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But is speed really the primary goal for CPG and others? In a unified model, eComm can and should be more. “The most successful brands... will be those willing to adapt and react quickly to changes in consumer buying habits, ...brands stuck in their ways will be left behind”. We've heard/seen this repeated often over the years. The Retail Dive article below discusses how DTC brands are navigating post-pandemic adjustments and who is/is not succeeding. Those of us who have led brands through any kind of consumer or market change can tell you that the need to quickly pivot or adjust strategy is a core competency of any successful brand, not only DTC brands. Maybe a better and more complete statement would be "The most successful brands are those willing to give DTC/eCommerce its fair share of strategic focus in our wholistic business strategy". While ominichannel may feel a bit worn out as a phrase or approach for CPG, it should be high on a priority list for talking points with your leadership team. DTC should be one cog in the machine and should be approached with purpose if it is to be successful. Note, that success may not always mean profitable (at all times) for every brand, although it certainly can be profitable. Direct brand sales can facilitate or drive loyalty (even in physical store), create meaningful emotional connections with consumers, and be a GREAT source of consumer insights. Yes, it can be very profitable and when combined with an aligned 360 omini strategy it can be impactful and meaningful. Is your eCommerce team asking about B2B enablement and wholesale partnerships? When opening brick-and-mortar stores are you thinking about how to link your digital footprint to remove frustration or enable surprise and delight? Is your PR and Social team at the table with you to talk about facilitating messaging? How are your bringing your customers into your eComm conversations? (they are certainly thinking about it if you are driving direct sales). Finally, there is an implication when thinking about between growth at all costs, retention at all costs, and finding a growth path (and pivot strategy as needed) for growing DTC brands outside of traditional digital footprints. Unlock your full brand potential by diving into your core strengths and enabling capabilities. There is no one right way. Do it the way that works for you, but get your team at the table early.

👀 📈 Exciting trends in the DTC landscape for 2024.  ♻️Sustainability is becoming a non-negotiable for DTC brands. Exciting to witness a shift towards eco-conscious practices that resonate with today's socially responsible consumers. 💡With digital commerce continuing to evolve, the article also emphasizes the importance of DTC brands embracing digital-first strategies. From personalized online experiences to leveraging emerging technologies, the digital landscape is the frontier for DTC success.  But there is more! Read all about it in the article from @RetailDive 👉 https://lnkd.in/eiyt7CPu #DTCTrends #RetailInnovation #DigitalCommerce

RetailWire looked into the future of DTC retailers, highlighting key trends and case studies of brands like Allbirds, Warby Parker, and Dollar Shave Club. 5 key trends in the DTC sector: 1/ 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: The rise of the internet and e-commerce has transformed consumer behavior, leading to a surge in DTC brands across various industries. 2/ 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Brands like Allbirds, Warby Parker, and Dollar Shave Club have achieved remarkable success but also faced hurdles like declining sales, stock value drops, and strategic shifts. 3/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: DTC brands have leveraged personalized marketing and targeted campaigns to optimize audience reach and boost engagement. 4/ 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: The DTC landscape has evolved, with increased competition and higher advertising costs. Brands are now exploring multiple sales channels and revising their strategies for sustainability. 5/ 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗧𝗖: Major players like Nike and Levi’s are increasingly focusing on DTC, balancing it with traditional wholesale channels. 🔮 And the road ahead for DTC brands? ➡️ The future of DTC brands hinges on their ability to adapt to market changes, identify target audiences accurately, and offer unique value. ➡️ With the landscape becoming more competitive, DTC brands must innovate and possibly integrate physical retail aspects, like pop-up stores, for longevity. The DTC sector's evolution is fascinating, reflecting the changing dynamics of consumer preferences and market strategies. It's a space that continues offering immense growth and innovation potential. 🔗 Here’s the full article for deeper insights: https://lnkd.in/gGx473sS #DTC #DirectToConsumer #retail 

