The hottest E-commerce Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Jakob Nielsen on UX 11 implied HN points 14 Oct 24
  1. AI is changing mathematics by making it easier for researchers to collaborate and generate ideas. This allows larger groups of mathematicians to work together efficiently using AI tools.
  2. Usability concepts like 'use cases' are now widely accepted beyond product design, showing that usability has become a common goal across different fields.
  3. The sparkles emoji has become a popular symbol for AI features in user interfaces, reflecting how people view AI as a magical technology that is becoming more mainstream.
Tech Buzz China Insider 19 implied HN points 30 Mar 24
  1. Alibaba's New Retail strategy faced challenges and issues over the years, leading to significant organizational changes and reversals in course.
  2. The article explores Alibaba's investments in hypermarkets and supermarkets, examining their performance in the past eight years.
  3. Hema (Freshippo), Alibaba's self-operated supermarket startup, has been experiencing rapid developments and both successes and failures.
Tech Buzz China Insider 59 implied HN points 08 Jul 23
  1. Bilibili struggles to turn a profit and has seen a decline in Monthly Active Users for two quarters
  2. Bilibili's growth strategy is multi-screen, with Story Mode as a new feature focusing on high-quality long-form video content
  3. Bilibili aims to differentiate from competitors like Douyin, focusing on long-form videos and performance-based advertising
Warming Up to Climate Tech 58 implied HN points 02 May 23
  1. Beni aims to reduce carbon emissions from the clothing industry by making secondhand shopping seamless through a browser extension.
  2. The browser extension targets 'aspirational secondhand shoppers' who understand the value of secondhand but find it time-consuming and inconvenient.
  3. Beni's goal is to transform norms of consumption by making secondhand shopping the new norm and helping to increase the share of circular business models in the fashion industry.
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Arpit’s Newsletter 58 implied HN points 01 Mar 23
  1. Shopify uses a distributed architecture with pods to handle a large number of shops sharing the same database.
  2. Shopify balances database shards without downtime by moving shops between pods using a tool called ghostferry.
  3. To ensure no downtime or data loss, Shopify follows three phases when moving a shop from one pod to another: batch copy, prepare for cutover, and cutover and updating the routing.
Day One 579 implied HN points 10 Jul 20
  1. To make money on WhatsApp, focus on effective strategies beyond just posting products or sending broadcast messages.
  2. Module One of the course teaches essential steps to grab attention on WhatsApp, like avoiding common mistakes and building an audience.
  3. Module Two covers creating sales-driven content and understanding key principles to sell more effectively to your WhatsApp audience.
Equal Ventures 138 implied HN points 07 Jun 22
  1. The acceleration of e-commerce due to COVID led to a significant shift in consumer behavior towards online shopping, particularly in categories like groceries.
  2. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are facing challenges with rising customer acquisition costs, impacting their margins and leading to a shift towards omnichannel strategies for survival.
  3. New business models are emerging in retail, emphasizing the importance of marketplaces, brick-and-mortar stores, and multi-channel management software to drive growth for merchants in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Equal Ventures 59 implied HN points 23 Jan 23
  1. Economic fundamentals in retail are shifting, highlighting the limitations of a direct-to-consumer-only strategy.
  2. Traditional principles like vertical integration may not always lead to better outcomes in the retail industry, as seen with several DTC brands.
  3. Outsourcing non-core functions and embracing the 'Great Unbundling' can help emerging brands achieve economies of scale and operational excellence in the retail sector.
The Radar 19 implied HN points 05 Mar 24
  1. Amazon's customer service has shown signs of declining quality, leading to customer dissatisfaction.
  2. The shift from customer obsession to profit focus at Amazon is evident in interactions with customers.
  3. There are concerns about Amazon's business practices and treatment of customers, as highlighted by various incidents of mishandling customer issues and funds.
Tech Buzz China Insider 59 implied HN points 31 Mar 23
  1. Tencent found success in the short video market by integrating WeChat Channels into its ecosystem, pivoting from standalone apps like WeiShi.
  2. WeChat Channels differentiated itself by focusing on knowledge and current affairs videos, targeting older users, and achieving higher e-commerce revenue per user compared to competitors.
  3. Recognizing the importance of short videos, Tencent CEO Pony Ma named WeChat Channels as the 'hope of the whole company.'
