Tuesday Tea Break Talks Ep23: What Ecommerce Brands Must Get Right in 2026
We’re kicking off 2026 by breaking down how shopping habits are changing, what the latest Shopify and BFCM data tells us, and where ecommerce brands should focus this year.
In this episode:
• Ecommerce trends shaping 2026
• AI’s real impact on Shopify, CRO and content creation
• UK Black Friday visibility winners and retail shake-ups
• Why authenticity, reviews and UGC still drive conversions
• The return of subscriptions (done smarter)
• Why Boxing Day is still a critical sales moment
• The biggest marketing blind spots heading into 2026
Key stats we cover:
• Shopify BFCM hit $14.6B (+27% YoY)
• 81M+ shoppers bought from Shopify brands
• 39% YoY growth in Shop Pay
• Smartphones now drive 77%+ of retail site traffic
• Nearly 40% of Gen Z use TikTok or Instagram instead of Google
Quivia – test your ecommerce knowledge:
• What % of holiday shoppers planned to shop Boxing Day sales?
• Did “Black Friday” search volume rise or fall YoY?
• What % of shoppers use Google or YouTube to shop?
• True or false: Over half of users leave if a site takes more than 3 seconds to load?
If you’re responsible for Shopify growth, ecommerce marketing or CRO, this episode will help you reset and refocus for 2026.
Related Episodes
Tuesday Tea Break Talks Ep22: A Reality Check For Ecom Brands Heading Into 2026
New year, fresh opportunities, and a reality check for ecommerce brands heading into 2026. This week, we break down the shifts that actually matter: AI-driven personalisation that’s now powering real-time selling, shopping that’s happening everywhere (from TikTok to AI assistants), and why first-party data is becoming the backbone of growth as privacy tightens. We also unpack the biggest Q4 lesson: brands cutting marketing to “save money” aren’t fixing the real problem - tracking and performance
Listen or Watch →
Tuesday Tea Break Talks Ep18: The AI Shift in How We Shop & How to Win!
Consumer shopping habits are evolving faster than ever, and brands that adapt early win. In this episode, we dive into the trends shaping ecommerce today: - How AI is powering hyper-personalisation, content creation, and shoppable video
Listen or Watch →
Tea Break Talks Ep17: What BFCM 2025 Has Taught Us.
Welcome to another Tuesday’s Tea Break Talks - your weekly breather from ecommerce chaos to catch up on Shopify insights, PPC wins, SEO lessons, and the biggest takeaways from Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Happy Cyber Monday and Happy December! Nick breaks down what this year’s BFCM revealed about shopper behaviour, brand readiness, and what businesses should focus on as AI and ecommerce evolve. What’s Inside This Episode
Listen or Watch →Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about "Tuesday Tea Break Talks Ep23: What Ecommerce Brands Must Get Right in 2026"