May 23rd, 2022: Walmart’s profitability miss, REI’s circular commerce efforts, Klarna’s virtual shopping feature, and Target’s Q1 earnings
Rick Watson Rick Watson

May 23rd, 2022: Walmart’s profitability miss, REI’s circular commerce efforts, Klarna’s virtual shopping feature, and Target’s Q1 earnings

It’s May 23rd, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Walmart’s quarterly profitability miss confirms economic slowdown

  2. REI’s circular commerce efforts show great progress

  3. Klarna’s new virtual shopping feature makes me worry for Buy-Now-Pay-Later

  4. Target Q1 2022 earnings highlights short-term profit challenges, but long-term outlook is still strong

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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May 16th, 2022: Instacart’s confidential IPO, Amazon’s Selz acquisition, the launch of Shopify Audiences, and Amazon’s last mile rural delivery
Rick Watson Rick Watson

May 16th, 2022: Instacart’s confidential IPO, Amazon’s Selz acquisition, the launch of Shopify Audiences, and Amazon’s last mile rural delivery

It’s May 16th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Instacart files for a confidential IPO after reducing its valuation

  2. Amazon shuts down its Selz acquisition with recent launch of Buy with Prime

  3. Shopify moves into the advertising space with launch of Shopify Audiences

  4. Amazon launches last mile rural delivery with independent convenience stores

And the Investor Minute which contains two items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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May 9th, 2022: Shopify’s Deliverr Acquisition, The Warehouse Market in Flux, Walmart’s New Activewear Line, Thrasio’s Layoffs and New CEO, and the State of the Economy
Rick Watson Rick Watson

May 9th, 2022: Shopify’s Deliverr Acquisition, The Warehouse Market in Flux, Walmart’s New Activewear Line, Thrasio’s Layoffs and New CEO, and the State of the Economy

It’s May 9th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Shopify finalizes its $2.1 billion Deliverr acquisition

  2. Warehouse market influx could mean opportunities for Amazon

  3. Walmart invests in apparel with launch of new private label activewear line

  4. Amazon aggregator Thrasio starts layoffs and and names new CEO

  5. What the heck is the economy doing right now?

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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April 25th, 2022: USPS’ New Mail Plan, the Buy Now, Pay Later Industry, Walmart Adds PayPal’s CFO, and Andy Jassy’s First Shareholder Letter
Rick Watson Rick Watson

April 25th, 2022: USPS’ New Mail Plan, the Buy Now, Pay Later Industry, Walmart Adds PayPal’s CFO, and Andy Jassy’s First Shareholder Letter

It’s April 25th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. The United States Postal Service released its mail plan for America

  2. Is the Buy Now, Pay Later industry fundamentally flawed?

  3. Walmart’s digital services growth gets another boost by adding PayPal’s CFO

  4. Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy, released his first shareholder letter

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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April 18th, 2022: Etsy Strike Fizzles, the New eCommerce Site, Target and ThredUp, Shopify’s Succession Plan
Rick Watson Rick Watson

April 18th, 2022: Etsy Strike Fizzles, the New eCommerce Site, Target and ThredUp, Shopify’s Succession Plan

It’s April 18th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Etsy Strike Fizzles Out Before It Begins

  2. Kroger and Bed Bath & Beyond launch eCommerce site

  3. Target Tiptoes Back Into Resale with New ThredUp Partnership

  4. Shopify Makes a Succession Plan for CEO Tobi Lutke, Among Other Human

And the Investor Minute which contains six items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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April 11th, 2022: Farfetch invests in Neiman Marcus, the new CEO of FedEx, Macy’s expands supply chain operations, and Staten Island Amazon workers unionize
Rick Watson Rick Watson

April 11th, 2022: Farfetch invests in Neiman Marcus, the new CEO of FedEx, Macy’s expands supply chain operations, and Staten Island Amazon workers unionize

It’s April 11th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Cross-border Marketplace Farfetch Invests in Neiman Marcus Group

  2. Raj Subramaniam is Promoted to President and CEO of FedEx

  3. Macy’s, Inc. Expands Supply Chain Operations with New Fulfillment Center In North Carolina

  4. Amazon Workers in Staten Island Voted to Unionize

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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April 4th, 2022: Recent Retail Earnings Call, The Digital Markets Act, SHEIN Solidifying Fast-Fashion Lead, and Target’s Transformation
Rick Watson Rick Watson

