DATA: eCommerce is obviously about selling products, but it’s not all about selling products. That’s why it’s not as simple as turning on an e-commerce shopping cart, popping up a list of products and waiting for the money to roll in. There’s an entire experience you must create now that involves the right content, the right products, all channels in the purchase journey and understanding the shopper intimately.

RETAIL BLOODBATH: The rapid decline in retail employment comes as a wave of store closures has spread across the industry. Roughly 3,500 stores are expected to close over the next few months with retail giants like Macy's and JCPenney shuttering locations.

ECOMMERCE: I’ve called ASOS a UK e-commerce champion before now and I see no reason to change that opinion just yet. It will be interesting to see how the firm rides out the ups-and-downs of the next couple of years of Brexit negotiations. But investment is clearly going on the right things and Beighton’s boast of having an adaptible enought business model is one that may well stand the test of time.

AGENCY: Blue Acorn, an ecommerce firm focused on data, design and optimization, has been acquired by Beringer Capital for an undisclosed sum. The agency’s leadership will continue to operate independently, and Blue Acorn founder Kevin Eichelberger will stay on as CEO.

BRAND: Soccer isn't just shedding its second-tier sports status in Cincinnati, where the club drew an average 17,296 attendees per game in its inaugural season, it is breaking into the mainstream across the U.S., propelled by a new generation of young, multicultural sports fans who are giving brands a reason to take a fresh look at pouring ad and sponsorship money into the game. "This is the sport of the youth—it's fast-paced, it's energetic," said Heidi Pellerano, exec VP for brands at Wasserman, a sports and entertainment marketing and talent representation agency.

ECOMMERCE: Some of this love-hate relationship with Amazon's collaborators and customers is a natural consequence of a powerful company with its fingers in many pies. More tech titans are going to confront suspicion as they consolidate power and as more industries depend on them for their livelihood.

DATA: In the past year, search volume for non-branded terms such as “polo shirt” grew twice as fast as branded keywords like “Ralph Lauren,” according to L2’s study. In addition to brushing up on its more superficial digital assets, Ralph Lauren will need to confront this new reality.

MEDIA: Amazon’s advertising business is selling its ability to target people with a higher chance of shopping online. The growth in Amazon’s estimated ad revenue shows that strategy may be working—and is helping expand Amazon’s profitability as well.

ECOMMERCE: In a world of automated Amazon shipments and algorithmically inclined apps, clothing and accessories retailer ModCloth and intimates maker True & Co. attracted loyal followings by listening to their customers and making the ecommerce experience feel “personal” even while expanding their assortment and customer base. This approach, and appeal, stood out to two major legacy companies. In late March, 15-year-old ModCloth was sold to Jet.com (which is owned by Walmart), and 5-year-old True & Co. was sold to PVH, the corporation behind Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, for undisclosed sums.