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
Jun 6, 2022 • 34min
June 6th, 2022: Special Edition! Rick speaks to John Lawson, CEO of ColderICE Media
Rick is out of town this week but today on our show, we have a new special edition interview with a dear friend, John Lawson.
John ColderICE Lawson is one of the OGs of eCommerce, and a small business coach for growing eCommerce sellers.
Today’s episode is a wide-ranging interview on a number of interesting topics such as:
- How do you compete against Amazon as a retailer or brand?
- The early days of eBay and what they got wrong
- The history of eCommerce
- Social selling
- The importance of understanding your audience in eCommerce
For more news from Rick, check out:
https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/
May 30, 2022 • 10min
May 30th, 2022: Stripe’s new app marketplace, the state of the consumer, Ulta’s announcement, and the secondhand US market.
It’s May 30th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Stripe launches new app marketplace
What do recent earnings calls say about the state of the consumer?
Ulta announces its own retail media network in beauty
Secondhand US market to reach $82 Billion by 2026
And the Investor Minute which contains 3 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/
May 23, 2022 • 11min
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:
Walmart’s quarterly profitability miss confirms economic slowdown
REI’s circular commerce efforts show great progress
Klarna’s new virtual shopping feature makes me worry for Buy-Now-Pay-Later
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/
May 16, 2022 • 12min
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: Instacart files for a confidential IPO after reducing its valuationAmazon shuts down its Selz acquisition with recent launch of Buy with PrimeShopify moves into the advertising space with launch of Shopify AudiencesAmazon launches last mile rural delivery with independent convenience storesAnd 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/
May 9, 2022 • 13min
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:
Shopify finalizes its $2.1 billion Deliverr acquisition
Warehouse market influx could mean opportunities for Amazon
Walmart invests in apparel with launch of new private label activewear line
Amazon aggregator Thrasio starts layoffs and and names new CEO
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/
May 2, 2022 • 26sec
The Watson Weekly: A Quick Break!
Good Morning Watsonians! The production team is sad to report that Rick is a bit under the weather this week, so we're taking a quick break. We'll be back with the latest eCommerce news next Monday!
Apr 25, 2022 • 12min
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:
The United States Postal Service released its mail plan for America
Is the Buy Now, Pay Later industry fundamentally flawed?
Walmart’s digital services growth gets another boost by adding PayPal’s CFO
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/
Apr 18, 2022 • 14min
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:
Etsy Strike Fizzles Out Before It Begins
Kroger and Bed Bath & Beyond launch eCommerce site
Target Tiptoes Back Into Resale with New ThredUp Partnership
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/
Apr 11, 2022 • 13min
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:
Cross-border Marketplace Farfetch Invests in Neiman Marcus Group
Raj Subramaniam is Promoted to President and CEO of FedEx
Macy’s, Inc. Expands Supply Chain Operations with New Fulfillment Center In North Carolina
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/
Apr 4, 2022 • 11min
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:
Red warning lights flashing on economy from recent retail earnings call
EU passes sweeping privacy legislation called Digital Markets Act
eCommerce brand SHEIN solidifying fast-fashion lead over its apparel rivals
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/
