June 9th, 2025: Shopify MCP Server Raises More Questions Than Answers, Could the AI Race Become a Hardware Race, and Temu Half Off - Just In Time For Summer

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

34:07

In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Jay Crone, Managing Director and Venture Capitalist at Deloitte Ventures, to explore the firm’s strategic approach to corporate venture capital. Jay shares Deloitte Ventures’ investment thesis, focusing on supporting innovative Canadian startups at Series A and B stages across key sectors like cybersecurity, climate tech, fintech, future of work, health tech, and AI. Listeners will gain an inside look at how Deloitte leverages its vast network of 1,500 partners and 15,000 employees to source deals and add value beyond capital by helping startups navigate Deloitte’s complex ecosystem and access enterprise clients. Jay also discusses his diverse career journey—from government and investment banking to entrepreneurship and corporate VC—and how those experiences shape his investment philosophy. The episode delves into Deloitte’s due diligence process, the importance of founder relationships, and the firm’s strategic role as a co-investor. Jay highlights emerging trends, particularly the promise of vertical AI tailored to industry-specific needs, and shares his bullish outlook on fintech innovations like stablecoins and cross-border payments. He offers candid advice for entrepreneurs on risk-taking and aligning business vision with funding goals. This episode is a must-listen for founders, investors, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of corporate venture capital and innovation in Canada. Learn more about Jay's work at https://www.deloitte.com/ca/en/services/program/ventures.html Connect with Jay on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaycrone/ Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/ Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com…

about a year ago 10:43

MP3•Episode home

Today on our show:

Shopify MCP Server Raises More Questions Than Answers
Could the AI Race Become a Hardware Race?
Temu Half Off - Just In Time For Summer

- and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl.

208 episodes

#Entrepreneur #Business #Rick Watson @ RMW Commerce #Business News #News #RMW Commerce Consulting #ECommerce #Retail #Marketplace #Amazon #Shopify #Supply Chain #Logistics

June 9th, 2025: Shopify MCP Server Raises More Questions Than Answers, Could the AI Race Become a Hardware Race, and Temu Half Off - Just In Time For Summer

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Today on our show:

Shopify MCP Server Raises More Questions Than Answers
Could the AI Race Become a Hardware Race?
Temu Half Off - Just In Time For Summer

- and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

208 episodes

#Entrepreneur #Business #Rick Watson @ RMW Commerce #Business News #News #RMW Commerce Consulting #ECommerce #Retail #Marketplace #Amazon #Shopify #Supply Chain #Logistics

All episodes

1
July 14th, 2025: NRF Files Suit Against NY State Law, Why Is There No Best Practice for ECommerce Org Structure, Amazon Quietly Cornering Market on Robot Patents, and LuluLemon in Markdown Hell 13:06

3 days ago13:06

13:06

Today on our show: NRF Files Suit Against NY State Law Why Is There No Best Practice for ECommerce Org Structure Amazon Quietly Cornering Market on Robot Patents LuluLemon in Markdown Hell - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
June 30th, 2025: Klarna CEO Claims They Will Be a Super App, Walmart Investor Event Sheds New Light, Should You Put a Chatbot In Front Of Your Retail Store, and Musings from CommerceNext and… 12:41

17 days ago12:41

12:41

Today on our show: Klarna CEO Claims They Will Be a Super App Walmart Investor Event Sheds New Light Should You Put a Chatbot In Front Of Your Retail Store Musings from CommerceNext and Mirakl’s Summit - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
June 23rd, 2025: Saks Global Still Sounds in Trouble, Facebook Says eCommerce is Great -- For Other People, Jassy’s AI Memo Was a Snoozefest, In a Good Way, and Amazon Extending Prime Day Doesn’t… 11:29

