Unified Commerce Assembly 2024

A BOLD NEW STANDARD FOR CONNECTED RETAIL
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What happens when you bring together 100 of New Zealand’s top retail minds, global tech leaders, and a few fiercely hot topics like AI, loyalty, and channel integration? You get Unified Commerce Assembly -an electric, idea-packed event that did more than just meet expectations. It redefined what future-focused commerce collaboration looks like.

Unified Commerce Assembly 2024, hosted by Moustache Republic in proud partnership with NZ Post, was our inaugural event, and an unforgettable one at that. Designed to spark connection, conversation, and next-gen thinking, the event proved that when retailers and tech come together under one roof, magic happens.
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BUILDING THE FUTURE OF COMMERCE, TOGETHER

Our founder and CEO Tony Hou’s vision was clear: create a space that empowers retailers to navigate today’s commerce complexity with clarity and community. With support from NZ Post and powerhouse sponsors like Shopify, Klaviyo, Nosto, Starshipit, REVIEWS.io, and Gorgias, we launched UCA as more than an event, it’s a platform for shared growth.

And the industry showed up in full force. From cutting-edge panel sessions to hallway chats that could power entire strategy decks, UCA 2024 was buzzing with future-thinking energy.
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CONVERSATIONS THAT MOVED THE NEEDLE

Keynote: Dion Nash, Triumph & Disaster
Dion Nash didn’t just speak, he delivered a masterclass in brand authenticity and global ambition. With raw honesty and charisma, the Triumph & Disaster founder unpacked the challenges of crafting a standout brand in a saturated market. From his early failures to building global momentum, Dion's keynote was a standout moment that had the room both laughing and scribbling notes.
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Panel: Unlocking the Power of Unified Commerce with Shopify
Shopify’s Jordy Heis, Olivia O. from RUBY, and Max Mamaev of Spacefor broke down what true unified commerce looks like in practice. From real-world examples of channel syncing to future-forward tech, this panel made it crystal clear: seamless experiences are no longer a luxury, they’re the baseline.

Panel: Protecting Profit - To Discount or Not to Discount?
In partnership with Klaviyo, this session couldn’t have been more timely. As the sales season looms, industry leaders like James Rigden from Superette, Keara Lane from Shine On/Stage II, and Rodrigo da Silva from Klaviyo, moderated by Laura Doonin, unpacked the fine art of margin protection. Cash flow, loyalty, pricing pressure - they hit it all, with honest insight on what works (and what doesn’t).

Panel: Loyalty Redefined
Steve Ramsay from Jamie Kay, Jessie Wong of Yu Mei and Richard Harrison from HealthPost, in conversation with Tony Hou, tackled how brands can evolve loyalty from points programs into emotional brand connection. The discussion explored acquisition, retention, and repeat sales in the age of shifting consumer expectations - and delivered plenty of “aha” moments.


MORE THAN A MOMENT - A MOVEMENT

Unified Commerce Assembly isn’t a one-off. It’s the start of something much bigger. We created UCA to build a stronger, more connected retail ecosystem in Aotearoa and beyond. One where knowledge is shared, innovation is sparked, and relationships drive transformation.

So yes, we’ll be back. UCA 2025 is already in the works, and if this year’s energy was anything to go by, you won’t want to miss what’s coming.


THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

Massive thanks to our presenting partner NZ Post, and to our sponsors:
Shopify, Klaviyo, Nosto, Starshipit, REVIEWS.io, Gorgias, your support made this possible.

And to our speakers, guests, and the Moustache Republic crew, thank you for helping us deliver an experience that truly raised the bar.