Samantha McGregor's Linkedin Analytics

Because no matter how chaotic the week has been, there’s always that one bright spot: ✔️ The win-back campaign that won ✔️ The text-based email that generated 3x revenue with 0 design hours ✔️ The loyalty segment that redeems and repurchases Tag the moment you fell back in love with your marketing this week👇

Today’s fashion landscape is defined by increasingly discerning consumers, who approach every purchase with a critical question: “Is this truly worth it?” According to a recent case study by The Business of Fashion, the challenge for brands isn’t merely about pricing but about effectively communicating genuine value. Brands like Uniqlo, Tuckernuck, and Stòffa are leading the charge, which prioritize unique design, exceptional craftsmanship, and strong brand identity. These companies aren’t just selling products—they’re creating pieces that resonate deeply with consumers, making each purchase feel thoughtful and justified. In an era dominated by “dupe culture” and an overwhelming abundance of choices, the brands that succeed are those that clearly and compellingly articulate their value. The goal isn’t to be the cheapest option but the most meaningful one. So, how is your brand showcasing its value to today’s informed consumers? Are you giving them a compelling reason to choose you over the competition?

Is your email strategy storytelling — or just shouting into the void? Too many brands fall into the same trap: sending emails just to send them. - Because it’s Monday. - Because there’s a revenue gap. - Because “it’s what we’ve always done.” But here’s what’s often missing: 🛍️ Post-purchase flows 🔁 Cross-sells driven by real customer behaviour 🧠 Lifecycle touchpoints that align with how your customers actually shop The data you need is likely already at your fingertips—purchase history, product reviews, post-purchase surveys （if you’re asking the right questions）. The most effective retention strategies don’t force new behaviours; they amplify what’s already happening. So, is your email strategy grounded in customer logic or dictated by the calendar?

You survived the Q1 campaign cycle. You even documented your learnings. And yet… Q2 has come back for blood. Cheers to another week of pivoting gracefully while dying internally. What’s the wildest goal you’ve been handed lately?

Monday morning optimism: high. Shopify analytics: humbling. Slack pings: relentless. Coffee: ineffective. If you’ve already aged a decade since logging in this morning, I see you. ☕💻

What’s in the bag? Oh, just: • 4 “final” creative versions • 17 tabs of “just checking something” • 87 Slack pings and one unsnoozed notification spiral Yes, it’s oversized. No, it doesn’t fit in overhead storage. Because this is what happens when marketing has a strategy. What’s something your team always makes room for — even when the bag’s full? I’ll go first: one last-minute request and a dream called “quiet Friday.” Drop yours below. The bag is bottomless.

According to Digiday, brands like Dior and Sony are embracing hyper-local, multi-touch strategies to drive measurable engagement, and the results are anything but small. Dior’s Sauvage campaign in Australia is a prime example. By using programmatic out-of-home ads triggered by traffic congestion, they achieved outstanding results: - 2.7 million impressions - A 6% increase in brand consideration Sony took a different approach with a digital-first strategy, leveraging AI-powered creative to personalize NFL YouTube ads in real time. The results were equally impressive: - 11 million unique users reached - 98% video completion rate Whether you’re selling fragrances or headphones, the lesson is clear: brands that engage customers where they are—physically, emotionally, and digitally—are the ones forming meaningful connections. What’s one hyper-local tactic your team has tried or is eager to test out?

Some days you’re the shark. Some days you’re the bait. In DTC, nothing humbles you faster than a metrics check. Sending solidarity to everyone in the trenches! What's one word to describe your week so far?

Bag charms are the new brand loyalty flex. In 2025, it’s not just about the bag you carry — it’s about what’s dangling from it that tells your story. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, bag charms have become personal billboards of identity: - Favorite K-pop idols - Tiny plushies from concerts - NFC charms linking to playlists and albums What started as a playful trend has evolved into serious branding territory. From KFC to Balenciaga, everyone is racing to get a charm into your hand （and onto your bag）. - It’s emotional storytelling. - It’s subtle community-building. - For brands, it’s “free” marketing swinging from a customer’s arm. In a world brimming with sameness, charms give young consumers a way to instantly signal their passions and priorities. The right charm isn’t just an accessory — it’s a vibe check. What does this mean for brands? Forget loud logos. Instead, focus on becoming part of your customer’s everyday personal narrative. If your brand could create a bag charm, what would it look like? Drop your ideas below — I’m curious!