April 4th, 2022: Recent Retail Earnings Call, The Digital Markets Act, SHEIN Solidifying Fast-Fashion Lead, and Target’s Transformation

It’s April 4th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Red warning lights flashing on economy from recent retail earnings call

  2. EU passes sweeping privacy legislation called Digital Markets Act

  3. eCommerce brand SHEIN solidifying fast-fashion lead over its apparel rivals

  4. Target’s transformation has been powered by data science

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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March 28th, 2022: Guggenheim Partners’ Research, Amazon Roll Up Companies, FedEx’s Recent Earnings Call, and Google’s Last Mile Fleet Solution
Rick Watson Rick Watson

March 28th, 2022: Guggenheim Partners’ Research, Amazon Roll Up Companies, FedEx’s Recent Earnings Call, and Google’s Last Mile Fleet Solution

It’s March 28th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Guggenheim Partners research highlights recent eCommerce trends to notice

  2. Is this the beginning of the end for a lot of Amazon roll up companies?

  3. FedEx strategy and execution issues on full display at recent earnings call

  4. Google enters last mile supply chain space with its last mile fleet solution

And the Investor Minute which contains seven items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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March 21st, 2022: Marc Andreessen thoughts on retail stores, Walmart’s linchpin, Macy’s staying ahead of “The Reaper”, and Amazon’s gain in eCommerce
Rick Watson Rick Watson

March 21st, 2022: Marc Andreessen thoughts on retail stores, Walmart’s linchpin, Macy’s staying ahead of “The Reaper”, and Amazon’s gain in eCommerce

It’s March 21st, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Retail Stores Will Completely Die, Says Tech Investor Marc Andreessen

  2. Walmart Sees Stores as Linchpin of Last-Mile Strategy

  3. Macy’s Trying Very Hard to Stay Ahead of the Reaper

  4. New Data Suggests Amazon is Gaining Share in eCommerce

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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March 14th, 2022: Kohl’s Transformation, Nordstrom’s Ad Expansion, Shopify’s Shipping Platform, and Amazon’s Investment in eCommerce Software
Rick Watson Rick Watson

March 14th, 2022: Kohl’s Transformation, Nordstrom’s Ad Expansion, Shopify’s Shipping Platform, and Amazon’s Investment in eCommerce Software

It’s March 14th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Kohl’s looks to stave off activist investors by transforming itself

  2. Nordstrom plots ad expansion as its new retail media network generates $40 million

  3. Shopify launches a shipping platform in Europe with Shippo as its partner

  4. Amazon continues to invest in the eCommerce software market. Is a New Platform Coming Soon?

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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Brands’ dependency on retailers, Amazon’s investments in cashierless stores, Albertsons review of its business, and Target’s 2021 Q4 earnings
Rick Watson Rick Watson

Brands’ dependency on retailers, Amazon’s investments in cashierless stores, Albertsons review of its business, and Target’s 2021 Q4 earnings

It’s March 7th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Brands may need retailers more than they realize.

  2. Amazon continues to make digital investments in its stores with cashierless technology and display advertising.

  3. Grocer Albertsons starts a strategic review of its business.

  4. Target 2021 Q4 earnings roundup highlights continued focus on employees, stores as hubs, and merchandise

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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February 28th, 2022: Walmart enters new economic environment, USPS Connect, what Daniel Loeb sees in Amazon, and Macy’s isn’t breaking up.
Rick Watson Rick Watson

February 28th, 2022: Walmart enters new economic environment, USPS Connect, what Daniel Loeb sees in Amazon, and Macy’s isn’t breaking up.

It’s February 28th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Walmart enters an economic environment that plays to the company’s strengths

  2. Postal service launches new next-day local shipping service called USPS Connect

  3. Activist investor Daniel Loeb sees $1 trillion dollars of untapped value in Amazon

  4. Macy’s not breaking up but still a lot of hard work ahead

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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February 21st, 2022: Amazon and diversifying sellers, Shopify’s Q4 earnings, Hasbro and Mattel, and the 2021 PitchBook venture capital report.
Rick Watson Rick Watson

February 21st, 2022: Amazon and diversifying sellers, Shopify’s Q4 earnings, Hasbro and Mattel, and the 2021 PitchBook venture capital report.

