Google Hires A Head of Commerce

eCommerce
Written By Rick Watson

Big Google news, they just hired Bill Ready, former Braintree/Venmo CEO and former Paypal CEO as their Head of Commerce starting in 2020 in a brand new role.

Just because eBay has failed to compete with Amazon, you would think #Google would have better luck.  It has not.  Google search share of commerce transactions has been steadily declining Amazon is taking more and more share.

I think Bill will have to reboot their strategy which has historically been heavily ad-focused, and any of their shopping and marketplace efforts have not really made a dent in the industry.  I can't recall the last time I shopped at Google and I couldn't even repeat the value proposition to you.

I also don't think this hire means they will focus just on payments, either.  From the perch at Paypal and Braintree, you have a view of the entire commerce ecosystem, but where will Google want to play?  Will it build out from the search bar?  The ad business?  Will it build out from Google Cloud?

Finally, I expect an acquisition spree to bring in more retail/commerce talent -- Bill is well-connected in the startup community. 

Whatever happens, you have the ability to make waves but the consumer value proposition needs to make actual sense (it doesn't now).

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’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 e-commerce platform that powers AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com.

Watson also hosts a weekly podcast, Watson Weekly, where he shares an unbiased, unfiltered expert take on the retail sector’s biggest players.

In the past year alone, Rick has spoken at many in-person and virtual events as well as podcasts on topics ranging from retail/ecom to supply chain/logistics and even digital grocery including CommerceNext IRL, ASCM Connect, and Retail Innovation Conference.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/
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