24 days ago11:29

11:29

Today on our show: Saks Global Still Sounds in Trouble Facebook Says eCommerce is Great -- For Other People Jassy’s AI Memo Was a Snoozefest, In a Good Way Amazon Extending Prime Day Doesn’t Give me Warm Fuzzies - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
June 16th, 2025: Palantir Partners with Bolt, Amazon Releases AI Video Generation Tools, Sezzle Sues Shopify For AntiCompetitive Practices, and Walmart Releases New AI Tools 9:20

4 weeks ago9:20

9:20

Today on our show: Palantir Partners with Bolt Amazon Releases AI Video Generation Tools Sezzle Sues Shopify For AntiCompetitive Practices Walmart Releases New AI Tools - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
June 9th, 2025: Shopify MCP Server Raises More Questions Than Answers, Could the AI Race Become a Hardware Race, and Temu Half Off - Just In Time For Summer 10:43

5 weeks ago10:43

10:43

Today on our show: Shopify MCP Server Raises More Questions Than Answers Could the AI Race Become a Hardware Race? Temu Half Off - Just In Time For Summer - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
June 2nd, 2025: Salesforce to acquire Informatica, Social Commerce Panel Reveals Influencer Importance, Lowes Launches Its Marketplace, and Tariff Feud Event with Passport Recap 11:27

6 weeks ago11:27

11:27

Today on our show: Salesforce to acquire Informatica Social Commerce Panel Reveals Influencer Importance Lowes Launches Its Marketplace Tariff Feud Event with Passport Recap - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
Special Episode: Scott Eckert on Leading Mirakl and the Marketplace Revolution 36:52

7 weeks ago36:52

36:52

In this special CEO spotlight edition of the Watson Weekly, host Rick Watson welcomes Scott Eckert, newly appointed CEO of Mirakl, for an inside look at how his leadership is poised to accelerate Mirakl’s role at the heart of modern commerce. With a distinguished career spanning innovation leadership roles at Dell, Rethink Robotics, and Walmart’s Store No. 8, Scott brings deep experience navigating the intersection of scale, agility, and emerging technology. Now at Mirakl, he’s guiding a platform that is redefining how retailers, brands, and third-party sellers thrive in an increasingly ecosystem-driven world. 💡 Key Themes Include: Scott’s journey from enterprise innovation to platform leadership Why now is a pivotal moment for marketplaces and retail media Mirakl’s vision: enabling, not owning, the commerce ecosystem How AI and first-party data are reshaping competitive advantage Building a flywheel for retailers, sellers, and consumers alike 💬 Scott also shares: What drew him to Mirakl at this stage of his career His priorities for Mirakl in the next 12 months What U.S. retailers must get right when launching a marketplace Why platform thinking beats platform ownership in today’s landscape https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
May 26th, 2025: Rapid Fire Headline Update and Shopify Releases Its Summer Editions 23:46

7 weeks ago23:46

23:46

Today on our show: Rapid Fire Headline Update Shopify Releases Its Summer Editions - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
Special Episode from Shopware Partner Day– Pimcore & the Data Layer Revolution in B2B 17:53

8 weeks ago17:53

17:53

Today’s Watson Weekly is a special edition that is one of a series of three interviews recorded at Shopware’s Partner Day on April 24th, 2025. These were recorded in the basement of a German beer hall and restaurant, so I think those interested in the digital commerce complexity of serving manufacturers and distributors should find it a lot of fun. In the final installment of our Shopware Partner Day series, Rick Watson chats with Ashley Laing of Pimcore to uncover how product information management is reshaping complex B2B ecosystems. From managing fitment data in industrial catalogs to orchestrating multi-channel content for sales, customer care, and ecommerce, Pimcore is tackling the data mess head-on. Ashley shares his global journey from consultant to VP, explains how AI is transforming catalog digitization, and offers strategic guidance for companies that are "too hard to do business with." Expect practical takeaways for building buyer-ready systems and future-proofing your product data stack. 📘 Curious how regulated complexity meets composable tech? Don’t miss Shopware’s whitepaper: Winning B2B in Regulated Industries https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
May 19th, 2025: Amazon Announces New AI Tool to Enhance Product Listings, Venture Capital Dominated by AI Right Now, FedEx and Amazon Strike Up a Partnership, and Klaviyo Reports Q1 2025 Earnings 10:28

