Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth

AI promised clarity. Instead, it delivered information overload.In this episode, we unpack what happens when AI gives ecommerce teams more data than they can reasonably act on, dashboards multiplying, forecasts diverging, tests contradicting each other, and decisions getting harder instead of easier.Taylor and Andrew talk through:Why AI surfaces problems faster than it solves themHow “more insight” can actually paralyze operatorsThe limits of forecasting, incrementality, and optimization at scaleWhere human judgment still matters, and always willWhat ecommerce leaders should focus on when the data stops agreeingThis isn’t an anti-AI conversation. It’s a reality check.Because the competitive advantage isn’t knowing more, it’s knowing what to ignore, what to trust, and when to act.Show Notes:See how Attentive helps connect people and the brands they love.: https://bit.ly/4ag8oEJExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In this episode, Richard and Tony break down what agentic commerce actually is, why Shopify and Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol matters, and how AI-driven shopping is quietly replacing traditional websites, checkout flows, and even ads.Instead of customers clicking through pages, filtering products, and checking out manually, AI agents are beginning to discover products, compare options, negotiate price, and complete purchases on behalf of users. That shift has massive implications for marketers, founders, and operators.You’ll Learn:What agentic commerce really means (beyond the buzzwords)Why product data feeds are becoming the foundation of modern commerceHow Shopify’s agentic checkout connects AI directly to your catalogWhat this means for SEO, paid media, and brand discoveryWhy reviews, social proof, and product structure matter more than everHow platforms like Meta are making everything shoppableWhat marketers should be paying attention to right now to stay aheadThis episode isn’t about hype—it’s about understanding the infrastructure changes shaping the next era of e-commerce and how to prepare before it becomes the default.Show Notes:See how Attentive helps connect people and the brands they love.: https://bit.ly/4ag8oEJExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Creative strategy doesn’t fail because of bad ideas, it fails because it isn’t operationalized.In this episode, we break down how the Prophit System forecasts creative volume and turns creative production into a predictable, accountable growth lever.Using a real client example, we walk through how creative demand is modeled against spend targets, why most brands under-produce creative, and how forecasting creative volume eliminates fire drills, guesswork, and performance decay.We cover:How the Prophit System calculates monthly creative volumeWhy scaling spend without a creative forecast breaks efficiencyThe Creative Demand Model and creative scoring frameworkHow evergreen creative stabilizes performanceHow persona-driven ads and AI accelerate creative executionOperationalizing creative across internal teams and external vendorsUsing creative forecasts to plan 12 months ahead — not react week to weekIf your team is stuck in reactive creative cycles or struggling to scale efficiently, this episode shows how forecasting creative output — not just media spend — changes the outcome.Show Notes:Get Dataships' free A/B test: https://www.dataships.io/demoExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Most teams chase growth by adding new tools, dashboards, and AI. But real, durable growth doesn’t come from software, it comes from accountability.In this video, Taylor breaks down why growth stalls when no one owns the outcome, how daily operating rhythms turn forecasts into action, and what it actually takes to build a system that compounds over time. You’ll see why repetition beats reinvention, how strong teams close performance gaps faster, and why confronting friction is a prerequisite for real growth.You’ll learn:Why tools and AI don’t create growth without clear ownershipHow accountability turns forecasts into daily actionThe operating rhythm behind predictable, repeatable growthWhy most growth systems break in the real worldHow clarity, capacity, and accountability work together to scaleIf you’re a founder, operator, or marketing leader tired of chasing the next tool, this is how real growth actually gets built.Show Notes:Get Dataships' free A/B test: https://www.dataships.io/demoExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Forecasts are always wrong — what matters is how fast you respond. In this episode, we break down how top teams diagnose a miss early, tighten the signal-to-action loop, and use daily accountability to get January (and the year) back on track.

