The hottest Ecommerce Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

UX Roundup: Old vs New UX | Adam Smith Predicts AI | AI Video | AI Agents

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 32 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. Most recent UX books still teach pre-AI practices, but designers now need AI-first methods like reversed creative workflows, generative UIs, and designing for AI agents or UI-less experiences.
  2. AI is acting as a new form of capital that will massively boost cognitive productivity, causing short-term job displacement but long-term abundance; people’s economic value will shift toward orchestrating AI and roles requiring empathy, judgment, and creativity.
  3. Agentic commerce will progress from simple checkout automation to full anticipation of needs, and scaling it safely requires interoperable standards and shared financial infrastructure so many agents and businesses can transact together.

China’s Spring Festival AI war

Pekingnology • 86 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. Big tech turned the Lunar New Year into a mass‑market AI onboarding event, using red envelopes, gala tie‑ins, and shopping coupons to drive huge engagement and hundreds of millions of active chatbot users.
  2. Each company used a different playbook: Tencent socialized AI into group chats, ByteDance embedded AI into national broadcasts and agent workflows, Alibaba linked chatbots directly to e‑commerce transactions, and Baidu grafted its assistant onto search.
  3. The promotions produced massive short‑term growth but raised sustainability, operational, and legal questions — it’s unclear whether usage will stick once subsidies stop, and the rush exposed throttling and copyright risks.

Who is Oleksii Sidorov

Oleksii Sidorov • 324 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Oleksii Sidorov started his journey in art but shifted to physics and math, eventually excelling academically and discovering a passion for tutoring and entrepreneurship.
  2. He gained diverse experiences through research and various startup ventures, exploring innovative AI solutions in marketing and advertising.
  3. Investing has become a significant part of his financial strategy, where he learned to balance risks with cautious decision-making across different asset classes.

Problems at Pattern Group (PTRN)

The Bear Cave • 303 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Pattern Group claims to use technology and data to help brands sell better on e-commerce platforms, but many say it's just a middleman selling products on Amazon.
  2. The company's business model, which involves buying from brands at wholesale prices and reselling at retail prices, has slim profit margins and isn't easy to grow.
  3. During an interview, the CEO struggled to explain how the business works, leading some to question if it's worth investing in.

RIP Shein and Temu?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3791 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ecommerce
  1. Shein and Temu are facing tough times due to new U.S. tariffs that could significantly raise prices for consumers. Many packages from China are now being stopped by customs, making it harder for these companies to operate.
  2. Joe Rogan defended himself against accusations from Kamala Harris' campaign about not being honest regarding an interview. He claims that the campaign never committed to appearing on his show, while Trump was easy to book.
  3. Substack won a legal battle over free speech, allowing a journalist to keep reporting on sensitive issues without being censored. This supports the idea that independent journalism should be protected.
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This Week in Marketing: Google does Apple, OpenAI does ads, publishers do Google — What?

The Social Juice • 36 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Big tech is folding AI into advertising and shopping so companies can monetize AI — OpenAI is testing ads in ChatGPT, and Google is adding personalized ads to its AI tools and shopping features.
  2. Publishers, regulators and advocacy groups are pushing back as platform ad practices and AI usage shift — major publishers are suing over ad-auction issues, traffic to news sites is dropping, and governments are challenging AI apps and policies.
  3. Social platforms and creator economics are in flux — algorithms, features and monetization keep changing, creators are valuing authenticity over AI-generated content, and new tools and payouts are reshaping how creators earn.

The biggest creators are no longer in the merch business

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 648 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Top creators are moving away from selling low-quality merch and focusing on high-quality products that can compete with retail brands. This shift is about attracting a broader market beyond just their fans.
  2. Apple News has a huge user base and is likely the biggest source of traffic for traditional news outlets after Google. It highlights the importance of being present on major platforms to drive audience engagement.
  3. The current sports streaming landscape is complicated, with fans needing multiple subscriptions to access all games. A more straightforward solution could improve viewer experience and access to content.

Agentic Commerce is Coming: How AI Will Reshape Online Retail

Tanay’s Newsletter • 113 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Agentic commerce involves AI agents doing the work for you in shopping. This means AI will help find, compare, and buy products without much human input.
  2. AI tools like ChatGPT are already playing a role in how people discover products. As these tools improve, they will change the whole shopping experience.
  3. Many companies are creating new technologies and platforms to support agentic commerce. There's a big opportunity for innovation in areas like product data, payments, and customer services.

Op-Ed: New China tariffs and USPS disruptions threaten Temu and Shein’s US growth

The PhilaVerse • 123 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. New tariffs from China and USPS delivery issues may hurt Temu and Shein's low pricing options in the US.
  2. If shipping costs go up, these companies might have to raise prices or take a hit on their profits.
  3. Both companies are already facing scrutiny over their practices, so new regulations could make it even harder for them in the competitive market.

Be Mindful of the Power of Platforms

Equal Ventures • 79 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Platforms like Salesforce, Apple, and Amazon have significant power over not only customers but also business partners, with potential risks for those who rely heavily on them.
  2. Shopify, once a DTC favorite, is now making strategic moves to increase its own revenue through actions like tightening control over checkout and fulfillment services, affecting both merchants and app developers.
  3. Amazon's dominance in the retail platform space has grown, leading to concerns for sellers regarding fees and limited alternatives, emphasizing the importance of balancing platform reliance with diversification.

LinkedIn Posts from 2022 and 2023

In Depth on Africa Fintech • 39 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. LinkedIn can be a useful tool for clarifying thinking by writing publicly.
  2. The topics covered include banking, payments, fintech, regulation, innovation, leadership, ecommerce, emerging markets analysis, electric vehicles, venture capital, and general business/startups.
  3. Content includes insights on leadership, customer acquisition, startup success, failure reasons, investing in Africa, and disrupting industries.

Alternative Asset Guide #2 - Ecommerce Businesses

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 79 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Ecommerce is a growing investment opportunity with lower costs than traditional stores. It's becoming popular because it can be more profitable and easier to manage.
  2. Buying an existing ecommerce business can be a smart move for investors. Some stories show people making huge profits with minimal work after buying established sites.
  3. When looking to invest in ecommerce, be cautious and aware of potential red flags. Research is important to find a good deal while avoiding pitfalls.

Commerce Flows vs. Capital Flows

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. The strategy of focusing solely on DTC (direct-to-consumer) is no longer a sustainable path for most brands.
  2. There's a significant mismatch between the amount of venture capital flowing into ecommerce businesses and the actual share of commerce that DNVBs (digitally native vertical brands) hold.
  3. More investment is needed in areas like brick-and-mortar retail, off-price channels, and wholesale, where the potential for economic growth far exceeds current VC interest.

AI will predict what you'll buy in two years; is AI the future of film-making? 16 examples of how open-source LLMs are used today; the US is building AI infrastructure for academic researchers;

Computerspeak by Alexandru Voica • 19 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. AI is playing a significant role in various industries, from predicting consumer behavior to improving movie-making processes, indicating a growing reliance on AI technology.
  2. Companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are investing in custom AI chips and developing AI assistants to enhance their services and offerings.
  3. Advancements in AI, particularly in natural language processing and computer vision, are shaping the future of ecommerce by enabling personalized, engaging, and context-aware experiences for customers.

Klaviyo S-1 breakdown

Tanay’s Newsletter • 201 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Klaviyo is a marketing automation platform that helps retail and eCommerce businesses drive revenue growth through digital channels like email and SMS.
  2. Klaviyo has strong financial metrics, with $585M in revenue over 12 months, impressive retention rates, and profitability with 76% gross margins.
  3. The efficient growth model of Klaviyo, its ability to resonate with eCommerce businesses, and reliance on partnerships like Shopify have contributed to its success.

The Point of No Return? A New Model for Reverse Logistics

Equal Ventures • 59 implied HN points • 11 Oct 22
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Ecommerce returns have surged, leading to unsustainable cycles of returns. Covid-19 exacerbated this trend, with around 40% of retailers easing return policies, resulting in return rates of 20% for ecommerce.
  2. Returns are costly for retailers due to logistics expenses. Online returns can cost retailers approximately 21% of the order value, and long returns processes lock up inventory, impacting retail profitability.
  3. Major retailers like Amazon have mastered optimizing returns through dedicated processing centers. Democratizing this capability to all brands is essential for efficient returns management.

India In Charts - The House View🐅⚡🇮🇳

Tigerfeathers! • 2 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. India’s consumer market is massive and hyper-segmented, so winners are built for regional and Bharat-specific audiences rather than one-size-fits-all products. Targeted brands, Bharat-focused apps, and rural-first adoption patterns (like UPI) are driving rapid, uneven growth.
  2. AI and digital shifts are rewriting distribution and content: AI-native channels, mass AI content generation, and platform changes are upending attention and business models while creating risky low-quality “slop.” This creates big opportunities but also exposes gaps — notably India’s weak showing in cutting-edge AI research.
  3. The physical economy and IRL experiences still matter: most manufacturing is small-scale and unorganised even as robotics, reindustrialization, quick-commerce last-mile plays, store density and live popups drive real-world demand and operational complexity. Scaling India’s offline capabilities is as crucial as its digital advances.