8 weeks ago10:28

10:28

Today on our show: Amazon Announces New AI Tool to Enhance Product Listings Venture Capital Dominated by AI Right Now FedEx and Amazon Strike Up a Partnership Klaviyo Reports Q1 2025 Earnings - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
Special Episode from Shopware Partner Day– Conscious Commerce & Regulated Realities: The Aysnd Way 21:06

9 weeks ago21:06

21:06

Today’s Watson Weekly is a special edition that is one of a series of three interviews recorded at Shopware’s Partner Day on April 24th, 2025. These were recorded in the basement of a German beer hall and restaurant, so I think those interested in the digital commerce complexity of serving manufacturers and distributors should find it a lot of fun. Rick Watson sits down with Aysnd’s leadership duo, Carrie Weidenbach and Chris Harrison, for a conversation that dives into purpose-driven digital transformation. Broadcasting from the Shopware Partner Day beer hall, the trio discusses Aysnd’s mission to help brands with complex commerce needs—particularly in regulated industries. From global eCommerce replatforming at AB InBev to real-time prioritization frameworks and the value of first-party data, this episode is packed with insights on how to move fast, test smart, and build agile systems without sacrificing long-term goals. If you're navigating transformation in uncertain times, this one's for you. 📘 For more on how commerce is evolving in regulated sectors, check out Shopware’s whitepaper: Winning B2B in Regulated Industries https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
May 12th, 2025: Shopify Needs Incentive Alignment to Win in Enterprise, 3 Notables From BigCommerce earnings call, Instacart CEO Departs for OpenAI, and Shopify Reports Solid Earnings Amid Global… 17:51

9 weeks ago17:51

17:51

In this week’s Watson Weekly, we will discuss Fidji Simo is out at Instacart CEO to join OpenAI. This is a huge feather in Simo’s cap and leaves an opening at Instacart which I predict will be filled by their Chief Product Officer Daniel Danker. Not only did Danker and Simo overlap from their time at Facebook, but Danker was promoted by Simo into his current role as Chief Product Officer. You’ll find this and other stories every Monday morning on the Watson Weekly, headed straight to your earhole wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Today on our show: Shopify Needs Incentive Alignment to Win in Enterprise 3 Notables From BigCommerce earnings call Instacart CEO Departs for OpenAI Shopify Reports Solid Earnings Amid Global Uncertainty - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
Special Episode from Shopware Partner Day– Inside B2B Growth: Smith Commerce on Scaling Smart 19:17

10 weeks ago19:17

19:17

Today’s Watson Weekly is a special edition that is one of a series of three interviews recorded at Shopware’s Partner Day on April 24th, 2025. These were recorded in the basement of a German beer hall and restaurant, so I think those interested in the digital commerce complexity of serving manufacturers and distributors should find it a lot of fun. In this special edition of the Watson Weekly, Rick Watson heads to the basement of a German beer hall at Shopware's Partner Day to sit down with Rob Miller of Smith Commerce. Together, they explore the intricacies of modern B2B digital commerce—from account hierarchy challenges and dynamic pricing rules to the evolving role of CRM. Rob shares real-world insights from years of working with wholesale distributors and manufacturers, including the critical role of AI in orchestrating complex systems. Tune in for a grounded, behind-the-scenes take on the future of enterprise commerce and why embracing change is easier than ever before. 📘 Learn more about the structural shifts in B2B and private equity’s role in transformation with Shopware’s whitepaper: Winning B2B in the Age of Private Equity https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
May 5th, 2025: Amazon Reports Q1 2025 Earnings, Walmart Releases an Annual Shareholder Letter, UPS Reports Q1 2025 Earnings, and Kohl’s Fires Its CEO 14:37

