A new wave of AI startups is reshaping the e-commerce landscape. With the help of generative AI, these emerging companies are delivering tools that go beyond automation — enabling real-time personalization, instant content creation, and data-driven decision-making. The future of e-commerce is smarter, faster, and more customer-centric — and that future begins now. Generative AI: …
Performance Max e-commerce strategies are rapidly becoming essential for anyone working in online retail. Traditional search ads, once the backbone of Google Ads campaigns, are steadily losing their effectiveness. New, AI-driven formats are reshaping the ad landscape. If e-commerce businesses want to stay visible and competitive, they need to rethink their advertising strategy—starting now. Why …
For a long time, it seemed that the digital wave would sweep away brick-and-mortar retail. With the rise of e-commerce, driven by online giants like Amazon, Zalando, and Shopify, physical retail was often seen as a fading model. However, current market data tells a different story: the once-disruptive force of online commerce has stabilized — …
E-commerce meets entertainment: In episode 9 of the DIMM podcast “Digital Transformation, Innovation & Marketing,” Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel, founder of the E-Commerce Institute in Cologne, joins Prof. Dr. Michael Bernecker to discuss the disruptive rise of commerce via social media. What was once merely a branding tool is now becoming a powerful sales …
Social commerce – the integration of e-commerce and social media – has moved far beyond trend status. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest have evolved into fully functional marketplaces, where users discover, engage with, and purchase products without ever leaving the app. This blog post summarizes key insights from Sebastian Arend’s research, conducted at the …
In today’s fast-paced world of online retail, social media has become an essential part of every successful marketing strategy. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are no longer just spaces for entertainment — they’ve evolved into powerful tools for branding and sales. Especially in retail and e-commerce, brands are finding new ways to connect with …
The world of e-commerce is evolving faster than ever. Driven by emerging technologies, changing consumer expectations, and global disruptions, retailers are under constant pressure to innovate. At Shoptalk 2025, one of the industry’s leading conferences on commerce and digital transformation, experts came together to discuss what’s next for online retail. Here are the top five …
The prestigious International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC) is back for its fifth edition!We warmly invite researchers, practitioners, and students from around the world to submit their contributions for ISPC 2025. This year’s theme is “Digital Management for a Fast-Changing World,” focusing on how organizations can navigate the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation. ISPC 2025: Key …
First impressions matter – especially in e-commerce. When users land on your site, they decide within seconds whether to stay or leave. That’s why strong, user-friendly web design is not just a nice-to-have — it’s a business essential. Shopify recently analyzed top-performing e-commerce websites and shared what makes them work. In this post, we break …
After two consecutive years of declining revenue, the German e-commerce sector has finally turned a corner in 2024. According to the German E-Commerce and Distance Selling Trade Association (bevh), online retail sales of goods rose by 1.1% year-over-year, reaching a total of €80.6 billion. This modest but significant upswing signals a renewed momentum in the …
The International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC) returns for its 5th edition! From September 25–26, 2025, researchers, professionals, and early-career scholars from around the globe are invited to join this unique platform for sharing practical and academic insights into the digital world. This year’s event will take place in a hybrid format, hosted at the prestigious Adelphi …
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is evolving at lightning speed. New tools, breakthroughs, and applications are emerging almost daily. For professionals in e-commerce, digital business, and marketing, one key question arises: How can I stay up to date while gaining practical, in-depth knowledge? One powerful and completely free way to do so: online courses from OpenHPI. Staying …
Social commerce is more than just a trend – it’s fundamentally changing the way we shop. With the launch of the TikTok Shop in Germany, this topic has gained even more urgency. The ZDF WISO program explored this development and invited me to share insights on the opportunities and risks of this new form of …
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our world. New tools, techniques, and applications are emerging almost daily. To stay relevant in today’s job market, continuous learning is essential. But how can you keep up – in a way that’s flexible, free, and high-quality? The answer: openHPI, the digital learning platform by the Hasso Plattner Institute. Why …
In e-commerce, customer service is a key factor in a business’s success. During the online shopping experience, customers often have many questions or issues, and excellent customer service can make all the difference. But what makes great online support? In this post, we’ll cover the basic principles for outstanding customer service in e-commerce. What is …
In today’s digital world, online shopping is shifting from traditional webshops to social media platforms. This transformation—known as social commerce—allows businesses to market and sell their products and services directly through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. While this creates exciting opportunities for reaching customers where they spend most of their time, it also comes …
We’re excited to share some great news: The official proceedings of the Fourth International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2024), held in a hybrid format on October 10–11, 2024, will be published in just six weeks! The book, titled “E-Commerce and Digital Services – Proceedings of the Fourth International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2024), Hybrid, October 10–11, 2024”, …
In today’s digital era, travelers expect seamless and personalized shopping experiences—even at airports. To meet these expectations and unlock new revenue streams, airports worldwide are integrating e-commerce solutions into their services. This article explores how airports are leveraging e-commerce to enhance the passenger experience and drive profitability. Integrating Technology into Travel Retail Airports are increasingly …
The COVID-19 pandemic has permanently changed consumer shopping behavior. During lockdowns, many physical stores were forced to close, leading to an unprecedented boom in e-commerce. Even after the pandemic, digital transformation remains a key driver in the retail sector. Retailers now face the challenge of providing customers with a seamless shopping experience both online and …
The digital world is rapidly changing our consumer behavior. From shopping via social media to personalized recommendations – the lines between e-commerce and social media are becoming increasingly blurred. But how does consumer protection function in this increasingly digital marketplace? This was one of the central topics of the conference “(Un)Influenced by the Net? Consumer …