Marketplaces have ever-shifting dynamics. Supply chains get disrupted. Cross-border commerce comes with cross-border confusion. How do you stay on top, and, how can you think differently about it?
Each month, Rick Watson’s What's Next newsletter will dive deep into a specific topic and forecast what’s next.
Here are a few items that have appeared in some of my previous newsletters:
OpenAI’s bet on hardware isn’t just flashy—it’s essential. Why context, collaboration, and delivery may define the next era of artificial intelligence.
UPS Q1 2025 earnings reveal how SMBs are taking the brunt of tariff impacts while UPS aggressively pivots post-Amazon. Strategic cost-cutting and network changes hint at a company in full transformation mode.
A look inside the MACH Composable Conference in Chicago: U.S. tech projects are frozen, Europe is heating up, and MACH's community-driven approach continues to spark debate in the enterprise architecture world.
Walmart's recent Investor Day revealed challenges and insights, particularly about eCommerce, tariffs, and their future strategy. With over two-thirds of inventory sourced domestically, Walmart navigates the uncertain global landscape. Find out how the company plans to play offense amid the challenges.
2025 could be the most challenging year for consumer brands since 2008—but also the most transformative. Rick Watson breaks down three key business situations and why bold change might be the only way forward.
In 2025, consumer behavior is shifting fast—from confident to cautious. Rick Watson unpacks signals from Walmart, Lululemon, and more to understand what lies ahead for the economy and eCommerce
The best job decisions of my career hinged on a single criterion: how a company handles its interview process. When choosing between Microsoft and an unknown startup, I discovered that thoughtful hiring practices signal a company's true quality. Learn how judging a company's interview process can lead to working with exceptional teams and products, regardless of brand recognition.
Walmart shifts tariff burden to Chinese suppliers, demanding price cuts up to 10% regardless of tariff increases. This hard-line stance continues Walmart's long-standing "Everyday Low Prices" strategy of supplier pressure. Rather than boosting American manufacturing, expect production to simply shift to other low-cost countries as suppliers adapt to avoid the squeeze.
Target's 2024 earnings report shows slower growth and declining operating income compared to competitors like Walmart and Amazon. Despite challenges, plans to expand Target Plus and its ad business offer a glimpse of hope. Explore the retailer's path forward.
Walmart's FY 2025 earnings show strong growth driven by high-income consumers, boosted by eCommerce, advertising, and membership services. Discover how the retail giant maintains consistent performance with efficient operations and resilient consumer demand.
TikTok is testing a subscription-based shopping feature, but will it truly challenge Amazon? Likely not—but it could be a game-changer for creators. By simplifying eCommerce and lowering customer acquisition hurdles, TikTok is positioning itself as a new kind of shopping platform driven by inspiration rather than just transactions.
Shopify’s Q4 2024 earnings reveal strong growth driven by efficiency. With revenue up 26% year-over-year and free cash flow surging 78%, the company is optimizing expenses while maintaining its market dominance. But how sustainable is this strategy, and what does it mean for Shopify’s future in Enterprise and beyond?
Discover why 2025 is shaping up as the Age of Efficiency, with CFOs doubling down on profitability. Learn how businesses are navigating budget cuts, prioritizing growth, and making strategic decisions in a challenging landscape.
Temu’s collapse may be faster than expected—58% drop in users, slashed ad spend, and a death spiral in motion. What’s next for the discount juggernaut?