2025 DCA Annual Summit & Direct Commerce Awards

This panel explores the transformative potential of cooperative data models in direct commerce. Discover how shared data intelligence empowers businesses to gain unparalleled customer insights, optimise marketing, and drive significant growth. Industry leaders will share real-world examples of how leveraging a robust co-op database has enabled them to expand reach, acquire new customers, deepen customer understanding, improve retention, and enhance marketing ROI. Learn how collaborative data initiatives are reshaping direct commerce, fostering innovation, and leading to smarter business decisions for sustainable success.

Savvy Circle 1:

Join Ben as he shares the knowledge you need to implement effective AI search strategies in your organisation:

• Consumer data on how AI is changing shopping
• Platform breakdowns: Google, ChatGPT, Perplexity
• The impact on traditional SEO metrics
• How to appear in AI search results
• What brands and retailers should do now

Savvy Circle 2:

Pull up a chair as Bobbie and James share the creative tips and techniques you need to know, to make your print engage, inspire and so be more effective.

Savvy Circle 3:

Out-of-home delivery through PUDO points and Automated Parcel Machines is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the last mile. By shifting parcels to fixed, accessible locations, retailers and carriers can cut failed deliveries, reduce carbon impact, and give customers more control over when and where they collect orders. The real opportunity lies in building dense, well-placed networks that combine lockers and PUDOs, creating convenience for shoppers and efficiency for businesses.

Savvy Circle 4:

In this savvy circle, Neil will share the importance of:

• Creating a unique offer
• Data hygiene
• Targeting and re-targeting your audience
• High levels of personalisation

In this session, David & Victoria will share tips, pointers, and practical ideas to help your business make optimal sales during the golden quarter. Discover how to avoid the price-slashing race to the bottom & ensure that your peak sales are profitable.

The US market has long presented UK retailers with a strong opportunity to develop significant sales. BUT with many UK based parcel carriers having abruptly withdrawn from shipping into the US due to the complexities of dealing with the new tariffs:

• How are UK direct businesses continuing to serve US customers?
• What systems workarounds are being implemented?
• Are US customers and prospects going to pay the additional cost to import their orders?
• Does it now make more sense to consider bulk shipping into the US for local market fulfilment?

Bring your questions for discussion and considered advice.

With budgets under extreme pressure, it has never been more important to ensure that the revenue generated from print marketing is accurately attributed. For, as most marketers know, great catalogues and off the page advertising drive profitable online orders and grow customer loyalty.  Whilst the cost of all aspects of print production and distribution have risen, the channel still remains one of the most responsive for many direct & multichannel retailers. In this session, our panel will explore ideas to help contain costs whilst achieving the best results, as well as offering tips to ensure that other channels aren’t ‘stealing’ the credit for print generated sales and are bearing their share of photography and creative costs.

Savvy Circle 1:

AI/chat solutions aren’t right for all demographics and can seriously impact customer satisfaction. In this session, Natalie will share:

• How poor digital experiences can cause longer interactions, more contacts and frustration
• Why complex conversations need human nurturing – such as healthcare, high-value product returns
• The importance of understanding the balance between improving efficiency and maintaining customer satisfaction

Savvy Circle 2:

With an average of 60 per cent of emails going unread, it is time to look at alternative ways to reactivate your unengaged customers. Learn how to use real-time data to trigger targeted, timely and personalised direct mail, ensuring an increase in customer engagement and conversion, along with fantastic ROI’s.

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched a major design consultation which will hopefully kickstart design law reform – a vital step to protect designers, creators & makers from copycats. Join Laura as she explains what it is and why this is your chance to shape the future of design protection.

We will explore how to connect business objectives with a focused data strategy that takes advantage of seasonal trends. We’ll share practical examples of aligning marketing activity with customer behaviour patterns, and offer tips on turning insights into timely, results-driven actions. The session will wrap up with an open Q&A to share ideas and experiences.

What is really producing the results these days? With tightening budgets and greater scrutiny over spend effectiveness, how can we accurately monitor our digital ad versus our organic/paid SEO spend, versus paid social? Where do influencers and affiliate marketing rank these days? How can we recruit more profitable and high-potential loyal customers rather than one-time purchasers? What do we need to consider in creating a new digital media plan? Should we be using online marketplaces? Is TikTok worth testing?

In this session, Eoin and John will discuss:

• What to in-house first– starting small and strategic.
• Balancing in-house vs agency– finding the right hybrid model.
• Winning board buy-in– justifying headcount and long-term value

Savvy Circle 1:

Many D2C UK brands have more than doubled their revenues by marketing into the US. In this savvy circle, David will cover:

• What UK brands should consider in entering the US market.
• The key factors for developing a successful US profit centre.
• Logistical considerations for selling into the US
• How UK brands can test the US while minimising cost and risk.

Savvy Circle 2:

In this session, Alice will share insights on:

• The relationship between the trust level of the medium and response rates
• The differing trust levels between mediums (TV, print, digital etc)
• What the most trusted mediums are and why & what this means for your media planning and strategy
• The value of trust from your customers and potential buyers

Savvy Circle 3:

Are you constantly questioning the accuracy of your marketing reports, wondering if you can truly rely on the data that drives your business decisions?

Maybe you aren’t sure why Google Ads says one thing, GA4 and meta another, for example. Or you are not convinced that your marketing is really bringing in new customers, rather than ones you already know.

Inaccurate reporting can waste time and lead to budget wastage. Wouldn’t it be great to have one version of the truth? This round table discusses the issues and explores how you can gain more confidence in your reporting and make smarter choices with information you can trust.

Hear the story behind online business Heat From The Spire, which sells preloved premium clothing and has attracted over 150,000 followers on TikTok & Instagram.

In this quickfire session, Marilyn will join us from the USA to share practical tips on the AI tools you can use to increase efficiency and grow sales!