Fancy three days in Gran Canaria with top brand founders and leaders this September?

Fancy three days in the sun, between September 24th - 27th, surrounded by brilliant brand founders and zero distractions?

We’re taking the next DTC Live Brand Retreat once again to Gran Canaria, and this is your chance to join.

This time, the theme is all about Trends, Tactics and Transformations.

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This is your chance to step away from the day-to-day and focus on strategies shaping the future of your brand.

Across three days, you’ll join a small group of peers for workshops, honest discussions, and loads of networking.

There’s plenty of time to recharge, too, with activities like scenic hikes, yoga sessions to unwind, and a dedicated mindfulness session to help you reset.

Who’s it for?

Founders and senior leaders shaping a DTC brand. Past guests include names from Saatva Mattress, Loop Earplugs, Built For Athletes, Rippl Impact Gear, and more.

What’s covered?

Your stay, all meals, workshops, and activities. You just sort your flights. If you’re interested, simply fill out this quick application and we’ll be in touch.

Curious to see what it’s like?

Check out our highlights video from our last retreat

Check out some pics from last time

Take a look at last year’s agenda

Email amelia@dtclive.com, if you've got any questions, we would love to see you there.

How Rippl Impact Gear uses WhatsApp to keep customers coming back

Tired of your emails getting lost in your customer’s inbox?

So was Ricky, cofounder, Rippl Impact Gear. That’s why he moved post-purchase conversations to WhatsApp (with the support of Gowkick), and saw a big lift in engagement.

At DTC Live Manchester, we were joined by Ricky from Rippl Impact Gear and Madeleine (Head of Partnerships UK) from GoKwik, where they shared all their insights.

Check out the full talk here.

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Why WhatsApp?

“When you wake up, do you check WhatsApp or email first? For most people (including me), it’s WhatsApp.” - Ricky

And it works. Rippl sees: 87% open rate on WhatsApp 45% open rate on email.

Plus, 85% of their customers shop on mobile, so using WhatsApp just fits how people live and buy.

How Rippl makes WhatsApp work (and how you can too)

Start slow and keep it personal... Nobody likes being bombarded. Start with basics:

Order confirmations Delivery updates Friendly thank-yous when a parcel arrives Helpful tips, like washing guides or product care This gentle approach pays off. Their abandoned cart conversion on WhatsApp? 16%. Email? Only 3.6%.

Be where your customers already are Madeleine at GoKwik nails it: “You have to be where your customers are, not where you want them to be. WhatsApp is just part of their daily routine, and it feels more trusted.”

When a WhatsApp message comes in, it feels like a friend is reaching out, not a faceless brand. So switch the corporate voice and talk like a friend.

Automate (but keep it human) Automated flows are great, but don’t let them feel robotic. Madeleine says, “Make sure messages sound like they’re from a real person, not a bot.”

No copy-paste templates, and definitely no bots pretending to be humans.

Add value, not noise Ricky warns, “If you just flood people with marketing, unsubscribes go up. But if it’s genuinely helpful, like tips, care advice, or updates, it works really well.”

Keep testing and tweaking Madeleine’s last bit of advice: “Regularly check what’s working. AB test. Treat WhatsApp like a relationship, not a billboard. You’ll see better results.”

Listen to your customers, update your flows, and don’t be afraid to change things up.

So, treat WhatsApp like a real conversation. Be helpful, keep it human, and meet your customers where they are,they’ll keep coming back.

Check out more information about GoKwik and Rippl impact Gear.

Tiny Touches, big impact: How micro-interactions boost conversions

In e-commerce, it’s often the small details that make the biggest difference. Micro-interactions, like a button changing color when clicked or a form shaking on error, may seem subtle, but they enhance usability, engagement, and ultimately, conversions.

What are micro-interactions?

They’re small design responses triggered by user actions, like a “like” button lighting up or a progress bar moving.

These touches guide users, provide feedback, and make digital experiences more human and intuitive.

Why they matter for conversions

• Improve Usability: Visual cues and confirmations help users move smoothly through tasks.
• Boost Engagement: Well-designed interactions can increase engagement by up to 30% (UXPin).
• Increase Satisfaction: A more enjoyable experience = higher likelihood of purchase.
• Reduce Friction: Clear feedback helps users feel confident and complete purchases faster.

Real-world examples

• Nike: Instant updates to size and color options build buyer confidence.
• ASOS: Hover previews reduce returns and improve product clarity.
• Amazon: One-Click ordering simplifies checkout and drives impulse buys.

Where to use them

• Product Pages: Hover zooms, size selections, and live color changes.
• Checkout: Loaders, ticks, and progress bars reduce stress.
• CTAs: Animated buttons subtly increase clicks.
• Form Errors: Shakes or color fades guide corrections gently.

4 top tips

• Keep them purposeful and fast (200–500ms).
• Maintain consistency across the site.
• Use sparingly to avoid clutter.
• A/B test to find what truly moves the needle.

Thoughtfully crafted micro-interactions create a smoother, more delightful user experience, leading to better conversions and happier customers.

Book your CRO call now.

That's it for this week!

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We'll be back with more growth strategies and insights for eCom and tech brands next week.