Marketplaces Rick Watson Marketplaces Rick Watson

Amazon Q4 Earnings Wins the Grammy for Free Cash Flow: "They Not Like Us"

Amazon's Q4 2024 earnings report reveals a 10% increase in net sales to $187.8 billion and a doubling of net income to $20 billion. The North America segment's operating income rose by 43%, while the International segment shifted from a $400 million loss to a $1.3 billion profit. AWS operating income grew by 62%, with a $115 billion annual run rate. The article delves into these financial milestones and Amazon's strategic investments in AI and cloud computing.

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Supply Chain Rick Watson Supply Chain Rick Watson

UPS Q4 2024: Steering Towards Margin, Away From Amazon

Discover how UPS is shifting its strategy by reducing reliance on Amazon, optimizing costs, and focusing on higher-margin customers. This article explores key changes in Amazon’s contract, USPS service adjustments, and UPS’s plan to improve domestic operating margins. Learn how these moves impact the supply chain and what it means for businesses relying on UPS for shipping.

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Consulting Rick Watson Consulting Rick Watson

Why Aren't We Growing Faster?

Discover common reasons why businesses struggle to grow and how to overcome them. This article explores key factors like brand clarity, customer understanding, competitive positioning, team effectiveness, and strategic consistency. Learn why technology isn’t a silver bullet and why patience and adaptability are essential for sustainable growth. Find out if your business is making critical mistakes and how to get back on track.

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Consulting Rick Watson Consulting Rick Watson

Is 2025 The Year of the Niche Down?

Discover the key trends shaping 2025, from the rise of niche-focused businesses to shifts in global trade and supply chain strategies. Learn how SaaS valuations are stabilizing, why "de-Chinafication" is reshaping economies, and what challenges consumers still face.

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Consulting Rick Watson Consulting Rick Watson

Why Use an Outside Consultant to Help you Solve a Problem?

Discover why hiring an outside consultant can be the game-changer your business needs. This article explores the value of an independent perspective, expertise in digital transformation, and access to extensive industry networks that help businesses solve complex challenges, uncover new opportunities, and make confident decisions.

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SaaS Rick Watson SaaS Rick Watson

Travis Hess @ BigC Getting the Band Back Together: More To Be Done

This article explores BigCommerce's leadership evolution under CEO Travis Hess, focusing on the strategic appointments of trusted executives and the critical roles still open. It delves into BigCommerce’s competitive positioning, particularly against Shopify, and its potential "Blue Ocean" opportunities in the eCommerce market. Expect insights on how BigCommerce plans to innovate, make big bets, and secure its place in the future of digital commerce.

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Retail Rick Watson Retail Rick Watson

Walmart Invests In Its Digital Future With Seth Dellaire as Chief Growth Officer

In this article, readers will explore Walmart's digital transformation under the leadership of Seth Dellaire, recently appointed Chief Growth Officer. With a strong background in advertising and digital services, Dellaire is set to drive growth across Walmart's omnichannel product, design, and marketing teams. The article also highlights Walmart's strategy to compete with Amazon, leveraging digital services and data-driven solutions for enhanced customer experiences.

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Consulting Rick Watson Consulting Rick Watson

Growth While Shrinking? It's Called Optimization, and It's Possible

Discover how businesses can achieve growth while reducing costs by optimizing people, processes, and technology. This article explores why cutting expenses without a clear strategy can backfire and provides a step-by-step approach to aligning your operations with growth goals. Learn how even modest growth can translate into gaining market share in a competitive landscape.

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Supply Chain Rick Watson Supply Chain Rick Watson

Is Shop Promise a Broken Promise Based on a Flawed Premise?

This article explores the challenges facing Shopify's "Shop Promise" after the company's decision to sell Deliverr to Flexport. It delves into how Shopify's estimated delivery date system is struggling, the implications of recent layoffs at Flexport, and why Shopify may need to rethink its logistics strategy by outsourcing to specialized third-party providers.

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Marketplaces Rick Watson Marketplaces Rick Watson

Marketplaces Fees Dropping Like It’s Hot - Is It Enough for eBay?

This article explores eBay's recent move to lower seller fees in the UK, comparing it to competitors like Facebook Marketplace and Amazon. It raises critical questions about whether fee reductions alone can attract more sellers and buyers, and highlights eBay's latest AI innovation, "Magic Bulk Listing," aimed at simplifying the listing process. With increasing competition, the article examines whether these changes are enough to reverse eBay's decade-long stagnation.

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SaaS Rick Watson SaaS Rick Watson

Bolt CEO Moves from Founder Mode to Grift Mode

This article examines the troubling financial maneuvers of Bolt's CEO, highlighting ethical concerns surrounding new investments and the company's shift from a checkout network to a super app. Readers will explore the implications of raising $250 million in "marketing credits," question the credibility of Bolt's revenue claims, and analyze the CEO's outrageous compensation demands. It offers a critical look at the potential fallout from these controversial decisions and what they mean for existing investors.

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Retail Rick Watson Retail Rick Watson

2025 Primer: It's a Walmart and Temu Economy, We Are Just Living In It

Explore how Walmart and Temu are shaping the retail landscape as we head into 2025. This article examines Walmart’s strategic positioning and Temu’s rapid growth amid economic uncertainty. Learn how these retail giants are influencing consumer behavior, market dynamics, and what it means for brands and investors in the evolving marketplace.

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