It’s February 21st, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. What if Amazon is the best-positioned company to diversify sellers off Amazon?

  2. Shopify Q4 2021 earnings shows growth but there are still strategy concerns

  3. Hasbro and Mattel’s opposite economic views of toys’ industry future may have implications for other brands

  4. 2021 PitchBook venture capital report raises both optimism and concern

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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February 14th, 2022: Meta’s shrinking advertising lead, new CMS and eCommerce churn data, Amazon’s advertising, and what modern retailers must do to survive
Rick Watson Rick Watson

February 14th, 2022: Meta’s shrinking advertising lead, new CMS and eCommerce churn data, Amazon’s advertising, and what modern retailers must do to survive

It’s February 14th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Recent earnings calls indicate that Meta’s advertising lead is shrinking quickly, and Google is the biggest beneficiary

  2. CMS and eCommerce churn data shows WordPress maintaining market lead, Shopify gaining on WooCommerce

  3. Amazon advertising graduates from "Other" and 3P seller units set record

  4. Modern retailers must prioritize differentiation and freshness to survive

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs..

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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February 7th, 2022: The Washington State Attorney General investigation and Amazon, UPS 2021 Q4 earnings, Glossier’s recent layoffs, and declines at Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Rick Watson Rick Watson

February 7th, 2022: The Washington State Attorney General investigation and Amazon, UPS 2021 Q4 earnings, Glossier’s recent layoffs, and declines at Bed, Bath, and Beyond

It’s February 7th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Washington State Attorney General investigation shuts down Amazon price fixing program

  2. UPS 2021 Q4 earnings highlights their focus on revenue quality

  3. Glossier’s CEO learned a hard lesson in technology decision-making as it lays off 80 employees

  4. Recent declines at Bed, Bath and Beyond make you wonder if it can make it

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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January 31st, 2022: Amazon’s New ‘Style” Department Store Concept, Gopuff’s First Private Label Line, Walmart’s Plans for GoLocal, and the Latest on Shopify
Rick Watson Rick Watson

January 31st, 2022: Amazon’s New ‘Style” Department Store Concept, Gopuff’s First Private Label Line, Walmart’s Plans for GoLocal, and the Latest on Shopify

It’s January 31st, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Amazon's New "Style" Department Store Concept Kicks Sand In the Face of Investors Who Think Retail Innovation is Dead

  2. Gopuff Launches its First Private Label Line

  3. How Walmart GoLocal Plans to Stand out Among Delivery Businesses

  4. Shopify Fulfillment Seems to be Going Nowhere FasAudiogram

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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January 24th, 2022: Toyota and Amazon launch Amazon Parts Store, 2022 Supply Chain Issues, Online Grocery Sales of Alcohol, and Kohl’s Investor Macellum Capital
Rick Watson Rick Watson

January 24th, 2022: Toyota and Amazon launch Amazon Parts Store, 2022 Supply Chain Issues, Online Grocery Sales of Alcohol, and Kohl’s Investor Macellum Capital

It’s January 24th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Toyota and Amazon launch new Amazon Parts Store in the UK

  2. 2022 supply chain issues are looking remarkably similar to 2021

  3. Online grocery sales of alcohol to reach almost $2 Billion this year according to new report

  4. Kohl’s investor Macellum Capital wants to burn the company down

And the Investor Minute which contains four items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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January 17th, 2022: Reactions to Shopify’s App Store Changes, Accenture’s Predictions About Social Commerce, Walmart Expands In-Home Delivery, and IKEA’s Price Changes
Rick Watson Rick Watson

January 17th, 2022: Reactions to Shopify’s App Store Changes, Accenture’s Predictions About Social Commerce, Walmart Expands In-Home Delivery, and IKEA’s Price Changes

It’s January 17th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!

Today on the show:

  1. Shopify’s app store changes have some developers upset, but there’s really nothing to see here

  2. Accenture predicts social commerce will grow three times faster than eCommerce.

  3. Will you let Walmart into your garage? Its In-Home Delivery to expand to 30 million US households this year.

  4. Pricing moving on up at IKEA, in step with trends from many brands and retailers

And the Investor Minute which contains five items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

For more news from Rick, check out:

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/

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