Chris O'Neill

💡Amazon invests in consolidation of Saks Fifth Avenue & Neiman Marcus Group … Why? 💬 Lot of chatter in the last day about Amazon backing the consolidation of LUXURY retailers Saks and Neiman Marcus….theres a lot to be said about tech that helps traditional retailers win and I think Forbes and Suzanne Kapner at The Wall Street Journal have a great take. That being said, I think the crown jewel they are going after here is interesting…. I think the big nut to crack for Amazon is a CRM play of owning the super high end customers…dominating that top spender market. That luxury shopper. Not as a transactional relationship, but owning that luxury shopper segment—both online and offline. I think the crown jewel Amazon is going after here is…. 💵 Prime for the 0.1%ers. The big picture here is a massive opportunity for Amazon to unlock — think of the spending they could own. 💥 Amazon Ultra Prime. No wonder Salesforce also invested… CRM play. https://lnkd.in/gy_r7jMQ https://lnkd.in/gmk-ZqSU

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Retail executives have witnessed #AI's transformative potential, yet have we grasped its full impact on #ProductDiscovery? Today, AI isn't just disrupting search–it's reinventing its future. Consider this: while product search itself increasingly happens on: - Generative AI answer engines (Perplexity AI, ChatGPT Search, Meta AI, Microsoft Co-Pilot, etc.) - Retail media networks (Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Macy's, etc.) - Social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, etc.) ...70% of search ad spend still remains focused on the largest search engine in the world: Google. To stay competitive, retailers must embrace shifting consumer behaviors as AI, technology, media, and Google itself reshape the product search and shopping landscape. I'm diving deeper into this critical issue in our upcoming demo session at Search Engine Land SMX Next, "Vibe shift: Elevating shopping ads with AI-powered natural language search." Here's a sneak peek at the hot topics I’ll cover in this free, virtual event on November 13th: 1) The state of product search and advertising 2) Preparing for an increasingly feedless GMC future 3) How Lily AI's attributes platform goes beyond Site Search to seamlessly unlock better Shopping Ad and SEO performance https://lnkd.in/ehB5VGMv

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Key EMARKETER stat: US ecommerce resale volume will hit $80.60 billion this year, a growth of 3.4% YoY, per our December 2023 forecast. Beyond the chart: Ecommerce resale volume is returning to growth after a 6.9% dip YoY in 2022 and a 2.5% one in 2023, per eMarketer forecast. But it still hasn’t returned to its pandemic high of $85.87 billion in 2021. Growth in the number of online fashion buyers has slowed, leading platforms to search for strategies to boost order values by offering luxury goods and courting wealthy shoppers. #ecommerce #resale #retailsales

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Excited to head to the 2024 Snowflake Summit in San Francisco this week! 🏙️ I can't wait to share insights on how retailers are leveraging Snowflake and Vantage to launch and accelerate their Retail Media Networks. 🚀 If you’re attending or in SF, let’s connect and discuss the future of retail tech. What are you most excited about at the summit? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 #SnowflakeSummit #RetailTech #Innovation

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🌟Innovative VC Firm Overcomes Exits Drought with Secondary Sales🌟 ⛵Navigating a challenging landscape where exits are scarce, Santa Barbara Venture Partners (SBVP) has pioneered a novel approach to sustain its growth and attract investors for its second fund: secondary sales. Instead of waiting for traditional exits like IPOs or acquisitions, SBVP opted to sell shares of its portfolio companies, demonstrating its ability to generate returns for investors and stand out in a competitive market. 🎤According to Dan Engel, founder and managing partner of SBVP, these secondary transactions have been a game-changer, sparking investor interest and bolstering the firm's credibility. By leveraging its recent successes, including a lucrative stake in sports-betting company DraftKings Inc.' acquisition of digital lottery app Jackpocket, SBVP seized the opportunity to return profits to its limited partners (LPs) and pave the way for its second fund. 💡Engel highlighted the challenges faced by young VC firms in raising subsequent funds, particularly amid a downturn in exit activity and heightened investor scrutiny. With traditional exit routes becoming increasingly elusive, the pressure is on for firms to demonstrate tangible returns and establish a track record of success. ✨"For us, secondary sales have been a game-changer. They've helped us return profits to our LPs and attract investors for our second fund," said Dan Engel. 💰For SBVP, the decision to pursue secondary sales was driven by the need to provide liquidity to LPs and validate its investment thesis in the eyes of prospective investors. By strategically offloading portions of its holdings in high-performing portfolio companies like Bark Technologies and Rad AI, SBVP not only generated substantial returns but also bolstered investor confidence in its ability to deliver results. ⚠Despite the complexities and potential stigma associated with early share sales, Engel emphasized the importance of prioritizing investor returns and seizing opportunities to unlock value for stakeholders. With a focus on profitability and transparency, SBVP remains committed to its mission of delivering sustainable growth and maximizing returns for its LPs. 🔍 "Returning profits to our investors is our top priority. By strategically selling shares, we're proving our commitment to delivering results and driving value for our stakeholders," added Engel. As SBVP continues to explore secondary transactions and expand its investor base, the firm stands as a testament to innovation and resilience in the face of market challenges. 🚀 ✅ Looking to raise capital for your #fund and increase the international pool of your LP #investors?   🤝 Need warm #LP introductions?   📝 Selling #secondaries to increase liquidity?   🧐 Looking for co-investments?   ▶ G+QUANT's link for inquiries and fund decks: https://lnkd.in/gjC_EuTE #VCInnovation #SecondarySalesSuccess #InvestorReturns #ValueCreation 

