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Today on our show:TikTok Shop Launches in the USShopify CEO Outlines Company Operating PrinciplesKlaviyo and Instacart IPOs Mark Their DebutHoliday Season Kicks Off In October With Big RetailersAnd 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
Rick Watson, CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, LLC., he's an eCommerce veteran with over two decades of experience. He founded RMW Commerce Consulting and played a crucial role in creating the WHP+ platform. Rick also hosts "The Watson Weekly'' podcast and has appeared on various news programs and industry events like Shoptalk.Nate Skiver, Founder of LPF Spend Management, is a parcel transportation and eCommerce delivery expert with 20 years of experience. He previously worked for Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap Inc., managing global parcel programs. Nate is a thought leader in parcel and eCommerce delivery, contributing articles to PARCEL Magazine and being featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, hosts Dan Coll and Ninaad Acharya are joined by e-commerce veterans Rick Watson and Nate Skiver to provide valuable insights into the e-commerce peak season in 2023. The discussion covers various aspects, including capacity concerns in small parcel delivery, the influence of promotions and discounts on consumer spending, and the challenges of managing inventory and avoiding out-of-stocks during peak season.The guests emphasize the importance of preparation and scenario planning, sharing their own experiences and lessons learned from past peak seasons. They also discuss the evolving dynamics of peak season, with a shift towards earlier sales and the need for retailers to stay agile and responsive to changing consumer behaviors and economic conditions.Overall, this episode offers valuable advice and strategies for navigating the e-commerce peak season successfully in 2023QUOTES[00:22:51] "Capacity itself, I don't see being a constraint or challenge. But allocating the volume and managing it between carriers might be kind of the other direction." - Nate Skiver[00:28:44] "Returns cost six to eight dollars. If you want to return to them directly now, um, you can't just drop it by the UPS store anymore." - Rick Watson[00:26:12] "The decisions were made six months ago, and I remember six months ago, even thinking about our own business, there was an environment of fear." - Ninaad Acharya[00:34:34] "If less than 50 percent of your digital orders are shipped from the store, then you should probably be very careful what you're offering." - Rick WatsonFind out more about Rick and Nate in the link below:Rick's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecommercestrategyconsulting/Nate's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levelplayingfield/
Today on our show:Gartner releases its digital commerce Magic QuadrantShein and Forever21 build a partnershipLearning from Instacart's IPO filingKlaviyo IPO sets the bar for profitable software companiesAnd finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 6 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly
Rick Watson is the Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, which was founded in February of 2019 after Rick spent the last 20 years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the eCommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, Barnes & Noble, and Merchantry. In addition to his expertise, he has a vast network of industry experts and talent across marketing, business development, and solutions providers to add bench strength to larger projects and initiatives. On this episode, Rick and I talk about how he helps investors and management teams grow their digital commerce initiatives from assessment, to planning, all the way through execution.
Rick Watson is the CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, which provides eCommerce strategy consulting to help businesses accelerate their go-to-market processes. Rick founded the company after spending more than 20 years as a technology entrepreneur and operator in the eCommerce industry with companies including ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, and Pitney Bowes. During a partnership with WHP Global, he was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a turnkey DTC digital eCommerce platform powering AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com. Rick hosts The Watson Weekly podcast, where he shares his unbiased, expert take on the retail sector's biggest news and executives. As a television and conference speaker, he has been featured on national news programs and many retail-focused industry events. In this episode… Amazon Prime Day results predict how well the company will perform in Q4. If Prime Day sales are strong, it suggests that consumers are spending money and that Amazon is still a popular destination for online shopping. A lucrative Prime Day could lead to substantial sales in Q4, which is typically the most critical quarter for retailers. However, Rick Watson, an eCommerce strategist, explains there are other factors to consider when interpreting Prime Day results. Prime Day is a promotional event that can be a false indicator of how well Amazon will perform regularly. To remain ahead of the competition, the retailer must consider that its competitors will likely offer deep discounts, too. In this episode of The Digital Deep Dive, Aaron Conant welcomes the Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, Rick Watson, back to the podcast for a holiday preview of Q4. Rick and Aaron also address growth trajectories for Amazon and brick-and-mortar, how deep discounts affect company profitability, and how re-platforming affects integration and headless eCommerce.
