The Future of Commerce Podcast

Packaging is undergoing a radical transformation. Once considered a cost center, it's now a strategic opportunity to reduce waste, build brand loyalty, and meet rising consumer expectations for sustainability.

Inspired by The Future of Packaging: Smarter, Greener, and Ready for What’s Next, this episode dives into how brands are rethinking materials, design, and purpose. From plantable seed wrappers to mushroom-based boxes, we explore how innovation and environmental responsibility are converging—and why the packaging around your product may say more than the product itself.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why Sustainable Packaging Can’t Wait

• 36% of all plastic is used for packaging—85% of which ends up as waste
• 80% of consumers support cutting plastic production; 74% say packaging impacts their buying decisions
• It’s not just a materials issue—it’s a brand trust issue

2. What Sustainable Packaging Really Means

• Lifecycle-first thinking: Reduce, reuse, recycle—and go beyond
• Recycled, compostable, refillable, and even edible packaging examples
• Why there’s no “perfect” material—sustainability is an approach, not a fixed solution

3. How Leading Brands Are Reimagining the Box

• Allbirds: A shoebox that’s also a bag and a mailer
• Seed: Combining algae paper, refillable jars, and biofilm sachets
• Samsung: TV boxes upcycled into shelves, cat tunnels, and more
• B.A.R.E. Soaps: Plantable seed paper packaging that blooms

4. Best Practices for Brands Today

• Think holistically—every tape, tray, and ink choice matters
• Prioritize transparency—educate customers with clear disposal info
• Set measurable goals—and report real progress

5. What’s Next: The Three Horizons of Packaging

• Recycling Reinvented: AI-powered sorting and recyclable-by-design materials
• Reuse on the Rise: Durable, refillable containers and loyalty-building take-back programs
• Regenerative Futures: Packaging that actively restores ecosystems

Key Takeaways:

• Packaging is now a key brand touchpoint—visually, emotionally, and ethically.
• Sustainability is no longer a trend; it’s a baseline expectation across industries.
• Smart packaging integrates data, sensors, and consumer engagement for long-term loyalty.
• The future of packaging lies in circular thinking, creativity, and continuous improvement.

Subscribe to our podcast for expert insights on sustainable commerce, innovation, and customer engagement. Visit The Future of Commerce for research on how brands are rethinking packaging and ESG strategies. Share this episode with product leaders, sustainability teams, and creative thinkers looking to transform the unboxing experience into a brand advantage.

Host:
Jen Bailin, Chief Revenue Officer, SAP

Guest:
Joanna Milliken, CEO at Emarsys, an SAP company

Rather than taking down physical stores, huge investments in e-commerce over the past two years have empowered customers to pursue their perfect shopping experience.

New consumer research by Emarsys shows that shoppers switch between a huge variety of channels as they need – so brands can’t skimp on preferred channels at the expense of smaller ones.

To deliver a consistent and engaging experience, retailers must treat digital and physical retail as branches of the same strategy.

Their marketers need to centralize data from every channel to understand their customers as individuals – that’s the key to delivering personalized campaigns that engage shoppers on a one-to-one level, and that stay with them across channels.

Some insights covered:

1. Consumer shopping has changed dramatically throughout the decades – while shoppers are enjoying aspects of the new digital options, they're also missing some elements of shopping from years gone by.
2. Some shopping trends have accelerated dramatically during the pandemic and today consumers expect brands to understand them more than ever before.
3. There's a big need for marketers to keep up with evolving demands, since it's engagement that draws consumers in.
4. Emails are more popular than ever as part of an omnichannel marketing campaign.
5. Rather than demanding customers adopt a ‘digital only’ approach, marketers offer them the best of all worlds.

Links you might be interested in:

Omnichannel versus multichannel: What's the difference, and who is doing it?

