Join us in this lightning-fast episode of Benchmark Blitz as we dive into the metrics and trends that shaped Prime Day 2024. Host Cameron Yoder and data expert Laura Pattison break down the most crucial data points from this year's Prime Day, offering insights into traffic, costs, conversions, ad sales and more. 📈 Highlights: Discover the significant year-over-year traffic increase, particularly in the 10 days leading up to Prime Day.Learn about changes in ad spend and how it influenced overall cost and click-through rates.Understand the nuanced changes in conversion rates and average order value (AOV).Get insights into which product categories thrived and which saw unexpected declines. 📊 Whether you're an eCommerce professional looking to optimize your strategy or simply interested in the latest trends, this episode is packed with valuable data and expert analysis. Tune in to get the inside scoop on what drove success during Prime Day 2024 and how you can leverage these insights for future events.

In the latest episode of Human in the Loop, our very own Laura Pattison explores key data and insights from H1. Laura will help unpack exactly what's happening across Amazon and Walmart - how they compare against each other, and what's happening individually in each marketplace as well. We've summarized key data points, below, but highly encourage listening to the full episode to understand what's happening in the market. 🔍 Efficiency Comparison: Walmart's efficiency declined by 11% year over year in H1 2024, while Amazon saw a smaller decline of 4%. This reflects Walmart's increasing competition in the marketplace. 💲 Cost per Click (CPC): Walmart's CPC increased by 24% year over year, while Amazon's increased by 17%. Despite these increases, sales per click also rose (10% for Walmart, 12% for Amazon), indicating higher click values. 🛒 Conversion Rates and Sales Growth: Amazon experienced a 9% increase in conversion rates and a 4% increase in average order value (AOV). This suggests growing consumer confidence and spending on the platform. 📈 Future Outlook: Laura anticipates CPCs stabilizing in Q3 post-Prime Day, with potential fluctuations due to market updates. Overall, she expects continued growth in sales per click and conversion rates for both platforms in H2 2024.

Podcast Description: Join Cameron Yoder on this insightful episode of Human in the Loop, where he dives deep into the dynamic competition between Walmart and Amazon with special guest Ryan King, CEO of BlueRyse. They explore Walmart's evolving marketplace strategies, its unique strengths, and how it’s setting itself apart from Amazon. Discover the technological advancements Walmart is implementing, the role of its physical stores, and its future in the omnichannel retail landscape. Whether you're an experienced seller or new to the e-commerce game, this episode offers valuable insights and fresh perspectives on the Walmart vs. Amazon debate. Key Takeaways: Walmart's Unique Strengths: Walmart leverages its vast network of physical stores to offer services like order pickup and grocery delivery, giving it a significant edge over Amazon in these areas.Technological Advancements: Walmart is investing in digital pricing labels, augmented reality shopping experiences, and virtual try-ons to enhance both the online and in-store customer experience.Future Speculations: Walmart’s experiments with platforms like Roblox hint at its efforts to engage younger audiences and integrate physical and digital shopping experiences.Comparison with Amazon: While Amazon leads in e-commerce, advanced advertising tools, and niche market depth, Walmart excels in leveraging its physical presence and grocery offerings. Quotable Moments: “Walmart’s physical footprint is a significant advantage, being within ten minutes of a majority of the U.S. population.” – Ryan King“The endless shelf of e-commerce can never be fully translated to physical stores, but Walmart is experimenting with blending these environments.” – Ryan King“Walmart is trying new features and investing resources to enhance the consumer experience, from augmented reality to virtual try-ons.” – Cameron Yoder Ways to Find Each Guest: Ryan King: Connect with Ryan King on LinkedIn and learn more about his work at BlueRyse.Cameron Yoder: Follow Cameron Yoder on social media and check out more episodes of Human in the Loop. Outline: Introduction (00:00 - 00:01:04) Welcome and episode overview by Cameron Yoder.Introduction of the topic: Walmart vs. Amazon. Setting the Stage (00:01:04 - 00:02:01) Cameron's goals for the conversation.Exploration of Walmart's strengths compared to Amazon. Deep Dive into Walmart's Market Position (00:02:01 - 00:05:16) Discussion on Walmart's unique identity and strengths.Comparison of Walmart’s and Amazon’s strengths in the marketplace.Ryan King’s insights on Amazon’s e-commerce lead and Walmart’s physical retail advantage. Technological Innovations (00:05:16 - 00:10:03) Digital pricing labels and their impact on shopping.Walmart's advancements in online and in-store technology.The role of augmented reality and virtual try-ons. Omnichannel Strategies (00:10:03 - 00:16:56) Discussion on Walmart’s omnichannel play and micro-fulfillment centers.The future of e-commerce and physical retail integration.Challenges and opportunities for third-party sellers on Walmart. Future Speculations and Experiments (00:16:56 - 00:23:06) Walmart’s experimentation with platforms like Roblox.The potential impact of these experiments on future shopping experiences.Final thoughts on Walmart’s future direction and ongoing innovations. Conclusion (00:23:06 - End) Summary of key points discussed.Closing remarks by Cameron Yoder and Ryan King.Information on where to find and connect with each guest.

