The Watson Weekly: eCommerce Strategy & News
Watson Weekly
Stop reading the headlines and start understanding the frameworks.
The Watson Weekly is the premier resource for eCommerce executives, delivering sharp, independent strategy on the industry's most critical developments. Join 20-year veteran Rick Watson as he cuts through the noise to help you understand not just what is happening, but why it matters to your business.
Broadcasting three times a week:
Mondays: Strategic deep dives into earnings, mergers, and market shifts.
Wednesdays: Candid interviews with C-Suite luminaries and tech innovators.
Fridays: Join the Watson Weekend for Spirited debates on controversial topics with co-host Jessica Lesesky.
From AI implementation and marketplace dynamics to supply chain logistics and retail operations, we cover the entire commerce landscape. Whether you are a CEO, VP, or operator, this is your competitive advantage in audio form.
The Watson Weekly is the premier resource for eCommerce executives, delivering sharp, independent strategy on the industry's most critical developments. Join 20-year veteran Rick Watson as he cuts through the noise to help you understand not just what is happening, but why it matters to your business.
Broadcasting three times a week:
Mondays: Strategic deep dives into earnings, mergers, and market shifts.
Wednesdays: Candid interviews with C-Suite luminaries and tech innovators.
Fridays: Join the Watson Weekend for Spirited debates on controversial topics with co-host Jessica Lesesky.
From AI implementation and marketplace dynamics to supply chain logistics and retail operations, we cover the entire commerce landscape. Whether you are a CEO, VP, or operator, this is your competitive advantage in audio form.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 15, 2022 • 13min
August 15th, 2022: Instacart’s 2022 IPO, Amazon acquires Roomba, the latest on American Eagle Outfitters, and Avalara going private with Vista Equity
It’s August 15th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Instacart is planning an IPO for the end of 2022
Amazon makes another billion dollar acquisition with robotic vacuum maker, Roomba.
American Eagle Outfitters’ Quiet Platform launches a nationwide "Asset-Light" logistics network
Tax software provider, Avalara, is going private in $8.4 billion Vista Equity acquisition
And the Investor Minute which contains 5 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/
Aug 8, 2022 • 14min
August 8th, 2022: Amazon Q2 earnings, PayPal targeted by Elliot Management, Shopify invests in Klaviyo, and Amazon Today offers same-day shipping
It’s August 8th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Amazon Q2 earnings beat revenue and reaffirms full-year guidance
Paypal being targeted by activist investor, Elliott Management
Shopify invests $100 Million in email marketing provider, Klaviyo
Amazon Today offers same-day shipping from retailers, boosting Prime
And the Investor Minute which contains 5 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/
Aug 1, 2022 • 17min
August 1st, 2022: Early reviews of Amazon’s Style Store, Bed Bath and Beyond, UPS innovating through downturn, and Shopify’s Q2 earnings call
It’s August 1st, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Early reviews of Amazon’s Style Store in Los Angeles underwhelming
Can we talk about what happened to Bed Bath and Beyond?
UPS innovating through downturn, maintaining margin and revenue targets
Shopify Q2 earnings call shows warnings signs for the company in 2022
And the Investor Minute which contains 5 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/
Jul 25, 2022 • 26min
July 25th, 2022: The One Year Anniversary of The Watson Weekly!
It’s July 25th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show we celebrate the one year anniversary of The Watson Weekly. Executive Producer, David Hoffman, of series production partner, CitizenRacecar, sits down with Rick to discuss the show’s amazing first year.
For more news from Rick, check out:
https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/
Jul 18, 2022 • 13min
July 18th, 2022: Coatue’s view of the market, glut of goods at Target and Walmart, Victoria’s Secret restructures its management team, and an Amazon Prime Day recap
The podcast dives into the cautious yet optimistic market view from Coatue. Major retailers like Target and Walmart are grappling with a surplus of goods, creating opportunities for liquidators. Victoria’s Secret is in the midst of management restructuring and layoffs. The recap of Amazon Prime Day reveals wild sales that still generate buzz. Plus, a focused segment highlights the latest in venture capital and the evolving landscape of e-commerce fundraising.
Jul 11, 2022 • 10min
July 11th, 2022: FedEx’s new strategy, Instacart and Walmart Canada’s new launch, TikTok cancels eCommerce plans, Shopify invests in content management system
It’s July 11th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
FedEx announces new strategy based on revenue quality, mirroring UPS’s approach.
Instacart and Walmart Canada launch a virtual convenience store.
TikTok cancels eCommerce plans in the US after terrible results in a UK test.
Shopify launches editions and invests in content management system sanity.
And the Investor Minute which contains 5 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/
Jul 4, 2022 • 10min
July 4th, 2022: Nike’s Direct-to-Consumer growth, Bed Bath and Beyond looks for a new CEO, Bill Ready joins Pinterest, and is Amazon planning a second Prime Day?
Happy Independence Day!
It’s July 4th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Nike reports strong growth in its direct-to-consumer business in recent earnings
Bed Bath and Beyond looks for a new CEO as the company resets again
Pinterest CEO steps aside as Bill Ready joins as CEO
Is Amazon planning a second prime day in October, and what does it mean?
And the Investor Minute which contains 5 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/
Jun 27, 2022 • 10min
June 27th, 2022: Global-e acquires Borderfree, eBay acquires KnownOrigin, Walmart and Roku team up, and Amazon appoints Doug Herrington
It’s June 27th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Global-e Acquires Borderfree In Further Consolidation of Cross-Border Market
eBay Acquires NFT Marketplace KnownOrigin As Part of Its Metaverse Investments
Walmart and Roku Team Up on Bringing Commerce to the TV
Amazon Shuffles Its Consumer Team Leadership And Appoints Doug Herrington Leader of Stores Worldwide
And the Investor Minute which contains 5 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/
Jun 20, 2022 • 11min
June 20th, 2022: Amazon’s Consumer CEO departs, Jokr is leaving the US market, The RealReal Founder is out, and Amazon announces Prime Day
It’s June 20th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
The Great Resignation moves to Amazon as Amazon Consumer CEO, Dave Clark, departs
Instant delivery firm, Jokr, announces it’s leaving the US market
TheRealRealFounder out as we hold our breath for the second hand shoe to drop
Amazon announces Prime Day on July 12th and 13th to help America get rid of excess inventory
And the Investor Minute which contains 5 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/
Jun 13, 2022 • 12min
June 13th, 2022: Special Edition! Rick speaks with Hamaad Akmal
It’s June 13th, 2022, and this is the Watson Weekly - Your essential eCommerce Digest.
Rick is out of town this week, but today on our show we have a new special edition interview with Hamaad Akmal, the Head of Operations and Global Logistics for trusted sneaker marketplace GOAT. Hamaad spends his days chasing fraudsters across the planet and creating a seamless supply chain experience for buyers and sellers. Today’s episode covers a few interesting topics in the world of cross-border eCommerce.
How to stop fraud on marketplaces
Trends in global eCommerce
Tips to improve your cross-border eCommerce business as a brand owner
The importance of diversifying your shipping carriers.
For more news from Rick, check out:
https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/