Omnichannel examples: Brands creating their own luck

The future of commerce: 3 trends shaping how we buy and sell

The wholesale distribution industry is at a crossroads, facing disruption on multiple fronts. From the game-changing potential of AI to the increasing demand for personalized B2B e-commerce experiences, distributors must innovate to stay competitive. In this episode, we break down five major trends shaping the future of the industry:

AI in Distribution:
How AI is evolving from a buzzword to a transformative tool for optimizing inventory, personalizing customer experiences, and driving operational efficiency.

Change Management:
Why employee buy-in is critical to successful digital transformation, and how distributors can overcome resistance to change.

B2C-inspired B2B E-commerce:
Meeting customer demands for seamless, personalized experiences in a competitive digital landscape.

Innovative Services:
The rise of everything-as-a-service models and how they are helping distributors differentiate themselves.

Talent Retention:
Addressing the challenges of high employee turnover with training, career development, and positive workplace cultures.

Key Insights for Listeners:

• How technology is reshaping distributor roles and relationships with manufacturers.
• The importance of data analytics in building customer relationships and driving growth.
• Strategies for creating a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent.

What’s your take on the future of wholesale distribution? Share your thoughts on how these trends could impact product variety, pricing, and innovation. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights into the evolving world of commerce.

Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department isn’t just an album—it’s a masterclass in navigating the complexities of work life. In this episode, we unpack how Swift’s raw and emotional lyrics capture universal workplace experiences like gaslighting, unrecognized contributions, and resilience in the face of setbacks.

Join us as we:

1. Analyze key tracks like So Long London and Who's Afraid of Little Me for their insights into standing up for yourself and finding your voice.
2. Discuss how lyrics like “My spine split from carrying us up the hill” reflect the burden of being overworked and underappreciated.
3. Explore the role of humor in coping with workplace frustrations, inspired by The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.
4. Dive into ethical dilemmas, teamwork, and creating a meaningful legacy through tracks like Clara Bow and The Manuscript.

What You’ll Learn:

• Strategies for managing toxic colleagues and navigating office politics.
• How to use music and storytelling as tools for professional growth.
• The power of resilience, authenticity, and empowerment in the workplace.

Whether you’re a diehard Swift fan or just curious about new ways to approach career challenges, this episode offers practical advice, humor, and plenty of inspiration.

What Taylor Swift lyric best describes your work life? Share your thoughts and stories with us after listening. And don’t forget to subscribe for more deep dives into music, work, and everything in between!

In the present hyper-connected, expectation-driven world, retail is being reshaped at unprecedented speed. As consumer demand rises, supply chains face pressure, and technology accelerates, the rules of engagement have shifted. Innovation is no longer a differentiator—it’s a survival imperative.

In this episode, we explore insights from the article “The New Rules of Retail: Innovate Now or Be Left Behind,” unpacking how leading retailers are future-proofing their business models through strategic transformation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🧠 Smarter Operations Powered by AI

• Predictive inventory management to anticipate demand
• Real-time stock visibility to reduce out-of-stock frustration
• Personalized marketing campaigns that drive 84% higher engagement

🌱 Sustainability as a Core Business Driver

• How consumer values are influencing retail investments
• The shift to reusable, compostable, and carbon-neutral options
• Why sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s brand-critical

🔁 Omnichannel Mastery That Meets Customers Everywhere

• Seamless integration across digital, physical, and service channels
• Real-time inventory sync, loyalty continuity, and personalized service
• Why 80% of top-tier retailers are prioritizing backend tech investment

Key Takeaways:

• Innovation is now the cost of entry, not a competitive edge.
• Shoppers want real-time, personalized, and values-aligned experiences.
• Investing in smarter tech, greener practices, and omnichannel cohesion is essential for brand relevance.
• Retailers that wait risk losing loyalty—and relevance—at lightning speed.

Subscribe to our podcast for expert insights on commerce, innovation, and consumer experience. Visit The Future of Commerce for more thought leadership on the evolution of retail. Share this episode with retail leaders, digital strategists, and brand builders navigating rapid change.