Watson Weekly – Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-watson-weekly-your-essential-ecommerce-digest/id1577388393

Watson Weekly – Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oJL7jnlDFwJdqQPYD1oS5

In this episode:

Amazon’s Luxury Nightmare: Why a $475M investment in Saks Global went to zero and why Amazon is calling it "financial malpractice."

Gap’s Hollywood Move: Gap hires a Paramount heavy hitter as its first Chief Entertainment Officer. Is brand-as-media the future of fashion?

The $63 Billion Ad Leak: New data reveals massive levels of invalid bot traffic across TikTok and LinkedIn.

OpenAI’s Ad Pivot: The "ChatGPT Go" plan is here. Rick and Jess discuss why OpenAI is finally embracing ads to combat their $12B burn rate and what this means for the future of Google Search.

Format Update: Guest interviews are moving to Wednesdays, and our hard-news deep dives will drop every Friday.

The Watson Weekly Friday Edition is sponsored by Mirakl.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introducing: A New Format for the Watson Weekly

1:15 – Headline Hangover: Amazon’s Luxury Disaster

3:42 – Why Amazon is Calling Saks "Worthless"

5:50 – Gap Hires a Chief Entertainment Officer: Genius or Gimmick?

8:15 – The $63 Billion Ad Fraud Problem (TikTok vs. Meta)

11:30 – Main Story: OpenAI Officially Launches Ads

14:05 – ChatGPT Go & The New Sponsored Search

17:20 – OpenAI’s $12B Burn Rate vs. Revenue

20:10 – The Future of AI Search: Will it Kill Google?

22:45 – Closing Thoughts & New Show Schedule

#watsonweekly #openai #advertisingfraud #amazon #saksglobalchapter11 #googlesearch

The overarching theme for the coming year is "be bold," urging businesses to move past the economic hesitations of 2025.

The show highlights three major industry shifts:

The AI Wars: The hosts predict that Google’s Gemini will maintain its adoption momentum over OpenAI due to Google's vast data ecosystem, its integration into Android and Samsung devices, and its move to become the "default layer of intelligence" for the internet via the UCP protocol.

Nike’s Innovation Deficit: Despite a leadership change, Nike is criticized for losing its "cool" and "shelf dominance" by over-prioritizing Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) strategies at the expense of wholesale and its core running category. The hosts note that Nike’s margins are significantly lagging those of competitors like On.

Shopify’s Evolution: Shopify is seen as transitioning from a "storefront company" to an AI and payments powerhouse. With heavy investments in "agentic commerce," 2026 is expected to be the year these AI announcements deliver tangible results.

The episode concludes with a critique of the NRF conference itself, noting that while the industry is hopeful, many vendors are still failing to articulate the actual impact and data behind their AI products.

Housekeeping: Rick Watson is reorganizing the content for Watson Weekly and Watson Weekend, with an increased focus on the newsletter. There will be weekly interviews on Wednesdays, and the Watson Weekly remaining on Mondays. The Watson Weekend will move under the Watson Weekly banner as the weekend edition.

#watsonweekly #shopify #nike #shopify

The game involves answering questions about retail trends, e-commerce, industry buzzwords such as agentic commerce, BNPL, retail media networks, and consumer behavior in 2025.

Jessica Lesesky moderates the chaotic but fun competition, with rules including buzzing in and timed answers.

Throughout the game, participants discuss key retail events and trends of 2025, such as consumers' unexpected resilience amid economic concerns, the plateauing of e-commerce growth, and the evolving role of commerce in culture.

The episode ends with reflections from the participants on 2025 as a transformative year in retail, the announcement of the winners (Scott and Jason), and an invitation to join Rick Watson at the upcoming NRF event. The show closes with a festive dance party.

Chapters

Introduction of the Watson Weekend show - 0:00

Introducing the podcast teams - 2:21

Festive Jeoparty quiz - 6:40

Festive dance party - 43:23

Live taping of the Watson Weekend show at NRF 2026.

Watson Weekend Live at NRF 2026, Presented by Radial

Sunday, January 11, 2026

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Asylum NYC

RSVP here: https://www.rmwcommerce.com/nrf-2026

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Mirakl.

“In commerce, you don’t need another tool. You need a growth partner. The Mirakl platform is powering the next era of retail for the brands and retailers ready to move. Powered by AI and built for what’s next."

#watsonweekend #festiveseason #jeoparty #ecommerce #retail

E-commerce leadership is being structurally devalued

Senior digital and e-commerce leaders are increasingly sidelined. Compensation for roles like VP of E-commerce has fallen sharply compared to five years ago, leading many experienced leaders into fractional or interim roles rather than full-time executive positions. This reflects a reduced willingness by companies to invest heavily in seasoned digital leadership.

Hollowing out of the middle and loss of institutional expertise

Organizations still maintain C-suite digital ownership (often under CMOs), but the layers beneath are increasingly filled by leaders new to e-commerce. Many veterans who helped build digital retail during its formative years are no longer embedded inside companies, creating a gap in applied experience, pattern recognition, and innovative mindset.

Innovation risk in the age of AI and agentic commerce

With AI, LLMs, and agentic systems posing existential strategic questions, the lack of empowered internal digital leaders is concerning. Consultants can advise, but they lack political capital and long-term accountability. True innovation requires internal leaders willing to take risk, own transformation, and push bold strategies—something currently missing in many organizations

Interim leadership has limits

While interim CMOs or fractional executives can help stabilize or transition organizations, this model can dilute innovation if overused. Transformation requires leaders with “skin in the game,” not rotating or part-time executives whose tenure and authority are inherently limited

Talent turnover and short executive tenures compound the issue

CMO turnover has long been high, but the combination of short tenures and interim leadership further weakens long-term brand and digital strategy. This environment makes sustained innovation especially difficult for legacy retailers trying to modernize, rather than for new digital-native entrants

#watsonweekend @leadership #ecommerceleadership

The show reflects on a turbulent retail year, previews a memorable holiday Jeopardy-style episode, and features an in-depth interview with James Lang, Head of Marketplace at Ulta Beauty.

Holiday Advertising Recap

Underwhelming holiday ads in 2025, with many brands recycling familiar creative.

Notable highlights:

The Farmer’s Dog: emotional, pet-focused storytelling that resonated strongly.

LEGO: creative anti-doomscrolling message that celebrates play and imagination.

Amazon: reused a proven holiday ad, reinforcing speed, convenience, and family moments rather than novelty.

Headline Hangover

Major retail headlines discussed:

Uber + Shopify: Partnership enabling one-hour delivery for millions of merchants, intensifying last-mile competition with Amazon.

Walmart: Expanded drone delivery pilots (Atlanta and other metros), following earlier success in Dallas–Fort Worth.

Saks Global: Deep financial distress highlighted by delayed vendor payments, revenue declines, EBITDA losses, and aggressive discounting—raising concerns about long-term viability.

Urban Outfitters: Adoption of an AI-powered supply chain compliance platform to manage regulatory complexity, traceability, and supplier data.

James Lang, Head of Marketplace, Ulta Beauty, joins the show to discuss Ulta Beauty’s marketplace, which launched in October 2025.

Ulta Marketplace Strategy

Positioned as the “second floor” of Ulta’s digital store, not a separate experience.

Fully integrated: one cart, one checkout, loyalty rewards, and easy returns.

Invite-only marketplace with curated, brand-direct sellers (no resellers, no buy box).

Core Principles

• Guest-first mindset: trust, consistency, and ease matter more than fulfillment mechanics.
• Brand protection: brands do not compete against themselves; authenticity is non-negotiable.
• Asset-light, margin-accretive model: reduces inventory risk while expanding assortment.

Internal Alignment

• Strong executive sponsorship and cross-functional buy-in.
• Marketplace seen as a strategic growth lever, not a side experiment.

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Mirakl.

“In commerce, you don’t need another tool. You need a growth partner. The Mirakl platform is powering the next era of retail for the brands and retailers ready to move. Powered by AI and built for what’s next."

Chapters

Introduction - 0:00

Headline Hangover - 7:39

Introducing James Lang - 19:21

Show ends - 57:13

#watsonweekend #marketplace #retail #ultabeauty

The week's special guest is Trevor Testwuide, CEO and Co-Founder of Measured, who talks about marketing measurement being broken,  incrementality, and the problem with ROAS.

Holiday Recap: Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Black Friday delivered stronger-than-expected results; Cyber Monday was surprisingly muted with fewer real-time pundit updates than usual. Shopify’s admin and checkout systems experienced downtime during Black Friday, creating chaos for brands needing to adjust promotions or track performance.

Changing consumer behavior: Traditional Black Friday “doorbusters” and in-store frenzy continue to fade. Promotions now stretch well before and after the holiday.

Amazon Headlines

30-Minute Delivery

Amazon is piloting 30-minute delivery in select cities using micro-fulfillment centers, targeting high-frequency, convenience-driven categories (snacks, coffee, toilet paper, household essentials).

This pushes deeper into Instacart/DoorDash territory and raises expectations for ultra-fast delivery nationwide.

Rufus AI

Amazon’s shopping assistant continues expanding across the site. The hosts question whether Rufus drives incremental sales or merely accelerates discovery for customers who would have purchased anyway. Strong use case: summarizing product info, filtering five-star results, and translating reviews into clearer insights.

