Why I nearly pulled the pin on Singapore ✈️

Fair to say we’re trying a few new things this year at Add To Cart in 2025.

There’s the webinar with Shippit, THE ICONIC and DECJUBA - happening tomorrow lunch. Add To Cart LIVE is on tomorrow night in Brisbane with Jackie Kruger. And we’ve just launched the very first Add To Cart On Tour, heading to NRF 2025 APAC in Singapore this June.

(Stick with me - this isn’t just a clunky way to get you to register for everything. Though, please do.)

Truth is, I nearly pulled the pin on launching the Add To Cart Tour Group to NRF. I’d never done one before. I wasn’t sure how it would work. I didn’t even know if anyone would want to come.

I said as much to Ryf in an email one night. His response?

“No drama mate. Can't bottle passion. We can work it out.”

And that was it. From that moment on, we were going to Singapore—hell or high water.

Since then, we’ve recorded a podcast on what to expect at NRF APAC. Ryf’s team helped create an incredible tour package. And the logistics are sorted. It’s go time.

But more importantly, that small exchange taught me a few things:

• Don’t sit on your doubts. There’s almost always a solution. Chances are, someone else already has the answer.

• Passion usually trumps skill. It fuels you - and it draws others in.

• Do the stuff that scares you. That’s what keeps things interesting.

Don’t make me regret going all Tony Robbins on you… who’s coming to Singapore?

Cheers,
Bushy

ECOMMERCE NEWS (from the past week)

📮 Not So Special Delivery: AusPost’s Annual Ecom Report Hits The Fence
The annual Australia Post eCommerce Report 2025 is now out. Usually, I would praise our yellow-vested electric tricycled delivery kings, but this year, I was a bit disappointed. Too much inter-generational talk and customer intent surveying - less hard data on online spending trends, category breakdowns have disappeared, and limited retailer stories - although it was brilliant to see YC Eu sharing her wisdom.

There are still nuggets in there, though. If anything, it shows why it feels like the market is turning, but life is still challenging for retailers. Online spending was up 12% YoY to $69b, but the number of households shopping online was only up 2.3% - just above population growth. Average basket size was down 2.1% and marketplaces (including Amazon and Temu) made up 39% of the online sales growth. The average shopper shops with 16 online retailers throughout the year. If it feels tough, it’s because it still is. The pond is getting slightly bigger - but the sharks are on steroids.

🧦 Secondhand Shopping Surges for the Savings and the Socials
The Australia Post report found that 65% of Gen Zs and Millennials intend to buy more secondhand goods in the next 5 years. While I always take the “intend to” stats with a grain of salt, ThredUp’s 13th release of their annual Resale Report shows that the secondhand market continues to grow - expecting to double in the US by 2029. Factors such as avoidance of tariffs, improved tech for secondhand sellers and social discovery were the reasons. In both reports - price and cultural cachet were seen as the secondhand market drivers rather than sustainability.

📸 Screenshot to Shopfront: Lightspeed Makes A Big Promise
It’s the deep dark fantasy of founders and faux developers worldwide - and ecommerce and retail platform Lightspeed Commerce has claimed to have cracked it. This week, they announced an AI-driven website builder that can generate web pages from a screen grab. It’s currently in beta, with expected release next year. Lightspeed power Birkenstock in Australia. If it makes couples who wear matching Birkies look cool, I will be impressed.

⏱️ More Than a Minute? You Might Be Winning TikTok
In my opinion, the world was a better place when every movie went for one hour and thirty minutes - plus or minus ten per cent. It’s the same for social posts. One moment, we are advised that the shorter, the better; now, new research shows that TikTok videos over one minute get the greatest reach and engagement. The good news is that videos over one minute only represent 12% of all videos on the network. It may not be a long-term trend, but there is a short-term opportunity if you have extended cuts. Just don’t make them need multiple intermissions.

👩‍🍳 Bake It Make Sense: Hot Cross Chaos at ALDI
Yeah, I know it’s a cheap PR stunt, but it got me. And it doesn’t even make ANY SENSE. Aldi released a range of giant hot cross buns (as big as a soccer ball) and simultaneously released Bungie Smuggler-themed swimmers for sale. They are even giving 100 pairs away to #ALDIcore shoppers. I don’t get the connections but I am here for the “egg-streme”, “b-utterly irresistible” and “raisin’ it to the next level” puns in the release. Bun-believable.

Got opinions on the top news stories this week? Join Add To Cart CAMPUS, our free learning community for ecommerce professionals to discuss in our Inspiration Library.

ADD TO CART LIVE IN BRISBANE - Last Chance!

Tomorrow night, we will be hosting a very special Add To Cart LIVE with Jackie Kruger, CEO of Black Milk. Tickets are $20 and include a bar tab, thanks to our friends at Retail Fest. I can’t wait to see you all there!

🍻 Get your tickets

ADD TO CART IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

NEW EPISODES

I'd love to hear from you! Got an opinion on today’s topics? Have a suggestion for future newsletters? I’d love to hear from you. Hit reply and I’ll get back to you.

WORK WITH NATHAN

Nathan Bush is an independent Australian ecommerce transformation consultant, with expertise in marketing, technology, and team leadership. If you're looking for fresh ideas, facing key decisions, or implementing significant investments, I'd love to work with you. Learn more and get in touch.