This Is the Workshop That Sets You Up for 2026...Whether you join us in Manchester or London

View this email in your browser (*|ARCHIVE|*) Logo ** The Growth Newsletter for UK DTC Brands ------------------------------------------------------------ Hi there, DTC Live London, is just under a month away and, the countdown is on 🗓️… On Thursday 16th October, from 9:00 AM till 5:00 PM, we will be at The Fable, London, as we return for a full day of founder stories, fireside chats, panel talks and networking with the people shaping the future of e-commerce. Find out more information here (https://www.dtclive.com/landing/attend-dtc-live-london) 👇 and sign up below 👇 Sign Up Here ✏️ use code JAQRGFUAX for 100% off (https://www.dtclive.com/dtc-live-london) ** This Is the Workshop That Sets You Up for 2026 Whether you join us in Manchester or London ------------------------------------------------------------ Annual planning is one of those things we all know we should do, but when Q4 hits, the urgent usually wins over the important. That’s why we built the DTC Live Learning Labs, to give you time, space, and structure to actually plan properly for the year ahead. At DTC Live, of course, we love a conference, but if you’re looking for something more hands-on and interactive, this workshop is build for you. They’re focused, collaborative workshops designed so you leave with something concrete… * A plug-and-play planning pack of templates to take back to your team * Peer insight from other founders and operators facing the same challenges * Clarity on your priorities so you hit January running, not scrambling We keep the groups intentionally small so the sessions stay honest and practical, everyone has the chance to share, problem-solve, and benchmark against what’s really working in DTC right now. Upcoming dates: 🗓️ London: 9th October at Menier Lounge 🗓️ Manchester: 22nd October at Huckletree Ancoats Both sessions run from 9:00am–3:30pm and include coffee, lunch, and plenty of time for networking in between. 👉 Reserve your spot here: ⭐️London Learning Lab (https://2aahovc9gzu.typeform.com/to/jnwEWzZM) ⭐️Manchester Learning Lab (https://2aahovc9gzu.typeform.com/to/nkYaO9XM) If your brand has big ambitions for 2026, don’t leave it to chance. Join us in October and build a plan that actually sticks. ** Retention vs Acquisition Where Should DTC Brands Invest More? ------------------------------------------------------------ Every eCommerce brand faces the same question sooner or later. Should we spend more on getting new customers, or on keeping the ones we already have? On one hand, customer acquisition is the fuel that powers growth. It’s about reach, visibility, and pulling fresh people into your funnel. Without it, your pipeline dries up. But acquisition is expensive, it can cost up to five times more to acquire a customer than to retain one. And first-time buyers usually convert at just 5–20%. On the other hand, retention is where profits compound. Returning customers already trust you, and they convert at 60–70%. They’re also more likely to try new products, join your subscription program, and advocate for your brand. Bain & Company even found that increasing retention by just 5% can lift profits by 25–95%. So, which deserves more focus? The answer: it depends on your stage. If you’re in the early days, you’ll naturally need to prioritise acquisition to build a customer base. But once you’ve established traction, the smartest brands begin shifting their budgets toward retention. Why? Because that’s where margins expand, CAC payback periods shrink, and growth becomes sustainable rather than chaotic. The real unlock is balance. Acquisition fuels awareness and keeps your funnel alive, while retention maximises lifetime value and ensures you’re not constantly starting from zero each month. In practice, this might look like splitting your resources, say, 60/40 acquisition to retention as a younger brand, then flipping that ratio as you mature. Acquisition drives growth, but retention sustains it. If your ads are getting more expensive and your customer base is already sizeable, now might be the time to double down on retention strategies like loyalty programs, personalised emails, and subscription offers. If you’re just starting out, focus on acquisition but don’t wait too long to build the systems that will keep customers coming back. Growth isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about knowing when to turn the dial. ** 3 Quick Retention Plays You Can Launch Tomorrow ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Welcome Series Upgrade | don’t just say hi. Use your welcome flow to educate, build trust, and show off your brand’s personality. 2. Post-Purchase Check-in | send a short, value-first email a week after delivery with tips, FAQs, or content that helps customers get the most out of their product. 3. Loyalty Lite | no need for a full-blown program. Start small: reward referrals, give points for reviews, or surprise VIPs with a freebie. Book a call with our CRO expert (https://calendly.com/rainy-city/cro-growth-strategy-call?month=2025-02) Check out our FULL events calendar here 📅 (https://www.dtclive.com/events-calendar) That's it for this week! Thank you for reading :) To help continue to build the DTC Live community, please forward this email on to someone you think might like it. Or if easier, share this link (https://www.dtclive.com/newsletter-sign-up) . We'll be back with more growth strategies and insights for eCom and tech brands next week. Logo Copyright (C) *|2024|* *|DTC LIVE|*. All rights reserved. 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