Agency Consolidation: Omnicom × IPG

The Omnicom–IPG deal closes, continuing the “big gets bigger” trend in advertising and media agencies. Thesis: scale enables more efficient data use and technology investment, but real-world synergies rarely reach the promised levels.

Rising AI adoption places mid-market agencies at risk, amplifying consolidation pressure.

The core of the episode is a deep discussion between Rick Watson and Trevor Testwuide on marketing measurement, attribution, and incrementality.

Why Marketing Measurement Is Broken

For years, the industry relied on Last-touch attribution, in which the channel closest to the sale gets 100% credit.

Multi-touch attribution (MTA) tries to map every impression and click across the buyer journey. MTA became unreliable after 2016 due to privacy walls and tracking limitations. Many brands still rely on outdated methods because they’re easy, familiar, and embedded in reporting workflows.

Incrementality: The Modern Standard

Incrementality answers the real question:

Did this ad actually cause additional sales, or would they have happened anyway? It isolates causal impact from correlated behavior—critical when high-intent shoppers convert regardless of ads.

Media Mix Modeling (MMM)

MMM provides long-term correlation analysis but not causality. Measured uses MMM combined with incrementality experiments to calibrate and improve accuracy.

Problem With ROAS

ROAS is simple but misleading—especially for bottom-funnel channels that “harvest” demand. Replacing ROAS with incremental ROAS or incremental contribution margin gives more truthful signal.

Why CFOs Love Incrementality

It speaks the language of finance: causal return, marginal contribution, efficiency. When incremental data confirms executives’ intuition about overspending in low-value channels, support for change accelerates.

The Watson Weekend is sponsored  by Mirakl

“In commerce, you don’t need another tool. You need a growth partner. The Mirakl platform is powering the next era of retail for the brands and retailers ready to move. Powered by AI and built for what’s...]]>Watson Weekend host Rick Watson is joined by Nick Kaplan for the week's retail and e-commerce news. The headline hangover contains results from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and Amazon is testing 30-minute deliveries. The company's AI assistant Rufus continues to make headlines. There is also a discussion on the closing of Omnicom's IPG acquisition.

The week's special guest is Trevor Testwuide, CEO and Co-Founder of Measured, who talks about marketing measurement being broken,  incrementality, and the problem with ROAS.

Holiday Recap: Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Black Friday delivered stronger-than-expected results; Cyber Monday was surprisingly muted with fewer real-time pundit updates than usual. Shopify’s admin and checkout systems experienced downtime during Black Friday, creating chaos for brands needing to adjust promotions or track performance.

Changing consumer behavior: Traditional Black Friday “doorbusters” and in-store frenzy continue to fade. Promotions now stretch well before and after the holiday.

Amazon Headlines

30-Minute Delivery

Amazon is piloting 30-minute delivery in select cities using micro-fulfillment centers, targeting high-frequency, convenience-driven categories (snacks, coffee, toilet paper, household essentials).

This pushes deeper into Instacart/DoorDash territory and raises expectations for ultra-fast delivery nationwide.

Rufus AI

Amazon’s shopping assistant continues expanding across the site. The hosts question whether Rufus drives incremental sales or merely accelerates discovery for customers who would have purchased anyway. Strong use case: summarizing product info, filtering five-star results, and translating reviews into clearer insights.

Agency Consolidation: Omnicom × IPG

The Omnicom–IPG deal closes, continuing the “big gets bigger” trend in advertising and media agencies. Thesis: scale enables more efficient data use and technology investment, but real-world synergies rarely reach the promised levels.

Rising AI adoption places mid-market agencies at risk, amplifying consolidation pressure.

The core of the episode is a deep discussion between Rick Watson and Trevor Testwuide on marketing measurement, attribution, and incrementality.

Why Marketing Measurement Is Broken

For years, the industry relied on Last-touch attribution, in which the channel closest to the sale gets 100% credit.

Multi-touch attribution (MTA) tries to map every impression and click across the buyer journey. MTA became unreliable after 2016 due to privacy walls and tracking limitations. Many brands still rely on outdated methods because they’re easy, familiar, and embedded in reporting workflows.

Incrementality: The Modern Standard

Incrementality answers the real question:

Did this ad actually cause additional sales, or would they have happened anyway? It isolates causal impact from correlated behavior—critical when high-intent shoppers convert regardless of ads.

Media Mix Modeling (MMM)

MMM provides long-term correlation analysis but not causality. Measured uses MMM combined with incrementality experiments to calibrate and improve accuracy.

Problem With ROAS

ROAS is simple but misleading—especially for bottom-funnel channels that “harvest” demand. Replacing ROAS with incremental ROAS or incremental contribution margin gives more truthful signal.

Why CFOs Love Incrementality

It speaks the language of finance: causal return, marginal contribution, efficiency. When incremental data confirms executives’ intuition about overspending in low-value channels, support for change accelerates.

The Watson Weekend is sponsored  by Mirakl

“In commerce, you don’t need another tool. You need a growth partner. The Mirakl platform is powering the next era of retail for the brands and retailers ready to move. Powered by AI and built for what’s next.”.

#watsonweekend #amazon #omnicom #marketing #measurement

Headline Hangover: The team guesses blacked-out words from recent retail and e-commerce headlines.

* Levi’s chooses Microsoft to deploy AI- and agentic-commerce solutions internally to improve efficiency and collaboration.

* Lowe’s builds out its $8.8B wholesale business as DIY slows, reflecting macroeconomic pressures, rising material costs, and softening home-improvement demand.

* Whatnot looks like “all of commerce” — The livestream shopping platform is booming:

~$6B GMV, 140+ categories, 20M minutes of live content viewed last week, strong traction with younger audiences, and zero legacy tech debt → accelerated innovation with AI tools like Snap List.

Rick “wins” Headline Hangover—the group jokes that this is a rare event.

Kelly Goetsch from Pipe17 joins the show to discuss the launch of The Order Network Exchange (onX) and the Commerce Operations Foundation.

The industry lacks a standard for connecting selling channels to fulfillment systems. Every OMS, WMS, 3PL, and marketplace uses different formats, leading to slow integrations, high operational overhead, fragile point-to-point connections, and fragmented inventory visibility.

The Solution

onX Standard + MCP (Model Context Protocol)

Defines standard tools and resources for order, inventory, and fulfillment data.

Allows AI agents to consistently query backend systems.

Gives vendors interoperability without bespoke APIs.

Makes OMS and 3PL systems more “swappable

The Commerce Operations Foundation has 62+ members, including major OMS vendors like Manhattan, IBM Sterling, Kibo, Fluent, etc.

Goal: Full standard published by January 1, 2026, with implementations rolling out in Q1–Q2 2026.

MCP allows AI heads (GPT, Claude, etc.) to speak directly to order systems:

“How many orders today?”

“What’s the inventory of pink socks?”

Reduces dependence on hacky webhooks.

Jeoparty Part Deux:

A retail spin on Jeopardy with categories such as:

* Chapter Eleven (Nick Kaplan's love language)

* Did Tobi really say this?

* Sam Alt-Delete (AI & Sam Altman themed)

* M&A

* New kids on the block (e-commerce edition)

* Easy pictures

Memorable Answers

Joanne's bankruptcy

TikTok Shop / Shein confusion

Tariff schedules with a wreath

“Year of the Discount”

Walmart + Vizio acquisition

GEO → the new SEO

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Rithum

In commerce, every second counts.

Rithum connects every channel with AI automation and insights,

helping brands grow profitably across marketplaces, dropship, and retail media.

Learn more at rithum.com

#watsonweekend #ai #jeoparty #onx

The Big 2025 “Jeoparty” Retro Game

Jeoparty host Jessica Lasesky uses the Watson Weekend version of the popular TV game show Jeopardy to try and confuse or showcase the brilliance of Rick Watson and  Nick Kaplan. What did the previous Watson Weekend guests have to say about categories/topics such as Riddle Me RMN, Culture Club, AI Illuminati, Marketplace Mayhem, and Things Rick Said That Shouldn’t Be on Record?

AI & Tech Themes (AI Illuminati)

AI will not replace humans — it will reveal them

Beyond the Hype: The Future of Commerce, AI, and Human Creativity with Dilip Keshu

Shopify Summer ‘24 Edition is described as “AI for AI”

A running joke that it was peak AI hype,  - Shopify Editions Recap Conversation With Shopify Agencies

Kristen Wiley: Half of AI tools were built to write… LinkedIn posts - Influencer Marketing Should Be A Car That Can Be Driven Anywhere with Kristen Wiley

What AI still cannot automate: “judgment” (or taste) - How a 115-Year-Old Company Uses A Framework That Contains Bridges, Boats, and Moats with David Katz and  Beyond the Hype: The Future of Commerce, AI, and Human Creativity with Dilip Keshu

Culture & Leadership Themes (Culture Club)

“No courage in consensus.”

Jo Baker from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym5QZpt3xzM

“Empathy doesn’t slow performance — it scales it.”

Donna Felix from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb1K--Ylvd8

The winning blend of traits: IQ + EQ + adaptability (AQ)

Donna Felix from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb1K--Ylvd8

Advertising and Retail Media Networks (Riddle Me RMN)

The word Kiri Masters swore she’d never say again in 2025 -Incrementality

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQv5rWAAfNs

Marketplace & Retail Themes (Marketplace Mayhem)

“Everyone’s a disruptor… until the invoice shows up.”