10 weeks ago14:37

14:37

Today on our show: Amazon Reports Q1 2025 Earnings Walmart Releases an Annual Shareholder Letter UPS Reports Q1 2025 Earnings Kohl’s Fires Its CEO - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

1
Turning Tariffs into Tactics — Cross-Border Commerce in 2025 with Alex Yancher, CEO of Passport 57:11

11 weeks ago57:11

57:11

In this insightful episode, The Watson Weekly welcomes Alex Yancher (Yon-cher), CEO of Passport, just hours after the U.S. government announced sweeping new global trade tariffs. With $3.3 trillion in cross-border e-commerce at stake, this conversation couldn’t be more timely. Guided by a Thomas L. Friedman-inspired prologue, we dive deep into the new frontier of Cross-Border Trade (CBT) — where data, logistics, and geopolitical tension collide. Alex shares the origin story of Passport, and why global brands like Carpe, Ogee, and Tommy John trust them to turn complex international challenges into seamless consumer experiences. From navigating 25% tariffs on EU steel to leveraging bonded warehouses and real-time FX for international growth, Alex outlines how Passport is helping brands not just survive—but thrive—in a volatile environment. We explore how Shopify and others are reshaping the landscape, and why transparency, logistics branding, and TikTok-era customer experience are no longer optional—they’re essential. Key Topics: The real impact of April 2025 tariffs on global ecommerce Why “asset-light” CBT might outpace localized fulfillment Lessons from Carpe and Ogee’s global expansion strategies Logistics as CX: the new battlefield for consumer loyalty How Passport is future-proofing brands against regulatory shocks Don’t miss: Alex’s take on what archaic global trade structure he’d tear down if given the chance. 👉 Whether you're a founder, operator, or curious observer of global commerce, this episode will shift how you think about borders, branding, and the future of trade.…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
February 3rd, 2025: Risks to Amazon in the AI Wars, private equity outlook in 2025, Artificial Intelligence moving from creating to doing with OpenAI Operator, how to grow faster is an elusive… 14:57

23 weeks ago14:57

14:57

Today on our show: Risks to Amazon in the AI Wars Private equity outlook in 2025 Artificial Intelligence moving from creating to doing with OpenAI Operator How to grow faster is an elusive question And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
Shaping the Future: Social Commerce, AI, and Predictions for 2025 with Kelly Goetsch 11:11

25 weeks ago11:11

11:11

In the final episode of this special 3-part Watson Weekly series, Rick Watson is joined by Kelly Goetsch, Advisor at Commerce Tools, to discuss what’s next for the world of commerce. Key topics include: The rise of social shopping and platforms like TikTok Shops How AI is redefining brand discovery and trust Predictions for retail growth and consumer behavior in 2025 The enduring influence of earned media in building connections This episode ties the series together with forward-looking insights and strategies to thrive in an ever-changing e-commerce landscape.…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
January 20th, 2025: Our 2025 NRF event analysis, recapping the first ever RMW Commerce Five Forces event in New York City 10:58

25 weeks ago10:58

10:58

Today on our show: Our 2025 NRF event analysis Recapping the first ever RMW Commerce Five Forces event in New York City And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
Modernizing B2B Commerce: Overcoming the Bob Problem with Kelly Goetsch 18:33

26 weeks ago18:33

18:33

In Part 2 of this special Watson Weekly series, Rick Watson and Kelly Goetsch dive deep into the complexities of B2B commerce. They discuss: The generational shift reshaping the industry Challenges like the "Bob Problem" and outdated practices The role of composable commerce in streamlining processes How solutions like Commerce Tools Foundry are enabling businesses to innovate Explore how B2B is evolving to meet modern demands while navigating its unique challenges. Don’t miss this insightful conversation that bridges tradition and innovation. Stay tuned for the final episode in this series, rolling out next week!…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
January 13th, 2025: Shopify 2025: The Entrepreneur, the Rulemaker and the Bridge-Builder, Mastercard Holiday numbers show roses for eCommerce, Is 2025 the year of the niche down? And Amazon still… 14:26

