Tom Schmitt is CEO of Radial, North America's largest third-party fulfillment provider — and a company about to become something bigger. As part of the Bpostgroup's rebranding to Paxon, Radial is merging with its sister companies into a single global logistics brand built on decades of e-commerce infrastructure.

The Watson Weekly is sponsored by Avalara. For more information on Avalara, visit - https://avalara.watsonweekly.com/

Tom sat down with Rick Watson to talk about what he's actually seeing on the ground as AI enters supply chain — and the answer is more nuanced than most headlines suggest.

Three things worth your time from this episode:

1. The trust gap is real and measurable. Radial surveyed 1,000 US consumers: nearly two-thirds are uncomfortable sharing payment information with AI agents. That's not a technology problem — it's a brand problem operators need to solve first.
2. Most AI projects are failing their ROI test right now — and that's expected. Tom's crawl, walk, run framework isn't a hedge; it's a diagnosis. Demand forecasting and pick-path optimization have measurable returns today. Fully autonomous warehouse orchestration does not — yet.
3. Agentic commerce has a data standards problem nobody is talking about. Radial is a founding member of ONX — the Order Network Exchange — an open industry standard for how order, inventory, and fulfillment data moves between systems. Agentic commerce only works if agents read the same language. That work is already underway.

Plus: the history of GSI Commerce, how Michael Rubin invented the direct-to-consumer industry, and why Fred Smith's old line about FedEx still tells you everything about where supply chain AI is headed.

Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get it at https://www.watsonweekly.com/subscribe

Stripe just released an Agentic Technology Suite and positioned it as the infrastructure layer for the next era of commerce.]So who is Stripe actually building this for?

The Watson Weekly Interview is sponsored by Avalara. For more information on Avalara, visit - https://avalara.watsonweekly.com/

Salesforce Marketing Cloud posted -1% growth in Q4 FY2026 — the end of four years of deceleration and the start of something worse. Rebranding to Agentforce doesn't fix a product growth problem, and acquisitions are a slower fix than they look.

The Watson Weekly is also sponsored by Mirakl. You don't need another tool; you need a growth partner. The Mirakl platform is powering the next era of retail for brands and retailers who are ready to move, powered by AI and built for what's next.

Costco reported $2B in revenue, up 13.8%, driven by a limited SKU model and a merchandising strategy that creates genuine discovery. Digital is working too — personalized carousels drove $470M in e-commerce sales. The CEO is watching tariffs closely for the next 150 days.

And the big structural story: retail's share of total consumer spending dropped from 34.3% in 2022 to 30.8% in Q4 2025. Amazon is absorbing the majority of what remains. The market is consolidating around Walmart and Costco for necessities and Amazon for everything discretionary — leaving mid-market and specialty retail in a structurally difficult position.

Investor minute covers 5 stories from the world of IPOs, funding, private equity and more.

#watsonweekly #stripe #costco #salesforcemarketingcloud #walmart #amazon

Today on our show:

1. Stripe’s $140 Billion Question
2. Why Temu is the New Cross-Border Standard
3. The UPS $150k Exit: Strategic Rightsizing or a Teamster Trap?
4. Is Agentic Commerce a Nothingburger? The Agentic Debate Series, presented by Logicbroker.

- and finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl.

https://www.watsonweekly.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@WatsonWeekly

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• BigCommerce looks like it’s not selling
• Shopify hires a new Chief Technology Officer
• Why technology is not a business differentiator for brands
• Are layoffs the order of the day in eCommerce?

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly 

Sorry, Watsonians, we're on a brief hiatus this week. But fear not, we'll be back next week so be sure to tune in!

Today on our show:

• Salesforce acquires POS platform PredictSpring
• Amazon announces new peak season fulfillment policies
• Ace Hardware plots a new stores strategy
• Temu founder shopping like a billionaire

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly 

Today on our show:

• Amazon reports Q2 earnings
• Allbirds reports financial results
• Amazon signs deal with Pinterest and TikTok
• Shopify crushes its earnings

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Companies are trading down talent
• Top items from Paypal’s Q2 2024 earnings call
• Designer brand Prada posts revenue gains
• Temu announcements signal a company shift

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• UPS reports Q2 earnings
• Google not ending cookies after all
• Amazon Prime Day roundup
• New marketplace whitepaper released

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Amazon Prime Day expected to hit records in 2024
• Commercetools announces CEO transition
• The importance of reputation in eCommerce
• eCommerce sales will hit $1T this year

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Saks acquires Neiman Marcus Group
• Speaking about personalization at The Lead Event in NYC
• Nike is struggling trying to be a tech company
• Amazon previews direct from China program

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Attention, Watsonians! Pardon us as we were on a brief hiatus over the holiday week - we'll be back next week with a brand new episode!

Today on our show:

• Target reshuffles its leadership team
• Shopify releases summer editions

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

This week on the Watson Weekly Weekend edition, Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky are breaking down a massive shift in the retail and tech landscape. From the dramatic fall of a luxury giant to Walmart's historic milestone and the high-stakes risks facing Silicon Valley’s finest, we’ve got the insights you need to stay ahead.

We track the "episodic drama" of Saks Global’s decline, from unpaid vendors and empty shelves to the January Chapter 11 filing. We dive into the friction with Amazon and the aggressive store closures impacting Saks Off Fifth and Neiman Marcus.

Walmart has officially joined the elite tech-heavy $1T market cap club. We discuss how their massive investments in supply chain automation and a "dot-com culture" (thanks to the legacy of Jet.com) are now allowing them to outpace Amazon’s e-commerce growth.

FedEx is pivoting away from "tiny cheap shipments" to focus on high-margin sectors like healthcare and aerospace. We look at their Network 2.0 strategy and how they are navigating the rise of de minimus shipments from players like Shein and TikTok Shop.

+⚠️ The Existential Risks of Big Tech

What keeps CEOs up at night? We identify the "one big risk" for the giants:

1. Amazon: Will the $200B AI backlog actually materialize?
2. Shopify: Is a "high-performance sports team" culture sustainable for a 100-year company?
3. Meta: The massive bet on "face computers" and ongoing legal distractions.
4. OpenAI: The "show me the money" moment and the lack of native distribution.

#Retail #Ecommerce #Walmart #SaksGlobal #FedEx #BigTech #Amazon #SupplyChain #WatsonWeekly

Today on our show:

• CMACH 3 event in New York City recap
• May retail sales data released
• Beyond loses a CEO
• Instacart expands retail media into Youtube

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Could Amazon deliver the mail?
• Costco expanding its ad network
• McKinsey state of the consumer 2024 report
• Loop and Happy Returns partner up

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Amazon Buy with Prime off to a slow start
• Shein launches Shein Exchange Resale Program in UK and Europe
• eBay expands its consignment service
• A call to action for brands

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Paypal is building an ads platform
• TJMaxx not afraid of Temu and Shein
• BigCommerce getting serious about its partner ecosystem
• Amazon growing its share of retail

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly 

Today on our show:

• Target earnings indicate big trouble
• Macy’s provides preview into restructuring
• Salesforce unveils new Einstein features
• Walmart earnings stand out

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly 

Today on our show:

• Amazon AWS CEO to step down
• Home Depot earnings disappoint
• Shein rejected from NRF membership
• Shopify acquires Peel Analytics founders

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• The Fall and Fall of Peloton
• Forrester’s New Wave Report
• What’s On My Mind About Digital Evolution

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Amazon reports terrific Q1 2024 earnings
• Nordstrom launches its marketplace
• Paypal earnings reflects life in the slow lane
• UPS to power Shein returns in Forever 21 stores

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Paypal’s coming battle with Shopify
• Nike’s failures highlight leadership issues
• UPS Q1 2024 earnings shows continued decline
• SaaS growth down from 2022 highs

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Confusing economic signals in 2024
• Shein faces new class action lawsuit
• GoPuff partners with Shopify to help CPG brands
• Macy’s kicks off its store closings

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Is SaaS really dead? Will AI take your job next year?

In this Watson Weekly Interview, Rick Watson talks with Dr. Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer at WPP and CEO of Satalia, to debunk the biggest myths surrounding Artificial Intelligence. From the changing architecture of software to the rise of "Economic Singularity," Dr. Hulme provides a masterclass on how businesses and individuals can navigate the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

We dive deep into:

1. The Future of SaaS: Why LLMs are amplifying—not killing—software.
2. The WPP Open Strategy: How AI unlocked creativity and content creation at scale.
3. Why AI Projects Fail: From "intoxicated graduate" syndrome to the trap of low-hanging fruit.
4. The Job Market: Transitioning from economic disruption to a world of abundance and UBI.
5. GSO (Generative Search Optimization): Move over SEO—learn how to brand your business inside the "brains" of LLMs.

