Kevin Buerger’s Post

As holiday shopping heats up, brands like Shein and Temu are leveraging dark patterns to drive sales — and it's working. These deceptive design tactics, which nudge consumers into spending more or making unintended choices, have become increasingly sophisticated. But while they’re boosting short-term revenue, they raise serious ethical questions about consumer trust. As these companies capitalize on the black friday discount rush, the industry will need to reckon with the long-term impact on brand loyalty and transparency. With consumers becoming more aware of these tactics, will they still choose convenience over ethics? Thank you to Neil Saunders for weighing on the topic, including strategies around gamification, app dominance and regulation on dark patterns. https://lnkd.in/e9dPT2XH Glossy

Shein and Temu have mastered the art of push notifications, keeping customers engaged and coming back for more. Now, business practices and controversy aside, it's a great case study on how effective push can be as an engagement tool. Push notifications just work. Why? Because they’re right there on your home screen, easy to see and hard to forget. And the beauty of it is that it doesn't even have to be about the immediate conversion. It’s about staying visible and making sure your brand shows up as part of your customers' routine. What makes this strategy effective isn’t just its simplicity—it’s how naturally it fits into everyday phone use. Even if people don’t tap in right away, they’re reminded to check the app later. Over time, that habit builds, and customers start returning without needing a nudge. While email and SMS are solid channels in their own right, push notifications offer a different kind of presence. They’re immediate, direct, and persistent in a way that helps drive long-term engagement. It’s surprising that more brands aren’t leveraging push to its full potential. Done right, it can be a key tool for boosting repeat visits and creating a stronger connection with your audience. We just dropped a new article covering how these brands have been using push as part of their strategy. Link in the comments below ⤵️

Are shopping platforms basically online casinos? 🛍️ 🎲 Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Amazon are designed like casinos, and we, as shoppers, are the gamblers. I came across this article that brilliantly highlights how companies manipulate consumer behavior, by creating addicting experiences, especially during the festive season. The secret? The creators study casinos to trigger our brain's reward system. By using dark patterns or sludges (pervasive nudges), they guide our decisions in subtle but powerful ways, often leading us to overspend or make impulsive choices. It’s a fascinating reminder of how behavioral insights can be used for better or for worse. As we approach the holiday season, it’s worth being mindful of these tactics and understanding how our behaviors are being shaped. Any dark tactics you came across lately? I'd love to hear about your experience! #behavioralscience #consumerinsights #dataanalytics #strategy #algorithms

Shein and Temu have mastered the use of push notifications to build strong customer habits and drive repeat sales. Their strategy revolves around constant, frequent messaging that keeps customers engaged and returning to their apps multiple times a week. The goal is clear: make shopping a habit. Push notifications remind users of promotions, abandoned carts, and gamified rewards, creating urgency with phrases like “now” and “don’t miss out”, almost in every message. The idea is staying top-of-mind and gradually forming a daily habit of opening the app. What makes this approach so effective is its simplicity. The notifications don’t have to convert immediately. Just getting users into the app increases the likelihood of long-term engagement. Data backs this up, with higher retention rates for apps that send frequent notifications. Retention rates for retail apps are 2-5x higher when the app sends weekly push notifications; 3-6x higher when the app sends daily notifications. It seems crazy to me that more retailers are not taking advantage of the opportunity offered by push notifications. They're incredibly powerful and very affordable compared to every alternative (SMS and email). The most aggressive competitors for fashion brands and retailers have clearly made this one of their key tactics fuelling their success. Brands and retailers that want to compete and survive would be smart to take note.

Entertainment and shopping are combined through TikTok Shop. "63% of Western consumers plan to purchase from Chinese shopping apps during the season." That includes AliExpress, SHEIN and Temu. Shoppers tune into live streams for free shipping or free add-ons if they purchase during live sessions. Nike, Crocs, Inc. and Pacific Sunwear of California have also joined the bandwagon. "You see it, you like it, you buy it. It's not a search" -- that's a very different and engaging shopping experience. Then, on to the next stream. #ecommerce #videoshopping #livestreamshopping

Is it safe to shop with Shein and Temu? With Shein and Temu offering irresistibly low prices, they are more popular than ever. and while their deals are affordable, it’s crucial to consider if they really are safe to buy from. In our latest article, we uncover why these sites should be approached with cation and share some helpful tips on how to stay safe when shopping online:

Looking for the perfect outfit without blowing your budget? Look no further than Pepdeal! We offer amazing deals on all your favorite women’s clothing brands, so you can look good while staying budget-friendly. Pepdeal is more than just great deals! We’re about empowering you to shop smarter, not harder. Our user-friendly app makes it possible to browse thousands of styles with just a few taps. Download the Pepdeal app today and start shopping smarter! #pepdeal #shopping #offers #sale #clothes #womenclothing #shopsmart #shoplocal #ecommerce #onlineshopping #online #deals #variety #foryou #download #shop #trending #onlinestore [excitingoffers, downloadnow, withinbudget, amazingdeals, discounts, shoponline, smallbusiness,easytoshop, retailonline, shopsmart] 

Should we be cautious when shopping with Temu, Shein and other e-commerce platforms? With companies such as Temu and Shein offering irresistibly low prices, it can be difficult to pass up such a bargain but it’s important to consider if these sites really are safe to use. Explore the the potential risks of using these sites and how you can stay safe while shopping in our latest article here:

Data-driven e-commerce business model reached another level of success stories! Direct from factory to DTC, which boosts the new generational shopping experience. Sametime won't impact the brick-and-mortar concept as long the audience always looks for a touch-and-feel shopping experience. I would rather go for both concepts and adopt the old and new schools on certain products. #shein #temu #amazon #ecommerce #shopify #spotify #youtube #businessmodel