26 weeks ago14:26

14:26

Today on our show: Shopify 2025: The Entrepreneur, the Rulemaker and the Bridge-Builder Mastercard Holiday numbers show roses for eCommerce Is 2025 the year of the niche down? Amazon still the king of warehouse growth And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
Breaking Barriers in E-commerce and Healthcare with Kelly Goetsch 28:14

27 weeks ago28:14

28:14

In this special episode of Watson Weekly , Rick Watson is joined by Kelly Goetsch, a Commercetools Advisor and industry thought leader. Kelly shares his unique insights into the evolving landscape of e-commerce, focusing on the intersection of technology and healthcare. Together, they explore key topics like consumer behavior trends, the growing role of composable commerce, and the untapped opportunities in health tech. From tackling HIPAA compliance to redefining retail experiences, this episode dives deep into the transformative potential of technology across industries. Don’t miss this engaging discussion packed with expertise and forward-thinking strategies. About Kelly - Kelly Goetsch is a commercetools Advisor. Until January 2025, Kelly was the company’s Chief Strategy Officer, and prior to that, he served as the Chief Product Officer at commercetools for nearly six years. Goetsch is an industry thought-leader who champions the MACH (Microservices, API, Cloud-Native, and Headless) movement, and co-founded the MACH Alliance, a group of 100+ independent, future-thinking tech companies dedicated to advocating for open, best-of-breed technology ecosystems. Prior to commercetools, Goetsch held senior-level product development and go-to-market responsibilities at Oracle and held the role of Senior Architect ATG (acquired by Oracle), where he was instrumental to 31 large-scale ATG implementationsHe is the author of four books - GraphQL for Modern Commerce (O'Reilly, 2020), APIs for Modern Commerce (O'Reilly, 2017), Microservices for Modern Commerce (O'Reilly, 2016) and E-Commerce in the Cloud (O'Reilly, 2014). He holds three patents, including one key to distributed computing.…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
December 23rd, 2024: Amazon building 25% of all warehouses, UPS hiking SurePost rates by 10%, Lowes develops a new marketplace, and Quickbooks partners with Amazon Marketplace Seller Central 13:18

29 weeks ago13:18

13:18

Today on our show: Amazon building 25% of all warehouses UPS hiking SurePost rates by 10% Lowes develops a new marketplace Quickbooks partners with Amazon Marketplace Seller Central And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
December 16th, 2024: Shopify releases a boring update, was Amazon haul launched sooner as political strategy? What is the potential impact of tariffs on eCommerce? And why use an outside consultant… 18:15

30 weeks ago18:15

18:15

Today on our show: Shopify releases a boring update Was Amazon haul launched sooner as political strategy? What is the potential impact of tariffs on eCommerce? Why use an outside consultant to help you solve a problem? And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
December 9th, 2024: 3 observations from Cyber Week, the 3 coming wars in the next 5 years, and 5 reasons Klaviyo is growing faster than most anyone right now 14:39

31 weeks ago14:39

14:39

Today on our show: 3 observations from Cyber Week The 3 coming wars in the next 5 years 5 reasons Klaviyo is growing faster than most anyone right now And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
November 25th, 2024: How you should read the Gartner Quadrant, Wordpress is the Craigslist of website builders, Target reports terrible earnings, and Walmart reports great earnings 17:35

33 weeks ago17:35

17:35

Today on our show: How you should read the Gartner Quadrant Wordpress is the Craigslist of website builders Target reports terrible earnings Walmart reports great earnings And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
November 18th, 2024: Shopify reported Q3 2024 earnings, Klaviyo reports even better Q3 earnings, new RMW Commerce event being held in January, and BigCommerce trying to escape the Alabama mud like… 18:42

