Mike O'Brien
Mike O’Brien has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for … well, quite a while. At Multichannel Merchant he focuses on the world of direct-to-customer operations and fulfillment, editing MCM’s weekly O+F Advisor newsletter, and programs the annual Ecommerce Operations Summit conference. Previously Mike was a senior account executive for Marx Communications, a boutique public relations firm working with marketing and advertising technology companies. Other past work includes stints as a media relations consultant for a concert promoter, a marketing communications specialist for a pharma software firm, a research analyst covering corporate e-learning and a daily newspaper reporter on every beat imaginable – except sports.
With new tool and technology, retailers and brands – and increasingly, affinity-based communities or organizations – are finding it easier than ever to launch ecommerce marketplaces. This report explores how affinity-based groups are empowering makers and creating an environment of shared experiences and passions.
Bed Bath & Beyond has come to terms with activist investor Ryan Cohen and his firm RC Ventures, agreeing to add three board members put forward by Cohen in exchange for a “standstill agreement” that RC Ventures won’t seeking a doubling of its interest in the retailer.
How are you addressing speed to customer in a challenging environment? Multichannel Merchant brought together executives in transportation and logistics from top companies — GNC, Best Buy, Vermont Teddy Bear, Crutchfield, DSW and Saddle Creek Logistics Services — for a virtual Think Tank forum on the subject.
CommerceIQ, a startup with a platform that allows major CPG brands to manage their ecommerce sales into retailers and marketplaces, has crossed the unicorn line with the closing of a $115 million Series D funding, bringing the company’s total valuation to more than $1 billion.
As Kohl’s management considers acquisition offers from 20+ potential suitors, one has emerged at the head of the pack, according to a report in the New York Post: Canadian retailer Hudson’s Bay Co., owner of Saks Fifth Avenue and the eponymous retail chain. A decision will likely be announced at a May 11 shareholder meeting.
Fortia Group is pursing a vacant corner of the brand aggregator market, launching a new financing syndicate that gives entrepreneurs who have exited their ecommerce business an opportunity to invest in aggregators and reap the rewards of their growth.
Given the vast amount of data streaming into its ubiquitous search engine every day, its various technology platforms and the ecommerce explosion, it’s only logical that Google is offering what it sees as a better mousetrap to solve the thorny problem of route optimization in last-mile deliveries.
FedEx delivered strong revenue and profit for the third quarter, but the latter was below analyst expectations, and volume was negatively impacted by the Omicron variant to the tune of $350 million between Express and Ground, a falloff the company said began rebounding in February.
Direct to consumer or DTC was hot as a firecracker a few years ago, as brands like Allbirds and Warby Parker flew high by bypassing the retail channel. Now the tide seems to be turning as several of these marquee DTC brands have stumbled. CNBC contributor Alex Kantrowitz helps us break it down in our MCM CommerceChat podcast.
Belgium-based Dronamics, maker of a long-range cargo drone that can carry up to 770 lbs. of payload, is expanding its network by adding two new “droneport” locations at airports in Germany and Denmark, creating a total of 42 locations in 14 European cities. A partnership with DHL in APAC calls for deployment of 4,000 drones.