Supply Chain Rick Watson Supply Chain Rick Watson

Is Shop Promise a Broken Promise Based on a Flawed Premise?

This article explores the challenges facing Shopify's "Shop Promise" after the company's decision to sell Deliverr to Flexport. It delves into how Shopify's estimated delivery date system is struggling, the implications of recent layoffs at Flexport, and why Shopify may need to rethink its logistics strategy by outsourcing to specialized third-party providers.

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Marketplaces Rick Watson Marketplaces Rick Watson

Marketplaces Fees Dropping Like It’s Hot - Is It Enough for eBay?

This article explores eBay's recent move to lower seller fees in the UK, comparing it to competitors like Facebook Marketplace and Amazon. It raises critical questions about whether fee reductions alone can attract more sellers and buyers, and highlights eBay's latest AI innovation, "Magic Bulk Listing," aimed at simplifying the listing process. With increasing competition, the article examines whether these changes are enough to reverse eBay's decade-long stagnation.

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SaaS Rick Watson SaaS Rick Watson

Bolt CEO Moves from Founder Mode to Grift Mode

This article examines the troubling financial maneuvers of Bolt's CEO, highlighting ethical concerns surrounding new investments and the company's shift from a checkout network to a super app. Readers will explore the implications of raising $250 million in "marketing credits," question the credibility of Bolt's revenue claims, and analyze the CEO's outrageous compensation demands. It offers a critical look at the potential fallout from these controversial decisions and what they mean for existing investors.

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Retail Rick Watson Retail Rick Watson

2025 Primer: It's a Walmart and Temu Economy, We Are Just Living In It

Explore how Walmart and Temu are shaping the retail landscape as we head into 2025. This article examines Walmart’s strategic positioning and Temu’s rapid growth amid economic uncertainty. Learn how these retail giants are influencing consumer behavior, market dynamics, and what it means for brands and investors in the evolving marketplace.

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Consulting Rick Watson Consulting Rick Watson

Eisenhower was Right: Plans are Nothing, Planning is Everything

This article explores why businesses may stop growing, often due to people and process issues rather than website or technology failures. It emphasizes the importance of having a clear plan, ownership, and alignment within teams to overcome growth barriers in eCommerce. Expect practical insights into diagnosing and resolving these challenges for sustained business growth.

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SaaS Rick Watson SaaS Rick Watson

Shopify Hired a New CTO - Platform Ambitions Ahead?

Discover how Shopify’s recent hire of Mikhail Paraikh, a seasoned expert in advertising and machine learning, signals a pivotal shift for the platform. Explore Shopify's strategic ambitions in enhancing the Shop App, advancing advertising solutions, and leveraging AI for content creation. Learn how this new leadership could transform Shopify’s approach to scaling and innovation in the eCommerce space.

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Consulting Rick Watson Consulting Rick Watson

Envy is Part of the Trade-Down / Consolidation Economy

Explore how the trade-down phenomenon is reshaping B2B and B2C sectors, driving companies to adopt strategies outside their core competencies. Discover how envy and consolidation impact major players like Target, Walmart, and Amazon, and learn how businesses can navigate this shifting landscape by either doubling down on their unique value propositions or redefining their market approach.

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SaaS Rick Watson SaaS Rick Watson

BigCommerce Not Selling: Revitalizing

This article delves into the latest insights on BigCommerce, revealing why the company is no longer for sale and exploring its strategic shift towards B2B and up-market focus. Discover how new leadership is navigating the challenges of the current market, the impact of payment flexibility on enterprise clients, and the future trajectory of BigCommerce as it restructures to meet evolving industry demands.

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Marketplaces Rick Watson Marketplaces Rick Watson

Amazon Peak Season Fulfillment Planning Coin Flip: Heads You Lose, Tails They Win

This article provides an in-depth analysis of Amazon's peak season fulfillment policies and pricing updates for 2024. Learn about the implications of increased fulfillment fees, tighter deadlines for sending items to FBA, and the challenges posed by a shortened peak season. Discover strategic insights on how sellers can navigate these changes, manage cash flow, and consider alternatives like Seller-Fulfilled Prime to optimize their holiday season performance on Amazon.

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eCommerce Rick Watson eCommerce Rick Watson

The Simplicity Imperative: And The Move to the Age of Personality

Discover how brands and retailers are transitioning from over-built technology to embracing simplicity and personality. This article explores the shift from traditional eCommerce IT to investing in brand message, personality, and high-quality content to stand out in a noisy world. Learn why the age of technology has passed and the age of personality is here to stay.

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How Did You Get Into eCommerce? And Why Reputation Travels

Discover insights into how reputation shapes success in the eCommerce industry, the importance of relationships over leads at conferences, and why the ever-changing landscape of software vendors keeps the industry dynamic. Learn from Rick Watson's journey in eCommerce, starting from the early days of the Internet, and understand why reputation and connections are crucial in this tightly-knit community.

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Consulting Rick Watson Consulting Rick Watson

Personalization is not a Business Goal and other Key Takeaways from The Lead

Discover key insights from The Lead event where Rick Watson discusses with Bennett Fox-Glassman about personalization in business. Learn why personalization is not a standalone business goal, how to start with high-value customer journeys, the importance of cross-functional collaboration, the limitations of relying solely on technology, and when consistent messaging might be more effective than personalization. Perfect for business leaders looking to enhance customer engagement and lifetime value.

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eCommerce Rick Watson eCommerce Rick Watson

Shopify Summer Editions: Raising the Water Level

Explore how Shopify's Summer Editions release goes beyond unification, raising the water level with more defaults, competitive checks, and enhanced convenience. Discover key updates like unified inventory, advanced analytics, and improved POS integration. This comprehensive review highlights Shopify's strategic moves to close gaps with competitors and elevate merchant and buyer experiences.

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eCommerce Rick Watson eCommerce Rick Watson

MACH Alliance Event Offers Community, New Questions, And An Elephant 🐘

Discover the highlights and insights from the MACH Alliance event, where technology leaders discussed transformative journeys of multi-billion dollar retailers, the evolving role of Shopify in the enterprise landscape, and the growing prominence of composable solutions. Dive into the key takeaways from industry experts and the strategic implications for vendors and agencies navigating this dynamic environment.

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SaaS Rick Watson SaaS Rick Watson

Salesforce Not Credible: It's Not Your Goto-Market It's Your Product

Explore the challenges facing Salesforce Commerce and why its once-great platform is now plagued by stagnation and lack of innovation. Discover the key elements needed to reboot Salesforce's Commerce product, and understand why customers are losing trust despite recent AI advancements. Learn why a credible product vision and a trusted roadmap are essential for Salesforce's recovery.

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Retail Rick Watson Retail Rick Watson

Target Earnings: Management Team Has Overstayed Their Welcome

Explore Target's disappointing Q1 FY2025 earnings, revealing significant struggles in eCommerce growth and overall sales compared to Walmart. Discover how price cuts, discretionary spending, and grocery sales are impacting their performance. Understand why Target's high cost structure and slow adaptability are causing concerns, and learn why the management team may need a change. Get insights into the challenges and potential future of this retail giant.

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