34 weeks ago18:42

18:42

Today on our show: Shopify reported Q3 2024 earnings Klaviyo reports even better Q3 earnings New RMW Commerce event being held in January BigCommerce trying to escape the Alabama mud like My Cousin Vinny And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
November 11th, 2024: Amazon reports great Q3 2024 earnings, Children's Place partnership with Shein could be genius, the state of SaaS venture capital valuations, and AI platforms looking to… 17:04

35 weeks ago17:04

17:04

Today on our show: Amazon reports great Q3 2024 earnings Children's Place partnership with Shein could be genius The state of SaaS venture capital valuations AI platforms looking to challenge every software category And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
November 4th, 2024: CEO merry-go-round continues, Paypal earnings report show progress and challenges, UPS releases Q3 earnings, and everyone in retail copying everyone else 18:13

36 weeks ago18:13

18:13

Today on our show: CEO merry-go-round continues Paypal earnings report show progress and challenges UPS releases Q3 earnings Everyone in retail copying everyone else And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
October 28th, 2024: Is 2024 the Generative AI holiday? Amazon's new low cost store concept might as well be called "Off-Prime", is 2025 the year bad eCommerce content officially dies? And… 15:19

37 weeks ago15:19

15:19

Today on our show: Is 2024 the Generative AI holiday? Amazon new low cost store concept might as well be called "Off-Prime" Is 2025 the year bad eCommerce content officially dies? BigCommerce expands its leadership team And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
October 21st, 2024: Optimization will be the watchword in 2025, OpenStore pivoting into Helpdesk Software, Walmart appoints Seth Dellaire as Chief Growth Officer, and new report shows Unicorns lack… 14:35

38 weeks ago14:35

14:35

Today on our show: Optimization will be the watchword in 2025 OpenStore pivoting into Helpdesk Software Walmart appoints Seth Dellaire as Chief Growth Officer New report shows Unicorns lack exit options And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
April 28th, 2025: Composable Conference in Chicago shows MACH progress, ChatGPT and Shopify partnership teased, and Shopify promotes internally for Chief Design Officer: What's going on? 14:49

11 weeks ago14:49

14:49

Today on our show: Composable Conference in Chicago Shows MACH Progress ChatGPT and Shopify Partnership Teased Shopify Promotes Internally for Chief Design Officer: What's Going On? - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
April 21st, 2025: Walmart Investor Day shows strong tariff headwinds, is 2025 the year to eat the entire enchilada, Shop for Brands on Amazon seen in the wild, and Amazon surveys its sellers on… 17:04

12 weeks ago17:04

17:04

Is Walmart More Exposed to Tariffs Than They Are Admitting? In a recent investor day, Walmart indicated that only one-third of its products are not made in the USA. Are we sure about that number? Given the fact that there is no universal definition of made in the USA, I think that number could be a lot higher than the company is letting on. Learn about this and more in this week’s Watson Weekly podcast, headed straight to your earhole every Monday morning, wherever you find your favorite podcasts. Today on our show: Walmart Investor Day Shows Strong Tariff Headwinds Is 2025 The Year to Eat the Entire Enchilada Shop for Brands on Amazon Seen in the Wild Amazon Surveys Its Sellers on Tariffs - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
The Debate: Is Replatforming Worth It? 1:04:13