Friday forecast: ✅ Flows firing ✅ CAC stable ✅ Segment tests running smooth Actual Friday: 🔥 Shopify API imploded 🔥 A rogue SMS hit the entire list 🔥 I’m explaining LTV to someone convinced “more discounts” = retention Just another day in DTC 💅 This life isn’t for the faint of heart — it’s for the ones who can pivot mid-crisis, while sipping a matcha and rewriting UTMs on the fly. Tag your favourite fire-putter-outer. They deserve a raise.

Ever built the perfect marketing calendar, only to see it unravel because of a “tiny tweak”? Yep. Me too. Because in DTC, no matter how buttoned-up your strategy is…Something always gets added on Friday at 4:45 PM. So tell me, what’s most likely to blow up your calendar? - “Quick ideas” - Last-minute promos - Missed dev timelines Drop your pick — or your favourite horror story — in the comments. And if your Q4 plans are already in a Google Sheet named “finalfinalv3”… this post is definitely for you.

We’ve all been there. It’s 11:59 PM. The “last chance” email deployed, and you’re staring at the Shopify dashboard like it owes you answers. This is the high-stakes sport of DTC: equal parts strategy, sweat, and superstition. What’s your midnight refresh routine? 👀💻

Skechers Just Got a $9.4B Makeover — What Comes Next? Skechers isn’t just chasing records—it’s rewriting them. The brand posted $9 billion in revenue and $640 million in net earnings for 2024, proving that comfort and scale still packs a punch in footwear. But 2025 hasn’t been so smooth. Like many brands with global supply chains, Skechers is now navigating the ripple effects of escalating tariffs—especially U.S.-China trade tensions. With duties as high as 145% on some imports, even a brand known for value pricing isn’t immune to margin pressure. Enter 3G Capital. Known for transforming legacy giants like Kraft Heinz and Burger King, the firm is now making its biggest retail move yet with a $9.4 billion bet on Skechers. The goal? Unlock efficiencies, boost international expansion, and double down on brand building—particularly in premium markets and DTC. Skechers has long been a wholesale and performance footwear powerhouse, but 3G’s involvement signals ambitions far beyond comfy walking shoes. And here’s the twist: this isn’t just about cost-cutting. 3G’s track record includes serious investments in supply chain streamlining and omnichannel infrastructure—just what Skechers needs to offset tariff headwinds and scale smarter. In an era where every brand is fighting to stay relevant （and profitable）, Skechers is betting on reinvention, not just endurance. Do you think private equity is the right playbook for mass-market brands facing global headwinds? Or are we in for another efficiency-over-everything saga?

Hailey Bieber might be exploring a $1 billion sale of Rhode. Meanwhile, some of us are over here celebrating a 3% lift in CVR like it's a major championship. Retention often flies under the radar — until it's the engine keeping the P&L on track. Sustainable growth isn't built overnight （or through discounts alone）. It's built through the daily, compounding work behind the scenes. Here's to everyone doing the work that rarely makes the headlines — but always moves the numbers. What's been your biggest "only in DTC" moment lately? 👇

When tariffs go up, so do prices, but your customer relationships don't have to suffer. Lomi's "Beat the Tariffs Sale" SMS campaign perfectly demonstrates how to navigate this challenge with clarity, urgency, and a customer-first approach. It's a perfect example of how to balance transparency and tactical marketing without spiralling into panic or PR fluff. As we enter the era of tariffs, brands are adapting their communication strategies around rising costs. Whether it's a cheeky surcharge （shoutout to the cheeky Trump hair icon） or a thoughtful explanation of your sourcing strategy, one thing is clear: customers can handle the truth if you deliver it effectively. Smart brands aren't just raising prices — they're raising value. From upgraded materials to exclusive product drops and flash sales paired with honest messaging, these efforts build trust and make the conversation about more than just cost. The real question isn't if you should talk to your customers about pricing changes. Instead, ask yourself: how can you use transparency to turn a difficult conversation into an opportunity to strengthen your brand?

