The hottest E-commerce Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

This Is What Fairer Trade with China Looks Like

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1080 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. There are differences in the tariffs that companies like Gap and H&M pay compared to platforms like Temu and Shein. This raises questions about fairness in trade practices.
  2. Brands like Shein and Temu are gaining a lot of attention through aggressive advertising on social media and other platforms.
  3. There is a culture emerging around 'haul' videos, where influencers showcase their purchases from these low-cost retailers, promoting consumerism.

The mainstream media is no longer mainstream

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 474 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Social media has become the main source of news for many Americans, replacing traditional TV. This means independent media now plays a bigger role in shaping public interest and discussions.
  2. Streaming services have officially surpassed traditional TV in viewership. This shift makes it easier for these platforms to become profitable as they continue to attract more and more viewers.
  3. Whatnot, a live shopping app, is gaining popularity and showing that video shopping can work in the U.S. It's interesting to see how social media influencers can generate sales in real-time, something that's been popular in Asia for a while.

3 Essentials That Will 2x Your Landing Page Conversion Rate

Nail It and Scale It • 59 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
💼 Business E-commerce
  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.

How to Use Banned US Models in China

ChinaTalk • 474 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology E-commerce
  1. In China, U.S. AI models like ChatGPT are mostly banned, but people can still buy access to them online through platforms like Taobao. This shows how censorship can be bypassed and how demand for these tools remains strong.
  2. Sellers on Taobao use various tactics to market and price access to U.S. models, including cheaper options and clever advertising strategies to avoid censorship. They exploit loopholes that let them offer these services at lower prices than official sources.
  3. The grey market for these AI models continues to thrive despite government restrictions. This suggests that the state is more focused on controlling specific models like ChatGPT rather than suppressing all U.S. AI technology, indicating a complex relationship with censorship.

Top Links 771 How Amazon dominates the US clothing market. Driverless Chinese trucks and where lightning strikes.

Chartbook • 414 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Amazon is a huge player in the clothing market, selling more than double what any other store sells in the US. This means many people are buying their clothes from Amazon.
  2. The rise of driverless trucks in China shows how technology is changing transportation. This could really impact how goods are delivered around the world.
  3. A lot can be learned from where lightning strikes, as it can reveal patterns in weather or other environmental factors. Understanding this could be important for safety and planning.
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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 E-commerce
  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.

Test Drive: Is BYD as Good as Tesla?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 245 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. BYD, a Chinese automaker, is growing quickly in the electric vehicle market but Tesla still leads for now.
  2. BYD is expected to sell around five million vehicles this year, which is significantly more than Tesla's sales.
  3. Many Americans may not know much about BYD cars, but they are performing well and improving rapidly.

The difference between making money and a hobby

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business E-commerce
  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 not to support the National Park Service

Conspirador Norteño • 44 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
📰 News E-commerce
  1. The site loudly claims to be a partner of the National Park Service and to have raised large sums, but it offers no evidence and the NPS does not list it.
  2. The same promotional text and stolen photos show up across multiple nearly identical storefronts and social accounts, suggesting a coordinated, inauthentic sales operation.
  3. Domain registrations and a GMT+8 shipping notice point to China/Hong Kong origins, so buying the shirts is unlikely to actually support U.S. national parks.

Briefing: Instagram nudges, Stripe retries, Chrome AI

Department of Product • 275 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology 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.

The Meesho Must Go On

Tigerfeathers! • 54 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Meesho focuses on serving everyday shoppers, especially in smaller towns, by connecting them directly with small sellers and keeping prices low. This approach has allowed them to grow rapidly and become a key player in Indian e-commerce.
  2. The company's unique model relies on understanding their customers' needs and being very adaptable. They have successfully shifted their strategy multiple times to meet the demands of their users.
  3. Meesho's commitment to affordability and accessibility, along with their efficient logistics network, positions them well for continued growth in India's evolving marketplace.

Why build when you could buy?

Kenny’s Sub • 159 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💼 Business E-commerce
  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
  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 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.

Problems at Signet Jewelers (SIG)

The Bear Cave • 559 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Lab-grown diamonds are becoming very popular, especially among younger couples, because they are cheaper and ethically sourced. Many people prefer them over traditional mined diamonds.
  2. Signet Jewelers, a major diamond retailer, is facing challenges as the market shifts towards lab-grown diamonds. They are trying to promote mined diamonds through a new advertising campaign aimed at younger customers.
  3. The diamond industry has a lot of hidden information and marketing tricks that make it hard to understand the true value of diamonds. An expert is now sharing insights to help clear up the confusion.