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Had a great time chatting with Oliver and Doug at today’s panel discussion! ViSenze AI Multi-Search is solving some complex search problems using GenAI, helping customers find exactly what they want more efficiently. Check them out! Excited about the future of retail search and discovery! #NRFAPAC #RetailInnovation #GenAI #Fynd #ViSenze #AWS

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If you're in the Bay Area, join us! Just a few spots left! Get ready to mix and mingle at the first Retail Women In Tech Bay Area Mixer on June 26, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the vibrant Irish Consulate in the heart of San Francisco. This space was so kindly donated to us by Enterprise Ireland. We are also so grateful to Writer for sponsoring our event. 💜 ​Retail Women in Tech was started to create connections between people of different backgrounds (from the business, in tech, in consulting, etc.) and to support one another as we navigate through this thing called our careers (and life). Reality is, lots need that now. Many of us are pausing, zooming out, and considering what we really want to do next. How do we best figure that out? By learning from each other. ​Expect great conversations, (no sales pitches :), light refreshments, and a fantastic view of the city from Suite 2300 at 1 Post St. Whether you're looking to network, share ideas, or just have a good time, this mixer is the perfect way to unwind and make new connections. https://lu.ma/6q3kpgqj

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🎉 Big News From Pacvue! - As I teased a few weeks back, we’ve just added a powerful new offering to our platform!  Pacvue has released our new #iROAS Dashboard, part of our Incrementality Console, to tackle one of the biggest challenges in retail media… #Measurement.🚀 Understanding the incremental impact of advertising efforts is critical to planning budgets and measuring the effectiveness of campaigns - yet remains one of the most ambiguous areas, causing uncertainty in digital marketing. Our new incrementality model enables brands to see the impact of advertising on sales, optimize their budgets, and make better data-driven decisions on overall marketing strategy. Pacvue’s iROAS model leverages years of deep industry expertise combined with dozens of inputs and data sources to bring brands the most accurate measure of incremental revenue growth. 👇 Check out the link below for more details. https://lnkd.in/g_KRiHs3 #incrementality #retailmedia #commercemedia #martech 

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As we look toward the retail holiday season and planning for the year ahead, MOHR Retail will be hosting a panel discussion that explores the landscape of retail store environments today, focusing on a range of topics, including the dynamic roles of store teams, the rise and fall of self-checkout systems, how stores are increasingly becoming fulfillment centers, and how successful retailers are addressing issues related to mental health, safety, and burnout amid preparations for the holiday season. Here’s a quick overview of some of these hot-button retail store trends and issues and what we’ll be focusing on during the webinar: ↪The Evolution of Store Roles With the surge of Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) options and stores doubling as fulfillment centers, retail teams are adapting to new responsibilities. The traditional role of a store employee has shifted from managing in-store tasks to balancing online orders and managing stock all while building loyalty by ensuring a seamless customer experience, both online and offline. ↪The Rise and Fall of Self-Checkout Self-checkout was once hailed as a revolutionary step forward in retail efficiency, offering customers a quicker way to check out while reducing the need for staff. However, recent concerns over security, increased theft, and the impersonal nature of the experience have led some retailers to reconsider their reliance on self-checkout systems. ↪Doing More with Less As staffing challenges continue to rise, retailers are finding themselves needing to do more with fewer employees. Retailers need to rethink scheduling, training, and multi-role positions while looking for best practices that help streamline operations. If you’re interested in joining this panel discussion, reach out to me! We’re looking for your experiences, insights, ideas, and/or other lessons you might be able to share to add to a lively, thought-provoking discussion #LearnMOHR #RetailTrends #Retail