13 weeks ago1:04:13

1:04:13

The biggest debate in eCommerce. The business case for replatforming Replatforming can either be trying to use a band-aid on a large wound or it could be like squeezing juice. Vince Santo (The Maze Group) debating Chris Silver (Discoverist AI) on replatforming. Architecture: The headless straw man debate. Headless technology enables brands to move quickly without blockages. Should that cash investment be made in customer acquisition and retention? Nick Kaplan (RMW Commerce) debate Victor Castro (Commercial Leader) on the pros and cons of headless technology. How can we make replatforming more enjoyable? System integrators (SI) can either make a painful process painless or painful due to the SI overselling themselves to get the business. Mark Rubin (Kasama Digital) debating Tarek Muller (ABOUTYOU) on the pain and perils of system integrators. Employees: Who is going to use the platform? Do we really know the impact of AI on employees? On the one hand, it will lead to modifying what employees do, or will 60-70% of staff be impacted? Rob Garf (Cordial) debating Rama Aluri (GSPANN Technologies) on the future of AI and employees. 0:00 Introduction 11:39 The business case for replatforming 22:09 Architecture: The headless straw man debate. 35:35 How can we make replatforming more enjoyable? 49:24 Employees: Who is going to use the platform? 01:01:14 Closing remarks and more about SCAYLE The debate was sponsored by SCAYLE in cooperation with RMW Commerce.…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
Redefining Retail: Commercetools, InStore, and the Future of Unified Commerce – A Conversation with Dirk Hoerig 1:00:48

14 weeks ago1:00:48

1:00:48

In this special episode of The Watson Weekly , we sit down with Dirk Hoerig, co-founder of Commercetools, to explore the company’s journey from Germany to global eCommerce leader. Dirk shares insights on their ideal customer, key pain points they solve, and why their North American market entry succeeded where others failed. We also dive into the launch of commercetools InStore , a groundbreaking solution helping retailers unify online and in-store operations under one flexible backend. Dirk explains how InStore tackles legacy system challenges and enables seamless, personalized customer experiences. Plus, we discuss Dirk’s recent transition from CEO and the top retail trends shaping 2025 and beyond. A must-listen for anyone focused on the future of unified commerce.…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
April 7th, 2025: Key takeaways on public and private markets, Shoptalk did not answer my key industry questions, Consumers getting stressed out, and Amazon makes last minute bid to buy TikTok 13:36

14 weeks ago13:36

13:36

Is There a Worse Owner For TikTok Than Amazon? Look, I am going to bottom line it for you guys. I can’t think of a worse owner for Tiktok than logistics company Amazon. I know there are a lot of chocolate and peanut butter theories of how these two great companies could taste better together, but I think this would be the start of a slow boringification of Tiktok the likes of which. In fact, I bet for this reason, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are cheering for Amazon’s bid to go through! You’ll find this and other insights on the Watson Weekly podcast, headed straight to your earhole every Monday morning. Today on our show: Key Takeaways on Public and Private Markets Shoptalk Did Not Answer My Key Industry Questions Consumers Getting Stressed Out Amazon Makes Last Minute Bid to Buy TikTok - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
Watson Weekly: Navigating the Digital Commerce Maze with Bryan House 43:50

15 weeks ago43:50

43:50

Why is digital commerce still hitting roadblocks in 2025? In this special episode, Bryan House of Elastic Path joins us to unpack the paradox: companies claim to have a clear digital strategy, yet budgets for tech investment remain elusive. We tackle the real barriers—lack of knowledge, outdated mindsets, and the hidden opportunity cost of standing still. From the evolving CFO-CMO dynamic to the role of AI, platform discovery challenges, and the tension between growth and efficiency, we’re breaking down the forces shaping modern commerce. Can we redefine success in digital strategy, or are we just running in circles? Tune in to find out.…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
March 31st, 2025: Shoptalk Recap 9:46

15 weeks ago9:46

9:46

Today on our show: Shoptalk Recap - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
March 24th, 2025: Adobe teases new commerce offerings, BigCommerce launches new account functionality, Klarna files IPO paperwork, and welcome to Shoptalk Week! 13:07

