Customers today aren’t just buying products and services - they’re buying experiences, spending more with brands that meet their expectations and align with their beliefs. The Future of Commerce is dedicated to actionable thought leadership and analysis on all things commerce, both consumer-facing and B2B, from sales, marketing, customer experience, employee experience, data management, customer service, purpose, corporate life, and more.
All content for The Future of Commerce Podcast is the property of FoC and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Customers today aren’t just buying products and services - they’re buying experiences, spending more with brands that meet their expectations and align with their beliefs. The Future of Commerce is dedicated to actionable thought leadership and analysis on all things commerce, both consumer-facing and B2B, from sales, marketing, customer experience, employee experience, data management, customer service, purpose, corporate life, and more.
AI hype is everywhere—but most projects still flop because the data underneath is messy, siloed, and ungoverned. In this episode, we unpack why 85% of AI and ML initiatives fail, how the “hidden data factory” wastes billions of work hours, and what it really takes to make AI reliable: rigorous data hygiene, governance, and process change. From product and customer master cleanups to structured transaction histories and ongoing data stewardship, learn the pragmatic roadmap that turns AI from slideware into revenue.
The U.S. housing market is frozen—and the chill extends far beyond real estate. In this episode, we quantify the slowdown in existing home sales (from ~5–5.5M annualized pre-pandemic to ~4M projected in 2025), unpack why the “rate-lock” squeeze is stalling churn, and explain the housing turnover multiplier that drags on furniture, appliances, logistics, and retail. Then we break down a four-part playbook companies are using right now—new business models, experience-led stores, AI shopping agents, and intelligent scenario modeling—to decouple growth from home-sale cycles and be ready when demand returns.
Generative AI is no longer a novelty—it’s becoming the backbone of modern customer experience. But the real transformation doesn’t come from plugging in new tools; it comes from organizations reinventing themselves to integrate GenAI at every level. In this episode, we explore how companies are moving from buzzwords to real-world transformation, leveraging GenAI to orchestrate interactions, accelerate iteration, and deliver hyper-personalization at scale. With practical examples across contact centers, sales, and marketing, we uncover how forward-thinking businesses are already reshaping CX—and why those who delay risk falling behind.
Shoppers no longer settle for basic search bars and generic results. Today’s consumers expect seamless, personalized, conversational experiences across every touchpoint—and AI is powering that shift. In this episode, we explore how generative AI and composable commerce are redefining digital shopping. From guided product discovery and real-time personalization to post-purchase engagement, we highlight how brands like Blackwoods, Nespresso Oceania, and Xero are using AI-driven platforms to boost conversions, satisfaction, and loyalty at scale.
The pulp and paper industry is rewriting its playbook—shifting from traditional manufacturing to a leader in the circular bioeconomy. This episode explores how mills are leveraging advanced biotech, AI, and ERP optimization to turn waste into high-value products, cut costs, and unlock entirely new revenue streams. From black liquor biorefining to predictive maintenance powered by AI, we reveal how sustainability is evolving from a compliance requirement into a strategic profit engine—and why ERP transparency is the foundation for this transformation.
The first half of 2025 has been a wake-up call for the retail sector—and for consumers. In this episode, we break down the latest H1 retail data showing how price-sensitive shoppers, tariff-driven cost increases, and a struggling job market are reshaping spending patterns. From warehouse clubs and dollar stores gaining ground to major brands like McDonald’s seeing double-digit drops in low-income visits, we examine the forces at play and what they signal for the rest of the year. With tariffs threatening to add $2,400 to the average household’s annual costs and retail job cuts surging 249%, the road ahead for H2 looks anything but certain.
Retail is undergoing a behind-the-scenes overhaul—and it’s all about tearing down silos. In this episode, we explore how unified commerce is replacing the old omnichannel approach with a single source of truth for inventory, pricing, and customer data. Paired with marketplace AI, this real-time foundation powers hyper-personalization, agile fulfillment, and dynamic pricing across platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok Shop. The result? Seamless shopping for customers, smarter operations for retailers, and a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.
In B2B commerce, the experience gap is real—and costly. Boston Scientific closed it with AI-powered intelligent search, transforming how customers and sales teams find products, answers, and information. In this episode, we explore how the medical device leader integrated Coveo’s AI relevance platform into SAP Commerce Cloud, unified search and chat into a single “intent box,” and achieved a 300% increase in online order revenue. From understanding buyer intent to aligning tech with strategy, discover how relevance and speed drive measurable growth.