Today on our show:Bed Bath & Beyond bankruptcyUPS Q1 earnings call resultsAmazon's new anti-counterfeit exchangeShopify announces a bill-pay serviceAnd finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 7 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly
Today on our show:Amazon's 2022 shareholder letter Understanding the recent retail sales reportCould Amazon seller's expansion give reason for Shopify collaboration?Retailer David's Bridal entering bankruptcyhttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly
Today on our show:Amazon adds fees to reduce return costsDollar General partners with a beauty incubatorInventory glut increasing supply chain costsConsumer shipping preferences changinghttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly
Today on our show:Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette Steps AsideFedEx Announces Integration of Express and GroundAmerican Eagle Outfitters Removes its Logistics LeaderWalmart's 2023 Investor Community Meetinghttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly
Today on our show:Recap of Shoptalk 2023New Data About Venture Startup OutcomesFanatics Becomes Uniform Supplier for NHLRecapping My Headless eCommerce Presentationhttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Today on our show:Clean Beauty at Walmart LaunchesFedEx Earnings Reveal Cost-Cutting Foot Locker Retrenching Brand and Stores Amazon Layoffs Signal Further Challengeshttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Today on our show:Thoughts on the fallout of Silicon Valley BankAllBirds stock crashesShopify's latest investor meetingSecret shopping Amazon Buy With Primehttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Today on our show:Amazon closing more retailDick's Sporting Goods offers a retail success storyIs Target building the next-generation mall?Cloud software spend holding up surprisingly wellhttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Rick Watson is the CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, which provides eCommerce strategy consulting to help businesses accelerate their go-to-market processes. Rick founded the company after spending more than 20 years as a technology entrepreneur and operator in the eCommerce industry with companies including ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, and Pitney Bowes. During a partnership with WHP Global, he was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a turnkey DTC digital eCommerce platform powering AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com. Rick hosts The Watson Weekly podcast, where he shares his unbiased, expert take on the retail sector's biggest news and executives. As a television and conference speaker, he has been featured on national news programs and many retail-focused industry events. In this episode… The eCommerce business is evolving and becoming more extensive. Amazon is no longer the exclusive selling channel, as brands are beginning to experiment with Walmart and Target's online marketplaces. So what should you consider about these stores, and how can you diversify your brand to reach a wider audience? Walmart's eCommerce channel experienced a higher yearly growth rate than Amazon, with the platform growing 12% in 2022. Yet Walmart is still a growing channel, so Rick Watson warns not to overspend or allocate every resource there. Target offers one to two-day drop-shipping capabilities, and although the emerging marketplace is promising, its categories are broad and unregulated. As a DTC (direct-to-consumer) brand, it's critical to consider your target audience's shopping habits and expand your products into multiple marketplaces to attract new consumers. In this episode of The Digital Deep Dive, Aaron Conant welcomes Rick Watson, CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, back to the show to discuss eCommerce marketplace trends. Rick also addresses considerations for selling DTC, AI's role in UGC (user-generated content), and how he helps entrepreneurs build their eCommerce businesses.
Today on our show:Walmart reports Q4 and full year earningsCorporate deal activity fell in 2022Instagram killing live shoppingAmazon cuts ties with European distributorshttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Today on our show:Shopify announces over 100 new featuresPayments provider, Stripe, plans to go public next yearDavid's Bridal launches wedding vendor marketplaceShopify reports Q4 2022 earningshttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Today on our show:Amazon Reports Q4 2022 EarningsMaersk Sees Global Trade Contracting in 2023Fanatics Makes Push into Livestream ShoppingWarehouse Construction in North America Slowinghttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Today on our show:Shopify's major engineering shakeupFoot Locker sued for its customer chat featureThe Department of Justice lawsuit against GoogleWhat UPS's latest earnings report can teach business ownershttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/ Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Today on our show:U.S. retail sales fell in DecemberShopify raises its pricesWalmart launches its small business programAmazon cancels its AmazonSmile charity programhttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/ Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Today on our show:NRF 2023 was the biggest big show everWalmart to offer fulfillment tech and delivery services through salesforceLearning from Lacoste's brand turnaroundAmazon updates new fulfillment by Amazon capacity systemhttps://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/ Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
It's December 12th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!Today on our show:Dollar General Adds Over 1,000 Stores and Fresh ItemsWalgreens Launches Same Day DeliveryEtsy Sellers Report Inflation and Higher Fees are Hurting Their Holiday SalesShopify Refreshes the Design of Its App StoreAnd the Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.For more news from Rick, check out: https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/ Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
It's December 5th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!Today on the show: eBay Opens Store in NYC That Accepts Pre-Owned Luxury as CurrencyLive Shopping Comes to Holiday WindowsMicrosoft and AWS Both Release Supply Chain PlatformsOur Black Friday Cyber Monday RoundupAnd the Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.For more news from Rick, check out: https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/ Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
It's November 28th, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!Today on the show: Macy's and Kohl's Earnings Show the Pressures on Department StoresGap Looks to Amazon To Expand Its SalesAmazon Releases New FBA Pricing and Account Health AssuranceSalesforce Data Shows Consumers Holding Out for Cyber Week DealsAnd the Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.For more news from Rick, check out: https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/ Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
It's November 21st, 2022 and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!Today on the show: Target releases Q3 earnings and it's bad YyallWalmart responds with Q3 earnings that show the industry how its doneTiktok launches an in-app eCommerce features in the USAnnouncing the launch of the RMW Commerce CommunityAnd the Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.For more news from Rick, check out: https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/ Today's episode is brought to you by Olive, a next generation logistics company serving premium fashion brands. Are your e-commerce logistics costs going through the roof? Olive is here to help. Olive offers brands and retailers over 50% off on return shipping expenses instantly while offering customers a sustainable, waste-free packaging and delivery experience. The solution is turnkey and no development work required. You simply download their Shopify app to get started. To learn more visit shopolive.com/watsonweekly. Save Money, save the planet.