Jack Freeman from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJTDWyWqXmI - VC perspective: marketplaces sound utopian until the economics hit.

 Sellers say marketplaces “empower sellers”—but sellers call it:

“Commission with extra steps.

A discussion of:

- Ulta launching a marketplace and a future episode.

- Beauty brands rising through TikTok.

- The need to balance seller and buyer incentives.

Marketplace guests:

Michael McCluskey, from Lowe's  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bMxX83kcPo

Logistics & Ops (Flexport Says What)

Delivery is the last touchpoint with the customer

John Shea from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydQpB23iEf4

Golden rule: “Over-communicate and never miss a promise date.”

Nate Skiver...]]>The Watson Weekend hosts, Rick Watson and Jessica Lasesky, and guest Nick Kaplan discuss retail and commerce trends for Q4 and 2025. This week’s headline hangover includes the resurgence of Toys R Us, Airbnb's pilot kitchen stocking service with Instacart, and the integration of AI to enhance efficiency rather than replace humans.

The Big 2025 “Jeoparty” Retro Game

Jeoparty host Jessica Lasesky uses the Watson Weekend version of the popular TV game show Jeopardy to try and confuse or showcase the brilliance of Rick Watson and  Nick Kaplan. What did the previous Watson Weekend guests have to say about categories/topics such as Riddle Me RMN, Culture Club, AI Illuminati, Marketplace Mayhem, and Things Rick Said That Shouldn’t Be on Record?

AI & Tech Themes (AI Illuminati)

AI will not replace humans — it will reveal them

Beyond the Hype: The Future of Commerce, AI, and Human Creativity with Dilip Keshu

Shopify Summer ‘24 Edition is described as “AI for AI”

A running joke that it was peak AI hype,  - Shopify Editions Recap Conversation With Shopify Agencies

Kristen Wiley: Half of AI tools were built to write… LinkedIn posts - Influencer Marketing Should Be A Car That Can Be Driven Anywhere with Kristen Wiley

What AI still cannot automate: “judgment” (or taste) - How a 115-Year-Old Company Uses A Framework That Contains Bridges, Boats, and Moats with David Katz and  Beyond the Hype: The Future of Commerce, AI, and Human Creativity with Dilip Keshu

Culture & Leadership Themes (Culture Club)

“No courage in consensus.”

Jo Baker from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym5QZpt3xzM

“Empathy doesn’t slow performance — it scales it.”

Donna Felix from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb1K--Ylvd8

The winning blend of traits: IQ + EQ + adaptability (AQ)

Donna Felix from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb1K--Ylvd8

Advertising and Retail Media Networks (Riddle Me RMN)

The word Kiri Masters swore she’d never say again in 2025 -Incrementality

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQv5rWAAfNs

Marketplace & Retail Themes (Marketplace Mayhem)

“Everyone’s a disruptor… until the invoice shows up.”

Jack Freeman from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJTDWyWqXmI - VC perspective: marketplaces sound utopian until the economics hit.

 Sellers say marketplaces “empower sellers”—but sellers call it:

“Commission with extra steps.

A discussion of:

- Ulta launching a marketplace and a future episode.

- Beauty brands rising through TikTok.

- The need to balance seller and buyer incentives.

Marketplace guests:

Michael McCluskey, from Lowe's  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bMxX83kcPo

Logistics & Ops (Flexport Says What)

Delivery is the last touchpoint with the customer

John Shea from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydQpB23iEf4

Golden rule: “Over-communicate and never miss a promise date.”

Nate Skiver from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaRpllir2S4

The team jokes about Rick’s spicy-wing “emotional memory” during the Auctane interview.

CMOs will be part marketer and therapist.

Jo Baker from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym5QZpt3xzM

Favorite Rick Quotes (Things Rick Said That Shouldn’t Be on Record)

These were turned into trivia questions:

• “Vibe-based forecasting”

(Describing certain retail forecasting styles)

• Agency attribution = “Kabuki theater”

(Paid media taking credit for brand-driven performance)

• To Dave Finnegan’s ‘curiosity is strategy’: “That’s a KPI I can respect.”

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnKh8ohmep0

• To Josh Carter: “Every cult says that.”

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XY_z3fEU_o

(Context/clues: influencers, brand community building)

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Rithum

In commerce, every second counts.

Rithum connects every channel with AI automation and insights,

helping brands grow profitably across marketplaces, dropship, and retail media.

Learn more at rithum.com

Chapters

00:00- Introduction

02:24 - Headline Hangover

08:32 - The Big 2025 “Jeoparty” Retro Game

41:37- Show ends

#watsonweekend #ai #marketplaces #leadership #retailmedianetworks #jeoparty

The episode includes an interview with Liam Fuller, an 18-year-old entrepreneur from Ireland who founded three companies and now runs Source, an AI operations tool for retailers. Liam explains how Source integrates with legacy systems to help operations teams access data and perform tasks more efficiently.

He discusses the challenges of entering the US market, attracting engineering and sales talent, and balancing product development with business growth. Liam emphasizes the importance of product-market fit, cautious scaling, and targeting mid-market brands with complex back-office needs. 

He notes the rapid advancement of AI models and the mixed reactions among retail executives, ranging from fear to enthusiasm.

The conversation concludes with advice for new founders and reflections on the evolving retail technology landscape, underscoring AI's transformative potential and the need for startups to innovate within traditional verticals.

The Watson Weekly is sponsored by Rithum

In commerce, every second counts.

Rithum connects every channel with AI automation and insights,

helping brands grow profitably across marketplaces, dropship, and retail media.

Learn more at rithum.com

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

02:50 - Headline Hangover

15:17 - Introducing Liam Fuller

21:15 -  How do you pitch brands?

24:42 -  Hiring developers in France

26:11 - Evaluating sales talent

33:50 - Focus for the next 6 - 12 months 

36:40 - Product market fit

41:50 - Go to market

44:49  - What does Source do?

51:26 - Too many AI startups?

54:27 - AI and retail trends

57:20 - End of show

#watsonweekend #ecommerce #ai #erp

The headline hangover features criticism of Pinterest's AI-powered personalization as a rebrand, analyzes Amazon's 14,000 job cuts as a culture and organizational issue rather than AI-driven, and discusses the growing role of AI agents in e-commerce,with retailers expected to adopt them. Target's holiday marketing includes bringing back Hot Santa. Comcast is innovating with programmatic ad buys that include linear TV, while WPP launches an AI platform aimed at SMBs to simplify marketing without agencies. 

The hosts then play a game of retail trick-or-treat, which highlights ongoing retail struggles, including store closures, a resurgence of counterfeit goods, challenges with chatbot customer service, and aggressive price competition that threatens margins. They foresee a difficult holiday season with margin pressures and potential bankruptcies.

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Mirakl. Growth isn't just about speed; it's about direction. Mirakl gives you the infrastructure to scale. smarter, not just faster, with marketplace, dropship, retail media, and a seller platform powered by AI and built for what's next.

00:00 - Introduction

04:37 - Headline hangover

26:06 - The scariest stories of 2025

30:12 - Who wins in Q4

33:42 - A Halloween dance

33:54 - Show ends

#watsonweekend #halloween #retailclosure #counterfeit #chatbot

Rick interviewed Michael McCluskey, VP of Marketplace at Lowe's, three months ago on the Watson Weekend (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bMxX83kcP) and attended the Lowe's Marketplace Seller Summit this past weekend and was recovering from a visit to Bojangels in North Carolina..

The main feature is an interview with Emma Spagnuolo, CEO of Caddis Life, and Sophie Marchesue, Chief Customer Officer of Mirakl. Emma shares how she transformed Caddis Life, a stylish eyewear brand targeting an underserved older demographic, emphasizing brand authenticity and expanding through marketplaces with Mirakl's support. Emma also discusses her personal breast cancer journey and its influence on her compassionate leadership style. Sophie explains how AI improves marketplace catalog management and the emerging role of agentic commerce via large language models.

Chapters

Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 00:31

Headline Hangover - 04:44

Introducing Emma Spagnuolo and Sophie Marchesue - 20:46

Caddis mission and eye wear 21:25

Assortment mix on marketplaces - 34:01

Building The brand -36:29

Servicing an Underserved Demographic - 37:30

#watsonweekend #target #tariffs #netflix #aws

The episode's guest, Tommaso Tamburnotti, CEO of EasyShip, shares his journey from finance to e-commerce logistics, explaining how EasyShip was founded to simplify the complex challenges of cross-border shipping, especially in emerging markets like Southeast Asia. 

Tamburnotti details the rise of shipping label fraud, where bad actors exploit shipping labels to resell them at a profit, resulting in financial losses for carriers, platforms, and taxpayers. He discusses the types of fraud, its recent increase, and the industry's need for collaborative solutions involving AI and stricter KYC processes. 

The conversation also addresses the underinvestment in U.S. cross-border e-commerce, the impact of regulatory changes such as de minimis reforms, and strategies for brands to expand internationally by enabling global purchases and localizing their operations.

