MCM CommerceChat podcast

Relaxing of Amazon FBA Storage Rules, Explained

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon has revoked the 200-unit limit for new FBA sellers and changed how it assesses sellers’ storage limits. New sellers can start with 500-1,000 units depending on their storage type. It also now subject all sellers to new restock limits. Eytan Wiener, CEO of Getida and a former Amazon power seller, helps us break down the changes.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Uncommon Goods Steps Up Its SMS Marketing Game

| Mike O'Brien

Based in Brooklyn, NY, ecommerce crafts marketplace Uncommon Goods has been tested automated SMS campaigns, including for retargeting. Brian Hashemi, head of marketing and analytics for Uncommon Goods, talks about how the company is testing and learning with its SMS/email mix and working to increase personalization.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Keeping Brand Loyalty as Eyes Wander

| Mike O'Brien

A study last fall by Omnicom showed a drop of those professing to be brand loyal, from 65% in March to 49% in November, with the pandemic, social issues and product pricing and availability as driving factors. Allan Levy, CEO of Alchemy Worx, joins our MCM CommerceChat podcast to talk about guarding against loyalty erosion in 2021.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Amazon Logistics: Ready for Prime Time?

| Mike O'Brien

Last week Amazon spent $131 billion for a 19.5% share in ATSG, which operates aircraft it leases. And many believe Amazon Logistics is looking to restart delivering non-Amazon volume from its shippers. So what is up with all this activity and investment? We talk with Kiri Masters of Bobsled Marketing about the pieces that are in place.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

The Shrinking Gender Gap in Shopper Preferences

| Mike O'Brien

While there may not be as many women buying drills and crosscut saws at Home Depot these days, it appears that men and women have a lot more in common these days in terms of shopping preferences. Rodney Mason, CMO of daVinci Payments, breaks down the implications for marketers in the latest MCM CommerceChat podcast.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Talking Jeff Bezos Departure with an Amazon Alum

| Mike O'Brien

With Amazon announcing that CEO Jeff Bezos is stepping down in Q3 from day-to-day management of the company he founded in 1994, what will change? Will the well-oiled flywheel continue to spin? We address all this and more in the latest MCM CommerceChat podcast with our guest, James Thomson of Buy Box Experts.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Fake Reviews and Brushing on Amazon

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon has had a problem with “brushing” on its 3P marketplace, where unscrupulous sellers boost star rankings by loading up listings with irrelevant, bogus reviews. What is Amazon doing to counteract this practice? How widespread of a problem? Chris McCabe, a former investigation specialist at Amazon, helps us understand.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Mobile Apps in 2021: TikTok, Ad Spend and Livestreaming

| Mike O'Brien

Cyber Weekend 2020 presented yet more evidence of the the monster that is mobile commerce: 40% of Black Friday sales were from smartphones, Adobe said. As mobile apps going hand-in-glove with this phenomenon, we talked to Lexi Sydow of App Annie about mobile app trends to follow in 2021, including TikTok and livestreaming.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Omnichannel in 2021: What to Expect

| Mike O'Brien

Whether we see a reduction of the pandemic in 2021 (hold breath here), the retail landscape has been forever changed and omnichannel is locked in. How will retailers continue to adapt in a very challenging environment? We talked to Dave Cesaro, executive director of client strategy at Valassis, to get his thoughts on what to expect.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Dustup Between California Tax Authority and FBA Sellers, Explained

| Mike O'Brien

The Online Merchants Guild is suing California’s taxing authority for holding Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) sellers liable for back sales tax. The issue: Is inventory stored in California by Amazon, which in many cases the individual sellers many not even be aware of, taxable? Scott Peterson of Avalar helps us unpack the issue.