The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

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

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

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

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

In this week’s Watson Weekly, we will discuss Fidji Simo is out at Instacart CEO to join OpenAI.  This is a huge feather in Simo’s cap and leaves an opening at Instacart which I predict will be filled by their Chief Product Officer Daniel Danker. Not only did Danker and Simo overlap from their time at Facebook, but Danker was promoted by Simo into his current role as Chief Product Officer.  You’ll find this and other stories every Monday morning on the Watson Weekly, headed straight to your earhole wherever you get your favorite podcasts.Today on our show:Shopify Needs Incentive Alignment to Win in Enterprise3 Notables From BigCommerce earnings callInstacart CEO Departs for OpenAIShopify Reports Solid Earnings Amid Global Uncertainty- and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl.https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

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

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

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

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

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