Summary In this episode, the founders of Lala Hijabs, Sanaa and Will, discuss the intersection of technology, content, and e-commerce. They share how their brand started out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly gained attention through TikTok, and how they set themselves apart in a hyper-competitive market. The founders emphasize the importance of their partnership and how their different strengths contribute to the success of the brand, and highlight the impact of their content in educating and connecting with their audience. Lala Hijabs has experienced rapid growth and expansion, including the launch of a clothing line and collaborations with other retailers. This episode is a perfect example of what content creators are doing to succeed in new ways in today's rapidly-changing ecommerce market. Takeaways Lala Hijabs started out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic and gained attention through TikTok.The unique and colorful hijabs offered by Lala Hijabs set them apart in the market.The partnership between the founders, Sanaa and Will, and their ability to work together with their different strengths has been crucial to the success of the brand.Content creation has played a significant role in educating and connecting with their audience.Lala Hijabs has experienced rapid growth and expansion, including the launch of a clothing line and collaborations with other retailers.Gaining media attention can be a significant boost for a brand's visibility and growth.TikTok has played a crucial role in the success of Lala Hijabs, and they have built a strong community through the platform.The content on TikTok has evolved over time, becoming more scripted and less raw.TikTok has the potential to continue evolving and offering new opportunities for content creators and brands.Being true to oneself and staying authentic is essential for success in content and product creation. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Background 03:00 - Starting Lala Hijabs 06:00 - Launching the Brand 09:00 - Challenges and Growth 12:00 - Balancing Product and Content 15:00 - Current State and Future Plans 17:00 - Key Factors for Success 18:20 - The Impact of TikTok 20:00 - The Evolution of TikTok 25:00 - Advice for Content Creators & Producing Content

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of e-commerce and traditional retail with John Merris, former CEO of Solo Stove and Solo Brands. John shares his extensive experience and insights on the current state of the industry, emphasizing the importance of simplicity amidst increasing complexity. From multichannel strategies to leveraging technology and authentic content, John provides valuable advice for navigating the ecommerce landscape in 2024 and beyond. Tune in to learn how to maintain simplicity and achieve growth in today's competitive market. Key Takeaways: Simplicity is Key: Despite the increasing complexity in ecommerce, maintaining simplicity in strategy and operations is crucial for sustainable growth.Adapt to Change: Stay agile and open to evolving consumer behaviors and technological advancements.Leverage Authentic Content: Embrace the power of genuine, relatable content to connect with your audience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Traffic 08:43 The Shifts in the E-commerce Industry 13:50 The Importance of Multi-channel Strategies 23:17 Creating Authentic and Relatable Content 26:42 The Future of E-commerce: Integration of Physical and Digital Retail Quotable Moments: "It's become harder to win because it's easier to compete." – John Merris"Technology is amazing, but not all tech is created equal." – John Merris"In the future, I don't think you'll have physical and digital retail bifurcated." – John Merris Guest Information: John Merris: CEO of Floret, former CEO of Solo Stove and Solo BrandsLinkedIn: ⁠John Merris⁠ Host Information: Cam: Host of Human in the LoopLinkedIn: ⁠Cameron Yoder⁠ Additional Resources: ⁠Solo Stove⁠ Subscribe and Follow: Apple Podcasts: ⁠Human in the Loop⁠Spotify: ⁠Human in the Loop⁠YouTube: ⁠Teikametrics⁠ Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us bring more valuable content to you! Contact Us: For questions, feedback, or to suggest topics for future episodes, contact our host, Cameron Yoder, on ⁠LinkedIn⁠.

