The Ecommerce Playbook Podcast

Hosted ByTaylor Holiday & Richard Gaffin

2020 transformed the world of ecommerce forever. For the modern DTC brand, the rewards have never been greater. But the waters have also never been choppier, and the way forward has never been more uncertain. So how do you navigate this dangerous new reality? No matter how you do it, you’d better not do it alone. That’s where the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast comes in — join Common Thread Collective’s Taylor Holiday & Richard Gaffin as they bring you guiding insights from across CTC’s portfolio of growing DTC businesses. Whether you need a clear view on the macro issues affecting the world.

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The Ecommerce Playbook | 26 Predictions That Will RESHAPE Commerce In 2026

December 30, 2025 The Ecommerce Playbook Podcast 00:30:46
The Ecommerce Playbook Podcast
The Ecommerce Playbook Podcast
The Ecommerce Playbook | 26 Predictions That Will RESHAPE Commerce In 2026
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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 store

  • Creative strategy, brand standards, and human bias are becoming liabilities

  • Autopilot decision systems will outperform human-led teams

  • Media buying, inventory, pricing, and PDPs won’t need approval anymore

  • Commerce is collapsing into a single, intelligent, universal feed

If 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: