The Jason & Scot Show - E-Commerce And Retail News

EP333 - Jason Del Rey The Aisle http://jasonandscot.com Chapters 0:39 Welcome to the Json and Scott Show 2:23 The Amazon Book Debate 7:43 Inside Jason's Media Journey 10:50 Jason's New Venture 11:14 Launching The Aisle 19:25The Name Game 21:53 Blocking Bots on The Aisle 24:53 Sneak Peek of Upcoming Interviews 32:05 Is It a Bubble? 39:00 Exploring Conversational Commerce 46:10 Upcoming Event Insights 49:31 How to Subscribe to The Aisle 50:12 Closing Thoughts and Thanks 50:24 Predictions for AI Integration 54:02 Closing Thoughts on Industry Standards Welcome back to the Jason and Scot Show, where we celebrate episode 333 with a truly special guest. Recorded on Thursday, November 19th, this episode features Jason Del Rey, a prominent e-commerce journalist and the author of the acclaimed book, *Winner Sells All: Amazon, Walmart, and the Battle for Our Wallets*. Jason is launching a new paid newsleter about AI era of commerce "The Aisle." With a staggering combined history of over 30 years between Jason Goldberg, Scot Wingo, and Del Rey, this conversation dives deep into the evolving world of commerce and the exciting new venture that Del Rey is embarking upon. Kicking off the episode, Jason G and Scot share their long history with Del Rey, discussing his illustrious career covering e-commerce for major publications like Inc. Magazine, Ad Age, and Fortune. They reminisce about Del Rey's past appearances on their show (episodes 67 and 183) and set the stage for his latest project, an independent media company called "The Aisle." Del Rey recounts his trajectory into the e-commerce world, starting from covering digital media companies at Ad Age to eventually becoming an Amazon expert while working under media icons Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at All Things D. Del Rey reflects on his experiences as a journalist, highlighting his strong relationships with leading figures in the retail space, including interviews with Jeff Bezos, Doug McMillan, and Mark Lurie. He discusses the events he hosted—particularly the Code Commerce series—where he connected influential retail CEOs and tech leaders. As the conversation progresses, Jason G and Scot delve into Del Rey's motives for launching The Aisle, underscoring both personal and professional motivations. Del Rey candidly shares his views on mortality and the urgency to pursue one's passions, a perspective deepened by the early loss of family members and friends. Transitioning into the specifics of his new venture, Del Rey reveals that The Aisle will cover the future of commerce through the lens of AI and technology. He outlines his plans for a paid subscription newsletter focusing on everything from product discovery and conversational commerce trends to disruptive changes in online advertising. With features like intimate dinner events designed to foster candid dialogue among industry leaders, Del Rey aims to create a community that engages deeply with the evolving landscape of commerce. Listeners also learn about The Aisle's structure, including tiers of membership which offer a variety of benefits, from exclusive newsletters to off-the-record consultations with Del Rey himself. As the discussion unfolds, Del Rey emphasizes his experience-based approach to journalism, believing that deeper connections with his audience will allow for richer reporting and analysis. In a light-hearted exchange, the hosts discuss the nuances of conversational commerce and the evolving nature of how consumers interact with brands. Del Rey shares insights from his discussions with industry leaders, exploring the distinctions between textual and voice interactions in commerce. The guests speculate on the future of these trends, engaging in a spirited conversation about the balance between hype and genuine innovation in the AI commerce landscape. Before closing the episode, Del Rey enthusiastically introduces listeners to his first interview for The Aisle, featuring John Collison, co-founder of Stripe, discussing the future of payments and commerce. The episode wraps up with Jason G and Scot reflecting on Del Rey's journey and the exciting future that lies ahead for him and The Aisle, inviting their listeners to engage with the new publication that promises to deliver valuable insights into the world of commerce. As always, if you enjoy the show, consider subscribing and leaving a five-star review on iTunes. Join us next time for more engaging discussions about the future of commerce and technology! Episode 333 of the Jason and Scot Show was recorded on Thursday, November 19th. Join your hosts Jason "Retailgeek" Goldberg, Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis, and Scot Wingo, CEO of ReFiBuy and Co-Founder of ChannelAdvisor as they discuss the latest news and trends in the world of e-commerce and digital shopper marketing.

Kelly Goetsch, President of Pipe17 and e-commerce technology expert, shares his insights on the evolving order management landscape. He discusses the innovative Order Network eXchange (ONX) standard and how it aims for seamless communication between selling channels and fulfillment systems. Kelly emphasizes Pipe17's unique network-based approach that leverages AI for real-time responsiveness. He also explores the future of AI in e-commerce, predicting a significant impact by 2030, and the importance of standardization for enhancing order operations.

EP331 - E.L.F. Beauty CDO, Ekta Chopra http://jasonandscot.com 0:42 Welcome to the Jason and Scott Show 0:57 Live from Las Vegas 1:09 Guest Introduction: Ekta Chopra 1:51 The Best Panel Ever 3:06 Ekta's Journey to Elf Beauty 4:26 Understanding Elf Beauty 6:28 From Cosmetics to Multi-Channel 8:02 AI in Retail: The Future 14:22 Maintaining Company Culture 22:30 The Impact of TikTok Shop 25:31 Attribution in a Multi-Channel World 29:19 Implementing AI at Elf 34:52 The Future of AI and Retail 40:53 Balancing AI with Humanity 46:21 The Importance of Loyalty Programs 48:04 Conclusion and Farewell Welcome to a special live edition of the Jason & Scot Show! In this episode, recorded live from Groceryshop in sunny Las Vegas on September 30, 2025, hosts Jason Goldberg and Scott Wingo celebrate the return of in-person podcasting after three years, reminiscing about their origins in the live podcasting scene and the upcoming 10-year anniversary of the show. Together, they welcome special guest Ekta Chopra, the Chief Digital and Innovation Officer of Elf Beauty, who shares insights into the fast-changing landscape of beauty and eCommerce. Ekta discusses her journey to Elf Beauty, a brand that has consistently emerged as a bold disruptor in the cosmetics industry. She explains how Elf was innovative from the start, selling $1 cosmetics online at a time when digital platforms were still developing. She proudly notes how the brand has evolved from its original direct-to-consumer model to a successful omnichannel powerhouse with a portfolio that now includes elf Cosmetics, elf Skin, and collaborations with other beauty brands. The discussion naturally transitions into the role of AI in eCommerce and how Elf is leveraging AI tools to revolutionize customer engagement and product development. Ekta emphasizes the importance of being where their community is by adopting new platforms such as TikTok, where Elf has successfully engaged consumers through authentic connections with content creators. The episode also dives into how the brand is navigating the evolving landscape shaped by AI, including enhancing search capabilities and content strategy to stay relevant and connected with younger consumers. As the conversation progresses, the hosts discuss the importance of data and customer-centric strategies in the age of AI. Ekta shares the significance of the Elf loyalty program in creating a seamless customer experience and maintaining relationships with consumers. The commitment to "human-in-the-loop" processes ensures effective integration of AI technologies while addressing ethical concerns. Listeners are encouraged to check out Ekta's informative Substack, "AI Chef," for insights into the intersection of AI and commerce, where she shares her ongoing learning journey and best practices for integrating AI into business operations. This exciting episode wraps up with a nod to the future of commerce, the balance between technology and humanity, and the continuing evolution all brands must undergo as they adapt to the changing marketplace. Join us for this engaging conversation filled with wit, humor, and a valuable glimpse into the future of beauty and eCommerce. **Episode 330 of the Jason & Scot Show was recorded live from Groceryshop on September 30th, 2025.** Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review on iTunes, and follow us on social media for more exciting news and updates! Join your hosts Jason "Retailgeek" Goldberg, Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis, and Scot Wingo, CEO of ReFiBuy and Co-Founder of ChannelAdvisor as they discuss the latest news and trends in the world of e-commerce and digital shopper marketing. Join your hosts Jason "Retailgeek" Goldberg, Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis, and Scot Wingo, CEO of GetSpiffy and Co-Founder of ChannelAdvisor as they discuss the latest news and trends in the world of e-commerce and digital shopper marketing.

Join the lively discussion as two experts share thrilling insights from recent retail events. They dive into the exciting world of AI in retail, exploring how technologies like electronic shelf labels and in-store robotics are transforming shopping experiences. The hosts also debate the potential of direct-to-consumer sales without traditional websites, delve into the impacts of GLP-1 drugs on grocery demand, and unpack the implications of ChatGPT's Instant Checkout. It's a fascinating look at the future of commerce and customer engagement!

EP329 - Amazon Q2 2025 Results 0:38 Welcome to the Jason and Scott Show 12:57 Amazon's Mixed Earnings Report 18:07 The Impact of AWS on Retail 21:18 AWS Performance and AI Concerns 28:55 Amazon's Advertising Strategy 33:33 Amazon's Relationship with Google 35:24 The Future of AI Investments 39:44 User Experience and Advertising 42:42 Economic Uncertainty and Consumer Behavior Welcome back to the Jason & Scot Show! In episode 329, recorded on August 1st, 2025, we dive into the highly anticipated Amazon Q2 earnings report alongside other critical tech giants' earnings results. Your hosts, Jason Goldberg (the retail geek) and Scott Wingo, bring their expert insights and analysis of a rollercoaster earnings season that saw mixed results across the board. Kicking off the episode, Scot sets the stage with a review of Google's recent earnings results, which painted a mixed picture. While search revenue indicated a solid 12% growth, concerns about the impact of AI on search operations raised eyebrows. Google Cloud did not exhibit the explosive growth anticipated, leading investors to remain cautious. Following this, we turn our focus to the simultaneous announcements from Microsoft and Meta. Each company churned impressive earnings and strategic maneuvers, surpassing expectations and highlighting strong growth driven largely by their AI advancements. Transitioning to Amazon, the top story emerges: the company reported Q2 earnings that, unfortunately, mirrored Google's mixed performance rather than the triumphs seen with Microsoft and Meta. Despite a revenue growth of 12% and operating income surpassing expectations, investors reacted negatively to AWS's performance, which failed to keep pace with its competitors. Jason and Scott dissect the factors leading to Amazon's stock drop post-earnings call and the implications for its sprawling empire. Amazon's retail performance, particularly in North American and international markets, sparks a lively discussion. Notably, the North American retail business beat expectations by 2%, and international retail excelled by 7%. The hosts clarify that while the overall performance was commendable, it left much to be desired when juxtaposed against AWS's stunted growth and other tech players' successes. Delving deeper, Jason emphasizes the company's continued enhancements to its supply chain, signalling improvements that strengthen their retail operations, crucial for maintaining growth amidst increasing competition. He also highlights an interesting trend: for the first time, first-party sales outpaced third-party sales, reflecting a noteworthy shift in Amazon's marketplace dynamics as consumer spending leans towards everyday essentials. As the discussion progresses, Scott raises a critical point about the evolving landscape of online advertising and the pivotal role it plays in driving Amazon's growth. Despite a slight deceleration in year-over-year growth for the ads business, it remains a bright spot for Amazon, contrasting starkly with AWS's performance and hinting at the challenges faced in balancing user experience against monetization strategies. The conversation pivots towards AWS, where the hosts dissect the figures that fell below investor expectations—the margins declining for the first time since the previous year, raising questions about structural issues. The ambiguity surrounding Amazon's ability to capture AI growth is a focal point, with analysts expressing concerns about lagging behind competitors. Nearing the end of the episode, a fascinating turn occurs when Scott sheds light on Amazon's recent decision to withdraw its shopping ads from Google. This pivotal move sends ripples across both platforms, provoking various theories about strategic shifts and implications for competitors. The duo shares intriguing insights into how this action marks a significant stake in the ground regarding data ownership and market positioning. As the episode wraps up, Jason and Scott reflect on the broader landscape of AI, retail, and shifting consumer behaviors, suggesting that while Amazon remains a dominant player, its approach and evolution will be crucial in navigating future market dynamics. Be sure to listen in for their final takeaways from the earnings calls and nuanced observations regarding the tech landscape. If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a five-star review on iTunes, and stay tuned for next week's insights! **Episode 328 of the Jason & Scot Show was recorded on Thursday, July 23rd, 2025.** http://jasonandscot.com Join your hosts Jason "Retailgeek" Goldberg, Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis, and Scot Wingo, CEO of ReFiBuy and Co-Founder of ChannelAdvisor as they discuss the latest news and trends in the world of e-commerce and digital shopper marketing.

Brittain Ladd worked at Amazon and helped them conceive of a model that was both cheaper than traditional package delivery and more convenient as well. The goal? To help Amazon (2.5% share) grocery catch-up and ultimately beat Wal-mart in grocery (25% share). It starts with grocery distribution centers that are fully robotic/automated called Local Vending Machines (LVMs) instead of stores. These LVMS can fill traditional Prime vans with product, or they can fill 'cartridges' that then fit in a specialized Rivian that accepts the cartridge full of product and then robotically fulfills each stop on a delivery route via the robotics in the van. The final step will ultimately be completed by a humanoid robot. Sound like science fiction? Brittain Ladd has seen the prototype van and in this podcast we go deep on how Amazon envisions this entire futuristic, zero-human-touch, supply chain working. Want to learn more? Detailed article here-> https://open.substack.com/pub/scotwingorefibuy/p/scoop-we-have-the-inside-story-on?r=5av7y5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

EP328 - Navigating E-commerce News and Innovations in AI Answer Engines for Commerce 0:36 Welcome to the Jason and Scot Show 4:53 Consumer Trends in Retail 5:03 Upcoming Retail Events 8:42 Insights on E-commerce Growth 10:35 Earnings Season Insights 44:13 Amazon Prime Day Analysis 51:30 New Developments with Alexa 56:00 Predictions for the Holiday Season In this episode of the Jason and Scot Show, recorded on Thursday, July 23rd, Jason and Scot delve into the latest shifts within the e-commerce landscape, emerging consumer trends, and the role of Artificial Intelligence in retail transformation. Jason has been on the road, engaging with industry professionals and moderating discussions around pressing retail topics such as social commerce and consumer behavior, particularly the growing usage of answer engines amid an evolving shopping cycle involving giants like Amazon and Google. Scot kicks off the episode by teasing insights from Jason's recent travels and virtual think tank participation, where they investigated consumer trends such as the surge of ethical purchases and the dynamics of social commerce influenced by platforms like TikTok. The duo explores the implications of consumers increasingly relying on answer engines throughout their shopping journeys, particularly in the wake of mounting competition from dedicated AI solutions. Listeners are treated to an analysis of recent U.S. retail data, highlighting core retail sales growth—a modest 3.8% year-to-date—contrasting the slower pace of e-commerce growth, now at only 6.8%. The conversation turns to the dichotomy between successful retail giants like Amazon and Walmart, against a backdrop of underperforming categories like electronics and home improvement, veering into the impact of macroeconomic factors on consumer spending behavior. The episode also takes a closer look at notable earnings releases, particularly how tech giants like Google are grappling with a shift towards answer engines like ChatGPT, disrupting traditional search methodologies. Scot shares insights on Google's recent performance metrics that seem to mask a creeping decline in organic search volume, while Jason echoes concerns about the current retail media landscape and the challenges it poses to user experience on platforms like Amazon. With light humor and camaraderie peppering deeper analysis, Jason and Scot examine the implications of Walmart's recent hires in AI technology and strategy, reflecting on how retailers are pivoting to become more like answer engines amidst intensifying competition. As they look ahead towards the upcoming holiday season, expectations are tempered by economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions, hinting at an uneven landscape where larger players may gain traction at the expense of smaller retailers. The pair wraps up the episode by expressing optimism for the future of AI in simplifying shopping experiences while also critiquing the current voice shopping functionality on devices like Amazon's Alexa+. Join them as they illuminate the complexities shaping today's e-commerce environment while addressing the pressing questions retailers must answer to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. Don't miss out on their engaging discussions; be sure to subscribe for the latest insights into retail trends and innovations! This episode is packed with valuable insights and anecdotes, perfect for retail enthusiasts and industry professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve. Enjoy the show and don't forget to leave a review! **Episode 328 of the Jason & Scot Show was recorded on Thursday, July 23rd, 2025.** Join your hosts Jason "Retailgeek" Goldberg, Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis, and Scot Wingo, CEO of ReFiBuy and Co-Founder of ChannelAdvisor as they discuss the latest news and trends in the world of e-commerce and digital shopper marketing.

Hosts dive into the exciting world of e-commerce, focusing on Fiji Simo's new role at OpenAI and its potential impact on AI in retail. They speculate on a mysterious screenless device that could revolutionize commerce experiences. Discussions highlight the rise of AI shopping agents, which promise to change product discovery and fulfillment. There's also a critical examination of how AI is reshaping traditional commerce, alongside insights into the challenges retailers face due to macroeconomic shifts and technological advancements.

EP326 - Are Retail Media Networks Mid? Happy Fathers Day! In our previous episode (326) Jason made a comment about retail media networks sometimes being over-hyped. In response, Scot recruited all his friendsd in the the industry and inticed Kiri Masters to make a rebutle. Which she did via two part linked-in post and a podcast. So in this episode Jason doubles down and defends his position on retail media networks. In addition to covering the state of retail media networks, Scot introduces his new Retailgentic sub-stack which everyone should subscribe to, and give a listen to his new video podcast focused on the latest Agentic Commerce news. Don't forget to like our facebook page, and if you enjoyed this episode please write us a review on itunes. Episode 325 of the Jason & Scot show was recorded on Friday. June 6th. http://jasonandscot.com Join your hosts Jason "Retailgeek" Goldberg, Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis, and Scot Wingo, CEO of GetSpiffy and Co-Founder of ChannelAdvisor as they discuss the latest news and trends in the world of e-commerce and digital shopper marketing.

Sucharita Kodali, VP and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, shares valuable insights into the future of retail. She discusses the rise of agentic shopping and the pivotal role of generative AI in commerce. The conversation highlights the explosive growth of retail media networks post-COVID and the comeback of marketplaces. Sucharita also explores the competition posed by TikTok and AI against traditional search engines like Google. Vibrant debates on consumer-driven purchases and the influence of social commerce make for an engaging listen.