In this episode of The Global Ecommerce Leaders Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Jim Okamura deliver a comprehensive deep dive into the state of global retail and ecommerce, anchored by insights from the recent GELF NYC reboot dinner—the first major in-person gathering of the community in some time. With global executives from leading international brands in the room, the event served as both a reunion and a reality check on the forces reshaping cross-border commerce.

Jim and Michael reflect on the energy in New York—highlighted by lively discussions around brand integrity, organizational design, and the rising complexity of global go-to-market strategies. Leaders shared how they manage brand consistency across distributors, marketplaces, and wholesale partners, while simultaneously navigating volatile regulatory environments and shifting tariff structures. The hosts explore how pricing—once a simple currency-conversion exercise—has become a multidimensional challenge as identical goods now carry drastically different landed costs depending on origin, routing, and trade agreements.

AI also dominated the conversation. Executives compared notes on AI-enhanced content creation, its accelerating demand for high-quality assets, and the tension between efficiency and brand protection. Michael highlights how generative AI is already intersecting with marketplaces, reshaping purchase journeys, and raising questions about attribution, KPIs, and data governance. Jim adds perspectives from his Ebeltoft global meetings, where consultants from Europe, APAC, and beyond echoed similar themes: AI is advancing faster than any previous digital disruption, and brands worldwide are preparing for what many are calling the first true “AI-powered holiday season.”

The episode also previews GELF’s next six months. First up: a Canada-focused virtual event in early December to analyze cross-border performance and help U.S. brands calibrate their 2026 strategies. Then, an LA reboot dinner in February to reconnect with West Coast leaders, followed by planning for a Global Experts Workshop in early 2026—a hands-on symposium for senior global executives managing complex international networks.

Finally, Michael and Jim touch on the growing role of NRF’s global shows, the rise of NRF Europe and APAC, and the renewed international momentum behind retail innovation gatherings. As always, they close by inviting brands to reach out, share their challenges, and help shape future GELF programming. This episode is a rich, timely resource for anyone navigating global ecommerce, cross-border growth, trade uncertainty or the accelerating influence of AI on international retail.

Presented by StreamCommerce, a full-service consultancy that ideates, strategizes, and executes growth marketing solutions for their clients. They partner with people and brands they believe in, to create websites that are deeply committed to the user experience and that drive omnichannel digital transformation. StreamCommerce increases your bottom line sustainably by delivering a customer experience that's true to your brand. Their team of industry experts allows them to make informed and strategic decisions quickly. As the world changes, we listen, and they deliver world-class e-commerce websites on Shopify Plus.

In this dynamic episode of the Global eCommerce Leaders Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Jim Okamura welcome Jessie Chen, Senior Sales Manager at ChannelEngine, to explore the evolving landscape of global marketplaces, omnichannel integration, and the rise of AI-powered commerce.

Jessie begins with her unexpected career path—from special education teacher and humanitarian program designer in rural China to thriving SaaS and eCommerce professional in New York City. Now leading business development for ChannelEngine's North American operations, she shares how the Dutch-based company evolved from a European marketplace integrator to a fast-growing global player connecting brands with shoppers across Amazon, Walmart, Target Plus, TikTok Shop, and beyond.

The conversation dives into fresh insights from ChannelEngine's two major 2025 reports: the Consumer Behavior Study and the Global Marketplace Seller Trends Report. Jessie reveals how shoppers are increasingly treating marketplaces as search engines, beginning their discovery journeys directly on Amazon, Macy's, or TikTok, rather than relying on Google. Meanwhile, sellers are diversifying faster than ever—listing on six to ten marketplaces on average—and bracing for AI to emerge as the next major transactional channel.

Jessie and the hosts also explore how traditional retailers like Lowe's and Home Depot are reinventing themselves through third-party marketplaces, creating new opportunities for brands to reach customers in unexpected ways. The conversation shifts to the explosive growth of social commerce, led by TikTok Shop, where the buying power of older consumers has surprised many brands. Jessie breaks down why success on TikTok has little to do with paid advertising and everything to do with authentic, data-driven content and consistent product storytelling.

Looking ahead to the upcoming GELF ReBoot Dinner in New York City, Jessie predicts lively debate on three hot topics:

• The shift toward hybrid 1P/3P marketplace strategies
• The diminishing ROI of custom integrations versus modern SaaS solutions
• How brands can responsibly adopt AI tools to scale operations without losing human touch or data integrity

Jessie concludes with actionable advice for e-commerce leaders: stop over-customizing, start vetting partners based on shared growth incentives, and approach AI thoughtfully. Whether you're a DTC brand or an enterprise seller, this episode delivers a roadmap for thriving in the new era of global marketplace commerce.

Presented by StreamCommerce, a full-service consultancy that ideates, strategizes, and executes growth marketing solutions for their clients. They partner with people and brands they believe in, to create websites that are deeply committed to the user experience and that drive omnichannel digital transformation. StreamCommerce increases your bottom line sustainably by delivering a customer experience that's true to your brand. Their team of industry experts allows them to make informed and strategic decisions quickly. As the world changes, we listen, and they deliver world-class e-commerce websites on Shopify Plus.

In the latest episode of The Global eCommerce Leaders Podcast, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Jim Okamura return to the mic to tackle one of the most pressing issues in international retail: uncertainty in global commerce. From the shifting dynamics of tariffs and the elimination of de minimis thresholds to the resilience of brands doubling down on cross-border strategies, this conversation is essential listening for executives navigating today’s volatile environment.

Jim reflects on a busy summer spent speaking at industry events, including Shoptalk, the Parcel Forum, and gatherings hosted by international trade groups. Across these forums, the message was consistent: brands and retailers need a dedicated community to share strategies, find new growth opportunities, and adapt to disruptive policy shifts. This insight has energized the GELF team to reimagine the role of the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum (GELF) in 2026 and beyond.

The episode revisits GELF’s origins over a decade ago, when it first brought together a niche group of international retail leaders in a whiskey bar to discuss global expansion. Since then, GELF has grown into the only U.S.-based conference and community fully dedicated to international retail growth, serving as the go-to destination for executives seeking best practices in eCommerce, wholesale, licensing, and franchising. Today, GELF is widening its lens beyond eCommerce alone to focus on the broader landscape of global commerce strategies, from DTC and marketplaces to partnerships and distribution.

The conversation dives into the financial impact of policy changes on major brands like Lululemon and Coach (Tapestry Group), who are navigating steep tariff hits and recalibrating inbound and outbound supply chains. Yet despite these headwinds, international VPs remain resolute: global expansion is still a top strategic priority. As Jim notes, companies are treating tariffs and policy shifts not as reasons to retreat but as problems to solve on the road to growth.

Looking forward, Michael and Jim unveil plans for a Global Experts Workshop in early 2026, designed to serve advanced global brands with deep-dive sessions on issues such as brand integrity, pricing architecture, and international organizational design. But before that, GELF is reactivating the community with a private executive dinner in New York City on October 22, 2025, co-hosted with Channel Engine and Livingston International. This intimate gathering will set the stage for GELF’s 2026 agenda and reconnect leaders in a collaborative environment.

Ultimately, this episode captures the spirit of GELF’s mission: providing a trusted platform where global retail executives can share experiences, address challenges, and build the strategies that will define the future of global commerce.

Presented by StreamCommerce, a full-service consultancy that ideates, strategizes, and executes growth marketing solutions for their clients. They partner with people and brands they believe in, to create websites that are deeply committed to the user experience and that drive omnichannel digital transformation. StreamCommerce increases your bottom line sustainably by delivering a customer experience that's true to your brand. Their team of industry experts allows them to make informed and strategic decisions quickly. As the world changes, we listen, and they deliver world-class e-commerce websites on Shopify Plus.