Tamburnotti emphasizes the logistical industry's scalability challenges and its potential for growth once larger tech-driven companies emerge.

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Mirakl. Growth isn't just about speed; it's about direction. Mirakl gives you the infrastructure to scale. smarter, not just faster, with marketplace, dropship, retail media and a seller platform powered by AI and built for what's next.

Chapters

Welcome to The Watson Weekend - :00:20

Headline Hangover aka Stump the chump - 02:57

Tommaso Tamburnotti introduction -  15:02

Learning in Southeast Asia, complexity and lessons - 17:00

Shipping label fraud - 28:10

The different parcel fraud schemes - 31:08

Who pays for the label fraud? - 35:15

The $150 million scam in 2024 -  35:51

Cross-border e-commerce - 46:24

Show ends - 01:02:25

#watsonweekend #fraud #shipping  #shippinglabelfraud #crossborderecommerce 

The Watson Weekend is produced by  @RMWCommerce .

Subscribe to RMW Commerce YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RMWCommerce

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Mirakl because growth isn't about just speed. It's about direction. Mirakl gives you the infrastructure to scale smarter, not just faster, with marketplace, dropship, retail media, and a seller platform built for what's next and powered by AI.

The episode features an interview with John Andrews, CEO and Co-founder of Cimulate, who shares his extensive e-commerce background from Endeca to Nike and now AI-driven commerce. John explains how Cimulate uses large language models and synthetic personas to enhance search and merchandising by understanding customer intent and context, enabling more personalized and conversational shopping experiences. He stresses that while AI advances are transformative, human merchants remain vital, and retailers must prepare for rapid shifts in commerce technology.. 

Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 00:00:00

Headline Hangover - 00:03:15

Introducing John Andrews - 00:19:00

Shopping in 2028 - 00:25:02

What's different - 00:36:05

Search is not solved 00:40:22

Are retailers ready for an agentic world? - 00:53:41

End of the show 1:02:56

#watsonweekend #ai #artificialintelligence #agenticcommerce #search

Guest Kiri Masters, a retail media analyst, discusses the complexities of retail media networks, internal conflicts within retailers and brands, and the evolving role of AI and large language models in retail advertising and shopping.

They explore challenges in aligning retailer and brand goals, the impact of agentic commerce on retail media, and the importance of customer loyalty and differentiation beyond price competition. 

The conversation highlights the potential for AI to transform retail media, creative, and customer experiences, while acknowledging current limitations and organizational hurdles.

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Mirakl — Because “Traditional eCommerce” Is Just Code for “Not Growing.” Join 450+ retailers scaling 6X faster with AI, automation, and enterprise-grade marketplaces, dropship, and retail media. It’s time to accelerate with Mirakl.

Chapters:

Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 0:00

Headline Hangover 03:08

Introducing Kiri Masters 18:07

Internal conflicts within retailers and brands

The evolving role of AI and large language models

The challenges of alignment between retailer and brand goals

#watsonweekend #retailmedia #retailer #brand #widget #perfectcompetition

They then interview Kristen Wiley, founder and CEO of Statusphere, a platform that enables brands to generate thousands of influencer posts efficiently by focusing on micro-influencers. Kristen shares her background as a creator and marketer, the slow and strategic growth of Statusphere, and the importance of providing a strong creator experience with human support alongside AI tools. 

She highlights how Statusphere helps brands achieve brand-safe content at scale, integrates influencer marketing across various campaign types, and addresses challenges like attribution and product-market fit. 

Kristen also discusses the evolving role of AI in marketing, the value of authentic human-generated content, and the potential for influencer data to influence AI models. The episode highlights the increasing importance of creator-driven marketing and the necessity for brands to cultivate communities and employ multi-channel strategies.

Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 00:00

Headline Hangover 02:56

Introducing Kristen Wiley 15:47

The importance of solving the creator experience 23:40

Human touch in a post-AI world 25:33

Using micro-influencers vs celebrities 28:25

Generating ROI 30:52

Attribution and its influencer challenge 35:00

Nightmare situations 38:15

Product Market fit to validate the need for 42:20 

Statusphere community and content 43:40

#watsonweekend #creators #microinfluencer #community

Hosts Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky begin the show with a review of the news from the past weekend that caught their attention. The headline Hangover highlights Rent the Runway's subscriber growth but declining profits amid competition, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's initiative to cut bureaucracy and return to a startup culture, and varied holiday sales forecasts, with consumers expected to benefit despite retailer margin pressures. YouTube's creator economy is noted for paying out over $100 billion to creators in four years, underscoring the platform's growth and influence. 

They then sit down with David Katz, EVP and CMO of Randa Apparel and Accessories, a billion-dollar company managing 35 brands, including Calvin Klein, Levi Strauss, Cole Haan, Dickies, Tommy Hilfiger, Columbia Sportswear, and 30 additional brands.

🔥 KEY TOPICS COVERED:

What percentage of the Randa business is as a licensee to another brand versus its own?

What challenges are retailers facing, and how do they impact brands?

The importance of direct engagement with customers

How Randa uses its “moats, boats, and bridges” framework

The challenges, such as tariff uncertainties, inventory risk, and the impact of public company pressures on retailers

The importance of looking to the future rather than recreating the normal

The conversation underscores the complexity of modern retail, the critical role of leadership and culture in navigating change, and the potential of AI and technology as tools rather than solutions. 

Chapters:

Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 00:00

Headline Hangover - 03:47

Introducing David Katz 18:21

Randa Apparel and Accessories business model 21:31

Disruption and technology 23:43

The current environment  27:30

Exceptions prove the rule 33:45

Uncertainty and supply chain 39:52

Leadership and rationalization - 43:01

Customer loyalty 43:36

The tale of Hudson's Bay 46:24

What role does data play in retail 50:54

The impact of AI - 54:36

The Taylor Swift impact 57:00

Strategy in today’s world - 01:02:27

What is the 'moats, boats, and bridges' framework - 01:10:00

The need to look towards the future and not return to the normal - 01:17:45

#watsonweekend #marketing #randa #leadership

The headline hangover contains job numbers, Google, and the open web. Vivrelle added an AI stylist feature and Office Depot's new pickup promise.

This episode of the Watson Weekend is sponsored by Rithum. Rithum Live 2025 will be in New York City on September 25, and Rick Watson will attend and be on stage. In London on 9 October, with Watson Weekend producer Vinny O'Brien, who will attend and be on stage. For more details, go to rithum.com/nyc

This crossover episode, which includes the Oh Shift episode, can be viewed as an AI primer that will benefit listeners by clarifying the acronyms and terminology associated with agentic commerce.

In this conversation, we dive into:

The opportunity that the model context protocol (MCP) provides developers and, in the future, non-developers

What Shailesh and this team want to evaluate from the current MCP pilot within Commerce Cloud.

How software development will evolve as more tools and agents democratize the creation of software.

The difference between public large language models and custom-built large language models.

The distinction between deterministic output and non-deterministic flow has long existed in software engineering, along with the risks it poses to businesses.

AgentForce, which Salesforce offers partners to develop agents on, and provides pre-built agents to Salesforce customers.

How agents and platforms can interact with stitching and have guardrails around them to enable merchants to deliver joy to consumers.

The impact that agentic commerce will have inside organizations and how to handle the speed of innovation.

Chapters

Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 00:00

Headline Hangover - 02:40

Introducing the O Shift podcast - 13:08

Introducing Shailesh Kumar -17:03

What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)? - 19:13

Why is Salesforce investing in MCP capabilities? - 21:47

Who is the current target audience for MCP? - 23:00

What is the difference between deterministic and non-deterministic workflows in AI agents? 26:02

#watsonweekend #ohshift #mcp #modelcontextprotocol

Join Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky on The Watson Weekend as they sit down with Jenn George, Chief Communications Officer at Aspen Group. A seasoned brand leader and ultra-runner, Jenn shares her unique philosophy on simplifying the complex, finding clarity in chaos, and why communication is about steadying the humans inside a brand, not just crafting the perfect press release.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• How to find signal in the noise and create a powerful narrative that drives action.
• The importance of authenticity and vulnerability, and why it beats perfection in an age of "AI slop".
• The "know, feel, do" framework for effective communication strategies.
• Real-world examples of brands and leaders who have successfully navigated major transformations.
• How Jenn's experience as an ultra-runner taught her that our perceived limits are often not real, a lesson she applies to business leadership.

This is a must-watch for any leader who wants to master communication and build a resilient brand in today's unpredictable world.

Chapters:

• Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 00:00:00
• Headline Hangover Starts - 00:03:40
• Introducing Jenn George - 00:16:38
• Communication in a World of Chaos - 00:19:51
• How to Build Brand Trust - 00:27:16
• Closing Remarks - 01:07:25

Join us on a special Wednesday edition of The Watson Weekend with hosts Rick Watson and Jessica Laseski. We’re excited to welcome Sonal Gandhi, Chief Content Officer at The Lead, and Margo Oshry, Senior Director of Talent and Influencer Marketing at Authentic. We dive into The Lead's brand-new "D60 next list" and discuss the future of retail leadership, the power of non-traditional backgrounds, and the evolving world of influencer marketing.

