigating 2025 Sales Tax Changes: Simplifying Compliance and Reducing Headaches

September 16th, 2025  |  12 mins 48 secs

digital goods tax, ecommerce compliance, ecommerce growth, economic nexus, merchant compliance, retail delivery fees, sales tax 2025, sales tax audit, state tax rate hikes, tax law changes

Joshua highlights the key U.S. sales tax changes coming in 2025 including nexus rules, higher state rates, digital-goods taxes, and retail delivery fees, and shares practical tips to stay compliant while keeping business growth front and center.

Episode 140: PCI DSS 4.0 After the Deadline: Keeping Your Store Secure

September 9th, 2025  |  16 mins 18 secs

compliance checklist, credit card processing, customer data protection, customized compliance approach, cybersecurity, data security, ecommerce compliance, ecommerce risk management, malware scanning, merchant requirements, multi-factor authentication, payment security, pci audit, pci dss 4.0, pci penalties, pci updates, scripted payment pages, security standards, self-assessment questionnaire, trust and security

In this episode, Joshua unpacks the critical updates in PCI DSS 4.0 and why e-commerce businesses can’t afford to overlook them. He explains the shift toward a more flexible and customized compliance model while also highlighting stricter requirements, including malware scanning on removable media and mandatory MFA for cardholder data access. Drawing from real-world merchant experiences, Joshua identifies common missteps like outdated self-assessments and undocumented payment scripts and offers a straightforward checklist to help businesses maintain compliance now that the grace period has ended. The episode underscores that payment security is more than a checkbox — it is foundational to customer trust and business continuity.

Episode 139: The End of De Minimis: New Tariffs and What They Mean for Your Business

September 3rd, 2025  |  18 mins 30 secs

bonded warehouses, brazilian imports, chinese ship-to-shore cranes, copper-heavy imports, cross-border e-commerce, customer communication, de minimis exemption, free-trade zones, freight contracts, fulfillment workflows, landed cost, logistics strategies, mid-market brands, pricing impact, profit margins, supply chain costs, tariff engineering, tariffs, u.s. import duties

In this episode, Joshua unpacks the seismic changes hitting cross-border e-commerce. As of August 29, 2025, the long-standing U.S. de minimis exemption that allowed duty-free entry for parcels under $800 is eliminated—meaning every shipment, no matter its value, will now face import duties. On top of that, Washington has imposed steep tariffs, including 50% on most Brazilian imports, 50% on copper-heavy goods, and the threat of 270% tariffs on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes.

Joshua explains why these shifts are happening, who will be most affected, and what merchants can do to protect margins. Drawing from real-world brand experiences, he outlines the risks of vanishing profits once duties hit and provides practical steps: renegotiating freight contracts, restructuring fulfillment, and proactively communicating with customers. Listeners will learn how to calculate their new landed cost, identify markets that may no longer be viable, and apply strategies like bonded warehouses, tariff engineering, and free-trade zones to stay competitive.

Episode 138: Conquering Tech Debt: Lessons from The E-Commerce Growth Playbook

August 26th, 2025  |  10 mins 5 secs

codebase shortcuts, commerce today, deployment paradox, e-commerce, e-commerce growth, hidden costs, joshua warren, online business strategies, platform optimization, reducing tech debt, roi, site performance, sustainable growth, technical debt, the e-commerce growth playbook

In this episode of Commerce Today, Joshua Warren takes a deep dive into the often-overlooked issue of technical debt, sharing lessons from his new book, The E-Commerce Growth Playbook. Using a real-world example and a practical framework, he breaks down how tech debt can quietly drain resources, slow progress, and hurt ROI. Joshua highlights the hidden costs of shortcuts in your codebase, explores the “deployment paradox,” and offers quick wins along with long-term strategies for reducing technical debt. Packed with valuable insights, this episode provides e-commerce professionals with clear, actionable advice to improve site performance and drive sustainable growth.

Episode 137: Your First Tactical Win (A Playbook for Frictionless UX)

August 19th, 2025  |  10 mins 8 secs

actionable tactics, checklists, commerce today, conversion rates, creatuity, customer journey, digital growth, drive sales, ecommerce, ecommerce resources, ecommerce strategies, effortless returns, friction points, frictionless customer experience, joshua warren, mobile site speed, online retail, seamless shopping experience, streamlined checkout, the e-commerce growth playbook, website optimization

Join Joshua Warren of Commerce Today and Creatuity as he shares insights from his new book, The E-Commerce Growth Playbook. This episode highlights the impact of a frictionless customer experience on conversion rates, covering essentials like mobile site speed, smooth checkout, and easy returns. Listeners will gain actionable tactics to spot and remove friction points, creating seamless shopping journeys that drive sales. For deeper strategies, explore the book and visit the resources page for checklists and more.

Episode 136: The Real AI Disruption

August 12th, 2025  |  18 mins 40 secs

ai coding agents, ai disruption, business strategy, claude code, commerce today, cost reduction, developer tools, ecommerce development, ecommerce innovation, ecommerce platforms, faster deployment, joshua warren, linkedin debate, medusa, platform selection, shopify

In this week’s episode of Commerce Today, host Joshua Warren dives into a heated debate from LinkedIn: is Shopify losing its edge in ecommerce? Inspired by insights from Nicklas Gellner of Medusa, the episode explores a bold new thesis—that AI coding agents like Claude Code are the true disruptors, not just threats to developer roles. Joshua shares firsthand experiences showing how these tools are reshaping ecommerce development, slashing costs and accelerating project timelines. Tune in to discover how AI is shifting the platform landscape and what it means for your business strategy.

Episode 135: Your New Field Manual: Introducing The Ecommerce Growth Playbook

August 5th, 2025  |  13 mins 14 secs

actionable playbooks, amazon, checkout optimization, commerce today, customer obsession, digital transformation, ecommerce book, ecommerce challenges, ecommerce growth, ecommerce operations, ecommerce playbook, ecommerce solutions, ecommerce strategy, ecommerce team structure, joshua warren, mid-market ecommerce, revenue growth, scalable tech stack, team optimization, website performance

In this episode of Commerce Today, Joshua Warren dives into key insights from his new book, The E-Commerce Growth Playbook. He breaks down how seemingly “good enough” websites can quietly hurt revenue and outlines three core strategies for accelerating growth: customer obsession, a scalable tech stack, and an optimized team. Joshua also shares how to take immediate action with 7-day and 90-day playbooks that help mid-market ecommerce brands build a tailored plan for success.

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.

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.

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.

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.