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Artwork for The Watson Weekly: eCommerce Strategy & News

The Watson Weekly: eCommerce Strategy & News

Watson Weekly
Amazon
Ecommerce
Shopify
Walmart
Openai
Venture Capital
UPS
Target
Klaviyo
Paypal
Bigcommerce
Artificial Intelligence
Tmoo
Salesforce
Google
Stripe
Shein
B2B Commerce
Anthropic
Tiktok

Stop reading the headlines and start understanding the frameworks. The Watson Weekly is the premier resource for eCommerce executives, delivering sharp, independent strategy on the industry's most critical developments. Join 20-year veteran Rick Watson as he cuts through the noise to help you understand not just what is happening, but why it matters to your business. Broadcasting three times a wee... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes300Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ManagementBusinessTechnology

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Artwork for The Watson Weekly: eCommerce Strategy & News

Latest Episodes

Nike says net income jumped 407%. Strip out a single tariff refund and full-year profit actually fell. That gap is the whole week in one number.

Rick Watson runs through it: Shopify moving its incentivized-review ban from partner guidelines into har... more

The Swift–Kelce wedding turned into a marketing free-for-all, and Rick and Jessica sort the brands that pulled it off from the ones that face-planted. The Knot circled Madison Square Garden with billboard trucks. A fake antique-shop ad about furnitur... more

The era of the weird, different storefront is over. On Shopify, design that converts beats design that surprises.

That is the argument in the third and final episode of our Enterprise Shopify series. Rick Watson sits down with Elara Verret, Chief Di... more

Every big commerce name put up growth in the first half of 2026. Rick's question is what it cost them.

Shopify had its best quarter in years and passed $100 billion in GMV, though loan losses at Shopify Capital crept up over the same stretch. Amazon... more

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Recent Guests

Isaac Newton
Co-founder and head of sales at Pattern (Domain)
Pattern, Domain
Episode: The Different Storefront Is Dead: Shopify Design at the Enterprise
Elara Verret
CDCO at Reitmans Canada
Reitmans Canada
Episode: The Big Green Bag Of Promise: Unified Commerce Is a Data Strategy First
Max Rolon
CTO of Domaine; Shopify services partner
Domaine
Episode: The Big Green Bag Of Promise: Unified Commerce Is a Data Strategy First
Lara Verrett
Chief Digital and Customer Officer at Reitmans
Reitmans
Episode: The Real Enterprise Shopify Math Isn't Cost. It's Opportunity Cost
Renee Lips Halverson
Chief Marketing Officer at Marine Layer
Marine Layer
Episode: The Real Enterprise Shopify Math Isn't Cost. It's Opportunity Cost
Scott Lux
VP of Digital Commerce at Stanley 1913
Stanley 1913
Episode: The Real Enterprise Shopify Math Isn't Cost. It's Opportunity Cost
Nitin Mantani
GM and EVP of Commerce and Retail Cloud at Salesforce
Salesforce
Episode: Agentforce Commerce: New Architecture or New Logo?
Danny Smith
Leads global agentic commerce solution architecture at Stripe
Stripe
Episode: The Highest-Converting Shopper on the Internet Isn't Human with Stripe's Danny Smith
Christina Hagopian
Brand strategist, creative director
Hagopian Inc.
Episode: AI Replaces Average Design, Not Designers

Hosts

Rick Watson
Host of The Watson Weekly
Jessica Lesesky
Co-host

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 57 ratings
  • Clever and informative

    I just found this podcast. As a former retail merchant I find this detail on E-commerce to be both informative and entertaining. Great perspective on e-commerce across sectors.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    modhutch
    United States2 years ago
  • Amazing

    It was the best

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John McD.
    United States3 years ago
  • Love this, thank you for your work

    Super condensed, deep ecoomerce insights

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MontingL
    Canada3 years ago
  • One of the best podcasts out there if you’re in the eCom space.

    If you’re in the eCom space, this podcast needs to become part of your weekly routine. Absolutely love the depth of insights from Rick.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Supply Chain Pros
    Canada4 years ago
  • A Great Way to Keep Up in eCommerce

    I listen first thing every Monday to get the best updates on eCommerce. The industry is fast moving and always changing, I count on Rick to pull out the most important items I need to know every week. Keeping up with him on LinkedIn furthers the great analysis.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    omahadave1234
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts synthesize complex industry moves into practical takeaways.
Guests are high-signal and on-topic for ecommerce professionals.
Strong messaging around AI adoption and retail tech trends.
Shows concise, insightful coverage of ecommerce and marketplaces.
Listeners praise the pragmatic, data-backed analysis and quick format.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#94
Spain/Business/Management
Apple Podcasts
#134
Norway/Business/Management
Apple Podcasts
#165
Sweden/Business/Management
Apple Podcasts
#243
Israel/Business/Management

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Agentforce Commerce: New Architecture or New Logo?
Q: What is the role of OMS and POS in this architecture?
OMS is the glue across online and in-store orders, enabling seamless fulfillment, while POS modernization brings in-store experiences up to date; both are integrated with the new storefront and future-proofed for AI-enabled automation.
Agentforce Commerce: New Architecture or New Logo?
Q: How should customers think about migration from SFRA/SiteGenesis to Storefront Next?
Migration is not a one-button flip; it's a phased evolution where AI-enabled tools reduce effort, and out-of-the-box integrations with existing vendors ensure continuity while enabling faster, more flexible front-end experiences.
Agentforce Commerce: New Architecture or New Logo?
Q: Walk me through who's the customer for the B2B features like round trip, quoting, and procurement workflows.
The customer spans distributors, manufacturers, and verticals like electronics, hospitals, and grocery suppliers, with a shift from static lead-gen sites to embedded, self-service procurement while preserving human touch for negotiation when needed.
AI Replaces Average Design, Not Designers
Q: What should brands focus on to break through the noise?
Brands should cultivate a unique point of view and a strong foundation—brand truth and differentiation—that remains constant across channels and evolves with strategy, not just the latest tools.
AI Replaces Average Design, Not Designers
Q: Can AI replace designers?
AI is not replacing designers; it replaces average design. The true value comes from high-quality, differentiated thinking and human-guided execution to create original, trademarkable work.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two seasoned hosts deliver concise, business-focused updates on ecommerce, marketplaces, and retail tech with a strong emphasis on actionable implications for brands and operators. Episodes blend earnings analysis, strategic shifts, and practical how-tos, often featuring high-profile guests who share real-world experience in marketplaces, AI-enabled commerce, and brand growth. Notable strengths include crisp, under-15-minute formats, practical insights grounded in two decades of industry exposure, and a clear focus on how technology, policy, and consumer behavior intersect for B2B audiences. The show's willingness to tackle controversial topics and provide frameworks for decision-making makes it a reliable resource for ecommerce executives,... more

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this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Isaac Newton
2. Elara Verret
3. Max Rolon
4. Lara Verrett
5. Renee Lips Halverson
6. Scott Lux
7. Nitin Mantani
8. Danny Smith

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