Summary In this episode, Cameron Yoder and John Derkits discuss the bankruptcy of Thrasio, a prominent Amazon aggregator. They provide an overview of Thrasio's rise to unicorn status and the factors that contributed to its downfall, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, operational and strategic missteps, and financial strain. They also analyze the implications of Thrasio's bankruptcy for the e-commerce industry as a whole and the evolving aggregator model. Takeaways Thrasio's bankruptcy is a result of a combination of factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, operational and strategic missteps, and financial strain.Thrasio's bankruptcy is a Chapter 11 reorganization, not a complete shutdown, and it allows the company to restructure its debt and continue operating.The e-commerce industry is experiencing softer demand and margin compression, and success in this environment requires operational and financial acumen.The aggregator model is evolving, and future successful aggregators will likely focus on strong product development, traditional private equity-like strategies, or deep specialization in specific categories.Thrasio's bankruptcy serves as a cautionary tale for the industry and highlights the need for sustainable growth and profitability in the e-commerce space. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Background 03:19 - Overview of Thrasio and its Rise 10:09 - Factors Contributing to Thrasio's Downfall 27:26 - Implications for the E-commerce Industry 35:19 - The Future of the Aggregator Model 42:46 - Conclusion and Where to Find John We'd encourage you to follow and engage with Jon across his social channels and website: LinkedInBlog / NewsletterWebsite

Amazon's biggest sales day of the year is coming soon... are you ready? This special edition episode of Human in the Loop brings together some of today's top experts to talk through the strategies they plan to implement this year. Outline: In this episode we plan to cover topics and questions like: How important is it for sellers to plan their advertising campaigns well in advance of Prime Day, and what are some best practices for doing so?Can you provide insights into the types of products or categories that tend to perform particularly well during Prime Day, and how sellers in other categories can still capitalize on the event?How does the increased competition during Prime Day impact advertising costs and campaign performance, and how can sellers effectively manage their budgets?What advertising types or strategies have proven to be most effective for driving sales and visibility during Prime Day?What metrics should sellers be monitoring closely during Prime Day to evaluate the performance of their advertising campaigns, and how can they adjust their strategies in real-time based on these insights? And much more! The extended, complete version of this Q&A can be found here. Registration is free to unlock the full version of this Q&A. Enjoy, and good luck on Prime Day 2024!