Our interview guest is Rick Watson, founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting. He joins the show to discuss 2022 holiday expectations, particularly through the lens of e-commerce, and talk about which retailers might be in great position and which might be fighting an uphill battle for market share. In news, we discuss CBRE's Q3 retail report and why available retail space continues to fall in the U.S. Additionally, we look at potential issues for Shipt as it pertains to lawsuits by the District of Columbia and Minnesota.
It's October 31st, and this is the Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest!Today on the show: Amazon announces new ads capabilities at UnboxedGoogle launches new shopping experience for searchInstacart pushing off IPO as valuation continues to dropUPS Q2 earnings show continued great executionAnd the Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.For more news from Rick, check out: https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/
Rick Watson is the CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, which provides eCommerce strategy consulting to help businesses accelerate their go-to-market processes. Rick founded the company after spending more than 20 years as a technology entrepreneur and operator in the eCommerce industry with companies including ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, and Pitney Bowes. During a partnership with WHP Global, he was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a turnkey DTC digital eCommerce platform powering AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com. Rick hosts the podcast The Watson Weekly, where he shares his unbiased, expert take on the retail sector's biggest news and executives. As a television and conference speaker, he has been featured on national news programs and a number of retail-focused industry events. In this episode… Supply chain and logistics are some of the most crucial components of eCommerce. But, this environment is becoming increasingly volatile and uncertain as brands wonder where they should market, store, and ship their products. So, how are each of the major platforms managing their supply chains, and what should you consider before making a decision? According to eCommerce strategist Rick Watson, TikTok and Shopify are planning to leverage virtual supply chain strategies for brands and retailers to ship their products. Yet, the question remains regarding where this inventory will be stored, so businesses must evaluate and select third-party fulfillment options. Conversely, Amazon has acquired excess inventory, so it's essential to liquidate your products to avoid storage fees. When assessing your options, Rick maintains the value of collaborative planning to communicate strategies. In this episode of The Digital Deep Dive, Aaron Conant sits down with Rick Watson, CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, to talk about supply chain and logistics trends. Rick explains how TikTok is entering the eCommerce supply chain, Amazon's methods for liquidating inventory, and how brands should consider Shopify's logistics strategy.
Rick Watson, CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, joins Ben to explore Rick’s extensive experience in eCommerce. Listen to their breakdown of the biggest challenges that eCommerce companies are dealing with today. All founders looking for tips on reaching profitability, improving customer experience, and more won't want to miss this episode.
For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Rick Watson, Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, as well as the host of his own podcast called The Watson Weekly. Rick gives an insider's look into CommerceHub's acquisition of ChannelAdvisor and shares rich insights on Amazon's new service called Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD). He digs into its ripple effect on 3PL and how this service challenges competitors like Shopify and their own sellers' entire supply chains. HIGHLIGHTS04:00 CommerceHub acquires ChannelAdvisor 09:09 AWD: Taking on 3PL and revitalizing Buy with Prime 21:02 Shopify: Prioritizing brand experience and building long-term logistical infrastructure QUOTES12:24 Reducing friction in FBA - Rick: "Amazon thinks in terms of kaizen, like continuous improvement, and if there's any little friction between those things, Amazon is going to try to eliminate it as long as it has the eventual goal of making sure that this item is in stock just 5% more than their competition, then Amazon wins because Amazon is caring about that 5% that they're losing through the replenishment process." 17:17 Amazon enters markets with Prime as their leverage - Rick: "Do we want to fight UPS and Fedex at their strength? Does that make any sense? Let's go where we have some leverage. What is the biggest leverage of Amazon? Prime." 32:19 Shopify creates a brand experience unlike Amazon - Rick: To Amazon, a brand is a vendor. The customer is the customer. And so that is really the single point of differentiation that Shopify can hang their hat on, which I think works for a large percentage of the market, especially for the big guys. Find out more about Rick Watson in the links below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/Website: https://www.rmwcommerce.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-watson-weekly-your-essential-ecommerce-digest/id1577388393
Rick Watson, ecommerce influencer and strategy consultant at RMW Commerce Consulting, has helped many growing DTC brands navigate subscription strategies. It's a challenging market because not all subscriptions are created equal. So, how do you create a subscription worth sticking around for? Give your customers access to something they can't get anywhere else. The best subscriptions rely on variety to maintain their audience's interest. On this episode of Subscription Radio, Ben and Rick discuss what products work best in a subscription model, why most brands can't be subscription-only, and what questions to ask before moving your business toward a subscription model. Show Topics When are subscriptions more hassle than they're worth?Should your brand be subscription-only?Don't trick people into commitmentsNot all subscriptions are created equalDo you need a subscription model?Find out what people excel atWhat does it take to fulfill a product?Value consistency and focus Show Links Check out RMW Commerce ConsultingConnect with Rick Watson on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out RodeoConnect with Ben Fisher on LinkedIn or Twitter
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This episode features Rick Watson, CEO & Founder RMW Commerce Consulting. Here, he discusses what led him to start RMW Commerce Consulting, a company that helps private equity grow digital revenue streams, what he's currently most focused on, and more.
This episode features Rick Watson, CEO & Founder RMW Commerce Consulting. Here, he discusses what led him to start RMW Commerce Consulting, a company that helps private equity grow digital revenue streams, what he's currently most focused on, and more.
This episode features Rick Watson, CEO & Founder RMW Commerce Consulting. Here, he discusses what led him to start RMW Commerce Consulting, a company that helps private equity grow digital revenue streams, what he's currently most focused on, and more.
This episode features Rick Watson, CEO & Founder RMW Commerce Consulting. Here, he discusses what led him to start RMW Commerce Consulting, a company that helps private equity grow digital revenue streams, what he's currently most focused on, and more.
This episode features Rick Watson, CEO & Founder RMW Commerce Consulting. Here, he discusses what led him to start RMW Commerce Consulting, a company that helps private equity grow digital revenue streams, what he's currently most focused on, and more.
Shipping pallets and replenishing stores are one thing. Getting the products to doorsteps, handling returns swiftly, and accurately forecasting demands are an entirely separate beast. If you can accomplish all of those feats your customer experience will outperform your competitor's. Our guest today understands what it takes to own your customer experience. Rick Watson is the Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting. On today's episode, Rick discusses creating a DTC channel that ensures customer loyalty, the importance of accurate forecasting, and why cross functional teams are so crucial for the success of eCommerce businesses.—Guest Quote“If your inventory is close to the customer, you're gonna have the best experience possible, which means that your forecasting needs to be really good per region, not just globally” - Rick Watson—Time Stamps *(1:20) Meet Rick*(7:33) How to improve the DTC customer experience*(9:51) Segment 2: Challenges*(11:26) The New Rate Game*(14:32) How Rick's work has impacted the bottom line*(20:59) Don't be in a silo*(22:48) Segment 3: The Venting Couch*(26:00) Segment 4: Back to the Future*(29:02) The next two years*(33:33) Segment 5: Quick Hitters—Sponsor:Cloud Supply Chain combines the speed and flexibility of the cloud with the physical infrastructure required to compete. Want to learn more? Download our e-book Cloud Supply Chain for Dummies, I mean Savvy Brands, and find out for yourself. Go to Stord.link/dummies to get a copy. —Links Connect with Rick Watson on LinkedInConnect with Alex Kent on LinkedinCheck out the Stord WebsiteCheck out the RMW's Website
We are excited to welcome Rick Watson to this week's episode of the Own Your Commerce podcast. Watson is the CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting where he supports investors and management teams (B2C, B2B, or Omnichannel) plan, execute, and optimize major digital initiatives. In this episode Watson shares his 20+ years experience in ecommerce and what brands can do to ensure their technology strategy is optimized to deliver results. Some topics we discuss: The state of Direct-to-Consumer and Omnichannel retail. 3p marketplaces vs. direct stores. Which model ultimately wins? The impact of technology on retail brands and how to craft the perfect technology or supply chain strategy. Watson's experience architecting the WHP+ platform that powers AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com. Shopify vs. Amazon. Guest bio: Rick Watson has spent 20+ years as a technology entrepreneur in the ecommerce industry, having worked with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes. While serving as CEO of Merchantry, he led the company to a $30M acquisition by Tradeshift. Watson also directed the cross-border product strategy of Pitney Bowes, a $450M business, comprising Borderfree and the eBay Global shipping program. Today he is the CEO & Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting and hosts The Watson Weekly podcast. Fun fact: he has visited Siberia in Russia 3 times.
In this episode of the Digital Grocer, Instacart's IPO is on the table and there is much speculation as to its strategy and who would consider acquiring the grocery delivery platform. This week's guest is Rick Watson of the Watson Weekly podcast and also CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting. Instacart's current position in the grocery retail space, its platform strategy, company valuation, and potential IPO scenarios are discussed. The headwinds that Instacart must overcome, such as high costs, competition from Amazon, and the need to invest in new technologies, are analyzed. Instacart's competitive advantage, key partnerships, and growth plans are also discussed. Instacart's IPO will be a major test for the company and will likely have a significant impact on the grocery industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rick Watson is the Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, where his work is centered around supporting investors and management teams. He has over 20 years of experience as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the eCommerce industry. He has worked with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a major in electrical engineering and a minor in computer science. Rick is the host of The Watson Weekly podcast, where he speaks with experts in the retail space. He has also been a featured speaker on Bloomberg Surveillance, Bloomberg West, NRF Shop.org, ECommerce Europe, and ETail West. In this episode… Is it in your company's best interest to introduce your brand into a crossborder marketplace or to enter into a headless platform? If you're looking for a better way to navigate a headless eCommerce space, Rick Watson is here to share his expert strategies for navigating the back-end architecture and strategies that contribute to the success of your brand. With years of experience in the eCommerce industry, Rick knows that at the end of the day, the consumer experience is what matters most. For brands, consumer acquisition should be at the top of the list. Rick suggests that brands keep things fresh, interesting, and new to keep hold of consumers in today's fast-paced marketplace. How? By entering into a crossborder marketplace, brands can make it convenient for the consumer to find their products on various platforms. On this episode of The Digital Deep Dive, Aaron Conant sits down with Rick Watson, CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, to discuss how best to optimize the headless eCommerce marketplace for your brand. Rick talks about how to avoid pitfalls in the eCommerce ecosystem, how crossborder platforms can increase your revenue and brand reach, and why understanding data is crucial for the success of any brand.
Chris is joined by Rick Watson is founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting. Rick is an ecommerce innovator and operator with over 20 years of experience! Listen in as they talk about trends in supply chain logistics, DTC brands, and legacy brands breaking away from their ecommerce brands.
Amazon vs Target vs Walmart with Rick Watson Joe Lynch and Rick Watson discuss Amazon vs Target vs Walmart and their strengths and weaknesses in the areas of ecommerce, fulfillment, distribution, and logistics. About Rick Watson Rick Watson founded RMW Commerce Consulting after spending 20+ years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the ecommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes. Watson was one of the first employees at ChannelAdvisor, spending 10 years there in various executive capacities and launching many of the company's flagship offerings. He was then recruited to launch the third-party marketplace at BarnesandNoble.com, expanding the company's product catalog by over 1 million items. After the successful marketplace launch, he served as CEO of Merchantry and led the company to a $30M acquisition by Tradeshift. Upon fulfilling the transition obligations of Merchantry to Tradeshift, Watson directed the cross-border product strategy of Pitney Bowes, a $450M business, comprised of Borderfree and the eBay Global Shipping Program. Watson's work today is centered on supporting investors and management teams incubating and growing direct-to-consumer businesses. Most recently, in partnership with WHP Global, Rick was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a new turnkey direct-to-consumer digital ecommerce platform that powers AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com. About RMW Commerce Consulting RMW Commerce Consulting supports investors and management teams incubating and growing digital businesses online – both direct-to-consumer and B2B. RMW was founded by Rick Watson after his more than 20 years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the eCommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes. Key Takeaways: Amazon vs Target vs Walmart The lines have blurred when it comes to retail and ecommerce. In the past, consumers either bought online or bought from their local retailers. Today, consumer expectations have risen in large part because companies like Amazon, Target, and Walmart have created such a wonderful customer experience. During the discussion, Rick talked about each company's business model, along with their relative strengths and weaknesses in the areas of customer experience, fulfillment, and delivery. Amazon Amazon is a pioneer in the ecommerce space, but to ensure that the customer experience, delivery, and fulfillment is world-class, Amazon has invested heavily in fulfillment centers close to consumers. The fulfillment centers enable Amazon to store inventory close to consumers which allows for fast delivery and even same-day / next-day delivery. Amazon has raised the bar on digital communication with customers and their accurate, on-time home deliveries set the benchmark for the rest of the industry. To further cement their position as the leader in-home delivery, Amazon has started an asset-based logistics company to keep the packages moving. Amazon is first and foremost a technology company and they will use their superior tech capability to stay a leader in the business. Target Target started as an old-school retailer with virtually no technology or online presence. In terms of selling online, Target had a very late start. Target was not equipped to manage an online store and they even had Amazon manage their online sales for a short time. As a traditional retailer, Target couldn't just copy Amazon's strategy. Target ultimately decided to invest in their stores. They made each store a fulfillment center and today, 90% of Target's online orders are fulfilled by their stores. Additionally, Target has pioneered several purchasing/fulfillment options including BOPAC (Buy online and pick up at curb) BOPIS (Buy online and pick up in store), and same-day / next-day deliveries via Shipt (an independent subsidiary of Target). Shipt facilitates same-day delivery from various retailers to its members through either phone apps or via their website. Shipt has over 200,000 personal shoppers delivering products to homes. Walmart Walmart is the world's largest company by revenue, with over $524 billion USD in 2020. Walmart is also the also the biggest food retailer in the USA. Walmart is a juggernaut when comes to sales and operational excellence. Walmart's inventory management, distribution, and logistics are arguably the best in the retail world. Obviously, the company understands retailing, but they struggled with their transition to online sales. Walmart was late to the online party and they had a few missteps. In recent years, Walmart has made major investments that enable their stores to be fulfillment centers. With over 11,500 stores worldwide, Walmart has locations close to the world's population centers. In addition to their store and fulfillment center investment, Walmart purchased Jet.com to gain the experience and resources of a web-native ecommerce company. Learn More About Amazon vs Target vs Walmart with Rick Watson Rick Watson RMW Commerce The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube
It's time for some Real Talk! Chris is joined by Rick Watson is founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting. Rick is an ecommerce innovator and operator with over 20 years of experience! Listen in as they talk about trends in supply chain logistics, DTC brands and legacy brands breaking away from their ecommerce brands.
Rick Watson, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RMW Commerce Consulting, adds his page to the Marketing Playbook. Hear how to move to voice commerce, stay educated on current events and public companies, bring in qualified consultants, whether your company should set up a marketplace, and what it was like growing up in New Orleans. Connect with Rick on LinkedIn
Amazon's Retail Strategy with Rick Watson Rick Watson and Joe Lynch discuss Amazon's retail strategy. Rick founded RMW Commerce Consulting, a boutique ecommerce consultancy that supports investors and management teams incubating and growing digital businesses online – both direct-to-consumer and B2B. About Rick Watson Rick Watson founded RMW Commerce Consulting after spending 20+ years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the ecommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes. Watson was one of the first employees at ChannelAdvisor, spending 10 years there in various executive capacities and launching many of the company's flagship offerings. He was then recruited to launch the third-party marketplace at BarnesandNoble.com, expanding the company's product catalog by over 1 million items. After the successful marketplace launch, he served as CEO of Merchantry and led the company to a $30M acquisition by Tradeshift. Upon fulfilling the transition obligations of Merchantry to Tradeshift, Watson directed the cross-border product strategy of Pitney Bowes, a $450M business, comprised of Borderfree and the eBay Global Shipping Program. Watson's work today is centered on supporting investors and management teams incubating and growing direct-to-consumer businesses. Most recently, in partnership with WHP Global, Rick was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a new turnkey direct-to-consumer digital ecommerce platform that powers AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com. About RMW Commerce Consulting RMW Commerce Consulting supports investors and management teams incubating and growing digital businesses online – both direct-to-consumer and B2B. RMW was founded by Rick Watson after his more than 20 years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the ecommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes. Key Takeaways: Amazon's Retail Strategy Rick Watson is the Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, which helps companies accelerate their shift from retail to direct to consumer (ecommerce). In the podcast interview, Rick and Joe discuss Amazon's retail strategy including their existing retail stores and their proposed “department” stores. Amazon currently has the following retail portfolio Whole Foods Amazon Fresh 4 Star Stores Amazon has announced that they are opening a new “department store” which is most likely not the best description for Amazon's new retail model, but the press has been using it as a placeholder. The new store concept are expected to be about the same size as Kohl's department stores. Rick had the following thoughts about the new stores: The new retail stores will enable Amazon to move inventory closer to consumers which will enable them to support retail sales, along with same day / next day deliveries. The new retail stores will most likely be designed to support both retail and ecommerce fulfillment. Note: Target currently supports most of their ecommerce sales via their retail locations, which may be appealing to Amazon. The new retail stores would enable easier returns and if potentially reduce returns depending on what is sold at the new stores. Traditional retail stores have a 6% return rate, while DTC have a plus 30% return rate. Consumer data is very important to Amazon and the stores may enable them to collect more meaningful customer data through the stores. Amazon may want to use the stores to increase sales of their private label brands. Amazon will no doubt use their online data to select product SKUs and design the store layout. The merchandising and product placement/display will be even more data-driven than traditional retailers. Don't think of Amazon as a retailer, ecommerce company, or logistics company – think of Amazon as a technology innovator that is always looking for opportunities to use technology to deliver a superior experience to consumers. Learn More About Amazon's Retail Strategy Rick Watson's LinkedIn RMW Commerce Amazon vs Target vs Walmart with Rick Watson Watson Weekly Podcast The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube
Is the shift to digital is a one-way street or will ecommerce go back to how it operated before the pandemic? Which categories will be able to capitalize on new or accelerated digital behaviors? During this discussion, initially aired as part of Retail TouchPoints' Retail ThinkTank hub, host Alicia Esposito sits down with Rick Watson, Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, to discuss what is fueling innovation in once-laggard categories like digital, advertising, social and marketplaces. Get Rick's hot takes on the trends and tech he believes will lead the ecommerce industry moving forward, as well as his thoughts on: The transformation happening in the grocery, beauty, furniture and home industries; Why brands like Facebook and TikTok have invested in AR tools — and what that means for social commerce; Why brands like PepsiCo and e.l.f. Cosmetics are building out their own DTC experiences; The implication of privacy struggles between iOS and Facebook — and other key players — on the retail industry; and Why advertising is one of the hottest growing business models online now. RELATED LINKS Learn more about RMW Commerce Consulting Explore the Retail ThinkTank hub
Our special guest, Rick Watson, joins us to provide his perspective on the ingredients required to win in a competitive retail environment, and why retailers are approaching KPIs completely wrong. What does omnichannel really mean? How can DTC retailers win? What are the biggest challenges that brick and mortar retailers face as they reopen stores? What are the KPIs that retailers should really be paying attention to?We ask these questions and more of our special guest, Rick Watson, founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting and eCommerce specialist. Rick leverages his engineering background to provide a no-nonsense approach to the customer experience. He believes data is king, and that retailers need to truly understand their customers by leveraging data in order to stand out from the competition.
Today on Great Quarter, Guys, Andrew Cox and guest host Zach Strickland discuss the looming battle between UPS and Amazon with Rick Watson, Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting. Apple PodcastSpotifyMore FreightWaves Podcasts
Today on Great Quarter, Guys, Andrew Cox and guest host Zach Strickland discuss the looming battle between UPS and Amazon with Rick Watson, Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting. Apple PodcastSpotifyMore FreightWaves Podcasts
Instacart may be a necessary component to compete in the grocery space because brands expect this kind of functionality in order to get in front of more consumers. Rick Watson, CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, whose work is centered on supporting investors and management teams incubating and growing direct-to-consumer businesses, offers insights into the increasingly relevant issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
E-commerce penetration accelerated greatly due to the coronavirus and now retailers are having to balance these new consumer expectations with long-term profitability. There are a few major fulfillment methods being implemented across the retail sector, but which is the best? Who will win out in the long run? Rick Watson is the founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting based in New York City where he consults retailers on e-commerce operations. Rick joins episode 5 of Point of Sale to detail the different fulfillment strategies, break down what goes into choosing a certain method, and how smaller retailers should approach the arm's race between Amazon, Walmart and Target.Apple PodcastSpotifyMore FreightWaves Podcasts
Rick Watson is the CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, LLC, a boutique strategic eCommerce consultancy based in New York City. He provides advice and guidance to firms across the eCommerce industry, primarily in the areas of Direct-to-Consumer operation build-out for investors and the C-Suite, B2B marketing for software and service firms, and strategy regarding eCommerce marketplaces. How to get started on your direct-to-consumer journey. 1 - Expected investment levels. 2 - Aligning your investors. 3 - Choosing your channels. All episodes: eCommerce Growth Show Episode notes: How to get started on your direct-to-consumer journey Follow Omniconvert on: FacebookTwitterLinkedinYouTube
In Episode 4 of eCommerce Deep Dive, John talks shop with Rick Watson, Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting. With COVID-19 shaking up the eCommerce landscape, John and Rick discuss the rise of social commerce through platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The two break down Amazon's infrastructural and logistical advantages and muse about dynamic shifts in the online ecosystem. About the Guest: Rick Watson is the CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, LLC, a boutique strategic eCommerce consultancy based in New York City. He provides a wide variety of services to firms in the eCommerce industry, primarily in the areas of Direct-to-Consumer operation build-out for investors and the C-Suite, B2B marketing for software and service firms, and overall strategy regarding eCommerce marketplaces. RMW Commerce Consulting, LLC Follow Rick Watson on LinkedIn ----- Hosted by: John Ghiorso Produced by: Orca Pacific
Today on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Rick Watson, founder, and CEO at RMW Commerce Consulting. With over 20 years of experience in the eCommerce industry, Rick shares his thoughts on industry giants in China and the U.S.Asked how different Alibaba is from Amazon, Rick starts off by addressing the Western notion that these two eCommerce companies essentially share the same business model—the only difference being that they were founded in different countries. It is inaccurate to assume that Alibaba is simply “China's Amazon”. Relating Alibaba to the West, he refers to the company as a combination of Facebook, Google, and Amazon. Even then, this would only be an approximation of Alibaba's true scale.Not only is Alibaba a more “expansive” e-commerce company than Amazon, but it is also “pure to the marketplace model as opposed to Amazon who is developing its own products and buying inventory.” Alibaba considers it a huge risk to buy inventory. The fact is that third-party sellers are taking home more profit than the platform provided to them by Amazon—a fact acknowledged by Jeff Bezos himself.Different eCommerce platforms offer different experiences for both buyers and sellers. Customers need to be particularly cautious on Alibaba as buyer protections are said to be lacking. Tmall is described as the “eyes closed experience” since there is very little chance of being defrauded on the platform. You are also expected to invest in your brand on Tmall. On the other hand, sellers on Amazon are basically “paying rent” to host their products on the platform, which means that you are Amazon's customer, not the seller's.“You are replaceable.” This is an unspoken motto that Amazon abides by. Since Amazon sellers have few options in the way of marketing, their products may be buried by the search engine, which is wholly influenced by customer activity at any point in time. “Sellers are lucky to be there, at the blessing and bidding of Amazon,” says Rick.
Bart Mroz, CEO/Co-founder of SUMO Heavy and Rick Watson, CEO & Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, discuss Marketplaces in 2020. This is a recording from February 2020. About Rick Watson: Rick Watson is the CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, LLC, a boutique strategic eCommerce consultancy based in New York City. He provides a wide variety of services to firms in the eCommerce industry, primarily in the areas of Direct-to-Consumer operation build-out for investors and the C-Suite, B2B marketing for software and service firms, and overall strategy regarding eCommerce marketplaces. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/ RMW Consulting https://www.rickwatson.io/ _____ About the Show: ‘In The Ring' is a weekly podcast about eCommerce hosted by John Suder, Bart Mroz and Brittany Blackman. The show combines interviews with eCommerce leaders together with the latest news and strategies to give listeners actionable ideas and inspiration for their eCommerce businesses. The show is a production of SUMO Heavy, an eCommerce Consulting firm located in Brooklyn NY and Philadelphia. Hosts: John Suder (@johnsuder) - Producer and Director of Marketing at SUMO Heavy https://twitter.com/johnsuder Bart Mroz (@bartmroz) - CEO/Co-founder of SUMO Heavy https://twitter.com/bartmroz Brittany Blackman - Writer and Junior Marketing Coordinator at SUMO Heavy Learn more about SUMO Heavy: http://www.sumoheavy.com Follow Us: Newsletter: SUMO Heavy Weekly https://www.getrevue.co/profile/sumoheavy Twitter: @sumoheavy Sponsorships: off for this episode --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheringwithsumoheavy/message
How Inventors can Succeed with Ecommerce – Rick Watson – Ep74 Rick Watson is an eCommerce entrepreneur and operator based in New York City who, after spending the last 20 years in the industry, recently founded his own business , RMW Commerce Consulting ,where he helps companies launch new initiatives with strategic business advice. In particular, he spends a lot of time focused on companies in the supply chain and marketplace-related areas of eCommerce. Rick and I discuss how inventors can succeed in selling online. As an inventor myself with over 20 products on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy, I can attest to the challenges, but I also understand the benefits. Rick's number one tip Follow the pain. If you are in online commerce, search reviews for consistent feedback and look for areas to improve Listen on twitter for info on your category Contact info: Website: Rickwatson.io Email: rick@rickwatson.io
In this episode, host Kevin Lawton interviews Rick Watson of RMW Commerce Consulting about e-commerce, potential threats to Amazon and how to begin entering the B2C space for the first time.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=PT7mU4_SaQlWJLQbdhvpmmyAeCdusbdFECFdobnmlvKzdNoOv-vvvrIsb9ACG35f-xAmEG&country.x=AU&locale.x=AU)