In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Renee Hartmann and Chris Baker sit down with Vincent Diallo, venture capitalist, Investment Partner at Progression and General Partner at Interlace Ventures, to explore how commerce is being transformed—from the inside out.

Vincent shares his insights on:

• 🤖 The real impact of agentic AI on every layer of the retail value chain

• 🛍️ Why hyper-personalization and intimate data are reshaping the consumer experience

• 🌐 How cultural mindset, regulation, and legacy tech shape innovation across China, the U.S., and Europe

• 📺 The rise of live shopping and niche commerce communities (like exotic plant lovers!)

• 🚚 What autonomous logistics and spatial computing could mean for the future of retail

With examples from Y Combinator Demo Day to real-world investments like Palm Street, Vincent offers a global, VC-level perspective on where retail innovation is happening—and what brands and retailers must do to keep up.

If you're a brand leader, investor, or startup looking to future-proof your strategy, this episode is your fast pass to what's next.

In this episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Chris Baker (Vancouver, Canada) and Renee Hartmann (Sintra, Portugal) sit down with Swagat Choudhury, Global Digital Commerce Director of the Perfect Store at Mars. With a background that includes years of global digital leadership at Diageo, Swagat brings a deep perspective on the evolution of e-commerce and how Mars is embracing the future.

They unpack what it really means to create a "perfect store" online — from building frictionless customer journeys to leveraging AI and data for personalization, global content strategies, and omnichannel excellence.

Topics discussed include:

• What "Perfect Store" means in a digital context

• Balancing global consistency with local relevance across markets

• The rise of social commerce, on-demand delivery, and conversational shopping

• How written content, reviews, and voice search are transforming product discovery

• Why Mars prioritizes customer-first thinking in every innovation initiative

• Practical advice for brands navigating the AI transformation

“Be very clear on your outcome, and find the best path to it. Sometimes the answer might not be AI — but increasingly, it is.” — Swagat Choudhury, Mars

Whether you're a global brand builder or a startup navigating commerce at speed, this episode will help you rethink the way you engage consumers in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

In this insightful episode of Commerce Beyond Borders, hosts Chris Baker and Renee Hartmann engage with Neil Parker, Managing Director of Global Distributors at Barbour. With a rich background spanning leadership roles at Gant, Crocs, Levi's, and Tommy Hilfiger, Neil brings a wealth of experience in steering brands through international markets. The discussion delves into Barbour's approach to global expansion, the nuances of adapting to diverse markets, and the strategies employed to maintain brand integrity while fostering growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Global Leadership Journey: Neil shares his experiences leading teams across various regions, highlighting the challenges and learnings from his tenure in cities like Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

• Barbour's Strategic Vision: Insights into Barbour's commitment to preserving its British heritage while innovating to meet the demands of global markets.

• Market Adaptation: The importance of understanding local cultures and consumer behaviors in markets like China and Japan, and how Barbour tailors its strategies accordingly.

• Collaborations and Innovation: Discussion on Barbour's collaborations, and how these initiatives contribute to brand evolution and appeal to younger demographics.

• Sustainability and Heritage: Exploring Barbour's 'Wax for Life' initiative and the brand's efforts in promoting sustainability through product longevity and repair services.

Notable Quotes:

• "The world's the most amazing place... but we live in such a varied time in retail, don't we? It's moving faster than ever in history."

• "Barbour is very happy not to be called luxury even though we, you know, rock stars to royalty... but we're also very happy not to be mainstream."

• "We start with a story... we talk about we're very proudly British. We still make jackets in England. We've been here since 1894."