Frugality is a common trait among successful businesses. Sam Walton, Wal-Mart’s founder, provides a masterclass in lean operations. Below, lessons in frugality from Wal-Mart, based on Walton’s autobiography Made in America. A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned Sam Walton was a man in a hurry. Still, a penny could stop him in his tracks. Even as…

Over the past year, over 50% of instant delivery startups have failed or been acquired. Consolidation continued in December, with Getir buying European rival Gorillas. Below, a look at the deal and the challenges of running an instant delivery business. Poof Gorillas wasn’t cut out for magic. While a magician never…

Like e-commerce companies, consumers are retrenching. They’re becoming more discerning, more value-conscious, and thriftier. Below, a look at recent shifts in consumer behavior and how the e-commerce industry is responding. Stocking Stuffers Over the past two quarters e-commerce companies took out the hatchet as online spending normalized from pandemic peaks. …

The e-commerce industry is having a Groundhog Day moment. Third quarter results were much like the second and first: slowing growth and cutting costs. Below, a look at key themes and trends from third quarter e-commerce results. I Got You, Babe It’s Groundhog Day for e-commerce. Like the first and second quarters, the post-pandemic…

In early November, Etsy took a $1 billion write-off on Depop and Elo7, two acquisitions made — with the benefit of hindsight — at the top of the market in 2021. Below, a look at M&A and market cycles through the lens of Etsy’s pandemic acquisitions. Venmo 2.0 From jokes to break-ups…

It’s always a good idea to have some dry powder. The Covid demand whipsaw coupled with souring investor sentiment is creating new opportunities for firms with financial flexibility. Below, a look at Misfits Market’s acquisition of competitor Imperfect Foods. Betting Big on Blemished Bananas Misfits Market is betting that blemished bananas will become a big…

The e-commerce industry is retrenching as penetration reverts to pre-pandemic levels. During the second quarter, focus shifted from growth to survival. Below, a look at how e-commerce companies are responding to lower demand. (Here’s part one of the series.) As always, thanks for reading. The Covid Pump Fake It’s usually a safe bet that…

The e-commerce Covid hangover continues. During the second quarter, industry growth decelerated broadly. Below, a look at key themes and macro trends from Q2 2022 e-commerce results. Medium Term Optimistic The Covid hangover continues. E-commerce mushroomed in 2020 and 2021, as lockdowns shut stores and people sheltered at home. Today, consumers have more…

TikTok’s meteoric rise is forcing other social media platforms to respond. As a result, social media is getting less social. Below, a look at recommendation media and Meta’s response to TikTok. Thanks for reading. Cigars, Emus, and Porta Potties Social media is becoming less social. TikTok popularized algorithmic content distribution. …