Kroger’s Retreat from Robotic Warehouses Reveals the Limits of Grocery Automation

Gad’s Newsletter • 47 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Kroger’s closure of big robotic fulfillment centers shows that centralized, capital-heavy automation often doesn’t fit grocery economics because thin margins, low and uneven online demand, long delivery distances, and volatile order patterns drove per-order costs too high.
  2. Faster, cheaper grocery fulfillment is more likely from local and flexible options — store-based picking, micro-fulfillment, and gig delivery cut last-mile costs and handle spiky demand better.
  3. Automation still has a role, but the future looks modular and collaborative: smaller, flexible robots, AI routing, and cobots that work with human pickers are more promising than giant, purpose-built robot warehouses.

Sezzle Removes Merchants Following The Bear Cave’s Investigation

The Bear Cave • 513 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
💰 Finance E-commerce
  1. Sezzle stopped working with several online pharmacies after an investigation revealed they were illegal. This means those pharmacies can no longer process payments using Sezzle.
  2. Many of these online pharmacies sell medications that may not be safe for U.S. consumers. They often have poor regulations and can provide the wrong or dangerous drugs.
  3. By highlighting these issues, the investigation helped prevent fraud and potential harm to consumers. Removing the payment option makes it harder for these illegal pharmacies to reach American buyers.

Trying in public...works?

Trying In Public • 39 implied HN points • 02 Jul 24
💼 Business E-commerce
  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.

"What if I annoy everyone?"

Trying In Public • 79 implied HN points • 07 May 24
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Sending regular emails can help clarify thoughts and develop your body of work over time.
  2. Don't be afraid to share your ideas and message; they are worth exploring and worth sharing.
  3. Email marketing is a powerful tool that allows direct communication without relying on algorithms, making it essential for engaging with your audience.

Digital Drug Trade: The Story of Silk Road

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🕹 Technology 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.

And now for something completely different

Tilting At Windmills • 176 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Some Substacks have significant backing, while others rely on different strategies to succeed.
  2. Austin Peterson, a former presidential candidate, supports liberty through various platforms and a merchandise store.
  3. By partnering with his store's affiliate program, readers can get discounts on liberty-themed products and support the Substack.

Are you putting products on a pedestal?

Kenny’s Sub • 179 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💼 Business E-commerce
  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 E-commerce
  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.

🚪5 curation products acquired for 5-figures each

No-Code Exits • 334 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Bram Kanstein built and sold 5 content curation products, each acquired for 5-figures
  2. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the value an idea brings when building a product
  3. No-Code tools like Carrd and Zapier enabled him to easily create and validate products, helping him quickly turn ideas into businesses

Walmart

Business Breakdowns • 314 implied HN points • 09 May 23
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Walmart has shown tremendous stock growth on the New York Stock Exchange since 1972.
  2. The founder, Sam Walton's focus on providing value and growth led to Walmart's success.
  3. Consistent growth and adaptability are key lessons from Walmart's history.

The anatomy of a breakthrough “Service-as-a-Software” business

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 425 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Chargeflow focused on marketing and customer relationships before building their product. This helped them understand what their audience needed and how to stand out.
  2. They made it super easy for customers to sign up and get started, which led to positive reviews and a better presence in app stores. Fast onboarding is key for attracting users.
  3. Chargeflow's pricing model is based on success, meaning customers only pay when they see results. This approach not only attracts customers but keeps them around longer.

Lululemon

Business Breakdowns • 275 implied HN points • 23 May 23
💼 Business E-commerce
  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.

Booking: The $170B+ A/B Testing Machine

SatPost by Trung Phan • 154 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. Booking Holdings became the largest online travel company by using A/B testing effectively. They run thousands of tests on their website to figure out what works best for getting customers to book travel.
  2. The company's success also comes from smart acquisitions, like Booking.com and Active Hotels, which helped them quickly grow and shape the travel industry. These acquisitions cost them $294 million and grew into a $170 billion company.
  3. Booking's culture focuses on data and experimentation. They let everyone in the company, not just the top executives, run tests and use data to make decisions, leading to a more user-friendly experience.

This Week in Marketing: Pinterest Predicts, AI-Powered Dating, Reels Algorithm, and Disney Slop

The Social Juice • 24 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
💼 Business E-commerce
  1. AI is accelerating across platforms and industries, powering new models, agentic tools, and content features that are reshaping how content, ads, and products are made and delivered.
  2. Platforms are putting more control in users' hands and experimenting with prompt-focused algorithms, letting people steer what shows up in Reels, playlists, and shared feeds.
  3. The AI surge is raising big legal, safety, and quality problems — from copyright fights and low-quality AI 'slop' to harmful deepfakes and increasing regulator scrutiny, putting creators and platforms under pressure.

Whatsapp Is Irreplaceable

Just Messaged • 99 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology 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.

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
  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.