Link: https://the-lead.co/the-d60-next-list/

In this episode, we explore:

• The Lead’s new list of up-and-coming retail leaders and what makes them stand out.
• The strategic role of in-house influencer marketing and brand-building at Authentic.
• The importance of nurturing relationships and personal branding for career growth.
• How non-traditional backgrounds and diverse perspectives are driving innovation in the industry.
• The need for adaptability and speed in a fast-paced market where waiting too long can mean missing opportunities.

This is a must-watch for anyone in the retail and e-commerce space who wants to stay ahead of the curve and understand what it takes to be a leader in the next generation.

Chapters:

• Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 00:00:00
• Headline Hangover Starts - 00:02:59
• Introducing Sonal & Margo - 00:16:24
• The Rise of the Next Generation of Retail Leaders - 00:27:44
• The Power of In-House Influencer Marketing - 00:30:30
• Closing Remarks - 00:41:45

Thanks to our sponsor, Crstl—The smarter way to EDI. See why brands like Neuro Gum and Andy Swim love it at CRSTL.ai.

Join Rick, Jess, and special guest Nate Skiver, founder of LPF Spend Management, as they dive into a fiery discussion about the state of shipping in e-commerce. In this spicy wing-eating challenge, Nate debunks a major shipping myth and shares his expertise from over two decades in the retail and consulting world.

In this episode, we explore:

• The biggest myth in shipping and why it's finally dying a slow death.
• How the e-commerce market has changed, creating more options beyond the "big three" carriers.
• The role of regional carriers and why more retailers are turning to them.
• How shipping technology advancements are making multi-carrier shipping easier to manage.

Grab a glass of milk and get ready for a fast-paced, insightful conversation that will change the way you think about your shipping strategy!

Chapters:

• Welcome to the Watson Weekend - 00:00:00
• Headline Hangover Starts - 00:02:49
• Introducing Nate Skiver - 00:16:31
• The Biggest Shipping Myth - 00:22:54
• The Future of the Parcel Industry - 00:26:56
• Final Thoughts - 00:46:17

In this interview, we dive into:

• How AI is changing the game for agencies and brand builders.
• The critical difference between "pull marketing" and "push marketing."
• Why authenticity and vulnerability are more important than polished perfection.
• The concept of "brand as a club" and the human need for belonging.
• Why retail spaces are evolving into "content studios" for a new generation of "experience collectors."
• Emmett's philosophy on staying ahead of creative obsolescence by being "as close to the metal as possible."

This is a must-watch for founders, marketers, and creatives looking to understand how to build brands that matter in a rapidly changing world.

Chapters:

• Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 00:00:00
• Headline Hangover Sponsored by Crstl Starts - 00:01:44
• Introducing Emmett Shine - 00:15:10
• The Future of Commerce & AI - 00:19:45
• Brands as Ecosystems & the Agency Model - 00:29:51
• Closing Remarks - 01:07:41

This episode is brought to you by Mirakl. Because “Traditional eCommerce” Is Just Code for “Not Growing.” It’s time to do better than the status quo. Join 450+ retailers who are scaling 6X faster with AI, automation, and a platform built for what’s next. Marketplace, dropship, and retail media at enterprise-grade scale. It's time to accelerate with Mirakl.

Thanks to our sponsor, Crstl—The smarter way to EDI. See why brands like Neuro Gum and Andy Swim love it at CRSTL.ai.

George shares his insights on:

• The surprising details of Shein's global operations and community engagement efforts, including partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club of America.
• How Shein is winning with Gen Z, who are more likely to own a cell phone than to brush their teeth.
• The expansion of Shein's marketplace beyond fast fashion and the strategic criteria for new sellers.
• How Shein leverages its data platform and social features to create a unique and vibrant customer experience.
• The future of e-commerce, including the role of logistics, AI, and social commerce.

This is a must-watch for anyone looking to understand one of the world's most talked-about e-commerce giants and its approach to building a platform for the next generation of consumers.

Chapters:

• Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 0:00:00
• Headline Hangover Sponsored by CRSTL - 0:06:42
• Introducing George Chang - 0:17:39
• How Shein is Winning with Gen Z - 0:23:42
• The Marketplace Business Model & Seller Strategy - 0:41:29
• Final Thoughts and Farewell - 0:54:13

In this episode, we discuss:

• How studying anthropology provides a new lens for brand building.
• The critical difference between personalization and fostering a sense of community and belonging.
• The "one-two punch" of combining performance marketing with authentic storytelling.
• Why brands must focus on solving human problems, not just selling solutions.
• How brands can connect with Gen Z, who are "collectors of experiences, not collectors of stuff."
• The shift in retail from "square foot sales" to creating in-store "content studios."
• Finn's fascinating work with the Explorers Club and his recent dinosaur dig.

Don't miss this insightful conversation that goes beyond the usual marketing metrics to explore the heart and soul of what makes a brand great.

Chapters:

• Welcome to The Watson Weekend - 0:00:00
• Headline Hangover Sponsored by CSTRL - 0:01:43
• Introducing Dave "Finn" Finnegan - 0:16:53
• Anthropology and Marketing - 0:19:37
• The Balance Between Performance Marketing and Storytelling - 0:21:46
• From CMO to Dinosaur Digs: Finn's Anthropology Journey - 1:05:11
• The End of the Show - 1:15:10

We dive deep into:

• The saturated e-commerce market and how brands can truly stand out.
• The three stages of growth in a market: Keynesian model, Say's Law, and continuous innovation.
• Why "one-to-one personalization" hasn't fully arrived yet, and how AI is changing the game.
• The concept of a "unique buying proposition" and its importance in understanding customer behavior.
• The limitations of AI in moving culture and the enduring power of human inspiration.
• The mechanics behind agency roll-ups and the challenges of scaling "art".
• The evolution from customer experience (CX) to human experience (HX) and the role of purpose-driven design.
• Why curiosity is the ultimate driver for brands and leaders in a rapidly changing world.

Don't miss this insightful discussion on the intersection of art, science, and the human element in the future of commerce!

Chapters:

0:00:00 - Welcome to The Watson Weekend

0:03:00 - Headline Hangover: NRF Nexus 2025 Cancelled

0:17:00 - Introducing Dilip Keshu: Founder of BORN Group

0:38:00 - AI's Limitations: Can it Move Culture?

0:51:00 - The Future: Metaverse & Immersive Commerce

1:04:00 - Unasking the Question: A Leader's Approach

🔥 Mind-Blowing Revelations:

• 75% of mobile ad spend goes to remarketing (not acquisition!)
• Why the "best customers download apps" theory is backwards
• The Day 1 login metric that predicts lifetime value
• How Temu became #1 downloaded shopping app globally
• Why luxury brands are scared of $2 impulse purchases
• The "side of desk" problem killing app strategies

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

2:46 - Headline Hangover: Sponsored by CRSTL

20:16 - Sue Azari Introduction (AppsFlyer E-commerce Expert)

34:15 - Apps as Loyalty Program Hubs: The Future Strategy

57:35 - Organizational Strategy: Who Should Own Apps?

1:02:44 - The Temu Warning: Why Every Retailer Is Terrified

💡 Why This Matters: Mobile apps aren't just another channel—they're becoming the primary battleground for customer loyalty. Sue's insights from working with global brands reveal the strategies that separate winners from losers in mobile commerce.

🎯 Subscribe for more mobile marketing secrets and e-commerce strategy deep-dives!

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Mirakl.

#MobileMarketing #Apps #Ecommerce #RetailStrategy #AppsFlyer

Key Revelations:

• How Lowe's launched their marketplace in under 4 months (most take years)
• Why Amazon's grocery strategy is failing vs Walmart
• The "set it and forget it" marketplace myth that kills businesses
• Inside look at Lowe's $XXX million digital transformation
• Why traditional merchants are panicking about marketplace sellers

Chapters: 0:00 - Intro & Sponsors 

2:47 - Headline Hangover: Sponsored by CRSTL 

16:35 - Michael McCluskey Introduction (VP of Marketplace, Lowe's) 

20:11 - The Lowe's Marketplace Strategy: Who It's Really For 

1:04:13 - Closing Thoughts & What's Next for Lowe's

Why This Matters: Lowe's marketplace strategy could reshape how traditional retailers compete with Amazon. Their approach to seller onboarding, associate training, and omnichannel integration reveals the playbook other retailers desperately need.

Subscribe for more retail industry insider interviews and e-commerce strategy breakdowns!

#Lowes #Marketplace #Retail #Ecommerce #Amazon #Strategy

🔥 Key Takeaways:

• Why TikTok Shop beats Instagram/Facebook 10:1 in social commerce
• The "visual hook" formula that drives viral product sales
• Why you need 10X more content than you think (and why most fails)
• How to turn influencers into a sales funnel, not just marketing
• The 3-second rule that makes or breaks TikTok success
• Why "authentic" beats "polished" every single time

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro

02:29 The Headline Hangover

17:33 David Baker Joins the Show

22:18 Content Volume Reality Check (10X More Than You Think)

34:12 Authenticity vs Production Value

44:58 The Real Cost of TikTok Shop Success

56:40 Political Campaign Tactics for Brand Building

Perfect for: Brand managers, e-commerce leaders, social media marketers, and anyone trying to crack the TikTok Shop code.