The way people shop online has drastically changed over the years. Content has become an essential aspect of a brand’s ability to capture the attention of its audience and turn them into loyal paying customers. This episode explores how Amazon is capitalizing on this revolution of content, attention, and buyer behavior.  We’ll dive into Amazon’s ability to meet sellers and buyers at any point in their journey of either buying or selling products, and Amazon’s “everyone all at once” presence Whether you’re a seasoned Amazon seller or just getting started, this episode will provide valuable insights into the future of where ecommerce is headed, and how you can leverage these content trends to enhance your brand’s presence and success on Amazon’s marketplace. TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hitlpodcast⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hitlpodcast/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihXYbJckEDqaaLg3l1fuNw Key Takeaways: Content is Changing The Way People Shop Shift from linear TV to streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video.Gen Z represents a significant demographic with distinct values and preferences.Third-party sellers on Amazon have surged to represent a majority of sales. Amazon is Everywhere Amazon's acquisitions like Whole Foods and ventures into sports streaming and virtual reality demonstrate its omnipresence.Leveraging various platforms to engage with customers in diverse ways. Content is King Content plays a pivotal role in advertising and selling products across Amazon's different lanes.Platforms like Twitch and Thursday Night Football offer unique opportunities for engagement. AI's Role in Ecommerce AI enhances customer experiences and aids in operational efficiencies.Amazon is committed to using AI to solve problems and improve customer experiences. The Future of Buyer Behavior Buyer behavior will continue evolving, necessitating brands to adapt swiftly.Amazon emphasizes test and iterate methodologies, keeping pace with evolving trends. Integration of Content into Shopping Journeys Amazon continuously innovates to integrate content seamlessly into the shopping experience.Sellers should revisit features and adapt strategies to suit evolving trends. Taking Advantage of the Evolution in Ecommerce Start with a great product as the foundation.Build a loyal customer base and attract new audiences through effective marketing strategies.Leverage Amazon's rich signals to identify and reach potential customers.

Outline: AI has been a hot topics for a long time now… but what aspects of artificial intelligence are actually useful?  When it comes down to it… What can AI do that we can’t? What should AI do, that we can’t? This episode explores just how much AI can (And should) do in the ever-changing, ever-growing world of ecommerce and beyond.  Laura Pattison, an expert in leveraging artificial intelligence to run ads on Amazon, Walmart and beyond, walks us through this concept in detail. By the end of this episode, we hope you’ll walk away with a clear understand of just how much AI is changing and impacting the world of ecommerce, how you can take advantage of it, and where your personal time is best spent growing your business. TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@hitlpodcast⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hitlpodcast/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihXYbJckEDqaaLg3l1fuNw⁠ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Context 01:15 Exploring the Singularity 04:15 Why AI Outperforms Humans  05:22 The Numbers-Based Aspect of AI in Ad Management 06:21 External Influences and Factors in Managing Ads 10:58 Specific Examples of AI Improving Advertising 17:27 How to Leverage AI in Different Areas of Ad Management 25:03 AI-Dominant Lanes  29:22 The Future of AI  36:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 41:23 Fear of the Unknown 44:51 Getting Left Behind Takeaways AI has the ability to outperform humans in certain areas of ad management, particularly in handling large volumes of data and making decisions based on multiple signals. The combination of AI and human expertise is crucial for successful ad management, as humans can provide insights and make decisions based on external influences and factors that AI may not be able to fully understand. AI is currently dominant in areas such as bidding, campaign creation, inventory adjustments, and creative content generation. The future of AI in advertising holds the potential for further advancements in creative content generation, including image, video, and audio creation. Advertisers should identify their weaknesses and the greatest opportunities for their brands to determine where AI can be leveraged to improve ad performance and efficiency. Fear of technology often arises from a lack of understanding. Leveraging AI and technology can provide a competitive advantage. Refusing to embrace technology can result in being left behind.

