RMW Commerce

Debate #3 of The Most Honest eCommerce Debate drops TOMORROW at 12 PM ET. This week’s question: If platform tech has had huge investment, is the platform really the problem? Billions have been poured into commerce tech — yet brands still struggle with performance, integration, and ROI. So where’s the real disconnect? The platforms? The operators? Or the expectations we’ve built around both? Five industry voices weigh in. You decide who wins. Watch and vote here → https://lnkd.in/eTT8WeAb #ecommerce #debate #rmwcommerce #scayle #digitalcommerce

Debate #3 of The Most Honest eCommerce Debate drops TOMORROW at 12 PM ET. This week’s question: If platform tech has had huge investment, is the platform really the problem? Billions have been poured into commerce tech — yet brands still struggle with performance, integration, and ROI. So where’s the real disconnect? The platforms? The operators? Or the expectations we’ve built around both? Five industry voices weigh in. You decide who wins. Watch and vote here → https://lnkd.in/eTT8WeAb #ecommerce #debate #rmwcommerce #scayle #digitalcommerce

The Most Honest Debate in eCommerce Panels are safe. This isn’t. Starting October 15th, RMW Commerce & SCAYLE Commerce Engine are launching a 10-episode virtual debate series where five of the industry’s sharpest voices go head-to-head on the toughest questions in commerce — with Rick Watson as referee once again. The Debaters Dave Finnegan — Operating Partner, BlackFinn Lee Trotter — Director, Digital Engagement, Data Realm Software Matt Ezyk — Senior Director of Engineering, Ecommerce, Hanna Andersson Rob Garf — Head of Strategy and Insights, Cordial Suze Dowling — Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, Pattern Brands Referee: Rick Watson, RMW Commerce The Schedule: Oct 15 – Why do we hate on our ecommerce platforms? Oct 22 – TCO is a terrible measure for platform viability – how should we measure utility? Oct 29 – If platform tech has had huge investment, is the platform really the problem? Nov 5 – Why have conversion rates and performance been so transient for two decades? Nov 12 – Have we overinvested in performance marketing instead of infrastructure? Nov 19 – When does the customer really enter the decision process? Dec 3 – No one asked for Agentic commerce – what’s the possible backlash? Dec 10 – Beyond payments and logistics, what software should we be investing in? Dec 15 – How should the SI ecosystem be treated to create medium-term revenue? Dec 17 – Have we overcomplicated retail tech – and how do we simplify it? The Format: - 10 questions - 5 debaters - 1 champion — chosen by you Expect friction, rebuttals, and the occasional “are you serious?” moment. No safe answers. Just brutally honest debate. First debate drops October 15th. Save your spot here: https://lnkd.in/eq3auSuQ

Don't miss our next webinar: "The Modern Commerce Blueprint: From Transactional to Transformation" Register now: https://lnkd.in/gc7GeHPE

"Right now, MCPs have an amazing place because this is where merchants get control. Because if you think of merchants, how they look at commerce, they want control over how their e-commerce sites show up, what personalized content shows up, how the content is displayed, and how it is laid out. And they can't get that with LLMs, but they can get that control with MCPs. So I think they're going to like MCPs way more than generic-purpose LLMs." Shailesh Kumar, SVP of Engineering at Salesforce, is the Head of Engineering for Salesforce Commerce & Retail Cloud in conversation with Rick Watson. #ohshift #ai #agent #mcp

Fearless Communication in Chaos: An Ultra-Runner's Guide to Brand Leadership with Jenn George This episode is brought to you by Mirakl. Because “Traditional eCommerce” Is Just Code for “Not Growing.” It’s time to do better than the status quo. Join 450+ retailers who are scaling 6X faster with AI, automation, and a platform built for what’s next. Marketplace, dropship, and retail media at enterprise-grade scale. It's time to accelerate with Mirakl. Join Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky on The Watson Weekend as they sit down with Jenn George, Chief Communications Officer at TAG - The Aspen Group. A seasoned brand leader and ultra-runner, Jenn shares her unique philosophy on simplifying the complex, finding clarity in chaos, and why communication is about steadying the humans inside a brand, not just crafting the perfect press release. In this conversation, we dive into: How to find signal in the noise and create a powerful narrative that drives action. The importance of authenticity and vulnerability, and why it beats perfection in an age of "AI slop". The "know, feel, do" framework for effective communication strategies. Real-world examples of brands and leaders who have successfully navigated major transformations. How Jenn's experience as an ultra-runner taught her that our perceived limits are often not real, a lesson she applies to business leadership. This is a must-watch for any leader who wants to master communication and build a resilient brand in today's unpredictable world. #watsonweekend #communication #authenticity

🚨Rick Watson, CEO & Founder of RMW Commerce, is the moderator for our Crayfish Party!🚨 With decades of experience advising the industry’s most forward-thinking ecommerce brands, Rick brings the perfect mix of sharp insight and real-talk energy to the stage. He’ll be moderating two expert panels featuring leaders from DVF (Diane von Furstenberg), Credo Beauty, Klaviyo, Domaine, Tapcart, and Nosto: 💄📳AI, Apps & Insights: How Credo Beauty Scales Personalization 👗🔄Retention In Motion: Lessons in Loyalty from DVF Expect fast takes, strong opinions, and insights you can actually apply. 👇 Registration link in the comments.

The latest Watson Weekly episode is out: Shipping Smackdown: Nate Skiver on the Parcel Industry's Biggest Myth Join Rick Watson and special guest Nate Skiver, founder of LPF Spend Management, as they dive into a fiery discussion about the state of shipping in e-commerce. In this spicy wing-eating challenge, Nate debunks a major shipping myth and shares his expertise from over two decades in the retail and consulting world. In this episode, we explore: The biggest myth in shipping and why it's finally dying a slow death. How the e-commerce market has changed, creating more options beyond the "big three" carriers. The role of regional carriers and why more retailers are turning to them. How shipping technology advancements are making multi-carrier shipping easier to manage. Grab a glass of milk and get ready for a fast-paced, insightful conversation that will change the way you think about your shipping strategy! Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl . #watsponweekly #parcel #shipping

🌶️ Skiver x Watson: Hot Ones Shipping Smackdown which is less than 24 hours away! This week on Watson Weekend, we’re cranking up the heat—literally. Joining me is Nate Skiver, Founder of LPF Spend Management and the internet’s go-to voice on parcel + ecommerce delivery. With 23 years of experience building parcel programs for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and Gap, Nate knows shipping inside and out. But this time… he’s answering the hottest ecommerce questions while tackling even hotter wings. 🔥🍗 Here’s what’s on the menu: 🟢 Wing 1 – Myths that need to die → Why single-carrier dependency is fading. 🟡 Wing 2 – Fast shipping → Still an advantage, or just table stakes? 🔴 Wing 3 – Free shipping → Value vs. speed—what really drives buyer behavior? 🔥 Wing 4 – The Last Dab → “If brands want to win in 2025, they need to ______.” It’s bold insights + burning taste buds. 🚚💨 📊 Did you know? 74% of consumers say delivery is the most important part of online shopping—and 72% would ditch a brand after a poor delivery experience. Shipping isn’t back-office anymore. It’s front-line brand experience. So… can Nate handle the spice and still deliver the insights? Tune in to find out. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl. Because “Traditional eCommerce” Is Just Code for “Not Growing” It’s time to do better than the status quo. Join 450+ retailers who are scaling 6X faster with AI, automation, and a platform built for what’s next. Marketplace, dropship, and retail media at enterprise-grade scale. It's time to accelerate with Mirakl. 💡 This week’s Headline Hangover is brought to you by Crstl — The smarter way to EDI. See why brands like Neuro Gum and Andy Swim love it at C-R-S-T-L dot A-I. 📅 Episode drops Friday. 🎧 Bring your milk. Bring your questions. And get ready for a shipping showdown like you’ve never seen before. #Watsonweekly #supplychain #shipping #spice