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
Nov 22, 2021 • 12min
November 22nd, 2021: Shopify’s Hydrogen Custom Storefront Framework, Walmart’s Q3 Earnings, Amazon’s New Payment Options, and Target Continues Great Operational Execution
It’s November 22nd, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Shopify releases its hydrogen custom storefront framework - but more is needed
Walmart’s Q3 earnings highlight its grocery gains
Amazon introduces new payment options and delivers an ultimatum to Visa in the UK
Target continues great operational execution triggered by growth in same day services
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/
Nov 15, 2021 • 15min
November 15th, 2021: Saks eCommerce split, Square and the future of currency and payment, the status of livestreaming in the U.S., and American Eagle Outfitters acquires logistics capabilities
It’s November 15th, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Saks eCommerce split sounds worse every day: What makes it so bad?
Square stakes its claim on the future of currency and payments
What’s the status of livestreaming in the United States?
Retailer American Eagle Outfitters continues to acquire logistics capabilities - should other retailers be paying attention?
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/
Nov 8, 2021 • 14min
November 8th, 2021: Supply Constraints Slow Down Advertising, Bed Bath & Beyond Signs With Kroger, Amazon’s Challenging Earnings, and Shopify’s Fulfillment Strategy
It’s November 8th, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Advertising is slowing down with supply constraints
Bed Bath & Beyond signs a big partnership with Kroger
Amazon has surprisingly challenging earnings
Shopify’s fulfillment strategy remains a mystery
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/
Nov 1, 2021 • 12min
November 1st, 2021: Poshmark’s Brand Closet Program, Mailchimp and Shopify, UPS Earnings, and Amazon Launches an In-Store Pickup Option
It’s November 1st, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Poshmark launches a new brand closet program to cozy up to big brands.
Mailchimp and Shopify kiss and make up.
UPS earnings highlight volume and profit growth.
Amazon launches an in-store pickup option for marketplace sellers.
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/
Oct 25, 2021 • 11min
October 25th, 2021: J.B. Hunt’s shipping costs, instant delivery startups, Instacart acquires Caper, and shoppers may spend more this holiday season.
It’s October 25th, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Transportation company J.B. Hunt looks for shipping costs to keep rising through 2022.
Are instant delivery startups the new investment bubble?
Instacart’s new acquisition Caper means it’s still searching for its next act.
New data suggests that shoppers may spend more and sooner this holiday season.
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/
Oct 18, 2021 • 16min
October 18th, 2021: Macy’s eCommerce business, Michael’s eCommerce marketplace, Thrasio delays SPAC deal, and the port delays prompt big-company workarounds.
It’s October 18th, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Will Macy’s be forced to spin off its eCommerce business?
Arts and crafts chain store, Michael’s, looks to launch its own eCommerce marketplace.
Amazon aggregator, Thrasio, delays SPAC deal as executives exit.
Port delays prompt big-company workarounds and government action.
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/
Oct 11, 2021 • 13min
October 11th, 2021: Amazon and Target get a head start on the holidays, Google updates its eCommerce strategy, Home Depot signs up with Walmart GoLocal, and Rent the Runway files for IPO
It’s October 11th, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
The holidays are starting early this year at Amazon and Target.
Google is looking to update its eCommerce strategy, but is it enough?
Home Depot signs up with Walmart GoLocal for same day delivery.
Rent the Runway files for IPO, but the road ahead looks difficult.
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/
Oct 4, 2021 • 14min
October 4th, 2021: Amazon’s fall showcase, Bloomingdale’s new Bloomie stores, Content Play from Pinterest and Albertsons, and an IOU Christmas?
It’s October 4th, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Amazon’s fall product event showcases its creativity.
What do Bloomingdale’s new Bloomie stores add to the new small-format retail trend?
Pinterest and Albertsons hook up in an interesting content play.
Is the eCommerce world headed for an “IOU Christmas”? And what to do about it.
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/
Sep 27, 2021 • 11min
September 27th, 2021: Chewy’s new marketplace for veterinarians, Kroger doubles down on Instacart, Shopify expands its cross-border services, and FedEx’s first quarter 2022
It’s September 27th, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
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/
Sep 20, 2021 • 13min
September 20th, 2021: Shopify, Big Boxes, Malls, and Mailchimp
It’s September 20th, 2021 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!
Today on the show:
Shopify invests in marketing provider Yotpo
Top Amazon seller Packable looks to go public via reverse merger
Are Walmart and Target the biggest beneficiaries of the decline of malls in America?
Intuit’s acquisition of marketing provider Mailchimp continues its move into eCommerce
For more news from Rick, check out:
https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/
