merchant Archives

SIMKHAI is Bridging the Digital-Physical Gap in Luxury Fashion

March 31, 2025 Brent W. Peterson

The Evolution of a Luxury Powerhouse

When I sat down with Nicole Goldberg, Director of E-commerce at SIMKHAI, and Madeleine Anderson, Partner Manager at Endear, for our special eTail West edition of Talk Commerce, I was immediately struck by the brand’s remarkable journey. From its humble beginnings as a wholesale business 15 years ago to its current status as a digital-forward luxury fashion house, SIMKHAI’s evolution reflects the changing landscape of luxury retail.

Building a Digital Presence While Maintaining Personal Touch

“Our clothes really grow and fit with your different times in life,” Nicole shared during our conversation. What fascinates me about SIMKHAI’s approach is their ability to cater to a remarkably broad demographic, serving customers from 20 to 65 years old. This diversity presents unique challenges in the digital space, particularly when it comes to maintaining the personal touch that luxury shoppers expect.

The Technology Revolution at SIMKHAI

During our discussion, Nicole revealed several exciting technological initiatives that are reshaping the SIMKHAI shopping experience:

AI-Powered Fitting Technology: The brand is partnering with Laws of Motion to launch an innovative fit tool later this year, addressing one of online luxury fashion’s biggest challenges.
Smart Merchandising: Implementing AI solutions to enhance search functionality and personalization while maintaining the human element crucial to luxury service.
Video Integration: Showcasing the craftsmanship and movement of garments through sophisticated video content throughout the digital experience.

Clienteling in the Digital Age

A significant part of our conversation centered around clienteling, with valuable insights from both Nicole and Madeleine. SIMKHAI currently utilizes Endear’s platform for their retail store clienteling, enabling direct communication with customers. As Madeleine pointed out during our discussion, the challenge lies in extending this personal touch to online-only shoppers. This collaboration between SIMKHAI and Endear exemplifies how luxury brands can leverage technology to maintain intimate customer relationships across all channels.

Balancing AI and Human Touch

What really impressed me during our conversation was SIMKHAI’s thoughtful approach to technology integration. As Nicole explained, they’re careful to maintain that crucial balance between convenience and personal service. “A sixty-year-old woman isn’t going to want an AI bot telling her what to wear,” Nicole noted, highlighting the brand’s understanding of their diverse customer base.

The Future of Luxury Digital Retail

SIMKHAI’s expansion into new territories – including menswear and accessories – while maintaining their commitment to personalized service showcases their forward-thinking approach. Their success in bridging the gap between wholesale and D2C, while building a robust digital presence, serves as a blueprint for luxury brands in the digital age.

Looking Ahead

As our conversation wrapped up, Nicole’s excitement about SIMKHAI’s Spring collection was palpable. The brand’s continued innovation in both fashion and technology promises an exciting future for luxury retail.

From my perspective as host of Talk Commerce, SIMKHAI’s journey represents a masterclass in digital transformation while maintaining the essence of luxury service. Their approach to integrating technology without losing the personal touch that luxury customers expect is something all retailers can learn from.

Visit SIMKHAI.com to explore their latest collections, including their stunning Spring lineup featuring the new Gingham collection and much-anticipated Pliissé collection.

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Jogology Elevates Sustainable Running With New Crew Length Performance Socks

March 28, 2025March 27, 2025 susanmakolea

Jogology introduces new Crew Length Performance Running Socks, combining advanced technical features with sustainable materials for environmentally conscious runners seeking premium performance wear.

True Classic Combines AI Innovation with the Human Touch in Customer Experience

March 20, 2025 Brent W. Peterson

In this engaging episode of Talk Commerce, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jordan Gesky, Senior Customer Experience Manager at True Classic. With her extensive experience overseeing customer service operations and the entire customer journey, Jordan offered valuable insights into how this growing men’s apparel brand is embracing technology while maintaining authentic customer connections.

