Predictions Victory Lap: How We Called 2025's Commerce Upheaval

from Future Commerce · host Brian Lange, Phillip Jackson

In their ninth year of annual predictions, Philip and Brian revisit bold calls made in late 2024 that proved remarkably prescient. From mega-brand consolidation and Costco's international dominance to Google's stunning comeback and the rise of Anthropic, they dissect what they got right (most of it), what they got wrong (GameStop stands stubborn), and why being months ahead of conversations about tariffs, de minimis rules, and AI supremacy matters. It is no surprise that culture drove commerce’s biggest shifts.Costco Reigns Supreme, Again2025 Outcomes & Highlights:Mega-brand M&A dominated 2025 as regulatory shifts enabled massive retail restructuring (+10 pts to Phillip!)Costco expanded internationally while battling Trump administration on tariffs and DEI (+10 pts to Brian!)China-direct retail faced existential crisis as de minimis loophole closed (+10 pts to Brian!)Creator-led brand exits to holdcos marked parasocial commerce era (+10 pts to Phillip!)Gamestop survived (-10 pts to Phillip!)Google executed the comeback of the decade with Gemini's ascent (+10 pts to Brian!)Associated Links:LORE - Future Commerce's 280-page book on brand worldbuildingCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What this episode covers

NOW PLAYING

0:00 1:35:11

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Why Live and Evergreen Models Both Fall Short

Feb 4, 2026 ·18m

Similar Podcasts

The Course Mentors Podcast The Course Mentors Hey there, future course creator!Ever feel like turning your know-how into an online course is like trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded? Well, grab your headphones because "The Course Mentors Podcast" is here to be your secret weapon!Meet Aimee and Odette (that's us!), your new best friends in the course creation world. We've been in the trenches for over a decade, and for the last five years, we've been rocking the online course space. Now we're here to spill all our secrets in bite-sized, 15-20 minute episodes that'll fit perfectly in your coffee breaks.No fluff, no filler - just real, actionable advice that'll take you from "um, what's a landing page?" to "holy moly, I just hit six figures!". We're talking everything from crafting your course to marketing it like a pro and building a business that'll have you pinching yourself.Whether you're dreaming of ditching the 9-to-5 grind, adding a sweet extra income str Powering the Middle TJ Wilde The podcast that celebrates the backbone of America, our middle class and small businesses. We dive into the challenges that harm consumers. Threaten businesses and undermine our economy. How do we blend timeless values and traditions with modern technology to secure a brighter future? Come explore how middle class values and small businesses can keep driving the economy, creating jobs, and offering the American dream The Professionals Infosys Knowledge Institute Lawyers, accountants, and consultants reveal their secrets to success and discuss future trends in The Professionals, an Infosys Knowledge Institute podcast. Hosted by Samad Masood, a former journalist and industry analyst with more than 20 years experience observing this dynamic and ever growing industry. The Protocol CoinDesk Dive deep into the blockchain realm with The Protocol Podcast, where we unravel the intricate technologies powering cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Join us on a journey through the labyrinthine layers of blockchain innovation, as tech-savvy developers sculpt the future of finance and the decentralized web. Led by CoinDesk's adept journalists, we dissect the freshest news and project revelations, demystifying the mechanics and significance of it all for those hungry to grasp the inner workings of this dynamic and rapidly evolving industry.Meet your hosts: Brad Keoun, Sam Kessler, and Margaux Nijkerk…and tune in, techies!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Future Commerce?

This episode is 1 hour and 35 minutes long.

When was this Future Commerce episode published?

This episode was published on December 17, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Future Commerce episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!