In-App Payments (IAP) FAQ

Substack • 6 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. In-app purchases (IAP) on Apple devices allow users to subscribe directly within the app, making it easier for subscribers to sign up.
  2. Users in the U.S. get the option of both IAP and web-based checkout, while international users only see IAP due to Apple’s rules.
  3. Prices for IAP subscriptions may be higher to cover Apple's fees, but Substack ensures you still earn similar payouts as web subscriptions.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday September 9, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 09 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. iPhone 14 offers Emergency SOS service via satellite for 2 years, connecting users in emergencies when outside cell service.
  2. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises automakers on cybersecurity, focusing on protecting vehicle sensors and OTA updates.
  3. eBay partners with Reskinned to sell repaired and resale clothing items, promoting sustainability and affordability for conscious shoppers.

In the Early Innings of Ecommerce

Ben’s Newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 08 Jun 21
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Ecommerce is growing quickly, attracting more retailers and shoppers every year. Companies need to improve their processes to offer better customer experiences.
  2. Using social media for shopping is becoming very popular. It allows customers to discover products through their friends and communities.
  3. Personalization is important for online shopping success. Customers are more likely to buy when they feel the experience is tailored to their needs.

5/20/22: How Shein Works - An Update

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 20 May 22
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Shein has become a major Chinese company in fashion and e-commerce, valued at $100Bn, marking a significant presence in the industry.
  2. Shein's success is attributed to its flexible supply chain and innovative manufacturing approach, focusing on quick production and a vast selection of products.
  3. Shein is expanding beyond fashion into categories like accessories and home items, with efforts to improve quality and sustainability, potentially evolving into a platform rather than just a brand.

4/26/22: Chinese Ecommerce Framework #2: Intent-Based Vs. Not (Search Vs. Browsing / Livestreaming)

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. Chinese e-commerce in 2022 focuses on intent-based vs. non-intent-based shopping methods like search, browsing, and livestreaming.
  2. The traditional e-commerce model in the West emphasizes aggregating supply and demand, while in China, there's a shift towards more entertainment-oriented and immersive shopping experiences.
  3. Livestreaming e-commerce has seen significant growth in China, with potential for further expansion, showcasing the evolving landscape of online shopping.

4/18/22 Latest Chinese Ecommerce Framework #1: Near vs. Far

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 22 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. Analysts in China are redefining traditional ecommerce models, with a focus on Community Ecommerce (CE), emphasizing proximity and relationships.
  2. Community Ecommerce (CE) prioritizes connecting local neighborhoods for commerce, contrasting with traditional e-commerce models that cater to distant buyers and sellers. CE focuses on essential, frequently purchased goods with time-sensitive demand.
  3. Chinese government support for digitizing and empowering neighborhood mom-and-pop shops aligns with Community Ecommerce's potential, offering sustainable B2B2C business opportunities.

4/6/22 China Mandates Recommendation Algorithms To Be Able To Be Turned Off

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 07 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. China mandated that recommendation algorithms must have an option to be disabled, becoming a global leader in regulating emerging technologies.
  2. Turning off recommendation algorithms can enhance user experience, but the impact on businesses varies depending on their reliance on algorithms.
  3. While many users express interest in disabling recommendation algorithms, the actual business impact may not be significant as users may struggle to find and use the option.

3/16/22 Digest Liu He and the Rebound from the "Policy Bottom", Livestreaming ecommerce after Viya, China SaaS & the Long Way to Go

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 17 Mar 22
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. Chinese internet stocks experienced a significant rally on 3/16, rebounding from previous drops.
  2. Livestreaming ecommerce in China saw changes after Viya's exit, with Austin facing challenges in filling the void.
  3. The Chinese SaaS industry is still developing, facing issues like lack of standardization, support, and differentiation.

LLM Chronicles #5: GPT For Ecommerce Search Engine With Pinecone

Pratik’s Pakodas 🍿 • 8 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. In certain scenarios, companies use 2 types of hybrid search: weighted scoring and filter and rerank, especially prevalent in e-commerce.
  2. GPT can be leveraged for query understanding to parse out complex queries and populate Elasticsearch/Solr with detected entities.
  3. Although using GPT-4 for this purpose may be costly and slow, training an open-source model like MPT-7B can be a more viable option.

Retrospective on a Kenyan Payments Workflow

Vivid Leaves • 2 HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. Ecommerce players in emerging markets often face challenges with cash management due to low card adoption and customer trust issues, leading to a need for innovative solutions like payment upon delivery.
  2. M-Pesa in Kenya revolutionized cashless payments with its mobile money network, which played a crucial role in enabling online commerce and providing a solution for payment workflows in the region.
  3. Creating unique solutions, like using M-Pesa for cash remittance and optimizing delivery routes, can help businesses navigate operational challenges and improve efficiency in regions with specific infrastructural characteristics.

