👍 What Ecommerce Businesses Can Learn from Patchworks’ Product Strategy & View on Tech TrendsIn this episode, we speak with Jim Herbert, CEO of Patchworks - recent winner of the 🏆 Ecommerce Technology Vendor of the Year award - about the technology trends shaping ecommerce right now. Three reasons to listen:1️⃣ Learn what tech trends are actually affecting ecommerce businesses — from AI search to PIM adoption and integration architecture.2️⃣ Understand how AI can improve operational efficiency — especially by speeding up implementation and reducing repetitive manual work.3️⃣ Hear practical examples of smarter ecommerce problem-solving — including white-label integration, self-healing workflows and scalable connector strategies.The conversation focuses on what’s changing in the ecommerce stack, why product data quality matters more than ever, and how AI is reshaping integrations, operations and discovery.A major theme is the rise of Product Information Management (PIM) for more complex data models, as businesses look to improve data quality, support cross-border commerce and make products more discoverable in AI-driven search. Jim explains why reliable integrations sit at the heart of ecommerce performance, especially when retailers are managing complex systems, large product catalogues and high-volume order flows.The episode also explores Patchworks’ new AI Studio, including how AI can speed up flow building, reduce manual mapping work and help teams launch integrations faster with less technical friction. Jim shares examples of practical automation, including self-healing data workflows and faster implementation timelines.Another important discussion point is partnership strategy. Jim outlines how Patchworks is broadening its ecosystem beyond a single platform dependency, creating more flexibility for retailers and technology partners as the ecommerce landscape continues to shift.Key chapters:

• [01:00] Intro,, Patchworks overview and why the episode matters
• [04:15] Tech trends in ecommerce: AI, PIMs, product data quality, discoverability and cross-border commerce.
• [12:40] Partnerships and ecosystem strategy: Shopify, Acumatica, Epicor, Centra, Scale.
• [17:20] AI Studio deep dive: implementation agent, mapping agent, connector builder, MCP, and self-healing workflows
• [28:25] Innovative use cases and edge cases: pricing automation, custom agents, partner-built tools and rapid migration.
• [33:00] White-label / embedded iPaaS: Blueprints, marketplace integrations and partner-led distribution.
• [36:30] Future roadmap, what’s next for AI Studio and closing remarks.

🔥 Navigating Ecommerce Innovation

In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of ecommerce, technology and strategic partnerships through an insightful conversation with Melker Lindström, Technical Ecommerce Operations lead from Nudie Jeans and David Hellsing, founder of their agency partner Aino.

We explore how brands and agencies can collaborate effectively in a rapidly changing digital environment, and a balanced view on the role of AI and agentic storefronts in shaping the future of retail ecommerce.

************Key Topics:

************1️⃣ Impact of emerging tech trends like AI on ecommerce strategy.

2️⃣ How long-term agency-client relationships foster innovation and agility.

3️⃣ The role of brand websites versus agentic storefronts.

4️⃣ The importance of unbiased, prototyped tech assessments for future investments.

5️⃣ Evolving roles of developers in an AI-enabled world.

6️⃣ How strategic partnerships and aligned understanding boost project efficiency.

7️⃣ The future of AI-powered customer interactions and brand messaging control.

************

Chapters:

************

• [01:00] - Guest introductions: Melker from Nudie Jeans, David from Aino.

• [04:00] - Tech and customer trends influencing ecommerce strategies.
• [05:30] - Balancing trend awareness with strategic focus in tech adoption.
• [08:55] - Long-term brand website roles and agentic storefronts.
• [11:30] - Building strategic agency-brand partnerships.[14:20] - The evolution of agency roles from project-based to strategic partners.
• [17:15] - Expectations and future features of ecommerce platforms.
• [21:00] - Leveraging data and AI to enhance user experience and personalisation.
• [27:40] - Embedding AI tools into user journeys without disjointing the brand experience.
• [31:05] - Using AI internally for support.
• [37:25] - Approaching technology roadmaps—assessment, integration, and collaboration.

"You need to invest to try to establish your authority and your presence across the whole customer journey. What matters is the context that you can give around your products.”

Tune in for expert advice from Aleyda Solis, an award-winning international SEO and AI search optimisation consultant, author and speaker.

What you'll get from this podcast:

• Understand where GEO and AI search are actually heading.
• Learn how discovery is changing across channels, not just Google.
• Practical tactics for improving AI visibility and crawlability.
• Understand why product feeds and contextual data matter.
• Get a clearer view of measurement in a zero-click world.

Episode summary:

This episode explores how GEO is reshaping discovery as consumers move beyond traditional search engines and into fragmented AI-led journeys across platforms like ChatGPT, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit and marketplaces.

Aleyda breaks down why this shift is more than hype: AI is changing not just where people search, but how they decide, compare and buy.

The discussion covers the key differences between classic SEO and GEO, including the move from deterministic clicks to synthesised answers, recommendation layers and zero-click discovery.

Aleyda also explains why GEO is becoming both a performance channel and a branding channel, and why measurement is now one of the biggest challenges in the space.

The episode gets practical fast, with advice on technical foundations, crawlability, product feeds, contextual data, UGC, digital PR and why authority-building content like guides and FAQs matters more than ever.

About our Pulse Series

Pulse is an ecommerce conference designed for ambitious high-growth retailers and brands looking for inspiration and innovation from some of the top speakers in ecommerce and digital marketing.

It takes place over 2 days every year in London, UK, with its sister New York event in September.

Our Pulse Special episodes feature the hottest content from the 2026 Pulse event, including panel discussions with leading brands and technology vendors.

Exclusive to Inside Commerce, these discussions share interesting insights from respected industry practitioners.

Visit ⁠insidecommerce.fm⁠ to access the full Pulse panel series.