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

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.

Greetings Jason and Scot show listeners, here's another Retailgentic episode to hold you over until Jason and I can get our schedules to line up.    Today on the Retailgentic pod, we’re excited to share our discussion with Michelle Grant, Director of Strategy & Insights for Retail and Consumer Goods at Salesforce, to explore how AI agents are already reshaping retail, both online and in-store.   Reminder to subscribe to the retailgentic pod here-> https://retailgentic.transistor.fm/ The retailgentic substack newsletter here-> https://www.retailgentic.com  Finally, you can also check it out on YouTube here.   Enjoy!   Scot

Dive into the exciting world of AI shopping agents and their revolutionary impact on retail. Discover how these agents are reshaping payment mechanisms and enhancing transaction reliability. Learn about the shift in consumer behavior from research to purchasing, fueled by tools like ChatGPT. Explore advancements in generative AI and their ability to outperform traditional shopping methods. Plus, find out how community engagement is driving future innovations in the industry.

Amazon Q1 2025 results and AI Commerce Happy Starwars Day! In this episode we do a deep dive into Amazon Q1 2025 results. Amazon had an overall strong quarter with record profits from their retail business unit. Amazon GMV grew 7.9% in Q1 2025 vs the same quarter in 2024, three times as fast as the retail industy as a whole. We also cover the latest AI commerce news, including ChatGPT product titles, OpenAI partnership with Shopify, PerplexityPro, and much more. Subscribe to Scot's new substack and podcast, all about Agentic Commerce, called Retailgentic.ai in conjuction with his new startup ReFiBuy.ai. 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 Sunday, May 4th, 2025. http://jasonandscot.com Join your hosts Jason "Retailgeek" Goldberg, Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis, and Scot Wingo, CEO of ReFiBuy.AI and Co-Founder of ChannelAdvisor as they discuss the latest news and trends in the world of e-commerce and digital shopper marketing.

Dive into Amazon's impressive Q4 earnings, showcasing record profits driven by retail growth that outpaced competitors. Explore the impact of lifting the de minimis ban, affecting low-value imports and competition. Discover how AI advancements are shaping Amazon's strategies, alongside a booming AWS segment. The discussion also highlights Amazon's substantial sales figures as it maintains a stronghold against rivals like Walmart, all amidst a backdrop of evolving advertising tactics and holiday shopping trends.