Read online Dear Readers, The three things on my mind this week: Are Stablecoins the next shiny thing that businesses will chase? Another crypto concept that could seemingly help facilitate cross-border commerce, but what will be its usage by consumers? I sit in the middle of the world, literally, and it feels like we are witnessing Chinese marketplaces and logistics solutions expanding into new markets. I have not spoken about this in detail, but the Middle East and Brazil are the...
9 days ago • 7 min read
Read online Dear Readers, The three things on my mind this week:? I find Amazon and its AI future fascinating. Did Andy Jassy say anything new in the note sent to Amazon staff this week? We are entering an era where technology companies will have fewer staff due to the rise of AI. Amazon is unique in that it will need staff for its warehouses, but let's not get carried away with this being something like Bezos' shareholder letter. Really? No Brittain. Did something happen at JD.com this past...
16 days ago • 8 min read
Read online Dear Readers, The three things on my mind this week:? Why aren't we discussing Chinese sellers going directly to markets through marketplaces? This seems to be a developing trend, as I am aware of startups that are helping Chinese sellers enter marketplaces on various continents. These manufacturers and brands are being squeezed by Temu, SHEIN, and others, yet this topic remains largely under the radar. Will marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart save the luxury industry? I ask, as...
23 days ago • 7 min read
Read online Dear Readers, Firstly, thanks to everyone who got in touch after last week's relaunch. i am testing what the best way is to serve you on Sundays. My weekly article on Wednesday was interrupted by unplanned tasks around the house. Hopefully, I will get to sending the first mid-week post on Wednesday. The three stories on my mind this week: Amazon goes deeper into AI and launches grocery in South Africa. Amazon is often viewed as an AI laggard. I tend to disagree as the company is...
30 days ago • 2 min read
Read online Dear Readers, I wrote my last newsletter in November 2024, and then it got really busy. I did not realize at the time that the world would undergo significant changes by 2025. I was aware of elections in Singapore, India, and the US, but had no idea that in April 2025, the trading hierarchy would be rearranged. The chaos and uncertainty created in 2025 have likely changed commerce, and especially cross-border e-commerce, which will likely never be the same. So why restart this...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
.Read this email in your browser Dear Readers, I have been busy the last three weeks and was behind in my reading to create this newsletter. The three questions on my mind: How does Amazon balance the new cheap from China store with its current operation? There are a lot of pitfalls and downsides vs Temu. What is the second-order impact of these cross-border marketplaces? Unemployment, textile sector challenges, and chaotic logistics? Is Temu the Trojan horse eroding Shein, Amazon, and...
8 months ago • 9 min read
Read this email in your browser Dear Readers, Happy Columbus Day to those who celebrated on Monday! The three questions on my mind this week: Why did MyTheresa management change its focus and acquire Yoox Net-A-Porter? Was it the low price of the asset or Richemont's desperation to find a new owner? I can't decide. Is there a world in which Temu wins in the US? Or is it dependent on regulation? Why do marketplaces struggle to keep medicines and drugs on their platforms? Coupang got the...
9 months ago • 7 min read
Read this email in your browser. Dear Readers, Over the last two weeks, the e-commerce news has been slow, almost the calm before the storm. I did not write a newsletter last week as it was my Dad's 82nd birthday, and I felt I needed to be more creative to write. In the future, the week of September 27 will not have a newsletter. The three questions on my mind: Why are developing economies such as Brazil, India, South Africa, and now Indonesia that have taxed or blocked Temu? Whereas Europe...
9 months ago • 6 min read
Read this email in your browser. Dear Readers, The three questions on my mind this week: Is Nike's demise due to inexperienced sneaker and apparel management (read CEO), availability in-store, or a lack of understanding of their core customer? I think it's all three. Is the customer-to-manufacture (C2M) model that Temu, Shein, and others use an example of supply chain disruption? I am currently researching this. Any comments are welcome. Why do we in e-commerce not talk about YouTube...
10 months ago • 7 min read