#TikTokShop #SocialCommerce #InfluencerMarketing #Ecommerce #DigitalMarketing

🔥 Key Takeaways:

• Why execution beats vision for team motivation
• The real reason cross-functional teams fail (it's not what you think)
• How GM turns service appointments into sales opportunities
• Why "picking up the phone" still beats Slack and email
• The truth about AI implementation in Fortune 500 companies

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro

01:57 Headline Hangover

16:37 Sid Introduction

25:30 Enterprise as Competitive Advantage

44:55 AI Implementation Reality Check

52:18 Voice Commerce & Future Trends

Perfect for: C-suite executives, product managers, team leaders, and anyone navigating enterprise complexity.

#Leadership #Enterprise #GM #DigitalTransformation #TeamManagement

Nick and Rick, who are in the same studio, talk about Peleton’s P2P play, Temu’s struggle, and they recap The Lead Summit.

They are then joined by Shopify Agency operators to talk about their trip to Toronto for Editions.

🧠 The Shopify Agency Lineup:

Mark Perini – Founder of ICEE Social

Jacquelyn Laufer – Driver Digital Partner 

Nick Thomson – Head of Partnerships at The Maze Group

We cover several key issues arising from last week's Edition.dev event:

- What were the vibes at Shopify Editions in Toronto?

- Will there be a system integrator extinction event due to AI and Horizon?

- What should agencies lean into as a result of Editions?

- Is there really a staging environment? Are we serious right now?

- Is Headless Dead To Shopify?

0:00 Introduction

3:20 Headline Hangover sponsored by Passport

3:26 Peloton repowered?

6:33 Temu - now half off

9:38 The Lead Summit recap

12:06 Shopify Editions conversation

12:40 Introducing Nick Thomson, Mark Perini, and Jacquelyn Laufer

13:20 What would you tell a friend about the Kool-Aid Mecca?

16:40 Shopify Design changes

19:35 Shopify catching agencies off guard

22:15 Shopify headless builds going full-stack

24:00 Sidekick demo and the future of AI 

32:15 The future of the Shop App with AI?

39:37 The hypothetical agency

48:30  Shopify’s attitude towards the ecosystem

🙏 Big thanks to our sponsor, Mirakl:

“Because ‘Traditional eCommerce’ is just code for Not Growing.”

Join 450+ retailers scaling smarter with AI, marketplaces, dropship, and retail media.

#watsonweekend #agency #shopify #shopifyeditions #POS #ai #b2b

The Discussion: Mariano's post about the Mach Alliance's evolution generated hundreds of comments and industry-wide conversation about the future of enterprise architecture.

Key Highlights:

• The evolution of enterprise architecture principles
• Why simplicity is the key to future success
• Bold prediction: Platform migrations in just 20 days
• How AI agents will reshape retail architecture
• The real challenges facing enterprise transformation
• Finding common ground: Will they collaborate again?

Featured Guests:

• Mariano Gomide de Faria (Co-founder & Co-CEO, VTEX)
• Casper Rasmussen (President, MACH Alliance & SVP, Valtech)

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro

13:55 - The Industry Discussion Begins

33:12 - Mach Alliance: Marketing or Mindset?

42:00 - Stakeholder-Focused Architecture Revolution

45:15 - Are Mach Principles Now "Table Stakes"?

57:45 - Agentic Commerce: The Next Paradigm

59:30 - Future Collaboration Possibilities

61:45 - Final Thoughts: Moving Forward Together

#MachAlliance #VTEX #EnterpriseArchitecture #RetailTech #ComposableCommerce

🔥 KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• Why Adobe needs to "stop apologizing for Magento"
• The real reason BigCommerce failed during COVID (the best period for e-commerce ever)
• Shopify's secret weapon that competitors can't replicate
• Whether Adobe should have sold Magento 5 years ago
• Why innovation isn't coming from platform vendors anymore
• The brutal truth about BigCommerce's "pants" marketing strategy

Jo Baker pulls no punches in this discussion, calling out platform weaknesses while offering insider insights from someone who partners with Shopify, Adobe, and BigCommerce. Her British candor and industry expertise make for compelling viewing as she breaks down what's really happening behind the scenes.

⚡ CONTROVERSIAL TAKES:

"BigCommerce was the only company with commerce in the name that did not take advantage of COVID"

Adobe's creative suite gives them an "unchallengeable position" but they're wasting it

Why most B2B merchants don't actually need headless solutions

📖 CHAPTERS:

00:00:00 - Introduction & Platform Wars Begin

00:02:37 - The Adobe Commerce Controversy

00:11:28 - Shopify's Checkout Innovation Revolution

00:28:15 - Adobe's Wasted Creative Advantage

00:36:50 - Should Adobe Have Sold Magento?

00:44:17 - BigCommerce Reality Check

00:51:52 - "BigCommerce Marketing is Pretty Crap"

This episode is brought to you by Mirakl. Because "Traditional eCommerce" is just code for "Not Growing." It's time to do better than the status quo. Join 450+ retailers who are scaling 6X faster with AI, automation, and a platform built for what's next. Marketplace, dropship, and retail media at enterprise-grade scale. It's time to accelerate with Mirakl.

#Ecommerce #Shopify #Adobe #BigCommerce #Magento #PlatformWars #Mirakl

Klarna is walking back its initial bullishness on artificial intelligence. There are certain situations where humans need to defuse a situation (think CRM and a customer having a meltdown) - an AI agent or bot cannot resolve a situation to the benefit of the company.

Weight Watchers announced that their clinical division filed for Chapter 11, which they acquired via their telehealth company. Oprah Winfrey’s company is caught between a generation shift in how weight is managed. From goals and plans to GLP-1, which has left WW in a bad place.

2025 is a unique year as we are seeing footwear brands such as Sketchers go private and Dick Sporting Goods acquiring Foot Lockers for billions. Who would have thought this in 2025?

Evolve or die is a Kaplan’s Corner staple. Which event is worth investing in if you do not have the budget?

Early 2018—The Lead organizers saw many companies in the direct-to-customer (DTC) sector competing against incumbents. There are no events for brands, but there are for vendors—lifestyle brands that are emerging. A two-day show that is highly curated showcases what they have been hearing over the last six months and how that can be used as education for the entire sector. In 2025, the Lead Summit will showcase influencers and sports marketing, amongst other topics, for their audience.

The Lead Summit is the year's apex for the event founders, but the two rankings distributed to the e-commerce sector are the foundational research that the company does annually. The theme this year is destination unknown. The business was founded around a community. The content is pretty good to absorb. The smaller footprint enables DTC brands to speak with vendors directly at booths. Invest in growth and education to minimize the downside risk of your potential decisions.

Nick Kaplan is still being held hostage. He expected better from the tariffs—what do brands do? Brands can't trade on the current numbers. There are still many unknowns and uncertainties. Be mindful of inventory.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

03:10 - Headline Hangover Sponsored by Passport

03:40 - Klarna AI backflip - rethinking their initial AI bullishness

08:12 - Weight Watchers Clinical files for Chapter 11

11:18 - Dick Sporting Goods acquires Foot Locker

17:18 - Walmart earnings - domination continues

26:56 - Introducing The Lead's Noah Gellman and Sonal Gandhi

Big thanks to our sponsor, Mirakl : because “Traditional eCommerce” is just code for “Not Growing.” 450+ retailers scale 6x faster with Mirakl’s AI, automation, and marketplace infrastructure.

#watsonweekend #thelead #headlinehangover It is a reunion show. Hosts Jessica Lesesky and Nick Kaplan run the Watson Weekend while Rick Watson is away. A longer headline hangover, as there is a lot to talk about:

Klarna is walking back its initial bullishness on artificial intelligence. There are certain situations where humans need to defuse a situation (think CRM and a customer having a meltdown) - an AI agent or bot cannot resolve a situation to the benefit of the company.

Weight Watchers announced that their clinical division filed for Chapter 11, which they acquired via their telehealth company. Oprah Winfrey’s company is caught between a generation shift in how weight is managed. From goals and plans to GLP-1, which has left WW in a bad place.

2025 is a unique year as we are seeing footwear brands such as Sketchers go private and Dick Sporting Goods acquiring Foot Lockers for billions. Who would have thought this in 2025?

Evolve or die is a Kaplan’s Corner staple. Which event is worth investing in if you do not have the budget?

Early 2018—The Lead organizers saw many companies in the direct-to-customer (DTC) sector competing against incumbents. There are no events for brands, but there are for vendors—lifestyle brands that are emerging. A two-day show that is highly curated showcases what they have been hearing over the last six months and how that can be used as education for the entire sector. In 2025, the Lead Summit will showcase influencers and sports marketing, amongst other topics, for their audience.

The Lead Summit is the year's apex for the event founders, but the two rankings distributed to the e-commerce sector are the foundational research that the company does annually. The theme this year is destination unknown. The business was founded around a community. The content is pretty good to absorb. The smaller footprint enables DTC brands to speak with vendors directly at booths. Invest in growth and education to minimize the downside risk of your potential decisions.

