Josh Berman

E-commerce: Emerging Trends and Business Models

Josh Berman, Doug Mack, Jamie Nordstrom, Jean-Francois Van Kerckhove, Peter Comisar

Industry leaders analyzed the rapid expansion of U.S. e-commerce to nearly 8% of total retail sales while highlighting strategic shifts from multi-channel integration to mobile-driven, personalized commerce models by companies like Nordstrom and One Kings Lane. The discussion emphasized how data curation, flash sale scarcity mechanics, and in-store mobile technology are transforming consumer behavior from search-based transactions to impulsive, entertainment-focused shopping experiences. Looking ahead, panelists projected that international growth in emerging markets will be driven by vertical-specific platforms and the continued blurring of online and offline retail boundaries over the next five to seven years.