A large majority of the sellers listening to this podcast are already selling on Amazon and/or Walmart… but what about TikTok? What does it look like to sell and grow your brand on TikTok today? What about starting your brand on TikTok, going viral, and then expanding into Amazon and Walmart second? In this conversation, the founders of Sud Scrub, Steven and Ray, discuss the beginning of the Sud Scrub brand, how they leveraged TikTok to go viral and skyrocket sales, and how it all lead to the incredible growth of a shower scrub.  Overall, the story behind Steven and Ray highlights the power of social media in driving awareness and sales for a business, just how much power and influence TikTok has in a core group of untapped buyers, and what potential sits waiting for sellers and content creators to grow with. This is one of our best conversations to-date. I highly suggest you take a look at the Sud Scrub TikTok channel for inspiration: https://www.tiktok.com/@sudscrubAs always, thanks so much for joining us on HITL, and follow us on social media to keep up with the latest and greatest clips from the show! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hitlpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hitlpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihXYbJckEDqaaLg3l1fuNw Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Beginning of Sudscrub 05:26 The Creation of the First Sud Scrub 07:43 Launching Sud Scrub to Crickets 09:59 Discovering TikTok as a Marketing Platform 16:17 The Mentality of Creating Content  19:51 The Shift in Approach After Going Viral 23:09 Sud Scrub and the Role of TikTok Shops 25:51 The Shift from Doing Everything to Building a Team 30:38 The Future of E-commerce and TikTok 31:39 The Future of Sudscrub 41:08 Advice for Starting a Product-based Business on TikTok Takeaways Utilizing TikTok as a marketing platform can help drive awareness and sales for a business. Consistently creating content and engaging with the audience is key to building a community and growing a brand. Being transparent and authentic in your content can help establish trust with customers. Building a team and delegating tasks is essential for scaling a business and freeing up time for strategic growth. TikTok and content marketing can be powerful tools for promoting products and driving sales. Over-communication with customers is essential for building loyalty and addressing any issues or delays. The future of e-commerce involves the integration of content and commerce, where both are necessary for success. Expanding product offerings requires careful consideration, and retail may not always be the best option. When starting a product-based business on TikTok, it is important to have a well-developed idea and consider patent protection. Dealing with counterfeit products requires educating consumers and protecting your brand. Persistence and dedication are key to overcoming challenges and achieving success in the e-commerce industry.

The first of our first recurring series, Benchmark Blitz explores the most essential trends and changes happening on two of the world’s largest marketplaces - Amazon and Walmart. Episodes from this series will help you understand how Amazon and Walmart are changing; How seller strategy is shifting, how buyer behavior is changing, how the economy is altering both marketplaces, and ultimately what trends you need to be aware of as an advertiser and seller. This is our most data-focused episode and largely speaks to current sellers on either marketplace. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Benchmark Blitz 02:17 - Efficiency Comparison: Amazon vs. Walmart 07:02 - Competition and CPCs: Amazon vs. Walmart 11:26 - Sales Per Click and Conversion Rate: Amazon vs. Walmart 16:21 - Average Order Value: Amazon vs. Walmart 20:28 - Buyer Behavior and The Economy: Amazon vs. Walmart 25:23 - Efficiency and CPCs: Amazon 28:35 - Sales per Click and AOV: Amazon 31:11 - Efficiency and CPCs: Walmart 34:57 - Sales per Click and AOV: Walmart 38:17 - CPCs: Amazon 43:12 - Consumer Behavior: Amazon 46:26 - Conclusion: Predicting the Future of Ecommerce Key Takeaways:  Amazon vs Walmart: Efficiency Comparison (ROAS): Walmart exhibited strong efficiency over Amazon in 2022, but the efficiency gains began to decrease in 2023, indicating increased competition and growth on Walmart. CPC Trends: Amazon and Walmart are both increasing in saturation and competition. Cost-Per-Click (CPC) for both Amazon and Walmart increased each quarter in 2023, with Walmart's CPC steadily rising.  Walmart seems to show great efficiency despite increasing CPCs. Walmart displays better returns on clicks than Amazon in some cases.  Conversion Rate and AOV:** Walmart's conversion rate is higher than Amazon's, while Walmart's Average Order Value (AOV) is notably lower. This suggests that Walmart attracts buyers looking for everyday low prices and lower-value goods. CPC Increase Impact: The increase in CPCs on both platforms led to tighter profit margins for advertisers, emphasizing the challenges faced in maintaining profitability. 2024 Outlook:** We anticipate this election year's impact, making predictions challenging, but suggest AOVs and conversion rates may return to Q3 levels. Walmart Impact on the Economy: Walmart's lower AOV in the first half of 2023 suggests economic softness, but a steady increase in the second half indicates growing consumer confidence. Preferable Entry Timing: Entering Walmart's marketplace is advantageous due to its strong efficiency and lower CPC compared to Amazon. Considerations for Advertisers:** Advertisers should pay attention to buyer behavior, conversion rates, and AOV to adapt strategies based on changing market dynamics. 46% Greater Efficiency:** Despite efficiency decline, Walmart's efficiency remained approximately 46% greater than Amazon, emphasizing significant opportunity on Walmart. Amazon Cautious Consumer Behavior:** In the first half of 2023, Amazon shoppers were price-conscious, seeking bargains and being conservative with spending. Efficiency Decline on Amazon:** Amazon experienced a softer efficiency throughout 2023, with a noticeable decline in Q4, indicating increased competition. ROAS Indicator:** Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) on Amazon showed a decline in efficiency, but the year-over-year difference was 4%, with a 7% decline in Q4. Sales Volume Increase:** Despite efficiency decline, total ad sales on Amazon increased by 55%, indicating a significant acceleration in sales volume. CPCs Increase:** Amazon's CPCs increased in 2023, particularly in Q4, showcasing heightened competition among brands for consumer dollars. Sales Per Click Indicator:** Sales per click on Amazon remained relatively flat, with brands adjusting to changes in consumer behavior and competition. Note: The summary highlights key points, and for a more detailed understanding, listening to the entire podcast episode is recommended.

