March 2025
Q1 in Motion: A Season of Conferences, Community & Commerce Connections
How the DEN showed up, and what stood out.
This spring, DEN hit the ground running at eTail West in Palm Springs and Shoptalk in Las Vegas—two of the industry’s most influential gatherings for retail and ecommerce leaders. These events brought together thousands of executives, disruptors, and innovators to share what’s next in commerce. From AI-powered personalization to cross-border logistics and retail media, here’s how DEN showed up and what stood out.
🌴 DEN x Wunderkind @ eTail West – Palm Springs
Conference Themes & Takeaways:
This year’s eTail West centered around customer-centric innovation, AI-enhanced marketing, and scalable omnichannel strategies. From enterprise brands to high-growth DTC players, the conversations leaned into how to create agile, data-driven organizations prepared for shifting consumer expectations.
Key sessions explored:
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The evolution of AI in merchandising and customer journey mapping
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Leveraging zero-party data for deeper personalization
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Innovations in last-mile delivery and fulfillment efficiency
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Tactics for bridging digital and in-store experiences
Notable innovators generating buzz:
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Wunderkind (performance marketing & triggered messaging)
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Algolia (AI search & discovery)
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Loop Returns (returns & exchanges solutions)
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Rebuy (AI-powered upsell & cross-sell tools)
DEN Dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse
We brought together senior leaders from top brands including Honeylove, Skechers, La-Z-Boy, Paper Mart, STATE Bags and others for an intimate dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse. The evening featured rich conversations and delicious food, followed by a vibrant after-party at our partner Wunderkind's Wunder House event.
Hosted by: Noelle Crooks, DEN Director of Growth & Strategy + Wunderkind Team
🎰 DEN x Passport @ Shoptalk – Las Vegas
Conference Themes & Takeaways:
Shoptalk 2025 zeroed in on the intersection of AI, global commerce, and retail media. Keynotes and panels explored how brands are navigating international growth, managing supply chain complexity, and preparing for a cookieless world—all while driving more value from every customer interaction.
Hot topics included:
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Building and scaling retail media networks
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The promise of generative AI in content, CX, and operations
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Cross-border logistics and international fulfillment
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Embracing composable commerce to future-proof tech stacks
Notable innovators generating buzz:
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Passport Global (international shipping & logistics)
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Shopify Plus (enterprise ecommerce enablement)
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Nosto (AI-driven personalization & segmentation)
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Rokt (monetizing transaction moments)
DEN x Passport Mixer at Franklin Lounge
Together with Passport, we hosted curated, 20+ person mixer just steps from the main conference, bringing together brand and vendor leaders for meaningful connection. Attendees included leaders from Caraway, Jasco, KITS, LOFT, Tommy John, Vineyard Vines and more. It was the perfect offsite moment to unwind and share learnings from the show floor.
Hosted by: Ashley Grant, DEN Director of Community + Passport Global Team
We’re incredibly grateful to all who joined us at both events, and proud of our network of leaders who are shaping the future of commerce with bold ideas, collaborative energy, and a commitment to constant evolution.
Strategic Solutions: Vendors Empowering the DEN
We're grateful to the vendor partners who helped power our presence at eTail West and Shoptalk. These solution-driven collaborators are helping brands tackle real challenges—from personalization to global logistics—and made our community experiences even more impactful.
Wunderkind
A global performance marketing solution powered by AI, data, and identity that helps brands—like Macy's, Gucci, Kendra Scott, Sonos—acquire and retain customers via owned channels at unprecedented scale.
Passport
A global e-commerce solutions provider that empowers merchants—like Dolls Kill, Goli Nutrition, Ogee, OneSkin, and Wildflower Cases—to grow profitably and confidently in over 180 countries.