In this episode, Taylor explains why the traditional creative loop—analyzing past ads, chasing CTRs, writing briefs, and hoping for better results—isn’t just inefficient, it’s actively hurting growth.Instead, we break down what actually works in 2026: treating creative like a supply chain, not a brainstorming exercise.You’ll learn:Why creative strategy is no longer about ideas or opinionsHow to tie creative output directly to financial forecasts and media spendWhat a “creative demand plan” looks like in practiceWhy volume, velocity, and systems beat “great ads” every timeHow the role of creative strategist is collapsing into growth and profit engineeringThis conversation is for founders, CMOs, and operators running Meta ads at scale who are tired of guessing, reacting late, and burning money on creative that doesn’t move the business.If you’re still asking “What should this ad say?” instead of “What does the system need to produce this month?”—this episode will change how you think about creative forever.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Is AppLovin actually incremental — or just another platform taking credit for demand that already exists?In this episode, we break down 8 real AppLovin incrementality tests run across live client accounts and share what the data actually shows. No speculation. No theory. Just results.We cover why AppLovin’s measurement is more conservative than most platforms, how its attribution model impacts reported performance, and why every test so far has come back positively incremental. From there, we move beyond the lab and into execution — sharing tactical learnings from running AppLovin at scale across multiple brands.You’ll hear practical insights on:How AppLovin incrementality compares to Meta, Google, and YouTubeWhat we’ve learned from real spend, real revenue, and real testsCampaign structure, bidding strategies, and when to consolidate vs segmentCreative formats that are working best inside mobile game environmentsWhy AppLovin is emerging as a legitimate “third platform” in the paid media stackWhat Black Friday & Cyber Monday revealed about AppLovin’s scaling potentialIf you’re an e-commerce operator trying to decide whether AppLovin deserves real budget — or just a test — this episode will help you make that call with confidence.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Most brands are chasing “perfect attribution.”That’s the wrong goal.In this episode of the Podcast, Tony sits down with Steve to break down what marketing measurement is actually for — and why accuracy with a capital-T isn’t just impossible, it’s counterproductive.Using the “Royal Cubit” metaphor, they explain why the purpose of measurement isn’t to find universal truth, but to create a shared reality that allows teams to make confident decisions at speed. From contribution margin at the business level to ROAS targets inside ad accounts, this episode walks through how CTC connects the entire measurement stack into a single operating system.They cover:Why platform numbers will never match — and why that’s okayHow MMM and incrementality work together (not against each other)The hidden cost of chasing attribution precisionHow to prioritize incrementality tests that actually move revenueWhy shared metrics matter more than “correct” onesWhat better measurement unlocks for upper-funnel and channel expansion in 2026If you’re responsible for budget allocation, performance efficiency, or explaining results to a CFO, this episode reframes how measurement should work — and what actually matters when the goal is contribution margin, not dashboard perfection.Show Notes:Head to https://www.dash.fi/Or book a call with our Head of Sales here: https://calendly.com/d/ct8f-w59-824/dashfi-x-common-thread-collective-introExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

The last five years of DTC forced brands through extreme conditions—easy money, explosive growth, brutal pullbacks, rising CAC, tariffs, and shrinking consumer demand. In this presentation from the Commerce Roundtable, Taylor Holiday breaks down why those pressures weren’t the end of DTC—but the catalyst for its next evolution.Taylor introduces the “Flow Era”: a new phase where winning brands stop chasing easy growth and instead master cash flow, product-led expansion, operational discipline, and constraint-driven creativity. Drawing on real data, industry trends, and the Born Primitive case study, he explains how the best operators are shifting from ROAS obsession to free cash flow as the true scoreboard.This talk covers:Why “easy” DTC is over—and why that’s a good thingHow capital constraints are reshaping growth strategiesThe shift from revenue → EBITDA → free cash flowWhy better ads won’t save commodity productsHow storytelling, category expansion, and constraints unlock durable growthPractical lessons for operators navigating rising CAC, tariffs, and inventory riskIf you’re an operator, founder, or marketer trying to build a business that actually funds itself, this presentation lays out the mindset and mechanics required to win in the next era of DTC.Show Notes:Head to https://www.dash.fi/Or book a call with our Head of Sales here: https://calendly.com/d/ct8f-w59-824/dashfi-x-common-thread-collective-introExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In this episode of the Podcast, we break down the three things brands must get