16 weeks ago13:07

13:07

Is Adobe Hopeless or Will The New Product Teases Get Them Back in the Game? This week on the Watson Weekly podcast, we unpack two new product announcements from Adobe that are expected to launch by June 2025. One is the Adobe Commerce Optimizer, an eCommerce front-end that can be used with any storefront platform. This is one that I’m excited to see, particularly for larger merchants. Second is a new cloud version of the Adobe Commerce Suite. This is a managed cloud version of the current Adobe Commerce product, which seems like a nothing burger to me? You’ll find this and other stories about BigCommerce and Klarna’s new IPO filing… on the Watson Weekly podcast, coming straight to your earhole wherever you find your favorite podcasts. Today on our show: Adobe teases new commerce offerings BigCommerce launches new account functionality Klarna files IPO paperwork Welcome to Shoptalk Week! - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
March 17th, 2025: Paypal in hot water over its Honey application, AllBirds sales plunge in 2024, why did Walmart buy a mall? And upcoming eCommerce debate event at Shoptalk 11:25

17 weeks ago11:25

11:25

Is Paypal Running an Affiliate Scam? That’s What Google’s New Chrome Rules Seem to Be Saying. Many users don’t realize that Paypal’s Honey Application, the plugin which is supposed to secure you discounts on items. Instead, it looks to be cutting certain publishers out of affiliate credits that they would otherwise be due. You’ll find this and other stories about Shoptalk, AllBirds, and Walmart on this week’s Watson Weekly podcast, coming straight to your earhole wherever you find your favorite podcasts. Today on our show: Paypal in hot water over its Honey application AllBirds sales plunge in 2024 Why did Walmart buy a mall? Upcoming eCommerce debate event at Shoptalk - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
March 10th, 2025: Target 2024 earnings shows company falling behind, when will merchants stop treating data as a project? Commercetools layoffs throws into question IPO plans, and has Shopify… 14:02

18 weeks ago14:02

14:02

Today on our show: Target 2024 earnings shows company falling behind When will merchants stop treating data as a project? Commercetools layoffs throws into question IPO plans Has Shopify Enterprise turned a corner? - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
March 3rd, 2025: Is Beyond.com doomed? Klaviyo reports 2024 earnings, Klaviyo coming for Salesforce Service Cloud, and Paypal Investor Day offers problematic vision 15:39

19 weeks ago15:39

15:39

Today on our show: Is Beyond.com doomed? Klaviyo reports 2024 earnings Klaviyo coming for Salesforce Service Cloud Paypal Investor Day offers problematic vision - and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
February 24th, 2025: Walmart reports fiscal year 2025 earnings, Saks stopped paying vendors on time, TikTok subscriptions could help creators, and BigCommerce reports 2024 earnings 17:11

20 weeks ago17:11

17:11

Today on our show: Walmart reports fiscal year 2025 earnings Saks stopped paying vendors on time TikTok subscriptions could help creators BigCommerce reports 2024 earnings And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
February 17th, 2025: Shopify Q4 2024 earnings: The age of efficiency comes to Shopify, it’s not just you - age of efficiency accelerating, Amazon Q4 earnings wins the Grammy for free cash flow, and… 17:55

21 weeks ago17:55

17:55

Today on our show: Shopify Q4 2024 earnings: The age of efficiency comes to Shopify It’s not just you - age of efficiency accelerating Amazon Q4 earnings wins the Grammy for free cash flow Amazon ad engine getting hungry: look out Google Shopping And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
February 10th, 2025: Trump eliminates the de minimis for China, AI won't solve all the problems, but we don't realize it yet, UPS Q4 2024 earnings, AI is not the new SEO. Brands could be in a… 13:56

22 weeks ago13:56

13:56

Today on our show: Trump eliminates the de minimis for China AI won't solve all the problems, but we don't realize it yet UPS Q4 2024 earnings: steering towards margin, away from Amazon AI is not the new SEO. Brands could be in a marketplace without realizing it And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mirakl. https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly…

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

1
Special Episode: Global eCommerce Leaders Forum, Cross-Border Trends, & Honoring Kent Allen 35:26

23 weeks ago35:26