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I've just published a new blog on the DIGITS site, where we delve into the recent Target Circle relaunch and its significant impact on the retail landscape. In this post, we explore:   - 1M New Signups since the relaunch  - A 20% increase in weekly offers  - 2.5X higher offer utilization with auto-apply  - Key insights on promotional spend and incrementality Plus, I share strategic tips on how to leverage these changes for maximum success. https://lnkd.in/g9PwNCMx

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🚨 Amazon’s Bold Move into Luxury Fashion: What It Means for the Industry 🚀 The retail landscape is buzzing with the news of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus Group merging, creating a luxury retail powerhouse backed by Amazon. This $2.65 billion deal, forming Saks Global, is set to revolutionize the luxury fashion industry in ways we’ve never seen before. Why This Matters: Amazon, a titan in e-commerce, logistics and technology, is now officially stepping into the luxury fashion arena. This move could drastically reshape their business model and the luxury market. Here’s why: 1️⃣ Logistics and Efficiency: Amazon’s logistical expertise is unparalleled. By integrating its advanced logistics with Saks Global’s operations, we can expect significant improvements in supply chain efficiency. Faster delivery times and better inventory management will enhance customer satisfaction and reduce costs. This synergy could mean that customers will soon be able to purchase luxury items like a Chanel bag with the same ease as everyday essentials. 2️⃣ The Power of AI and Data: Amazon and Salesforce bring cutting-edge AI and data analytics to the table. AI can personalize the shopping experience, predicting customer preferences and tailoring recommendations. This level of personalization is crucial in luxury retail, where customer experience is paramount. With Amazon’s data prowess, Saks Global can better understand their customers, optimize pricing strategies, and manage inventory more effectively, ensuring high-end pieces don’t end up in discount bins. 3️⃣ Technology Integration: Amazon’s involvement means more than just financial backing; it’s about leveraging technology to future-proof the luxury brands. As Marc Metrick, CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue’s online operations, mentioned, the aim is to gather high-quality customer data and offer more personalized options. Enhanced tech capabilities will streamline operations from the warehouse to the customer’s doorstep, making luxury shopping seamless. 4️⃣ Market Reach and Customer Base: Amazon’s vast customer base is a goldmine for Saks Global. This deal allows Amazon to penetrate the high-end market, catering to a demographic that values exclusivity and quality. For luxury brands, having access to Amazon’s broad customer reach means new growth opportunities and expanded market presence. Conclusion: This merger isn’t just about consolidating two luxury giants; it’s about transforming how luxury retail operates in the digital age. While some may fear that this could dilute the exclusivity of luxury brands, it’s an opportunity to innovate and adapt. The luxury sector has been cautious about embracing e-commerce fully, but this merger signals a shift towards a more tech-driven future. As consumers, we stand to benefit from improved services, personalized experiences, and greater accessibility to luxury products. #LuxuryFashion #Ecommerce #BusinessStrategy #Amazon #SaksGlobal #RetailInnovation

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🚀 So interesting to see Amazon's rapid ascent in beauty and how this will continue to shape the dynamic, ever evolving beauty landscape. For beauty retailers specifically, the Amazon threat is real, but they can still find ways to win by leaning into their beauty specialty superpower. From brand curation to product discovery to premium and indie brand offerings, beauty retailers can leverage their omnichannel strategies as most beauty purchases still happen in store. Sephora and Ulta have the advantage of being able to engage deeply with their millions of beauty loyalists and enthusiasts and better target messaging to their customers. There is also an opportunity to further elevate their customer experience online, from virtual try-ons, skin diagnostics, product education and more. Thanks to Erica La Sala and Beauty Independent for including me. Check out the full article to read more from others - Joël Palix, Tina Henry Bou-Saba, Aaron Chatterley, Karen Hayes and more! https://lnkd.in/eusxEKSd True Beauty Ventures #beautyinvesting #beauty #ecommerce