The Evolution of Customer Experience in E-commerce

Jordan shared how True Classic has transformed their post-purchase journey into a revenue-generating opportunity. Through their partnership with Parcel Labs, they’ve created customized landing pages that showcase new products and membership benefits to customers tracking their orders. It’s a smart approach that turns a routine tracking check into a potential sales opportunity.

Embracing AI While Maintaining the Human Element

One of the most fascinating aspects of our discussion was True Classic’s approach to AI integration. As Jordan pointed out, AI isn’t about replacing human agents but rather enhancing their capabilities. Their chatbot, cleverly named “Crew” (a play on crew neck t-shirts), handles basic queries while allowing human agents to focus on more complex customer needs.

True Classic’s Growth Journey and Future Vision

Having been one of the first ten employees at True Classic, Jordan offered a unique perspective on the company’s growth. What started as a focused men’s apparel brand has now expanded to multiple retail locations across Chicago, Arizona, and Florida. The brand is eyeing expansion into women’s and children’s wear, driven by consistent customer demand.

Multichannel Presence and Future Opportunities

True Classic has established a strong presence across various channels, including:

Physical retail stores in major cities
Online presence through their website
Partnerships with major retailers like Target
Sam’s Club and Walmart online presence
Upcoming expansion into TikTok Shop for 2025

Wrapping Up

As we wrapped up our conversation, it became clear that True Classic’s success stems from their ability to balance technological innovation with genuine customer connection. Jordan’s insights demonstrate how modern e-commerce brands can leverage AI while maintaining the personal touch that customers value.

Want to hear more about True Classic’s journey and Jordan’s insights? Listen to the full episode of Talk Commerce for more detailed discussions about e-commerce innovation and customer experience strategies.

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Hey Bamboo: Revolutionizing Sustainable Paper Products with Joslyn Faust

March 18, 2025 Brent W. Peterson

The pandemic sparked countless entrepreneurial journeys, but few are as unique as Joslyn Faust‘s transition from tech marketing executive to sustainable paper products innovator. In my recent Talk Commerce podcast episode, I sat down with Joslyn, the founder of Hey Bamboo, to discuss how she’s revolutionizing an industry that affects everyone’s daily life.

The Pandemic Paper Problem

During our conversation, Joslyn shared how the toilet paper shortage of 2020 opened her eyes to some shocking statistics. “27,000 trees are cut down every day just for toilet paper,” she revealed. This revelation, combined with her teenagers’ brutally honest feedback about existing sustainable alternatives, inspired her to create something better.

Why Bamboo Makes Perfect Sense

One of the most fascinating parts of our discussion was learning about bamboo’s superiority as a raw material. As Joslyn explained, “Bamboo can grow up to three feet a day, and it’s ready to harvest in just 45 days.” What really caught my attention was learning that bamboo is actually stronger than steel and more absorbent than wood, making it an ideal material for paper products.

Innovation in Sustainability

Hey Bamboo isn’t just about the product – it’s about rethinking the entire approach to sustainable paper goods. Joslyn’s commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect of the business:

Zero-waste packaging using thin paper wrap
Soy-based inks for recyclability
Bamboo cores in every roll
Unbleached paper products (because who needs bleached toilet paper?)

Breaking Into the Market

What impressed me most about Joslyn’s approach was her keen understanding of her market. Rather than focusing solely on environmental messaging, she recognized that customers wanted both sustainability AND quality. “People don’t really want to give up the quality they’re used to,” she noted during our chat.

The Future of Hey Bamboo

The brand is already making waves on Amazon and is expanding into paper towels and facial tissues. Joslyn’s vision for retail presence, particularly in natural grocery stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts, shows promising potential for growth.

Final Thoughts

As someone who’s interviewed countless entrepreneurs, what stands out about Joslyn’s story is how she’s taken something as ordinary as toilet paper and transformed it into an opportunity for meaningful environmental impact. Hey Bamboo demonstrates that sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrifice – sometimes it can actually mean improvement.

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