Nick Kaplan is still being held hostage. He expected better from the tariffs—what do brands do? Brands can't trade on the current numbers. There are still many unknowns and uncertainties. Be mindful of inventory.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

03:10 - Headline Hangover Sponsored by Passport

03:40 - Klarna AI backflip - rethinking their initial AI bullishness

08:12 - Weight Watchers Clinical files for Chapter 11

11:18 - Dick Sporting Goods acquires Foot Locker

17:18 - Walmart earnings - domination continues

26:56 - Introducing The Lead's Noah Gellman and Sonal Gandhi

Big thanks to our sponsor, Mirakl : because “Traditional eCommerce” is just code for “Not Growing.” 450+ retailers scale 6x faster with Mirakl’s AI, automation, and marketplace infrastructure.

#watsonweekend #thelead #headlinehangover #klarna #footlocker #nike #tarifffeud

Jack shares valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities in the B2B space, including the generational shift in buying patterns, the impact of digital natives entering procurement roles, and how software companies are solving complex industry problems. Learn about investment trends, platform competition, and why vertical-specific solutions are thriving in this fragmented market.

The hosts also cover the latest e-commerce news including Shopify's impressive growth, Amazon's luxury partnership with Saks, Temu's tariff strategy pivot, and OpenAI's strategic hire of former Instacart CEO Fiji Simo to monetize their business.

Whether you're a founder, investor, or industry professional, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the future of B2B commerce technology and strategy.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

00:02:51 - Headline Hangover News Segment

00:14:27 - Interview with Jack Freeman

00:55:25 - Wrap Up

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl.

#B2Becommerce #DigitalTransformation #VentureCapital #PeakSpanCapital #Shopify #SupplyChain

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl. Because "Traditional eCommerce" Is Just Code for "Not Growing" It's time to do better than the status quo. Join 450+ retailers who are scaling 6X faster with AI, automation, and a platform built for what's next. Marketplace, dropship, and retail media at enterprise-grade scale. It's time to accelerate with Mirakl.

CHAPTERS:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:04:00 - Headline Hangover

00:11:41 - ChatGPT's New Shopping Features

00:19:00 - Erik Huberman on the Current Marketing Landscape

00:25:28 - Why Cutting Marketing is Always a Bad Move

00:34:00 - The Future of Social Media Marketing

00:47:27 - Kaplan's Corner: People Strategy in Uncertain Times

#DigitalMarketing #BrandStrategy #EcommerceMarketing #MarketingAgency #HawkMedia #BusinessStrategy #SocialMediaMarketing

#LuxuryFashion #DesignerHandbags #MembershipClub #RetailInnovation #Ecommerce #Vivrelle

Jordan shares his journey from marketplace seller to Amazon executive to entrepreneur, offering invaluable insights on marketplace strategy for brands, the true nature of marketplace competition, and how Amazon's massive investments in AI tools like Rufus are shaping the future of e-commerce. 

Nick Kaplan closes with tactical advice for navigating the current tariff situation, describing it as a "hostage crisis" that requires decisive action from brands and retailers.

00:00 Introduction

02:34 Headline Hangover: Sponsored by Passport

15:18 Jordan Sielaff Introduction

26:26 Is Marketplace Creative or Cannibalistic?

37:17 Amazon's Leadership Through Investment and Innovation

50:08 Kaplan's Corner: Navigating the Tariff "Hostage Crisis"

#ecommerce #marketplace #amazon #retail #tariffs #supplychainmanagement #brandstrategy #amazonstrategy #aigeneration

00:00 Introduction

03:15 Headline Hangover: Sponsored by Passport

05:25 Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders

11:58 Walmart Withdraws Q1 Profit Forecast

17:47 Sid Jatia Interview: Leadership Philosophy

37:58 Kaplan's Corner: The Evolving CMO

The Watson Weekend is sponsored by Mirakl.

#leadership #retail #ecommerce #supplychain #tariffs #digitaltransformation #GM #TeamAlignment

00:00 Introduction

02:25 Headline Hangover Sponsored by Passport

10:37 Amazon's Potential TikTok Acquisition

15:08 Introducing John Shea 

16:21 Amazon's Trillion Dollar Marketplace

18:21 Amazon as Platform vs Channel

24:05 Amazon Marketing Cloud Explained

32:46 First-Party vs Third-Party Strategy

41:37 Amazon Compliance Challenges

45:54 Economic Outlook and Category Performance

#ecommerce #retail #amazon #digitalmarketing #retailmedia #amazonmarketplace #tiktok #brandstrategy

00:00 Welcome to Watson Weekend

02:17 Headline Hangover

09:40 Debate on Headless Commerce

16:23 ShopTalk Highlights

25:06 Meetups and Networking Success

29:47 The Overuse of Buzzwords

38:51 Final Thoughts and Future Events

00:00 Welcome to the Watson Weekend

02:55 Headline Hangover: Sponsored by Passport

08:26 Skims: The Modern Brand Playbook

13:06 Forever 21's Struggles

16:44 Welcome Stephen Cope, CIO of Astrak

23:52 Understanding the Complexity of Parts

33:47 Navigating Global Markets

40:45 Kaplan's Corner: The Rise and Fall of Forever 21

49:21 Final Thoughts and Dance Party

00:00 Intro

03:11 Headline Hangover: Walmart vs. China

05:42 Retail Trends: Shein's New Strategy

11:10 Cross-Border Commerce Insights

19:48 Market Entry Strategies: Shotgun vs. Deep Dive

25:45 The Role of Marketplaces in Global Strategy

37:39 Closing Remarks and Dance party

In This Episode:

• How financial pressures are forcing brands to rethink growth strategies
• Why replatforms have become a necessity rather than a luxury
• The critical role of cost optimization and margin expansion
• Real-world insights on navigating the future of e-commerce

Don’t miss these valuable insights that could redefine your approach to business in the new era of efficiency.

We dive into:

✅ How ecommerce innovation has evolved (and where it's stalled)

✅ The balance between efficiency and true disruption

✅ What the future of retail and customer experience looks like

✅ The biggest challenges brands face when trying to innovate

From Amazon’s early days to today’s AI-driven commerce landscape, we unpack what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how businesses can truly push the industry forward.

🔍 What’s on the agenda?

📰 Headline Hangover: The latest trends in store closures, AI’s impact on retail, and consumer trust.

🤖 Shopping Habits in 2025: Is browsing dead? Has AI taken over the retail experience?

💡 Composable Commerce Unlocked: Bryan House shares how brands can stay agile in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Elastic Path is a flexible, API-first commerce platform helping brands solve their toughest challenges. With over 250 leading retailers, manufacturers, and distributors using their technology, Bryan brings firsthand insights on how composable commerce is shaping the future.

📺 Don’t miss this deep dive into the strategies, trends, and tech reshaping e-commerce!

Plus, a recap of NRF 2025 and insights on the 5 Forces Affecting Commerce. Nick Kaplan joins us for Kaplan's Corner to discuss the Obituary and Resurrection strategy.

Tune in for your weekly dose of retail and tech insights!

Scot has built some incredible ventures like ChannelAdvisor and Spiffy while passionately supporting startups in North Carolina through the Tweener List and Tweener Fund. Now, he’s joining us to tackle some big questions—and maybe throw a few curveballs along the way! ⚾

What’s on the agenda?

✅ A This or That Quiz

✅ Insights into Scot's podcast, being in stealth mode, and what makes North Carolina so special.

✅ The big question: Where is retail now, and where can tech take it in the future?

✅ Our classic Headline Hangover segment (because headlines never sleep).

✅ A festive finale: Our final holiday video choice 🎄 and the last Kaplan’s Corner of the year!

This week’s Kaplan’s Corner will dive into Retail Enthusiasm vs. Retail Realism—and we want YOUR thoughts too.

What we cover:

🔍 Acquisitions in 2024: Why deals are scarce, and what that means for the tech world.

🛠️ The Art of the Pivot: What modern founders need to know heading into 2025.

💡 Building a Company Today: Core requirements and team composition for success.

Gary’s experience in transforming businesses and launching Mu Ventures gives him a unique perspective on what’s next. Tune in for expert insights and thought-provoking conversations.

Nick Kaplan joined Rick Watson to unpack this year’s biggest stories, from moments of triumph to epic fails.

🎙️ Topics we covered:

The Good: Klarna’s IPO momentum, Walmart’s resilience, and Chapter 11 law firms dominating.

The Bad: NRF’s misplaced optimism about “resilient consumers” and Magento agencies stuck in the past.

The Ugly: TEMU’s legal mess, Amazon’s price hikes, and eBay’s stagnant strategy.

Plus: Words and phrases we’re retiring in 2024 (Profitability = Expelliarmus?).

💡 Special thanks to our sponsor, Mirakl, the global leader in eCommerce software solutions! With AI-powered marketplace and retail media solutions, over 450 companies are unlocking new revenue streams. What’s holding you back? Visit mirakl.com.

We also sit down with Dina Rosenbloom, CEO of Hairstory, to discuss:

• Her journey from global brands like Estee Lauder to leading Hairstory
• How she supports independent hairdressers and balances creativity with business operations
• What bravery looks like in executing a vision

Kaplan’s Corner explores Nature vs. Nurture—how it impacts growth and talent management.

Don’t miss this deep dive into leadership, growth, and making better decisions in today’s fast-paced business world.

🔹 Key Topics Covered:

Is Shopify’s growth sustainable in the long term?