Summary This conversation explores the journey of Alasdair McLean Foreman, one of the first third-party sellers on Amazon that became the founder and CEO of a successful, thriving software company, Teikametrics. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by sellers and the evolution of the e-commerce landscape. Alasdair also explains the role of AI in solving these challenges and the future of AI in e-commerce, business, and daily life. In this conversation, Alasdair and Cameron explore what the transition and journey of a seller to successful owner and operator of a thriving software company looks like, and what it really takes to succeed in today’s always-on and always-changing market. Takeaways The journey from third-party seller to software CEO involves navigating the challenges of selling on Amazon and adapting to the changing e-commerce landscape. The problems faced by sellers, such as gaining new customers and growing their businesses, have remained consistent over time. AI is a crucial tool for sellers and software companies, enabling automation and optimization at a scale beyond human capability. The future of AI in e-commerce holds limitless opportunities for innovation and differentiation. Effective communication is crucial in both personal and professional relationships. To grow, it is essential to listen to your core customers and adapt quickly when necessary to reflect what your customers desire to grow their own business. Keep a pulse on the market, adapt quickly, listen to your customers and employees, and always strive to improve. Chapters 00:00 - From Third-Party Seller to Software CEO 01:34 - Starting as one of the first Third-Party Sellers on Amazon 03:41 - Transitioning to a Software Company 14:46 - The Scale-Up of Teikametrics 25:03 - The Challenges for Sellers and CEOs 31:28 - The Role of AI in Teikametrics 40:40 - The Future of AI in E-commerce 45:50 - Conclusion We hope you enjoy the very first episode of Human in the Loop, and look forward to many more episodes to come!

We are at a turning point.  A point of no return. A point where the challenges of today evolve faster than are humanly possible to keep pace with.  A Human in the Loop is the combination of human and machine to achieve a result far greater than either could achieve on their own.  To be a Human in the Loop is to leverage technology - the machine - to far surpass the complex challenges in the world of ecommerce today. This new show dives into the dynamic intersection of human intelligence and cutting-edge technology within the ever evolving landscape of ecommerce. From in-depth discussions on Artificial Intelligence, to brands that have launched and gone viral on TikTok, to the stories behind today’s biggest technology companies, brands, CEOs and sellers… You’ll learn today’s greatest strategies and insights through the most up-to-date conversations with industry leaders and innovators that you’ve never seen on a show before. Welcome to the forefront of the ecommerce revolution, where being a Human in the Loop is not just a strategy.. But the essence of progress.