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 | Q1 2026 vs 2025: What Changed in Ecommerce (The Data)

April 23, 2026 The Ecommerce Playbook Podcast 00:16:31
The Ecommerce Playbook Podcast
The Ecommerce Playbook Podcast
The Ecommerce Playbook | Q1 2026 vs 2025: What Changed in Ecommerce (The Data)
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Steve Rekuc, Director of Data at Common Thread Collective, joins Richard to break down the Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025 year-over-year data from the DTC Index.

The headline: Meta spend is up 25% year over year while ROAS only degraded 3%. Google ROAS actually increased 12% despite higher spend. The platforms are getting more elastic.

In this episode:

  • Total revenue up 13.6% YoY with more coming from returning customers

  • Meta spend up 25.28% with only 3% ROAS degradation 

  • Google ROAS up 12% with 3.65% more spend

  • Why AI-driven ad delivery is making both platforms better

  • CPMs are up but click-through rates are improving

  • The DTC Index data set: 200-300 stores, proprietary consumer confidence metrics

  • Consumer confidence: future purchase sentiment and hope for the economy

  • How the DTCCI (DTC Consumer Confidence Index) predicts spending elasticity

Show Notes: