Ecommerce is at an all-time high. Lockdowns, travel bans, and retail closuresforced the consumer online, and the world’s largest retailers soon followed,in some cases selling direct to consumer (DTC) for the first time. But not allecommerce newcomers had the infrastructure in place to deliver a world-classcustomer experience.

One way DTC brands are standing out in a crowded ecommerce space is throughautomated shipping and fulfillment. Orders must have fast, free, and sustainableshipping. And the unboxing video phenomenon has caused DTC companies toinvest in custom branded packaging.

To better compete with marketplaces and retail giants, brands are also investingin richer, more personalized experiences. Humanizing their brand also aidsin customer retention, now a top priority as acquisition costs rise, along withuncertainty in digital advertising.