Julie Bornstein

Just wrapped an incredible session with Google’s Retail Advisory Council, where CMOs from some of the world’s leading retailers - Target, Kohl’s, Sephora, Fanatics, and more - came together to discuss what’s next in retail. A few themes stood out loud and clear: - Quality > Quantity: Product feeds aren’t just plumbing—they’re brand. Images, descriptions, and video are now the front line of differentiation. - AI is the new workforce: We have a 24/7 team that never sleeps. The question isn’t if we’ll use AI agents across every function, but how fast we can build and scale them. - YouTube is the new prime time: Incremental TV reach still matters, but the next generation of brand building is happening on YouTube. - Personalization is non-negotiable: The industry is moving toward single-page, demand-led, fully personalized commerce experiences. My biggest takeaway? The future is here, it’s just not evenly distributed. Those who lean into AI, brand, and creative excellence today will set the pace for tomorrow. Curious: how are you bringing AI agents into your marketing org? And which part of your funnel do you think will be disrupted first?

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Julie Bornstein is an old friend and colleague I was fortunate to learn from. She has a unique perspective on the evolution of commerce, having brought Nordstrom into the ecommerce era -> led digital at SEPHORA -> pioneered a new model of personalized shopping at Stitch Fix -> and is now solving fashion discovery with agents at Daydream. This episode w/ Rishabh and Julie was a glimpse into how the future of personalized shopping can work for both merchants and consumers, and was grounded in insights from the last 25 years of commerce. Link in comments:

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Thoughtful piece on tariffs as a tailwind for marketplaces BUT... perhaps a concern as brands/retailers get serious about the opportunity mitigate sourcing uncertainty and take back control of their products on the in the growing secondary market. Lei Takanashi Trove Terry Boyle Brook Porter Molly Breiner Boston Consulting Group (BCG) https://lnkd.in/gbjrAqwe

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One of my agentic commerce predictions for 2026 in this recent Forbes piece: Matt Nichols, General Partner at Commerce Ventures, notes that the mechanics are already in motion. Looking ahead, he predicts that this year, "Agentic commerce transaction volume reaches meaningful levels as consumers advance from research to buying on AI platforms. 2026 will be the year that transactions are completed in these platforms." To this prediction, Nichols adds another: retailers will be forced to build "super-feeds" specifically for AI platforms. “These data feeds may involve monetary transactions that could include payments to AI platforms or payments to the retailer/brand (depending on balance of power).” https://lnkd.in/g65RAerA

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Walmart continues to show what retail adaptability looks like at scale. Their latest AI tools for associates don’t just make operations more efficient—they simplify, guide, and free up time for what matters most: the customer. By combining generative AI with AR and RFID, they’re showing how real-time intelligence can enhance decision-making from the shelf to the backroom. It’s a move that echoes the principles of The Agile Code—adaptability, experimentation, and team empowerment. 💡 What’s your “escape fire”? How are you redeploying time saved through technology? #TheAgileCode #RetailInnovation #AIinRetail #Walmart #AgilityInAction https://lnkd.in/eGQwTKsd

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What does the $2.4B acquisition mean for the CMOs and eCommerce leaders in lifestyle brands? 1) Dick's Locker? Dick’s brings robust omnichannel infrastructure, integrated mobile apps, online inventory visibility, and click-and-collect at scale. Foot Locker adds sneaker and streetwear positioning, with deep cultural capital. A creator commerce engine (via its Impact.com-powered platform), enabling influencers to run affiliate storefronts and drive authentic community-driven sales. Combined, this creates an end-to-end commerce funnel from awareness (influencer storefronts) to transaction. An opportunity for brands to plug into a richer, more socially connected eCommerce channel 2) Foot Locker’s creator platform is one of the most advanced social commerce plays in retail. Under Dick’s, expect to expand across new categories (not just sneakers). Integrate with Dick’s app, website, and loyalty ecosystems. Increase brand visibility via influencer partnerships tied to measurable conversion metrics. 3) This merger also creates a more powerful retail media network and digital storefront. Enhanced search, paid placement, and promotion tools for brands. A competitive edge for those who can pay to play and optimize digital shelf presence. 4) Post-acquisition, shoppers will expect to: Browse online → try in-store → buy from either channel, frictionlessly. Use loyalty points, discounts, and customer profiles across Dick’s and Foot Locker seamlessly. Benefit from smarter fulfillment, such as buy online, pick up at the nearest store. Naturally, expect major tech stack consolidation #ecommerce #retail #omnichannel

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