right to win in 2026—based on real performance data, post-BFCM learnings, and what top-performing brands are already doing differently.Richard is joined by Luke to unpack the foundational shifts shaping the next era of ecommerce growth. As rising costs, tighter margins, and increased competition redefine the landscape, winning brands aren’t doing more—they’re doing the right things better.We cover:Why system integration is now essential for faster, clearer decision-makingHow creative consolidation (especially UGC-led formats) is driving scalable performanceWhen and how distribution expansion actually works—across platforms, products, and retail channelsThe role of predictability, single-source-of-truth measurement, and profit-first thinking in 2026Why brands that lack operational clarity will struggle to keep up this yearThis episode is a practical playbook for founders, CMOs, and operators looking to move faster, eliminate guesswork, and build durable growth systems heading into 2026.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

2026 won’t be an evolution of commerce—it will be a reset.In this episode, Taylor and Richard unpack 26 predictions that will reshape commerce in 2026, exploring how AI becomes the foundational layer for shopping, work, creative, media buying, and decision-making itself.This isn’t about tools or tactics. It’s about what happens when machines stop assisting humans—and start replacing human judgment entirely.You’ll hear why:AI isn’t driving traffic to stores—it is the storeCreative strategy, brand standards, and human bias are becoming liabilitiesAutopilot decision systems will outperform human-led teamsMedia buying, inventory, pricing, and PDPs won’t need approval anymoreCommerce is collapsing into a single, intelligent, universal feedIf you’re still planning 2026 with last year’s assumptions, this conversation will challenge everything—from how much content you should produce to whether your website even matters.This episode isn’t prediction-as-content.It’s a warning—and a roadmap.Show Notes:Read the 26 Predictions That Will RESHAPE Commerce In 2026: https://commonthreadco.com/blogs/coachs-corner/26-predictions-ecommerce-2026TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Meta’s Andromeda algorithm didn’t just tweak performance it rewired how ads are delivered, scaled, and rewarded.In this episode of the Podcast, we break down insights from 53,000 ads, 147 brands, and $14.5M in BFCM spend to show how Meta now evaluates creative, bidding strategies, and content formats in a post-auction, AI-driven system.You’ll learn:Why creative volume exploded — and why it’s now required to scaleHow different bid strategies attract fundamentally different customersWhy video absorbs spend more efficiently than static adsWhat makes UGC ads more likely to become high-spend winnersHow promo vs evergreen ads actually perform under AndromedaThis isn’t theory or platform guidance — it’s real performance data from Cyber Five, unpacked to help brands understand what Meta rewards now and how to adapt heading into 2026.If you’re scaling paid media and trying to keep up with Meta’s shift from auctions to content delivery, this episode breaks down what changed — and what to do next.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Presented by:Fulfil : https://bit.ly/3KNjCYJTaxCloud: https://bit.ly/49mKdnRChargeflow: https://bit.ly/49mKfvZYou'll learn how to...-Connect marketing actions to financial outcomes-Combine qualitative planning with quantitative modeling-Create alignment across your finance and marketing teamsGet our system: https://commonthreadco.com/pages/contact

 The holiday shipping cutoff doesn’t end the year. It flips the calendar into Q5 — the six-week window where intent spikes, CPMs collapse, and the best customer cohorts of the year are born.In this episode of the Podcast, we break down why Q5 is the Super Bowl for health & wellness brands and how operators should think about acquisition, offers, and retention heading into January.Joining the conversation:Dean Brennan, CEO of Heart & SoilDave Huffman, Co-Founder of Fifth HammerTogether, we unpack:Why Q5 is an identity-change moment and why that matters for conversionThe December 23 CPM floor and how media economics reset overnightVolume vs. efficiency: when it makes sense to scale CAC in Q5Community-led challenges vs. frictionless acquisition modelsWhy most growth comes from light buyers, not superfansHow January cohorts outperform the rest of the year in LTVThe “acquire + harvest” strategy that carries brands through all 12 monthsIf you’re a founder or marketer in supplements, health, beauty, or subscription ecommerce, this episode is your reminder that the year isn’t won in Q4 — it’s won in Q5.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In this episode of the Podcast, Richard and Luke break down the uncomfortable truth most brands ignore: your marketing calendar not your spreadsheet—is the real driver of revenue. We walk through why forecasts consistently miss, how spending power actually shifts month to month, and the system top DTC brands use to tie marketing actions directly to revenue outcomes.You’ll learn how to:Build forecasts rooted in real marketing behaviorUse spending power and event effect models to predict revenue accuratelyDiagnose why actuals diverge from plan (and what actions to take next)Align finance and marketing so both teams finally speak the same languageIf you want predictable revenue, tighter forecasts, and a clearer view of how marketing really moves the business, this episode is your blueprint.