Tag: retail

Since joining AWS three years ago, the top questions I get by far pertain to Amazon’s culture and speed of innovation. Here are the kinds of things people want to know: What’s it like working for AWS? How does Amazon respond so quickly to customers’ wants, needs, and desires? How can I innovate like Amazon? […]

I joined AWS two years ago to lead the professional services organization for the AWS retail segment. Throughout my career in technology consulting, I’ve worked with retailers that run the gamut in size, scope, market share, and sector. I’ve noticed a common dilemma when companies want to embark on transformational technology initiatives. Many retailers aren’t […]

The ever-increasing popularity of live streaming is opening up new opportunities for online customer interactions. With live streaming providing engaging content, it can facilitate the flow of customers into online shopping, joining the shopping experience with other forms of online engagement. Personalized recommendations also allow online stores to pick the right products at the right […]

The National Retail Federation’s NRF2021 Big Show, the premier conference for innovative brands and retail professionals, took place as a virtual event this year. Though we missed connecting in person with old friends and colleagues at New York’s Javits Center, NRF’s Big Ideas sessions still came through with fresh insights from retailers at the forefront […]

Germany, a Powerful Force in Retail In 2020, retail revenue in Germany was estimated to be $820 billion. According to Deloitte’s Global Powers of Retailing 2020 study, four of the top 20 largest retailers in the world are German companies: Schwarz Group (Lidl), Aldi, Edeka, and Rewe. And among the 250 largest retailers, 20 are […]

No retailer would ever question the importance of data in daily operations. The evolution of operational data in retail decision making—from batch reporting to decision support to business intelligence systems—has been quite profound. Today, adaptive analytic platforms are driving industry innovation so retailers can: Detect critical business signals. Derive the current meaning and predictive insights […]

I was on a panel last year hosted by AWS Partners Rackspace and retailers Sainsbury’s and Sofology. The final question was, “What are you going to do for the first time in 2021?” As I pondered the question, I thought about what AWS retail customers should do for the first time in 2021. My response […]

No one predicted the COVID-19 pandemic. With stay-at-home mandates and social distancing, people are not going to retail stores as often. Instead, they are buying online, and as a result, consumers are putting a great deal more thought and deliberation into their purchase decisions. Typically, whether consumers are venturing out to a retail store or […]

This time a year ago, we knew that ecommerce would continue to grow… just plugging along with more and more people organically buying online. What we didn’t know this time a year ago was that a pandemic would soon grip the world, and like a wave, country by country, it would cripple retail stores and […]

Recently, more than 37 million shoppers logged on to watch Viya, an online sales sensation, sell everything from cosmetics, appliances, and clothing to cars and houses. That’s more people than watched the Game of Thrones finale. If you’ve never heard of Viya, the 34-year-old host of her own livestream show, then you likely don’t live […]