The red and pink candy, hearts, and flowers have exploded in stores and on sites across the country, and retailers are in the mood for l-o-v-e. The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects it to be a record year for Valentine’s Day shopping, with more than $20 billion being spent on everything from cards to clothing.

It’s a classic battle: art versus commerce, editorial versus advertising, journalism versus sales—and it continues to play out in new, super-interesting, slightly frustrating ways all across the media and marketing landscape. Buckle up, baby!

With the boom of online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart, the ecommerce landscape has grown exponentially over the past few years. And in order to keep up with the big-box stores, smaller online retailers need to find a way to disrupt and cut through the clutter. Here’s where inbound marketing can make or break your brand.