This episode reviews 2018 retail predictions and forecasts 2019 trends. It offers crucial insights into the evolving ecommerce landscape, covering store closures, Amazon's strategic moves, digital disruption in various sectors, and the future of retail technology. Essential listening for ecommerce operators navigating market shifts.
Key takeaways
Traditional retail continues to face headwinds: Expect significant store closures to persist into 2019, building on 2018 trends.
Amazon's focus is shifting to private label and advertising rather than acquiring more offline retailers, indicating key areas of growth and competition.
Digital disruption in grocery, particularly with curbside pickup, is a proven growth area, while other sectors like pharmacy may see slower digital adoption.
Voice technology is impactful but not primarily a commerce driver; prioritize other digital channels for direct sales.
Major retailers like Walmart will continue to pursue significant M&A opportunities to expand their market share and capabilities.
EP159 - 2019 Predictions and 2018 Recap Our annual predictions episode for 2019 and a recap of our 2018 predictions. 2018 Recap - Predictions made on episode 112 Scot Mallageddon 2.0 - We saw 7000 stores close in 2017, I think this accelerates in 2018 as the 30-40% of weak malls fail closures. YES Amazon will NOT buy another offline retailer, triples down on private label. YES Amazon will squarely get in the last mile business in 2018 and compete with FedEx and UPS. NO Amazon's ad group will get so large that they have to break out details about it and everyone will be shocked at how large it has gotten so quickly YES Walmart will make a big M+A - top candidates would be Instacart, postmates and eBay. YES Somebody acquires Magento, or they go public. YES 5/6 Bonus - Amazon comes out with Alexa powered wireless earbuds - because I want them. NO Jason Grocery gets disrupted by digital (led by curbside pickup). Digital grocery doubles in US, at least one delivery firm peters out.YES Drug gets disrupted by digital. NO AI Gap - biggest trend of 2018 NO Voice - Huge but not for commerce. YES Payments - Retail digital wallets die (except Starbucks/Walmart/Amazon). Bitcoin tanks. YES 3/5 Bonus - Amazon launches a wearable. NO . Scot crushes Jason! 2019 Predictions Scot At least 5k more store closures in 2019 Amazon - Prof Galloway is big on Amazon having to create a AWS spinoff and
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Traditional retail continues to face headwinds: Expect significant store closures to persist into 2019, building on 2018 trends.
What does this episode say about amazon & marketplaces?
Amazon's focus is shifting to private label and advertising rather than acquiring more offline retailers, indicating key areas of growth and competition.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
Digital disruption in grocery, particularly with curbside pickup, is a proven growth area, while other sectors like pharmacy may see slower digital adoption.
What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Voice technology is impactful but not primarily a commerce driver; prioritize other digital channels for direct sales.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Major retailers like Walmart will continue to pursue significant M&A opportunities to expand their market share and capabilities.
