Welcome to the era of ubiquitous commerce

Author

Stephen Babcock
September 08, 2022

The daily current header

59% of shoppers plan to buy more online in the next 6 months, according to Pitney Bowes' BOXpoll. Amid continuing economic upheaval, the convenience of ecommerce is being redefined around the ability to “shop from anywhere, at any time,” Pitney Bowes VP Vijay Ramachandran told The Current.

After Peter Freese noticed slower Prime delivery times at his own home and on social media, the former Amazon employee conducted his own research that revealed shipping was taking four to five days in 13 of 39 Washington counties. Prime’s two-day guarantee has created customer expectations of fast delivery. What happens if it can’t keep up with its own promise?

In this week’s ecommerce hiring update, Target is tearing up its retirement policy to keep Brian Cornell, while Starbucks is tapping Reckitt’s top exec as its new CEO. Plus, Gopuff brings on an Amazon veteran, kate spade new york is forming a design leadership partnership, and the top marketing executive departs at Lowe’s.

Inflation and interest rate hikes will mean a lighter cargo haul at top US ports for the rest of the year, according to the latest Global Port Tracker from NRF and Hackett Associates. While cargo volumes are still above pre-pandemic levels, the surge of the last two years is beginning to recede. Meanwhile, freight rates are continuing to fall around the globe. It means containers are cheaper following last fall's sky-high prices, but there’s a catch: A slowdown in demand could be a warning sign of a recession.

Amazon is “leading the way” as an advertising platform, overtaking TikTok as the digital destination where people are most receptive to marketing, according to Kantar’s latest Media Reactions study. Showing that there is even more opportunity to grow, Amazon didn’t even crack marketers' top five most preferred networks.

Tweet of the Day 🐦

Were you forwarded this email by a friend or colleague?