The Future of Ecommerce

Fish Food for Thought • 2 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. GenAI is revolutionizing search and personalization in ecommerce.
  2. Data is crucial for powering AI models and personalizing the customer experience.
  3. Omnichannel retail, long-term customer relationships, and visual commerce are key trends shaping the future of ecommerce.

Brand & Data

Fish Food for Thought • 2 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. In Web 2.0, companies can differentiate through brand and data.
  2. Data allows for personalized experiences and enhances user satisfaction.
  3. Combining a strong brand with rich data can set a company apart in a crowded market.

9/16 TBC Insider Digest

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 17 Sep 21
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. Alipay will be split into separate apps in China, which was widely anticipated due to regulatory changes. This move will require separate licenses and shareholders for different businesses.
  2. Ximalaya, the largest audio platform in China, filed for an IPO in Hong Kong after previous delays. The app is known for its long user engagement time, with comparable figures to Spotify.
  3. NFTs in China have not gained as much traction as they have abroad, contrasting the trend in Silicon Valley where NFTs are popular. The speculation around NFTs is less prominent in China's tech scene.

November 2021 Tech Buzz China Newsletter

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 09 Dec 21
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. The Tech Buzz China Livecasts provide insights into the conversations and research on China tech, encouraging participation and learning by offering edited recordings to the public.
  2. Leading figures like Raymond Huang and Andy Tian share valuable insights on topics such as livestreaming eCommerce, social apps, and the global export of ideas from the Chinese tech ecosystem.
  3. The Tech Buzz China Insider community offers in-depth analyses of China tech, covering topics like content access regulations and the dynamic landscape of eCommerce giants like Alibaba and its competitors.

October 2021: The Latest from Tech Buzz China

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 21
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. Tech Buzz China provides insightful analyses and reports on the latest trends and developments in the Chinese tech industry, offering valuable information for investors and operators.
  2. The newsletter features exclusive content like LIVE webinars and podcasts with industry experts, providing members with a unique opportunity to engage in discussions and learn from insiders.
  3. Articles from Tech Buzz China cover a range of topics including the evolution of eCommerce in China, the impact of regulatory changes on tech giants, and the dynamics of livestreaming shopping, offering a deep dive into the complexities of the Chinese tech landscape.

10/28 Tech Buzz China Insider Digest

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 21
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. Douyin is posing strong competition to Alibaba's Tmall in certain product categories like bags & accessories, and clothing, with high GMV
  2. Top live streamers like Austin and Viya in China generated an impressive $3Bn in GMV within a short period, highlighting the massive impact of live shopping in the market
  3. PingCAP, a $3Bn open-source database unicorn, is prominent for its TiDB product, which serves as a distributed SQL database for elastic scale and real-time analytics

10/21 Tech Buzz China Insider Digest

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 22 Oct 21
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. ByteDance dominates the top positions in China's digital advertising platforms, indicating its significant market presence.
  2. Xi Jinping's essay on Common Prosperity emphasizes skilled manufacturing and agricultural industrialization as potential business opportunities.
  3. China is pressuring tech giants like Tencent and ByteDance to open their content to other search providers, potentially impacting user behavior and content consumption.

🧩 $5.5mil With Evergreen Niche That Always Sell For Print On Demand

Money Making Engineer (MME) Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. Pets niche is evergreen and lucrative for online businesses, with examples like earning $5.5mil with print on demand products.
  2. Differentiation, SEO, and becoming a one-stop shop are key strategies to replicate success in the pets niche on platforms like Etsy.
  3. Exploring niche ideas, trends, and tools can help in finding success and profitability in the online pets niche market.

TBC Insider 4/9 Digest

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 09 Apr 21
🕹 Technology Ecommerce
  1. The TBC Insider 4/9 Digest is now moving to 1x a week and starting a WhatsApp group based on user feedback.
  2. Qdama, a fast-growing grocery chain backed by JD, is gaining attention for its unique discount policy and entry into the CGB market.
  3. The update on J&T Logistics, a key player in Chinese ecommerce, raising a substantial round of $1.8Bn signifies good news for the logistics sector.

Finding the Next Klaviyo - USA and Indian Startups are Leading the Innovation in Ecommerce Automation

Golden Pineapple • 0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
💼 Business Ecommerce
  1. 70% of the fastest growing Marketing Automation and Customer Engagement platform startups are based out of USA and India
  2. Top 10 fastest growing e-commerce marketing automation companies include Elloe AI, Octane AI, and Akia
  3. About 60% of growing e-commerce marketing automation companies have more than a fifth of their staff in the Engineering department