eCommerce is at a turning point. Consumer habits are shifting, technology is advancing at lightning speed, and the rules of online retail are being rewritten in real time. In preparation for the upcoming eComm Live conference in Belfast on 28-29th April, we’re asking the people leading the charge - eCommerce executives and innovators - to weigh in on the trends, challenges, and breakthroughs that will shape the future of digital shopping.
Garret Cunningham, VP of Global CX at Columbus “Optimising for AI and agentic commerce. If you are not already doing it, it's what you NEED to do next. Consumer behaviour is already shifting as shoppers let AI assistants research, compare, and complete purchases on their behalf, which makes understanding what LLMs and AI platforms look for when choosing and ranking products critical for every retailer and turning that into action to make that information accessible for AI platforms.”
Natalie Patterson, Sales Manager at Global Ocean Logistics “Online retail continues to evolve at pace, but behind every successful e-commerce brand is a strong supply chain. As retailers scale globally, managing international freight, stock availability, and delivery expectations becomes increasingly complex. Businesses that invest in reliable logistics partnerships and flexible shipping solutions will be best positioned to grow into new markets while maintaining customer trust. Efficient, well-managed freight is becoming a key competitive advantage for ambitious e-commerce brands.”
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Gareth Cummings, CEO at eDesk “The uncomfortable truth about online retail is that growth has become too dependent on paid traffic. For years brands could buy customers through ads, but that model is getting more expensive and less predictable. The next phase of e-commerce will favour retailers who control their relationship with the customer. That means stronger brands, better experiences, and owning the post-purchase journey. The companies that win will not just acquire customers efficiently. They will keep them.”
Aoife Teague, Director of Partnerships at Octane AI “Bringing the best parts of the in-store experience online. Instead of static websites, brands are using AI to create dynamic, personalised journeys for every shopper. Tools like Octane AI quizzes replicate the experience of a knowledgeable store associate - guiding customers to the right products through tailored questions and recommendations. Combined with AI that adapts content, offers, and messaging in real time, ecommerce is shifting from one-size-fits-all to fully personalised digital storefronts.
Kevin Traynor, Founder of eComm Live and ThreefiveThree.com: “The eCommerce landscape is always evolving, but the past 12 months have brought a real step change, with AI tools being adopted at unprecedented speed. Launching ThreefiveThree.com last year gave me first-hand insight into what DTC brands need today: practical, actionable answers, not polished theory. We’re already seeing real impact – channels like ChatGPT are bringing in high-value customers, with average order values well above the norm. The signals are in the data if you know where to look, and this is just the beginning.”
For information and tickets visit www.ecomm.live
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