MCM CommerceChat

What is the potential for Facebook Shops? Could it be looking beyond transactions to a WeChat scenario creating a total consumer experience? In this MCM CommerceChat podcast, Andrea Szasz, a principal analyst at Kearney, talks about Facebook's initiative and how it fits into the bigger picture of ecommerce in the COVID-19 era.

What should the growing number of retailers weighing bankruptcy be considering, and what kinds of restructuring plans should they set up? Attorney Thomas Wolford, a partner with Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, gives us an insider's look at what goes on from filing through re-emergence in this MCM CommerceChat podcast.

How should brands be managing their messaging at this sensitive time, expressing empathy without overdoing it?

Deb Gabor, CEO of brand strategy consultancy Sol Marketing, has led brand and crisis strategy engagements for Dell, Microsoft, HomeAway and others. She discusses brand messaging do's and don't's in the days of COVID-19.

In this MCM CommerceChat podcast, we talk to Matthew Cowan, general partner of Next47, a Siemens-backed venture firm that has invested in startups including last mile platform Bringg and on-demand transportation mapping service provider rideOS, about the critical need for real-time data sharing across supply chain partners.

In the midst of COVID-19 social isolation, people are craving connection. In the midst of uncertainty, videos of musicians sharing their gifts, both virtually and socially distanced, have gone viral, providing inspiration and hope. Sweetwater CEO Chuck Surack talks about his company's experience and how they're connecting with customers.

It's inspiring to hear stories of individuals and businesses stepping to help in the fight against the "invisible enemy" that is the novel coronavirus. Lauri Sullivan, CFO and COO of The Salyers Group, discusses the company's various efforts and how they're keeping connected with customers in our latest MCM CommerceChat podcast.

Amid all the pain and heartbreak of the coronavirus outbreak, stories keep bubbling to the surface that demonstrate the power of the human spirit, the can-do attitude of Americans and what unites rather than divides us.

Everyone has likely seen inspirational videos of crowds cheering hospital staffs leaving at shift change, or heard about companies donating their services, and individuals donating large sums, to help fight the invisible enemy. Let’s keep it going even after we get past the COVID-19 crisis!

The Salyers Group, which includes Donna Salyer’s Fabulous Furs and several sister businesses in Covington, KY, is one such company. In March, they pivoted from production of faux fur to churning out thousands of face masks, first for front-line emergency personnel in the area, then to area businesses, and finally to the broader public. Salyers Group has also been donating food from its catering and events business to local charities that was unused and would have been tossed.

Lauri Sullivan, CFO and COO of The Salyers Group, discusses the company’s various efforts and how they’re keeping connected with customers — including brides who have seen wedding plans dashed — in our latest MCM CommerceChat podcast.

While most of retail is in the doldrums due to coronavirus, grocers are seeing explosive growth, and e-grocery has been accelerating rapidly due to shutdowns. Scott DeGraeve, COO and co-founder of Locai Solutions, and Doug Baker, VP, industry relations at FMI, discuss what they're seeing across the sector, and how it will change.

Augmented reality is helping leading golf brand Callaway showcase its use of artificial intelligence and the impact of a $40M R&D investment. This gives consumers a 3D look at the innovative technology inside its 2020 MAVRIK drivers and irons, as most of the cool performance stuff they created is hidden from view.

Callaway partnered with Groove Jones to create a mobile-based AR experience at 1,200 retail locations including Dick’s Sporting Goods, PGA Tour Superstore, Worldwide Golf, golf stores and pro shops. Pete Avery, director of retail marketing for Callaway, explains how the augmented reality campaign works and how it’s engaging with its audience through the early days on this MCM CommerceChat podcast.

In the not too distant past, the customer experience in retail – if it was thought of at all – had to be adapted to match the capabilities and limitations of the supply chain. Now with the customer in the forefront, omnichannel supply chains have to be much more adaptive and flexible to meet shoppers’ needs, demands and expectations. And the pace of change in the customer journey presents its own set of challenges for supply chain organizations.

In this latest MCM CommerceChat podcast, we spoke with Willis Weirich, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Operations at Neiman Marcus, about how these issues are addressed within his organization and team. Willis is one of our keynote speakers on this subject at Ecommerce Operations Summit 2020, April 14-16 in Orlando, FL. You can register for the event by clicking here.