Whether you are a SaaS founder, a marketer, or simply curious about the future of humanity, this conversation offers a grounded, expert perspective on the AI revolution.

1. 0:00 - Introduction to Dr. Daniel Hulme
2. 2:15 - Myth: Is SaaS Dead?
3. 5:40 - The 3-Layer Architecture of Modern Software
4. 8:20 - How WPP Open uses AI for Creative & Content
5. 12:45 - 5 Reasons Your AI Initiative Will Fail
6. 18:30 - AI vs. Jobs: The Path to Economic Singularity
7. 23:10 - Universal Basic Income and the Future of Work
8. 26:50 - Introduction to Generative Search Optimization (GSO)
9. 30:00 - Closing Thoughts: Living Your "True Humanity"

#AI #SaaS #FutureOfWork #WPP #MachineLearning #GenerativeAI #TechTrends

Today on our show:

• AllBirds gets Nasdaq delisting warning
• Revenue and profit at TikTok’s ownership growing
• Andy Jassy releases annual shareholder letter
• Inventory and cashflow key to the future of retail

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• UPS wins US Postal contract from FedEx
• Beyond.com has a new vision
• Home Depot acquires SRS distribution
• Amazon removes Just Walk Out From its Amazon Fresh stores

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly 

Today on our show:

• UPS announces new initiatives in Analyst Day
• Canada Goose announces shakeup
• Shein's supply chain as a service initiative a "Pearl Harbor" moment for retailers
• Commercetools releases a company update

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Shoptalk 2024 recap
• Nordstrom could be taken private
• Temu’s owner PDD doubles annual profit
• Google launches retail media beta

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• The end of the free shipping era is greatly exaggerated
• Software as a service keeps getting harder
• American Eagle’s logistics capitulation ends the pandemic logistics fever dream
• Shopify at Morgan Stanley tech conference 2024 takeaways

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Key learnings on Temu from recent report
• Klaviyo launches a professional services offering
• Amazon launching mini Whole Foods in New York City
• Target reports Q4 earnings

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Shopify GMV closing in on Amazon
• Macy’s announces a new vision
• Amazon aggregator Thrasio declares bankruptcy
• Klaviyo reports 2023 Q4 earnings

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Walmart’s Q4 earnings release
• Bed Bath and Beyond and Overstock name new CEOs
• Macy’s in a battle with investors
• What are UPS and FedEx telling us about the economy?

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Shopify reports Q4 2023 earnings
• Target has a new strategy: Become Tar-Mu
• Walmart may be Looking to buy TV maker Vizio
• Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of RMW Commerce

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Our recap of January 2024 eCommerce news
• Amazon releases their Q4 2023 earnings report
• Footwear brand New Balance adds a resale marketplace
• RMW Commerce’s 2024 Outlook

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

1. Amazon is a Vertically Integrated Utility
2. Shopify Fiscal Year 2025 Earnings: a Pony with One Great Trick, Could it Be More?
3. Kroger Opens a New Marketplace
4. Paypal Earnings and David Marcus

- and finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl.

https://www.watsonweekly.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@WatsonWeekly

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Attention, Watsonians! The Watson Weekly will be on a brief hiatus as Rick and his family celebrate the arrival of their new baby. We'll be back with new episodes in February.

Until then, keep prosperous and we'll see you soon!

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Macy’s gets a buyout offer
• Recap from Amazon CEO Andy Jassy on CNBC
• CommerceHub makes an acquisition and rebrands as Rithum
• Zulily files lawsuit against Amazon

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Shopify Investor Day recap
• Replatforming has slowed down significantly
• Amazon restructures its seller fees
• Neiman Marcus rejects Saks takeover bid

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly 

Today on our show:

• Our Black Friday Cyber Monday wrap up
• Shein files for IPO
• Amazon becomes the biggest delivery business in the US
• Kohl’s decides eCommerce is not for them

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• Walmart earnings update
• OpenAI explodes on itself
• Thrasio prepares for bankruptcy
• What I’m thankful for