DTC has provided new brands with the opportunity to control the launch of their products while establishing internal operating efficiencies and practices. However, a well thought out omni-channel approach is still key to scaling any business. Check out this great article about how natural brands are leveraging brick and mortar outlets to achieve their growth ambitions. https://lnkd.in/gDvFAtjW

New DTC #brands are adapting to prioritize profitability alongside #sales growth in today's competitive landscape. Relying solely on #online presence or cheap ads is no longer viable. Investors now demand early profits, driving brands to innovate in finding #capital. To succeed, brands involve loyal customers in product #development to accurately gauge demand and cut costs from the start. While early successes are seen in #beauty and #wellness, emerging #fashion brands also achieve profitability with a devoted audience. Digitally-native brands prioritize retaining existing customers through subscription services, ensuring recurring #revenue and sustainable #growth. What are some other tactics that emerging brands can use to gain profitability sooner? https://lnkd.in/d7dzM32r

The DTC landscape is fast-growing and ever-changing. Looking at the 4+ million brands tracked in the Charm system, some names stand out not only for their products but also for their unparalleled success in capturing the market. Utilizing the innovative Charm Success Score™, we present the top 10 most successful DTC brands that are redefining the ecommerce sphere. Learn more about these DTC giants and unlock insights into their digital strategies and market influence. #DTC #CharmInsights #Ecommerce

Learn from the best and read this amazing piece where you can dive deep into the topics that are buzzing lately by DTC brands! Let us know what you feel about it

What Does the Future Hold for DTC Retailers? Direct-to-consumer, or DTC, is a contemporary business model that allows companies to market and sell their products or services directly to the end users. The tactic allows retailers to understand customers’ needs directly and thoroughly. The advent of the internet and e-commerce shifted consumer habits and expanded retail beyond the gatekeepers of intermediaries, such as wholesalers and distributors. This bred a rise in DTC companies across various industries. Through personalized marketing and targeted campaigns, these brands can optimize audience reach and boost customer engagement and conversion rates. Also, controlling their brand image ensures consistent branding and superior product quality. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gGx473sS David Biernbaum "For a new brand, it is difficult to get shelf space right away, since shelf space is limited, so DTC is the best way to launch your brand with the right targeted marketing." Mark Ryski "Creating a new brand that resonates with consumers is hard; transforming a hot DTC brand into a sustainably growing and profitable enterprise is much harder. From my observations it appears the key challenge for DTC brands is making the jump to physical stores." Ken Morris "DTC is not a one size fits all move for retailers. As the department store model fades into the sunset, every brand needs to rethink their distribution strategy. But that doesn’t mean DTC is always a good answer or should even be part of that strategy. It depends mostly on the brand recognition."

Most Retail Brands Ignore X, per Study: Chanel, Macy's, and H&M are example brands that have left X. Yet the platform remains popular, with high engagement. The post Most Retail Brands Ignore X, per Study appeared first on Practical Ecommerce.

In the Fight for Mutual Survival, DTC and Retailers are Frenemies. Retail TouchPoints recently published my thoughts on those on the Fortune 500 list who are driving growth using a playbook from brands like Prose, The Farmer's Dog, and Parachute Home. The fastest-growing DTC brands are also taking notes on the wins and failures of retail giants. 1. Approach each collab as a ‘mini brand.’ A lot of larger corporations like Amazon Business and Target have successfully crafted mini-brands within their suite of products and services — offerings like Amazon Essentials and Amazon Fresh that act as if they’re a smaller DTC offering. 2. Don’t hold back. In-store, online, and on social media, brands should feel fully integrated, not like a spur-of-the-moment afterthought. Customers can tell when both brands are only offering a small part of what makes them special — access only in some stores or promoting only remnant products. The brands that go all-in can expect greater success. 3. Communicate shared values. When brands put their heads together, they’re able to signal to the customer that they have shared values, they’re blending the old with the new and meeting customers in a way they may not have prior to their collaboration. This is especially important as customers increasingly take a values-centered approach to their purchasing decisions.