MCM CommerceChat

MCM CommerceChat


Latest Episodes

Walmart and the DTC Brand Unwind
May 04, 2023

The curious case of Walmart's venture into creating a stable of hot startup DTC brands has come to a close, with the 2023 sales of Moosejaw, Bonobos and Eloquii in quick succession. So it's a fitting

Consumer Data Privacy on the March
March 23, 2023

The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), an amendment to the 2018 CCPA, went into effect Jan. 1, requiring publishers/advertisers to comply with new consumer data privacy guidelines. Other states inc

Compostable Apparel: A Conversation with Eric Liedtke of Unless Collective
February 23, 2023

Unless Collective, a Portland, OR startup creating plant- and mineral-based footwear and apparel, is one of a handful of companies making a difference by its conscious choice of materials and manufact

Sizing Up Consumer Trends in 2023 with S&P
February 02, 2023

With a month of 2023 behind us, everyone in retail is wondering how consumer trends will play out this year in the face of ongoing (but lessening) inflation and a tricky macroeconomic picture, to say

Gig Workers Change Considered by DOL
November 22, 2022

Last month, the Department of Labor proposed a change to the way it determines the classification of independent contractors. If it eventually becomes law, the rule change would have a lasting effect

How Alen Expanded from DTC/Ecomm Onto Lowe’s Shelves
November 17, 2022

For 16 years, Alen has been selling its a top-rated air purifiers on Alen.com and Amazon. Now the company has expanded into retail, with product in 300+ Lowes stores, with potential for expansion. Al

Ocean Shipping Reform Act: Rework Container Fee Assessment
November 04, 2022

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 is intended to promote U.S. exports and make ocean transport more competitive, efficient and economical. But a requirement that invoices list the date of containe

One Broker’s View: Let’s Lift OT Exemption for Truckers
October 25, 2022

Companion bills in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate aim to amend the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act, removing the overtime exemption for truckers. Predictably, it's opposed by shippers and rail carriers,

Putting Kroger and Albertsons in Context
October 19, 2022

Last week Kroger announced it was acquiring Albertsons for $24.5B, a major deal on the order of Amazon buying Whole Foods in 2017 that immediately reshaped the power structure in grocery. Neil Saunder

Kroger’s 84.51° Labs: Pushing the Boundaries of Data Science
October 11, 2022

Kroger and its data arm, 84.51, have launched a Science and Technology Solutions team. The focus is on delivering science and technology solutions that revolutionize customer engagement in retail. An