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Shopify’s Nexus: eCom, Payments, and Debt (No. 1,012)

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DTC Power List Breakout: October Update + Top 20 DTC Growth Brands

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Recent Memos

Memo: Shopify’s Nexus of Growth is Finance

The commerce, payments, and debt products industries are converging. Shopify is one of the few companies that sits at the nexus of these three. Over the last few months, I spent a substantial amount of time preparing for and passing my Securities Industry Essentials Exam (SIE) to gain at least a rudimentary understanding of consumer,… Continue reading →

October 23, 2024October 28, 2024

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Future: TipTop May Redefine Payments

In December of last year, I proposed a novel concept to a returns management software company. I suggested that adding an exchange function to their technology stack would shape the industry by promoting a method of reCommerce and a post-purchase marketplace led by the company’s many direct-to-consumer clients currently using the software to simplify returns.… Continue reading →

October 1, 2024October 2, 2024

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Memo: Lessons for the eCommerce Space

Klarna is making waves again—but this time for something much bigger than installment payments. The Swedish fintech giant has boldly declared that artificial intelligence (AI) is not just an enhancement but the future. This assertion is not merely a marketing ploy; Klarna is actively reshaping its workforce and operations in line with its AI-driven ambitions.… Continue reading →

September 12, 2024September 12, 2024

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Memo: Active Listening and Retail Media

The digital marketing world has evolved to fit the times but it’s evolving far faster than public knowledge has been made aware. The data available to the most savvy marketers far exceeds the potency of what existed at Facebook’s third-party advertising peak. It leaves the latest iteration, first-party data far behind. This months old anecdote… Continue reading →

September 5, 2024September 6, 2024

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NEW: The Five-Part Forecast Series (September 2023)

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Recent Member Briefs

Member Brief: The Top Players Leading The Charge

This week’s key memo focused on Shopify’s role at the nexus of finance and commerce. This member brief builds on it by breaking down the key players, establishing that the real growth in online retail is no longer in widgets moved; it’s in financial products sold. This member brief is designed exclusively for Executive Members,… Continue reading →

October 26, 2024October 26, 2024

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Member Brief: Nike and China in 2025

Nike’s attempted journey from a wholesale behemoth to a DTC powerhouse has been one of the most talked-about transformations in the retail world. However, this shift, while initially promising, led to several unforeseen consequences that now challenge the brand’s long-term strategy. This member brief is designed exclusively for Executive Members, to make membership easy, you… Continue reading →

September 21, 2024September 30, 2024

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Member Brief: X, Starlink, and Brazil

Brazil has become the latest battlefield in the global debate over free speech, state sovereignty, and the growing influence of tech billionaires. Elon Musk, his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and his satellite internet service, Starlink, are at the heart of the controversy. This member brief is designed exclusively for Executive Members, to make… Continue reading →

September 9, 2024September 10, 2024

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Member Brief: A Misguided Blame on Snoop Dogg

Leave Snoop alone! The man who single-handedly owned the 2024 Paris Olympics could have tipped Solo Brands beyond its typical outdoorsy customer. Instead, Solo Brands executives initially intimated that the rapper-cum-cultural icon was not the best fit for the retail group’s financial goals. Seven months later and $DTC is still facing significant challenges, not due to ineffective… Continue reading →

August 12, 2024August 16, 2024

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