After nearly 50 years of transforming 1-800-Flowers from a small Manhattan flower shop into a $2 billion industry leader, founder Jim McCann is stepping down as CEO. While McCann will stay on as chairman, this marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of founder-led leadership. McCann built his brand by seeing around corners: adopting a toll-free number before it was trendy, leaning into e-comm in the ‘90s, and championing the power of customer relationships before most of us knew what “CRM” meant. After a challenging year that included a $20 million order fulfillment setback, McCann is passing the reins to Adolfo Villagomez, a seasoned retail executive with experience at Home Depot and Progress Residential. Villagomez brings a wealth of expertise to help steer the brand into its next chapter. The key takeaway? Truly great founders understand that building a lasting legacy often means knowing when to step back. Sometimes, the boldest move isn’t launching the next big thing—it’s creating space for new leadership to ensure sustained growth. So, how do you know it’s time to pass the torch—or, in McCann’s case, the bouquet? 💐 When do you think is the right moment for a founder to step aside?

As a proud member of the original Y2K generation—yes, I was that kid layering tank tops and treating butterfly clips like a personality trait—seeing brands like Ugg and True Religion stage a genuine comeback feels like a full-circle moment. But this isn’t your typical retro reboot. It’s newstalgia—a seamless fusion of early-2000s aesthetic with modern relevance. Ugg is leading its revival by doubling down on its signature design DNA （hello, chestnut, everything） while transforming local stores into vibrant community hubs. Meanwhile, True Religion is embracing its hip-hop roots with influencer collaborations that feel culturally authentic, tapping into connections that resonate, not just trends that fade. Gen Z didn’t grow up with these brands, but they buy in because the stories feel real. This kind of authenticity stands out in a world dominated by AI-curated visuals and TikTok trends that vanish in 48 hours. For brands that thrived before the social media era, this isn’t about chasing relevance but reclaiming it. With a clear identity, cultural significance, and products that deliver, they’re proving that legacy brands still have the power to lead. So now it’s your turn—what throwback brand do you think deserves a second chance? And what would it take for them to nail the comeback? Let’s hear it.

Just a casual Wednesday check-in with all 497 of my open tabs… Yes, I do need them all. No, I can’t explain why. If your midweek vibe isn’t teetering on the edge of crashing both your browser and your motivation to work… are you even in marketing? Marketers, be honest — what’s your “normal” tab count? （Asking before Chrome throws in the towel.）

Did you know National Pet Day was on April 11th? While most brands filled inboxes with “20% off!” promotions, Rare Beauty stood out in a completely different way—by introducing a crinkly dog toy inspired by their bestselling blush. In 2025, there are two kinds of brands: 🚨 Those flooding your inbox with discounts and countdown timers. 🐾 And then there’s Rare Beauty, delighting customers with a blush-themed dog toy on National Pet Day. Both aim for retention, but their approaches couldn’t be more different. Rare Beauty didn’t rely on discounts. They didn’t beg for clicks. Instead, they created a moment—one that tied their brand to joy, fandom, and even everyday life （yes, through your dog 🐕✨）. Here’s why it worked: 👉 They tapped into an emotional day （National Pet Day）. 👉 They launched a surprise, adjacent product （how genius is a Blush Dog Toy?）. 👉 They cross-sold without pushing their main beauty products. This is what modern brand-building looks like: less screaming for attention more meaningful, memorable connections. Have you ever been cross-sold something you didn’t realize you wanted, only to buy it instantly? Share your favourite examples below! 👇

"This is what 2.1 million people looks like…" Now imagine keeping them loyal. Retention isn’t about reaching the masses. It’s about finding your people in the crowd—and giving them a reason to stay. This week, how are you turning your audience into a community?