The Cosmopolitan Globalist 3 implied HN points 30 Nov 24
  1. Aiming,,to,con,commඑмінส์,c,tiхел,มัน,สื่อ,พาคุณท่องเที่ยวรอบโลกไปพร้อมเค้า,
  2. It,inviting,offе,t,提供્યો,给,商户,介绍,意向,时常
  3. Ind,写,数据库助理,语音,助理,可靠,,将来能获取同样帮助d🍐
  4. Bị,để,hén,nhà,nước,khiń,khoẻ,ใหม่》《!!💌🍇,
Cristian’s Substack 39 implied HN points 10 Apr 23
  1. Shopify offers benefits like fast-loading websites, scalable infrastructure, and a great back office user experience.
  2. Potential drawbacks of Shopify include dependency on apps, development costs, mismanagement risks, and limited content management.
  3. Steps before switching to Shopify include assessing pain points, trying out a test store, evaluating costs, planning migration, and making necessary platform checks before the switch.
Gad’s Newsletter 41 implied HN points 19 Feb 24
  1. Amazon is facing competition from companies like Temu, pushing them to innovate strategy like introducing a second BuyBox.
  2. The BuyBox tool simplifies shopping by highlighting one listing, and its introduction boosts marketplace orders, lowers entry barriers for sellers, and can lead to lower prices and higher quality for consumers.
  3. Self-preferencing of Amazon's products in search results may have mixed effects, impacting competition, innovation, consumer choice, and marketplace dynamics.
Creative Samba 59 implied HN points 11 Jul 23
  1. Copywriting involves marketing, psychology, and understanding your audience's needs to create compelling content.
  2. Writing copy effectively requires using distinctive claims backed by evidence, not generic superlatives.
  3. Crafting compelling copy involves creating unignorable headlines and expanding on promises in the first paragraph to maintain reader interest.
Become a Senior Engineer 19 implied HN points 09 Jan 24
  1. The author's journey in software development started with self-teaching, from HTML to dynamic elements with JavaScript and PHP. Dreamweaver was a helpful tool for learning.
  2. After a period of exploring different jobs, the author's career accelerated when they focused on e-commerce, leading to full-time software engineering roles.
  3. The author achieved a six-figure salary milestone in a SaaS company after overcoming self-doubt. They highlight the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement, even after facing setbacks like getting fired.
Axial 37 implied HN points 14 Dec 23
  1. Axial partners with great founders and inventors in early-stage life sciences companies
  2. Knowde aims to modernize the global chemical industry through its B2B marketplace
  3. Knowde's platform streamlines chemical procurement for buyers and provides digital storefronts for suppliers
The Social Juice 24 implied HN points 17 Mar 24
  1. Paid Social witnessed significant growth with new updates and features, benefiting marketers looking to leverage social media platforms for advertising.
  2. Legislation around apps like TikTok and changes in social media platforms, such as Instagram and LinkedIn, continue to impact the digital landscape and user experience.
  3. LinkedIn offering 250 AI courses for free until April, showcasing a commitment to providing educational opportunities and fostering skill development among users.
The Road to 1 Million ARR 1 HN point 09 Aug 24
  1. To get your first 100 customers, focus on finding people who need your product and engage with them. Think creatively and use free marketing strategies like social media.
  2. Join communities and use platforms like Reddit and Quora to share valuable insights without pushing your product too hard. Helping others can lead to more interest in what you offer.
  3. Building relationships on social media like LinkedIn or Twitter can be powerful. Be genuine and offer helpful advice to connect with potential customers.
Platforms, AI, and the Economics of BigTech 4 implied HN points 20 Oct 24
  1. Uber's business model relies on local advantages, not just growing its user base. It needs to focus on economies of density and fixed costs to truly succeed in local markets.
  2. Quick commerce thrives on efficiency by using small warehouses close to customers. This helps deliver products faster and cheaper, which makes it competitive against traditional e-commerce.
  3. Rather than looking for network effects, local businesses should focus on how to optimize operations in areas with high demand. This includes owning production and managing inventory effectively.
Modern Value Investing 19 implied HN points 19 Nov 23
  1. Sea Limited operates in three main segments: Digital Entertainment (Garena), E-commerce (Shopee), and Digital Financial Services (SeaMoney).
  2. Using a sum of the parts valuation approach, Sea Limited is considered undervalued, offering significant upside for long-term investors.
