Featuring: Gina Potenza, Sukh Sidu, Eric Alder, Dave Malda, Justin Scott and Kevin Kline

Welcome to the era of ecommerce efficiency—where less is more, and loyalty leads the charge. In Episodes 11–16 of Commerce over Craic, Darin dives deep with experts from Klaviyo, Ordergroove, Rebuy, iPaaS, Dopple.io, and Revenue Roll to explore what’s really moving the needle. From data-powered personalization and unified commerce to AI that's finally pulling its weight, these conversations reveal a clear theme: merchants are trimming the fat, squeezing value from every channel, and building brands that last. It’s not about chasing hype—it’s about making smart, strategic moves that keep customers coming back. Whether it’s simplifying tech stacks, leaning into CRM principles, or finding community in curated events, the message is clear: growth today is fueled by efficiency, intention, and a hell of a lot of heart.

• Ep. 11: Gina Potenza
• Ep. 12: Sukh Sidu
• Ep. 13: Eric Alder
• Ep. 14: Dave Malda
• Ep. 15: Justin Scott
• Ep. 16: Kevin Kline

Before we dive headfirst into the fun, give Darin’s opening remarks a look-see. He’s got the green light and the gift of the gab to set this whole thing in motion.

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Ep. 11: Gina Potenza - Klaviyo

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In Episode 11, Gina Potenza from Klaviyo reflects on the consistent themes echoing through ecommerce over the past 6–12 months: efficiency, profitability, and deepening customer relationships. With fewer resources and lower investments than in previous years, merchants are laser-focused on doing more with less—driving value that leads to retention and repeat purchases. Gina highlights a shift from flashy growth tactics to data-driven relationship building, where the most valuable customer is the one you already have. Personalization across the full customer lifecycle—not just the funnel—is key, and understanding how to use data effectively is a top priority. Klaviyo sees brands embracing CRM principles in a B2C world, turning customer service into a revenue driver and leaning into UGC to build trust. As Darin notes, merchants are now optimizing for longevity and loyalty, building sites and strategies with staying power rather than constant reinvention. [Watch the full video here!][1]

Ep. 12: Sukh Sidu - Ordergroove

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In Episode 12, Sukh Sidhu from Ordergroove discusses the growing challenge for merchants in hyper-competitive categories like athleisure, where spinning up a new brand has never been easier, but standing out is harder than ever. As more brands flood the space, there's a looming question: is the pie growing, or are we just slicing it thinner? Merchants are struggling to differentiate in meaningful ways and are shifting from offering endless options to creating curated, personalized experiences—meeting customers in the “best aisle” rather than every aisle. On the tech side, it's all about data and personalization, but despite the buzz, Sukh hasn’t seen AI truly disrupt the industry yet. There's excitement and marketing spin, but also uncertainty—Ordergroove is cautiously exploring how AI fits into their roadmap without rushing. Darin ties this into a broader theme: merchants are trying to optimize every channel, squeezing all the juice from their efforts in a saturated market. The key isn’t just personalization—it’s doing it better, smarter, and more strategically than the competition. [Watch the full video here!][2]

Ep. 13: Eric Alder - Rebuy

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In Episode 13, Eric Alder from Rebuy breaks down two core themes dominating Shoptalk conversations: customer data and personalization. As a personalization platform, Rebuy focuses on how brands can identify users across channels, gather actionable data—often through CDPs—and then use that information to create tailored, high-impact experiences. Eric emphasizes the importance of search as a signal of user intent, which can be leveraged to personalize the journey in real time. He notes that many merchants already have strong foundational tools and are now focused on optimizing what they have. On the AI front, Eric is excited about its ability to streamline development—allowing teams to make quick, impactful changes without heavy developer involvement. At its best, AI helps answer the practical question: "I need to do X—how can this help me do it smarter, faster, or better?" [Watch the full video here!][3]

Ep. 14: Dave Malda - iPaaS

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In Episode 14, Dave Malda from iPaaS spotlights AI’s practical emergence in ecommerce, with specific use cases proving genuinely helpful—particularly in enhancing and making data more engaging, searchable, and even voice-enabled. He emphasizes that AI is no longer just a buzzword; it's delivering real utility. On the B2B side, Dave notes a growing movement among businesses on legacy platforms beginning to digitize, although transitions remain slow due to the deeply embedded nature of systems like ERPs and POS platforms. Darin echoes that sentiment, pointing out how sticky and difficult-to-replace these systems can be. While it's often said that businesses change ERPs every seven years, Dave bets that timeline will stretch as companies continue to heavily customize and integrate these tools into their operations, making them the beating heart of their businesses. [Watch the full video here!][4]

Ep. 15: Justin Scott - Dopple.io

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In Episode 15, Justin Scott from Dopple.io shares that merchants are increasingly focused on unified commerce—not just selling online, but delivering consistent, engaging experiences across all channels. They’re seeking simplified, powerful tech stacks that support messaging, storytelling, and visual engagement at every touchpoint. Ecommerce is no longer just transactional; it's become entertainment and experience-driven. Justin highlights that while AI has been around, its true power starts with structured data, making database organization the first essential step in leveraging AI meaningfully. He sees a positive shift in how AI is being discussed—less buzz, more practical application. When it comes to partnerships, both Justin and Darin agree that in-person connection is back and invaluable, helping build trust and collaboration. As ecosystems evolve, that trust ensures that when challenges arise, partners are committed to solving them together. [Watch the full video here!][5]

Ep. 16: Kevine Kline - Revenue Roll

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In Episode 16, Kevin Kline from Revenue Roll calls 2025 the “year of efficiency,” as merchants and partners alike aim to do more with less—spending smarter, choosing channels more intentionally, and maximizing output. While it's easier than ever to build a site, Kevin notes the real challenge lies in driving high-quality traffic and speaking to visitors in personalized, intentional ways. Personalization isn’t dead—it’s evolving, and merchants are learning more about their customers than ever before. With limited resources, brands are becoming more strategic about where to invest their marketing dollars, particularly in Meta, video, and scalable tools. Kevin also points out a tradeshow saturation in the industry, with brands and partners exhausted by endless events. What’s working now? Community-focused, curated experiences where brands can learn, share, and build real relationships—not just get pitched. As Darin adds, it’s those intentional, in-person connections that reinforce brand equity and create meaningful impact. [Watch the full video here!][6]

If you’ve made it this far, you deserve a pint. But first—don’t miss Darin’s closing remarks below. They’re part pep talk, part Irish goodbye (but the kind where he actually says goodbye).

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