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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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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Supply Chain Rick Watson Supply Chain Rick Watson

UPS Q3 2023 Revenue & Profit Declines Continue Accelerating: But It’s Complicated

The article provides an insightful analysis of UPS's Q3 performance, describing it as a train heading downhill off the tracks. The piece highlights key figures, good and bad aspects, and reveals UPS's struggles, including lower full-year 2023 guidance, uncertainties with top customers, and issues like package diversion and softening demand.

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Retail Rick Watson Retail Rick Watson

One Key Takeaway About the Upcoming Retail Holiday Season

Get ready for the holiday shopping season with insights on consumer behavior and strategic guidance for brands and retailers. In this article, we explore key trends in consumer behavior, including a focus on value, the impact on the home improvement category, and concerns about credit card delinquencies.

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eCommerce Rick Watson eCommerce Rick Watson

Amazon Q2 2023 Earnings: AWS Passes Cost Optimization Inflection Point and Accelerates Into Growth

Discover Amazon's dynamic growth and strategic shifts across its diverse ventures. Dive into the cloud giant's 12% year-on-year expansion, transforming its retail core into an AI powerhouse. Explore their prowess in compute infrastructure, AI models, and applications. Uncover Amazon's retail strides, from same-day facilities to advertising revenue spikes, as it continues to reshape the industry landscape.

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