  3. Shopee is a dominant player in Southeast Asia's e-commerce market with a strong localized approach, mobile-first strategy, and a potential future valuation of $91 billion by 2033.
Jon’s Newsletter 59 implied HN points 18 Dec 22
  1. A lot has changed since Argentina last won the World Cup in 1986, especially with technology. For example, back then, the internet and smartphones didn't exist.
  2. Major companies and services like Google, Amazon, and Netflix started many years after the 1986 World Cup. It shows how different our daily lives are now.
  3. Even social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter were created long after that victory. This highlights how we now connect and communicate in very different ways.
The Social Juice 24 implied HN points 25 Feb 24
  1. Recent updates include Reddit's IPO details, Meta expanding Creator Marketplace, and Walmart's acquisition of VIZIO to boost AdTech.
  2. Pinterest's unique B2B campaign mix, X offering new features for non-premium users, and TikTok's global advancements are trending in the marketing world.
  3. Various agencies are making significant moves, like Build-A-Bear naming KNOWN as its Agency of Record and Mod Op acquiring Red Tettemer O'Connell+Partners.
Some Unpleasant Arithmetic 7 implied HN points 06 Dec 24
  1. Two influencers, known for the 'clean girl' style, are in a legal battle over copying each other's content. This shows how serious competition can get in the influencer world, especially when their livelihoods are at stake.
  2. The influencer economy is huge, worth about $250 billion, and many people dream of becoming influencers because of the lifestyle it can offer. However, it can be tough and not everyone makes good money.
  3. Financial influencers, or 'finfluencers', have a strong effect on young investors, sometimes leading them to make risky trades. This raises concerns about whether they are giving smart advice or just chasing thrills.
Tech Buzz China Insider 19 implied HN points 12 Nov 23
  1. Meituan Maicai is a major player in the front-end warehouse market, focusing on first-tier cities and expanding strategically to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
  2. Unlike its competitors, Meituan Maicai has a cautious expansion strategy, utilizing big data and real-time analysis to drive decision-making and enhance customer experience.
  3. The front-end warehouse model's success relies on adapting to consumer habits and demands, as seen through Meituan's efforts to improve efficiency and stay competitive in the evolving market.
Gad’s Newsletter 23 implied HN points 12 Feb 24
  1. Despite the rise of online shopping, physical retail locations still play a crucial role in the retail landscape.
  2. The concept of omnichannel retailing, combining online and physical sales channels, has become essential for many retailers.
  3. Understanding consumer preferences and integrating online and offline channels intelligently is crucial for the future of retail.
Gad’s Newsletter 23 implied HN points 29 Jan 24
  1. Vroom, a once promising player in online used-car sales, faced financial struggles and announced ceasing e-commerce operations.
  2. Comparison between Carvana and Vroom reveals operational challenges like inventory turnover, highlighting Vroom's decline in efficiency.
  3. Online used-car platforms face hurdles like high inventory costs, aging inventory, and challenges in digital transformation.
Full Context Development 19 implied HN points 24 Feb 23
  1. Performance comparison of frameworks may not always translate to significant impact on products
  2. Signals as reactivity primitives in modern frameworks show potential for productivity improvement
  3. In-browser Node.js runtimes offer new possibilities but may have limited practical application beyond specific use cases
Natto Thoughts 19 implied HN points 26 May 23
  1. Pinduoduo allegedly had a hacking team that exploited vulnerabilities in Android systems to gather user data and influence user behavior for profit.
  2. The head of security at Pinduoduo, a genius hacker, was dismissed for refusing to conduct hacking attacks, showcasing ethical principles in the face of company pressure.
  3. Pinduoduo's growth model involved combining social commerce with exploiting mobile vulnerabilities, leading to rapid success and potential security concerns, especially as team members moved to its subsidiary Temu.
Tech Buzz China Insider 19 implied HN points 22 Jul 23
  1. The pandemic accelerated the growth of Instant Retail, with the market projected to reach RMB 1.2 trillion in 2025.
  2. Major players like Meituan and Ele.me have entered the instant retail market, but delivering products involves more complexity compared to meal deliveries.
  3. Instant retail models include self-operated ship-from-store, self-operated front-end warehouse, and marketplace for offline retailers, each with unique features and challenges.