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Congratulations to StandUp Ventures portfolio company Max Retail on their $15M USD Series A led by Nosara Capital after an exceptional year of growth! Oh how I love optimization problems, and especially ones that support entrepreneurs 😭 Independent retail shops sit on an average of 22% excess inventory at any given time, representing ~$50K-$200K of financial losses each year. For small businesses that are often the pillars of their communities (& frequently women-owned!), these losses are HUGELY impactful. Before Max Retail, options to recuperate them were extremely limited (discounting items far below cost, sending to consignment, or donating for a tax write-off). Alone, a single store in a small town with one or two sizes of a SKU isn't meaningful enough to engage with for zero inventory marketplaces or online retailers, but in aggregate, Max Retail's network of 2,000+ retailers and real-time data acts seamlessly as a single source of new and often hard-to-find supply. Bringing these items online exponentially increases the pool of potential buyers, resulting in immediate cash relief and payouts 4-8x higher than the status quo of liquidation. And the proof is in the pudding. 89% of active sellers are selling inventory every single month, with some sellers making upwards of $250k per year. GMV has exploded 4x YoY, with an incredible 40% of new retailer leads coming from existing customers. The macro omnichannel opportunity for real-time, SKU-level, inventory, pricing, and sales data across the normally siloed brick-and-mortar independent retail market is limitless. Alongside AI-powered pricing and item allocation engines, Max Retail is able to pay sellers the maximum value possible for excess inventory, and help retailers understand live inventory performance and market value of every item they list. This ultimately underpins a foundation for a more efficient and productive market, getting the right products to the right buyers at the right time, place and price. We're so excited to continue supporting the INCREDIBLE Melodie van der Baan alongside the wonderful M13, The Artemis Fund , and Rethink Impact, LP. Onwards and upwards! 🚀 #fundingnews #seriesa #retaildata

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“hyper-personalized, convenient, and engaging shopping experiences”. At NewEcom.ai, we empower e-commerce businesses to deliver hyper-personalized shopping experiences that not only engage customers but also drive higher conversion rates and order values. Like industry leaders, we help you offer convenient, data-driven interactions that stand out. #AIcommerce #conversationalcommerce #GenAI #NewEcom #AIpersonalization Frédéric Lévy Cyril Reinhard Sylvere Azoulai Davide Moro Æthos Shopify Adobe Salesforce Commerce Cloud

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The precarious position of CEOs in #retail and #consumer #packagedgoods (CPG) industries stems from the high volatility and rapid changes in consumer behavior. Unlike sectors like automotive or finance, where purchase cycles are longer and more predictable, consumers in retail and CPG make frequent, easily influenced choices. This makes it quickly apparent when a brand is underperforming, and boards are more inclined to replace leadership in hopes of finding someone who can drive the company to the top of its category. The pressure is intensified by stakeholders’ expectations for radical growth, especially when a predecessor achieved success through incremental improvements. New CEOs often face the challenge of balancing strategic renewal with the need for quick results, all while navigating a rapidly shifting consumer landscape. Longevity in these roles hinges not only on having a compelling vision but also on the ability to adapt and execute effectively, seizing the opportunities that change presents. Ultimately, CEOs who consistently deliver value to both consumers and shareholders will be the ones who thrive in these high-risk, high-reward positions!

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Returns cost retailers an estimated $743 billion in revenue last year, according to the National Retail Federation. That was actually an improvement from 2022, when retailers lost $816 billion on returns. But there's a smarter way forward with returns. By integrating returned products into the resale market, we can simultaneously recover value and reduce waste. This approach does require some investment in: • meticulous inspection • refurbishment • repackaging Advanced tracking systems and data analytics can make all the difference here. Technological innovations like these make the process of putting returns back on the shelf swift and efficient. Fortunately, new third-party vendors offer turnkey resale platforms for retailers. One great example is Recurate (acquired by Trove Recommerce), a startup in XRC Ventures’ portfolio. They provide seamless resale solutions for top brands like Michael Kors, Steve Madden, and The Frye Company. It’s exciting to see the innovation and investment going into this space. By transforming returns into resale opportunities, we not only minimize waste but also maximize value. Which means shoppers, retailers and the planet come out ahead.

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AI ad products present both opportunities and risks. Leveraging them optimally for consumer brands requires a lot of nuance - with a few of my thoughts in Modern Retail https://lnkd.in/gcYrqmV4

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All the rage is "Retail Media"...everyone talking about how best to leverage retail media with advertising budgets. Two alarming statistics. #1 Retail Media will attract more incremental advertising spend than Alphabet and Meta combined. The more alarming statistic? Amazon is forecasted to earn 76% of that retail media advertising spend. Next closest within retail media is Walmart with 6%. Google and Meta have been called duopolies but the "toll booth of eCommerce" has emerged. Amazon keeps collecting and reports this Thursday. https://lnkd.in/gBWUwZSB $AMZN $META $GOOG $WMT

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