The hottest E-commerce Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Putting the (Insta)cart before the Grocery (horse): A COVID Favorite's Reality Check!

Musings on Markets • 1059 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
💼 Business E-commerce Entrepreneurship Market Analysis Financial trends
  1. Instacart's upcoming IPO shows that its value has dropped significantly since the peak days of the pandemic. What was once thought to be worth over $50 billion is now expected to be valued around $9 to $10 billion.
  2. The grocery business is generally slow-growing and has very low margins. This affects how much Instacart can charge for its services and makes it tough for them to grow dramatically.
  3. Instacart now faces tough competition from grocery stores that have started their own online services. This competition is likely to limit Instacart's market share and growth in the future.

What happened in marketing: Meta trumps fact checking, TikTok shutdown and AdTech at CES

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Technology E-commerce Media
  1. Meta is changing its policies around content moderation and fact-checking, which is causing concern among advertisers. They want more freedom and less control over what can be shared.
  2. TikTok is facing potential bans in the US due to national security worries, which has many users worried about the future of the platform.
  3. CES 2025 brought new advertising technologies and trends, showing a shift towards innovative ad solutions and increased spending, especially in online platforms.

All content should flow toward newsletter signups

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 349 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💼 Business Media Entrepreneurship Marketing E-commerce Finance
  1. Good content should always encourage people to sign up for newsletters. This helps creators grow their audience and make money.
  2. You can succeed on platforms like Substack even if you start with no followers. Many people have built their subscriber base from scratch.
  3. Partnerships can help you grow faster. Teaming up with established brands can lead to more visibility and subscribers.

3 Essentials That Will 2x Your Landing Page Conversion Rate

Nail It and Scale It • 59 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Digital E-commerce Sales Entrepreneurship
  1. Make sure your landing page clearly explains what you're offering right away. If visitors can't understand it quickly, they're likely to leave.
  2. Build trust by showing strong brands you've worked with, sharing positive customer reviews, or highlighting any expert endorsements. This makes visitors feel more secure about their decision.
  3. Keep the action simple. Have one clear button for what you want visitors to do, and ensure the page loads quickly without distractions. The easier it is, the more likely they will take action.
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A data-driven insight into German transfer fraud: 7.594 cases

Altay's Blog • 1 HN point • 30 Sep 24
💰 Finance Fraud Banking E-commerce Scams Data Analysis
  1. Many people in Germany lose money to transfer fraud each year because scammers trick them into thinking their payments are safe. They use methods like fake online shops to steal money without delivering any products.
  2. Scammers often use tricks to hide their identities, like opening bank accounts under fake names or recruiting unsuspecting people to help. These tactics make it hard for banks to catch them right away.
  3. There are rules called Know-Your-Customer (KYC) that banks must follow to verify customer identities. When these rules are not strong, it can lead to more fraud, but better KYC practices can help reduce these scams.

The difference between making money and a hobby

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Startups E-commerce Freelancing
  1. Tinkering can be fun and educational, but it often doesn't lead to making real money. People who quit their jobs to experiment might not find traction if they aren't committed to serious efforts.
  2. If you want to succeed financially, it’s important to pick ideas with high demand. Avoid spending lots of time on small projects that don’t bring much profit.
  3. A solid marketing plan is just as crucial as having a good product. Without a way to promote what you're selling, you might just have a hobby instead of a business.

How DTC razor brand Billie built a $310M brand by showing body hair and bucking gender norms

the case for brand 💼 • 21 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💼 Business Branding Marketing Consumer Goods E-commerce Entrepreneurship
  1. Billie is changing the shaving game by showing that body hair is normal and celebrating women's choices. They make it clear that shaving should be a personal choice, not something women are pressured to do.
  2. Their success comes from offering products at fair prices without the 'pink tax'. They provide quality razors that don't charge more just because they are made for women.
  3. Billie uses clever marketing that connects with women, like campaigns that challenge beauty standards. They've built a strong brand that stands out from traditional competitors.

Briefing: Instagram nudges, Stripe retries, Chrome AI

Department of Product • 275 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Product Management AI Browsers Startups E-commerce
  1. Instagram is implementing a new safety feature to deter teens from night-time app use.
  2. Many companies struggle to train employees on GenAI tools, but new visual AI workflow tools like VectorShift aim to simplify the process for product teams.
  3. Netflix's success in ad-funded plans raises questions on whether this model will extend to other product categories like SaaS.

What’s up with…? - Part 4: Douyin Local Services

Tech Buzz China Insider • 279 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Social media E-commerce Updates
  1. Douyin, the Chinese sibling of TikTok, has expanded its reach by offering local services to its huge user base.
  2. The competition between Douyin and Meituan highlights the aggressive nature of Chinese internet companies.
  3. This update showcases a possible future for TikTok as it follows the path charted by Douyin in monetizing and expanding its services.

401: Stock Indices & The Ship of Theseus, Amazon, Emergent AI, Internet Archive, Build Fast, GPT-4, and Orson Welles

Liberty’s Highlights • 452 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI E-commerce Data Analysis Digital Preservation Innovation
  1. Find things that bring joy and sprinkle them in your life for small moments of delight.
  2. Consider how multi-lingualism can influence personality and thinking.
  3. Building things quickly can lead to more value and efficiency while avoiding additional costs.

Why build when you could buy?

Kenny’s Sub • 159 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investment E-commerce Startups Market research
  1. Buying a business takes time and patience. It's important to understand that finding the right one isn't quick and you might go through many options before finding the right fit.
  2. Having clear criteria for what you're looking to buy is crucial. It's better to focus on specific areas that interest you rather than being too broad in your search.
  3. Expect to sift through a lot of possibilities. The process can be frustrating, but staying logical and not letting emotions lead your decisions will help you find the right business.

How VTEX improved the shopper experience with Amazon DynamoDB

VTEX’s Tech Blog • 119 implied HN points • 16 Apr 24
🕹 Technology E-commerce Cloud Computing Data Management System Architecture Performance optimization
  1. VTEX improved their shopping cart system by switching from Amazon S3 to Amazon DynamoDB. This change was made to enhance speed and make the shopping experience better for users.
  2. They faced challenges because some shopping cart items were too large for DynamoDB's limits. To fix this, they reduced the data size and created a process to store bigger items separately in S3.
  3. After gradually migrating to DynamoDB, VTEX achieved a 30% reduction in shopping cart API latency. This helped their overall efficiency and improved customer satisfaction.

What Are Companies Doing With Generative AI? A Tale Of 3 Strategies.

High ROI Data Science • 297 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Retail Data Strategy E-commerce
  1. Companies are using Generative AI tools to decrease training times and improve customer service in retail.
  2. Some companies are implementing Generative AI without a clear business problem statement, leading to undefined outcomes.
  3. Retailers like Walmart are strategically using Generative AI to change customer workflows, improve online shopping experiences, and increase revenue.

Trying in public...works?

Trying In Public • 39 implied HN points • 02 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Personal Growth Social media E-commerce Consulting
  1. Trying in public can be beneficial, even if it's intimidating. By sharing your work or thoughts, you may discover that others are waiting for someone to voice the same ideas.
  2. Using quizzes for marketing can be a creative and engaging strategy. Consider starting with the result you want to sort people into and mapping questions based on that.
  3. Engaging with feedback and experimenting with new ideas can lead to growth and learning. Don't be afraid to try new tools or trends to see what resonates with your audience.

Digital Drug Trade: The Story of Silk Road

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🕹 Technology Dark web Cryptocurrency Cybercrime E-commerce
  1. Silk Road was a pioneering dark web marketplace for illegal drugs and other items, founded by an idealist named Ross Ulbricht.
  2. Ulbricht's motivation for creating Silk Road included making money, promoting libertarian ideologies, and providing a platform for people to buy drugs anonymously.
  3. The Silk Road story reflects a mix of ambition, freedom, and technology, showcasing the complexities of Ulbricht's character and the challenges he faced.

How Lon Seidman used his tech YouTube channel to build a huge affiliate business

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 149 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💼 Business YouTube Product Reviews E-commerce
  1. Lon Seidman focuses on reviewing everyday gadgets that are not glamorous but sell a lot. This smart choice helps him reach a wide audience.
  2. He uses his YouTube channel to drive affiliate sales, earning money when viewers buy products through his links.
  3. Lon is also exploring decentralized platforms to share his content, which may help him connect with more viewers.

Are you putting products on a pedestal?

Kenny’s Sub • 179 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💼 Business E-commerce Marketing Entrepreneurship Freelancing Product Development
  1. It's easier to sell services than products. Many successful people started with client work before launching their products because it's more certain and quicker.
  2. Working on client projects helps you learn business skills. You can use these skills to market products later on more effectively.
  3. Balancing client work and product development can be tough. It's important to make time for both, or you might end up feeling overwhelmed and miss out on important parts of your life.

What’s up with…? - Part 3: Cotti Coffee

Tech Buzz China Insider • 199 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business Coffee E-commerce Market Trends China Subscription
  1. The update on Cotti Coffee discusses slowing store openings, partnerships, and ongoing price wars in the coffee industry.
  2. Tech Buzz China is shifting to shorter weekly publications for a few weeks to focus on updates of significant topics they wrote in 2023.
  3. There is an opportunity to join Tech Buzz China on an Exclusive Electric Vehicle Trip to China to gain insights into China's electric vehicle ecosystem.

Black Friday - Happy Birthday sale

Computer Ads from the Past • 128 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
💼 Business Sales Marketing E-commerce Subscriptions Retail
  1. There is a special sale going on for Black Friday and a birthday celebration, offering 38% off subscriptions until December 8th. It's a fun way to mark the occasion and give people a discount.
  2. Readers can also support through one-time donations on various platforms like Ko-Fi or Patreon. There are flexible options for those who want to contribute.
  3. Gift subscriptions are available, making it an ideal present for anyone interested in computer ads or a fun way to share unique content. It's a thoughtful holiday gift for a nerdy friend.

Top 5 US-China Tech Stories

ChinaTalk • 637 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🕹 Technology E-commerce EVs Semiconductors AI
  1. TikTok has defied early predictions of regulatory restrictions in the US due to vested interests and political dynamics.
  2. The splintering of cross-border VC firms like Sequoia and GGV Capital is a tangible impact of US-China relations.
  3. Chinese EVs are dominating globally, posing a challenge to traditional automakers and highlighting the US infrastructure gap.

What happened in marketing: FTC working overtime, LinkedIn becoming home of AI slop and Bluesky

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Technology E-commerce Consumer behavior
  1. The FTC is actively investigating companies like Google and Microsoft for potential monopolistic practices in the ad tech industry. This could lead to changes in how these companies operate.
  2. LinkedIn is seeing an increase in AI-generated content, which some users find less authentic and engaging. It's becoming more common to encounter bot-generated posts.
  3. Bluesky is gaining popularity among journalists, as it's reportedly driving more referral traffic than Twitter. This shift might indicate a growing preference for alternative social media platforms.

Rethinking Returns: The Invisible Battleground of Modern Retail

Gad’s Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💼 Business Retail E-commerce Consumer behavior Sustainability Logistics
  1. Returns during the holiday season are rising, causing challenges for both shoppers and stores. Retailers are changing their return policies to manage costs and customer satisfaction better.
  2. Some companies are offering return-less refunds, where customers keep the items without returning them. This helps stores save money on shipping and processing, but it can create confusion about who benefits from these policies.
  3. Retailers are using new strategies to reduce returns, like providing customers with better information to help them make good choices. Companies need to balance easy returns while being mindful of costs and environmental impacts.

Lululemon

Business Breakdowns • 275 implied HN points • 23 May 23
💼 Business Retail E-commerce Strategy Management Risk
  1. Lululemon dominates luxury athleisure market with loyal customers and high-quality products.
  2. The company has strong revenue segments, with high margins in direct-to-consumer sales.
  3. Industry trends and growth opportunities in menswear and international markets support Lululemon's continued success.

Whatsapp Is Irreplaceable

Just Messaged • 99 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Messaging Social media Digital Platforms APIs E-commerce
  1. WhatsApp has become a dominant communication medium worldwide, surpassing traditional methods like phone calls and SMS.
  2. Zuckerberg's strategic acquisition of WhatsApp highlighted the value of its irreplaceability factor and led to the introduction of business solutions within the platform.
  3. The development of the WhatsApp Business API opened up new opportunities for businesses to interact with customers, paving the way for WhatsApp to become a potential super app with various functionalities.

What happened in Marketing: Instagram is better, OpenAI slows down and TikTok isn’t backing down

The Social Juice • 24 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Social media E-commerce Digital Media
  1. Meta is reducing ad subscription prices in the EU and using less data to show ads. This shows their effort to address user privacy.
  2. YouTube is launching a new way for creators to earn money with a feature called Jewels. This can help creators make more from their content.
  3. TikTok is expanding its tools for creators with an AI video generator. This will make it easier for users to create engaging videos.

The Use of Scarcity Cues in E-Commerce: Impact on User Experience and Trust

UX Psychology • 218 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
💼 Business E-commerce User Experience Psychology Marketing Research
  1. Online retailers often use scarcity cues like countdown timers and limited quantity messages to create urgency, but research suggests they can harm user experience and trust.
  2. Psychological theories show that scarcity can make products seem more valuable, yet artificial scarcity cues in marketing can annoy users and erode trust.
  3. Recent research found that scarcity cues, especially time-based ones, can lead to negative emotions, frustration, and reduced user trust, highlighting the need for transparent and verifiable messaging in e-commerce.

The collapse of Alibaba’s New Retail? - Part 1: Shopping Malls & Home Furnishing

Tech Buzz China Insider • 79 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Retail Investments E-commerce Management
  1. Alibaba's New Retail initiatives, including offline investments, are facing challenges and potential failures.
  2. The focus on consumption upgrade led Alibaba to miss the shifting consumer trends towards practical and inexpensive purchases, affecting their strategies.
  3. There is a shift within Alibaba towards returning to prioritizing online business, user experience, and supporting small and medium businesses once again.

What happened in marketing: Reddit is profitable, Amazon edges Google and ChatGPT search launches

The Social Juice • 29 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💼 Business Marketing Finance E-commerce Tech AI
  1. Reddit is now making money and is considered profitable. This is an important shift for the platform.
  2. Amazon is performing better than Google in some areas, showing a competitive edge in the market.
  3. ChatGPT has introduced a new search feature, which signifies the growing role of AI in online searches.