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In this episode, Taylor and Joy break down the real 2026 playbook for 7-figure ecommerce brands, and why copying 9-figure operators is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.Coming off BFCM, they unpack what actually happened for small brands and what it signals heading into the new year.You’ll learn:How to create “four peaks a month” using trends, cultural moments, and audience overlapsWhy forecasting is an execution system not a prediction toolHow aMER becomes your most reliable metric at the 7-figure stageThe traps that stall growth (SKU bloat, premature channel expansion, bad benchmarks)What separates the 7-figure brands that scale from the ones that don’tIf you’re aiming to reach 8 figures in 2026, this episode outlines the roadmap.Plus: How CTC’s Profit System and Global Accelerator help founders build predictable, scalable growth.Show Notes:Start your free Motion trial now at https://bit.ly/4isWjjqExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

How do high-performing ecommerce brands turn campaigns into predictable cash flow?In this episode, we break down the exact forecasting process we use at Common Thread Collective to consistently land within 0–10% of goal across dozens of brands.Growth Strategy Manager Brian Sakansky joins Richard to unpack how CTC builds forecasts, operationalizes them, and uses daily expectations to make real-time decisions that drive revenue and contribution margin.You’ll learn:Why most forecasts fail—and how to fix yoursHow CTC turns marketing calendars into financial plansThe daily system our team uses to hit targets with confidenceHow to identify the “real” problem in your data (AOV, CAC, CVR, etc.)The contingency planning that keeps brands on track when things go sideways How smaller operators can build this same process with nothing more than a spreadsheetIf you want forecasting to be more than a spreadsheet…If you want it to actually guide your decisions…And if you want to turn campaigns into reliable cash flow…Show Notes:Start your free trial now at https://bit.ly/4isWjjqExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In this episode of the Podcast, we break down the real story of BFCM 2025—from forecasting accuracy to media buying chaos, offer pivots, AppLovin’s breakout performance, and what this year’s results say about the broader consumer economy.Richard and Taylor walk through:The full BFCM data recap: +7% total revenue, +10% new customers, +13% contribution marginWhy Saturday became the surprise winner of the weekendAppLovin outperforming expectations by 100%+Meta delivery volatility, and why it’s part of the gameTactical offer changes that saved entire BFCM weekendsThe rise of BNPL and concerning consumer financial behaviorWhat this all means for 2026 planningIf you’re preparing for the year ahead, this episode breaks down the numbers, the lessons, and the trends shaping how brands should think about forecasting, spending, and customer acquisition going into 2026.Show Notes:Start your free trial now at https://bit.ly/4isWjjqExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Black Friday is three days away but there’s still time to tighten your strategy and avoid costly mistakes. In this episode of the podcast, the CTC team breaks down the 5 essential last-minute BFCM fixes every brand needs before the biggest weekend of the year.Whether you're behind on creative, unsure about spend pacing, or just want to sanity-check your plan…this is the checklist that will save your BFCM.What we cover:Locking spend to aMER targetsAuditing & refreshing creative without producing anything newSimplifying your offer across the entire customer journeyOperational readiness (don’t ruin a good sale!)Hour-by-hour tracking & how to take action quicklyIf you want a clean, no-nonsense guide to surviving Black Friday/Cyber Monday (and setting yourself up for your best one yet), this is the episode.Show Notes:Start your free trial now at https://bit.ly/4isWjjqExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In our first CFO Summit Taylor breaks down the Board, Budget, Bonus forecasting framework—CTC’s core system for building a clear, defensible, and aligned financial plan for 2026.This replay walks you through how high-performing ecommerce brands create scenario models that serve their board, their finance team, and their operators… all without losing focus during the busy BFCM season.In this replay, you’ll learn:-The 3 scenario model every CFO should build for 2026-How to anchor your plan in real data not hope or assumptions-Why most ecommerce forecasts break (and how to fix yours)-How new vs. returning customer trends shape next year’s revenue-How to connect your marketing calendar directly to your financial plan-Why forecasting succeeds or fails based on daily executionWhether you’re a founder, CFO, VP of Finance, or operator driving next year’s plan, this replay gives you the structure and clarity to build a forecast your board—and your team—can trust.Show Notes:The CFO Summit series brought to you by: Fulfil: https://bit.ly/3JWVJ0qTaxCloud: https://bit.ly/3LQ1M7uExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have