The transformation of Shopify into a payments-driven company

Shopify’s potential (or limitations) as an enterprise and B2B solution

Global retail trends and key leadership insights from Paula Macaggi

Key Topics Discussed:

The current and future state of global marketplaces

Cultural differences and their impact on e-commerce success

The role of AI, AR, and next-gen tech in reshaping marketplaces

ChannelEngine's success story and empowering SMBs on major platforms

Practical advice for navigating complex marketplace ecosystems

Don’t miss this insightful conversation that goes beyond theory into actionable marketplace strategy!

Tune in to catch a new level of transparency as our hosts think on their feet and respond directly to YOU! Drop your questions in the chat and get ready to dive into the real stories behind this week's biggest trends.

Adobe’s holiday sales predictions for 2025, mobile shopping dominance, and BNPL’s rise

Are retailers like Lowe’s and Walmart jumping the gun with early Black Friday deals?

Starbucks’ price hike—will it drive or alienate customers?

LVMH’s luxury sales slump in China—is the high-end market losing its shine?

The FTC’s latest move on subscription cancel culture

Our special guest Erik Huberman, CEO of Hawke Media, also dropped some incredible insights on the state of the marketing world.

Catch all the highlights and make sure to subscribe for more Watson Weekend episodes!

Tune in for an insightful discussion about the complex intersections of law, business, and the evolving world of commerce. Don’t miss out—subscribe and hit the bell for future episodes!

🔹 The ILA Union Strike: As dockworkers on the East Coast stand their ground, we discuss the potential $3.8 billion daily cost to the U.S. economy, and the ripple effects on holiday shopping, retail inventories, and global supply chains. With special guest Rajeeb Mohapatra joining the discussion, we dive deep into what this means for brands and retailers. Will Q4 be disrupted beyond repair?

🔹 Flexport’s Uncertain Future: Once valued at $8 billion, Flexport is now downsizing, losing clients, and struggling to stay relevant. Is CEO Ryan Petersen’s "Leg Up Program" enough to save them? We analyze the company's recent moves, what insiders are saying, and whether Flexport can survive or if it's already a “walking dead” company. Plus, a surprise appearance from Jason Murray offers more insight into the logistics giant's fate.

Watch now for the full breakdown of these critical topics! Don't miss out.

1️⃣ Holiday Showdown – Who’s rocking the season better? Predictions on discounting and BNPL trends, as Adobe reports online holiday sales hitting $240.8B in the US. BNPL? The "gift" that keeps on taking!

2️⃣ Peak Too Soon? Retailers are jumping into discount mode early this year. Will consumers be ready, or is this fatigue setting in?

3️⃣ In Memoriam – A farewell to retailers we lost in 2024, including Bed Bath and Beyond, Joann, and more.

4️⃣ TikTok Thriving – Discounts galore as TikTok joins the holiday shopping frenzy, even amidst calls for shutdown.

5️⃣ Big Tech Bubble – Are we seeing echoes of the dot-com crash? The parallels between AI hype today and the dot-com bubble of 2000 might surprise you.

We also explore the impact of fast fashion giants like Shein and Temu on the market. With consumers chasing affordability, can ethical concerns shift the tides?

Plus, we break down C-Level shakeups and what’s next for the world of eCommerce and discount retailers. Don’t miss the hottest takes and insights from this jam-packed episode.

Plus, we tackle the burning question: Where do all the platforms go? With Shopify leading the pack, how are other platforms keeping up in the race for eCommerce dominance? 🤔

🔑 Key Highlights:

CEO Turnover: What’s driving the C-level exits? Are brands struggling to keep pace with consumer shifts?

Platform Wars: Shopify is dominating, but what can other platforms do to compete?

What’s Next? How these changes could impact your business strategy and the future of eCommerce.

Highlights of the Episode:

Headline Hangover: Breaking down the most impactful eCommerce headlines.

Kaplan's Corner: Nick Kaplan returns with his expert insights on industry trends.

Main Topic: Unveiling Shopify's Summer Editions. Discover how Shopify is raising the water level with new features, competitive checks, and enhanced user convenience.

From new default features to competitive advantages and user-friendly improvements, we cover it all. Don't miss our analysis and discussions on what these updates mean for the future of eCommerce!

Topics Discussed:

You Only Move Twice:

Beyond: Confounding their own actions again.

The impact of board meddling on strategy.

When is strategy not really a strategy?

Where is the Customer in All of This?

Overload of tech and tools with little relevance to the customer.

Are the tools we rely on truly making life easier?

Join us as we unravel these topics and share insights on how to navigate the complexities of modern eCommerce and customer experience. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more engaging discussions every week!

Watch now and be part of the conversation!

🚀 Key Insights:

- The pitfalls of traditional eCommerce marketing driven by online ads.

- How social media's illusion of brand building impacts new brands.

- The disconnect between financial reporting and true marketing effectiveness.

- The rise of retail media as a holistic approach to marketing.

- The future of agencies in a tech-advanced landscape.

- Erik brings his vast experience and unique perspectives to uncover how financial controls have reshaped marketing strategies and what this means for the future of brand building.

🔔 Don't miss out! Whether you're an eCommerce professional, marketer, or business owner, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you stay ahead in the game.

👉 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch all the latest episodes of Watson Weekend!

Key Topics Discussed:

eCommerce Marketplace Insights:

Current state of the eCommerce landscape

Key players and their strategies

How client feedback shapes agency strategies

Agency Evolution:

Adapting to new technologies and market demands

Strategic innovation for growth and efficiency

The future of digital marketing and commerce

Vince's wealth of knowledge provides a deep dive into these critical areas, offering valuable takeaways for businesses and agencies alike.

Highlights:

The role of technology in transforming business operations

Importance of agility and responsiveness to client needs

Trends and insights driving the eCommerce marketplace

Don’t miss this engaging discussion! Hit the play button and get ready to learn from one of the industry's leading experts.

Topics Covered:

- Walmart’s Stellar Performance: Dive into Walmart’s Q1 FY2025 earnings, showcasing their impressive 22% eCommerce growth and strategic shift towards high-margin activities like ads, memberships, and data.

- Modern Retailers: Discover what it takes to be a successful retailer in today’s market and the key lessons other brands can learn from Walmart’s approach.

- A Day in the Life of a Swiss Army Knife eComm Leader: Get an inside look at the versatile role of an eCommerce leader and how they navigate the complexities of modern retail.

- Matt Ezyk’s Journey: Gain insights from Matt’s extensive experience with leading brands like Skechers, LL Bean, Uniqlo, Disney, and more, and how he navigates the complexities of digital commerce.

Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation that will provide valuable strategies and actionable insights for anyone in the eCommerce and retail industry.

🔔 Subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, give it a thumbs up and share it with your network!

💬 Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below!

In this episode, we dive deep into:

The Evolution of eCommerce: How the role of agencies has changed over the last decade and the impact on the industry.

Platform Dynamics: Discussing Shopify's move into enterprise and the quality and scale of supporting agencies.

Talent Shifts: The movement of talent from boutique agencies to the Big 4 and its implications.

Agency Revenue Models: Exploring the changes in revenue streams and the new competition landscape for agencies.

Modern eCommerce Demands: Comparing the eCommerce landscape today with that of 15 years ago and the emerging challenges and opportunities.

Plus, we’ll share highlights from VTEX Day, one of the largest digital commerce events, featuring 23,000 attendees, 260 speakers, and 230 sponsors over two days.

Don’t miss Mariano's expert insights and our lively discussion on the future of digital commerce!

🔔 Subscribe to @RMWCommerce and hit the bell icon to stay updated with all our latest episodes, shorts, and highlights!

Agency Evolution:

The changing role of agencies over the past decade.

Challenges and opportunities for Shopify and other platforms.

The impact of talent migration from boutique agencies to Big 4.

Modern eCommerce Demands:

Shifts in eCommerce demands over the last 15 years.

The upcoming battle between BigCommerce and Shopify for enterprise dominance.

Key blind spots in eCommerce strategies.

BigCommerce & Forrester:

Insights from Forrester's B2C WAVE report.

The case for replatforming in today’s market.

Retail Earnings:

Walmart’s Q1 FY2025 earnings and strategic growth in high-margin activities.

Ad revenue growth and marketplace expansion.

AI Innovations:

How AI is transforming eCommerce experiences on platforms like Etsy and Sam’s Club.

Don't miss out on these engaging discussions! Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more eCommerce insights.

We dive deep into the Blind Side report, providing a quarterly marketing review that unpacks important data and trends shaping the industry. Additionally, Erik gives us an inside look at Hawke Analytics data points and their impact on marketing strategies and performance.

Join us for expert analysis and fresh takes on these critical topics and let us know your thoughts in the comments! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!

Our main event is a deep dive into PayPal Damage Control and the LinkedIn post that caused a stir. We explore the strategy everyone is missing and the agency's take on the partnership, all while enjoying Nick's insights and humor.

Join us for an hour of thought-provoking conversation and a visit to Kaplans Corner. Grab your favorite beverage and enjoy the replay now! Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated on all things The Watson Weekend!

In this episode, we delve into:

The complexities of Section 321 and its impact on international trade.

Innovative business models in logistics and fulfillment.

Rajeeb's journey in driving businesses towards unprecedented success through operational excellence.

Don't miss this engaging discussion packed with valuable insights for industry professionals. Watch the full episode now and share your thoughts in the comments below!