Retailers are facing a perfect storm of slowing sales, shifting consumer psychology, and unprecedented supply chain disruption driven by tariffs and global trade volatility. In this episode, we unpack the latest retail sales data, reveal why consumer caution is taking hold, and explore how businesses are responding with AI, automation, and supply chain reinvention. From Target’s price-matching rollback to a toy industry crisis, discover how policy, technology, and strategy are reshaping what you find—and pay for—at the store.
AI agents are transforming pricing from a slow, reactive process into a fast, proactive driver of margin growth. In this episode, we explore how agentic AI is reshaping decision-making by partnering with human experts, enabling real-time actions that protect profitability. From Pricevex’s specialized pricing agents to the strategic shift toward unified platforms, discover why AI agents and integrated tech ecosystems are the twin engines of competitive advantage in volatile markets.
Legacy manufacturing execution systems (MES) have been the backbone of paper and packaging for decades—but in the AI era, they’re becoming bottlenecks. In this episode, we explore why aging, heavily customized systems are struggling to keep pace, and how a new platform-and-partner model is reshaping manufacturing performance. From semantically rich data integration to collaborative ecosystems, discover what it takes to modernize operations, unlock AI’s predictive power, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry.
Stablecoins are no longer just a crypto curiosity—they’re reshaping the fundamentals of commerce. In this episode, we explore how dollar-pegged digital currencies are challenging legacy payment systems, slashing swipe fees, and redefining financial power. With new regulation like the Genius Act granting legitimacy to stablecoins, we unpack what this means for banks, merchants, and consumers alike.
In this high-speed episode, we explore how the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team leverages advanced AI to drive precision, agility, and performance—not just on the track, but deep within their supply chain. From cost-capped optimization to real-time inventory control, AI enables the team to manage 14,500 parts with unmatched foresight. We unpack what makes this a blueprint for every business racing to stay ahead.
In this episode, we explore how the U.S. paper and packaging industry is navigating the disruptive impact of 2025’s sweeping global tariffs. With retaliation from major trade partners and spiking input costs, paper and packaging firms are being pushed to fundamentally rethink operations—from supplier relationships to product innovation. Backed by insights from a recent Future of Commerce article, we break down how IT is enabling smarter, faster responses to volatility—and how the industry can move from reactive to resilient.
In this episode, we explore a massive shift quietly transforming the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry: the phaseout of synthetic food dyes. With growing consumer pressure and FDA action targeting ingredients like Red 40, major food companies are navigating complex changes in sourcing, production, compliance, and technology. From beet juice to blockchain, we dive into how CPG leaders are rethinking everything—from farm to factory floor—to build a more transparent, natural food future.
Tariff volatility is throwing curveballs at one of the world’s most complex and critical industries: semiconductors. In this episode, we explore how chipmakers and other global manufacturers are shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive resilience—by embracing flexible supply chains, intelligent demand forecasting, and real-time analytics. Based on a recent feature from The Future of Commerce, this deep dive uncovers how controlling the controllables is becoming the new playbook for navigating global disruption.
Retail’s holiday season is shaping up with new consumer behaviors, strategic shifts in promotions, and the rising role of Gen AI. Winnie Albornoz of SAP Commerce Cloud speaks with Eric Fish of HSBC about key trends—from off-price strategies to in-store experiences—and what to expect in the months ahead.
In this episode, we explore how embedded insurance is transforming one of the most traditional—and often frustrating—industries. No longer a separate transaction or afterthought, insurance is now becoming a seamless part of everyday purchases, from flight bookings to smartphones. With global embedded insurance expected to reach $722 billion in GWP by 2030, this shift represents more than just convenience—it’s a complete redefinition of how protection is delivered, powered by APIs, AI, and personalized experiences.
In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing one of the most overlooked elements of digital commerce: pricing. As omnichannel expectations grow and buying behavior becomes more complex, pricing is no longer a static tag—it’s becoming an intelligent, real-time experience. We unpack how AI enables hyper-personalized, dynamic pricing strategies that reflect actual customer behavior, improve margin performance, and build trust across all channels.
In this Juneteenth episode, we explore the powerful words of civil rights leaders—from Sojourner Truth and Audre Lorde to Martin Luther King Jr. and James Baldwin. These quotes are more than history—they’re a mirror, a call to action, and a roadmap for justice today. Join us as we reflect on how language has fueled liberation, challenged systems of oppression, and reminded us that silence is not neutrality—it’s a choice.
Customers today aren’t just buying products and services - they’re buying experiences, spending more with brands that meet their expectations and align with their beliefs. The Future of Commerce is dedicated to actionable thought leadership and analysis on all things commerce, both consumer-facing and B2B, from sales, marketing, customer experience, employee experience, data management, customer service, purpose, corporate life, and more.