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly 

Today on our show:

• Target Q3 2023 earnings surprise
• Shopify’s recent outage
• Update on Amazon Fresh
• My 2024 outlook

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Join Rick Watson as he speaks about the supply chain needs of growing mid-market brands in a wide-ranging interview with the Dhruv Saxena, former brand owner and current CEO of ShipBob.  The topics from the interview cover the origins of Shipbob, challenges facing brands, choosing the right solution partners, and more!  RMW Commerce has proposed a new category of service provider to fit the needs of these growing brands called the Fulfillment Accelerator.  The background of the interview comes from an extensive report written by RMW Commerce which you can find and download here:  https://www.rmwcommerce.com/fulfillment-accelerator-whitepaper

Today on our show:

• UPS reports bad Q3 2023 earnings
• Amazon smashes their Q3 2023 earnings
• What everyone gets wrong about platform decisions
• Omnicom Group acquires Flywheel Digital

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• HomeGoods shuts down their eCommerce platform
• Overstock changes its name to Beyond
• Can we tap the brakes on the TikTok and Amazon comparisons?
• Update on retail inventory heading into the holidays

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• The growing battle between TikTok, Shopify, and Amazon
• VF Corp gets a new activist investor
• Flexport CEO says it’s not going public
• What should brands do about TikTok shop?

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Welcome to the Watson Weekly Weekend Edition. Hosts Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky dive into the post-Super Bowl landscape to break down the biggest moves in retail, tech, and AI. From the high-stakes world of $7 million for 30 second ads at the big game to the massive earnings reports from industry titans (hello Amazon), we’re unpacking what these shifts mean for the future of commerce.

The AI Ad Wars: We review the ads from the big game spots from Claude (Anthropic), OpenAI, and Gemini. Is Anthropic just throwing shade at competitors, or is there a method to the "negative ad" madness?

Target’s Executive Carousel: Target is shuffling the deck chairs again. With a new CEO and a history of moving merchants into marketing roles, we ask: why does Target seem "allergic" to a real CMO?

Spotify vs. Amazon (The Book Edition): In a surprising move, Spotify is partnering with Bookshop.org to sell physical books. We explore why they’re helping independent bookstores while indie artists feel left behind.

Amazon Earnings Deep Dive: AWS is back on "high-speed rail" growth, and the new AI assistant Rufus is already driving billions in sales. Plus, we discuss the genius of the "add to delivery" feature.

Shopify’s AI Strategy: Shopify is growing at nearly 30% a year, but investors have one question: What is the AI strategy? Rick explains why Shopify’s "one trick"—the checkout—is still their greatest strength.

The Watson Weekly Weekend Edition is sponsored by Mirakl: Powering the next era of retail.

0:00 - Welcome to Watson Weekend

0:54 - The Big Game Ad Economics: $233,000 Per Second

2:18 - The AI Ad Wars: Anthropic (Claude) vs. OpenAI

3:56 - Google Gemini’s "Heartstrings" Ad Campaign

5:14 - Target’s Leadership Shuffle: Why the "Roach Motel" Strategy?

8:17 - Spotify’s Strange Pivot into Physical Books

9:54 - The Indie Artist Royalty Gap which Should Make Publishers Worried

11:13 - Amazon Earnings: AWS High-Speed Growth & Rufus+2

13:06 - Amazon’s New "Add to Delivery" Feature

14:26 - The Future of Amazon Grocery & Whole Foods

15:05 - Shopify Earnings: B2B and International Growth

16:51 - Shopify’s AI Narrative: "It's the Checkout, Stupid"

19:54 - Final Thoughts

Stay Bold. Stay Classy

Subscribe to our Newsletter: watsonweekly.com and YouTube channel.

Today on our show:

• Holiday deals kick off with Amazon, Walmart and Target
• Are people and processes keeping up with eCommerce technology?
• eBay sued in a DOJ environmental lawsuit
• Private equity exits declining

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• The Great Profitability Correction seems to be affecting everyone
• TikTok Shop feeds dominated by Schlock
• Toys “R” Us To open 24 new stores
• Holiday season retail predictions

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

Today on our show:

• FTC files suit against Amazon
• Amazon to rollout Prime Video ads
• Is the IPO market healthy?
• Shopify takes a stake in B2B marketplace Faire

And finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly