Jon Derkits

BEST@AMAZON NEWSLETTER --> https://bestatamazon.ck.page/

QUICK CHAT --> https://tidycal.com/jonderkits/quick-chat
AMAZON COACHING & ADVISORY --> https://tidycal.com/jonderkits/amazon-coaching-and-advisory

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Hi, I'm Jon and I'm a builder. 

Over the course of my 15-year career in management consulting and technology companies, I've built teams, I've built processes, I've built products, and I've built businesses (the 10-figure kind). I'm at my best when I'm in a role with scope and significance, and my superpower is consistency.

Some things I'm GOOD at include dealing with ambiguity and making good decisions in fast-paced, uncertain environments. Some things I'm *GREAT* at include obsessing over customers and developing my people.

Follow me here on LinkedIn if you want to hear my thoughts on Amazon, building great teams, or the current state of Chicago sports.

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CLIFTON STRENGTHS
Harmony, Achiever, Learner, Positivity, Ideation

DOMAIN KNOWLEDGE
eCommerce, Marketplaces/Platforms, Valuation 

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
Business Performance Measurement, Category Management, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Financial Statement Analysis, Lean Six Sigma, P&L Ownership, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Written Communication

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Amazon Seller Central, Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Microsoft Office, SQL, Tableau

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)

How I'd fix LinkedIn

1) Add a Copilot button
2) When posts include multiple images, make them swipable carousels (like Instagram); not whatever this garbage UX is called
3) Make it easier to search your own activity history (posts, comments, etc)
4) Reduce AI slop by 50% in 2026, and then by another 50% in 2027. Suppress reach of AI posts and comments.
5) Reduce reach of "comment X for Y" engagement bait posts
6) Implement a Creator Revenue Sharing program, similar to X
7) Create different feed views. One for 1st connections only; one for 1st through 3rd connections (or whatever the feed algo is now); and one for "interests" as defined by the user.
8) Turn LinkedIn into a platform where experts can monetize their expertise more directly -- i.e., build an "intro.co" platform within LinkedIn
9) Fix InMail. At minimum, give me more filing/organizing options than "Focused" and "Other".
10) Get rid of the dumb games feature. If LinkedIn is really meant to be a space for professionals, don't muddy the brand by maintaining this little corner of the platform that is all about juicing user engagement metrics.

Buying & Building eCommerce Agencies | Ex-Amazon

Me, walking away from an otherwise smart LinkedIn post polluted with AI replies

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TWO (RELATED) PREDICTIONS for 2026 👇 

1) AI content will become indistinguishable from human-made content

2) Because of #1, consumers will crave truly authentic human outputs (the pendulum probably won't swing this direction until 2027 or later)

Tell me in the comments why I'm wrong about this 🫠

Lest you feel like you can relax now that Q4 is over, I'll remind you that consumers are sitting on BILLIONS in gift cards from various retailers, just itching to spend them. 

Amazon ALONE reports >$5 billion in unused gift card liabilities on its balance sheet each year.

Amazon hasn't yet filed its FYE Dec 31, 2025 annual report yet, but here's the gift card balances sitting on its balance sheet for the past 3 years:

Dec 31, 2024: $5.6 billion
Dec 31, 2023: $5.3 billion
Dec 31, 2022: $5.4 billion

To put this in perspective, if Amazon were a bank, this amount of "deposits" would put it in the Top 10% of largest banks in the country.

#amazon
#amazonfba
#amazonsellers

This is Amazon's 4th attempt at Making Retail Great Again.

Over the past decade, Amazon has tried (and mostly failed) with:

-Amazon Books (bookstores, duh)
-Amazon 4-Star (gift-focused outlet)
-Amazon Go (automated grab-and-go stores)
-Amazon Fresh (mainstream grocery)

I'll go on the record here:

👉  I don't think Amazon will succeed with the big box format.

I think the only shot that Amazon has at winning in physical retail is to copy the Costco warehouse club format, and create an exclusive bulk buying experience for its Prime members.

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#amazon
#ecommerce
#retail

The big news from CES 2026 that *no one* is talking about...

👉  Amazon is pivoting from a "hardware-first" strategy to an "AI-services-first" model

And the cornerstone of this pivot is the launch of Alexa.com, which brings the generative AI-powered Alexa+ directly to people's browsers.

Here's why this matters:

1) For the first time, users do not need an Echo speaker to enter the Alexa ecosystem. 

By launching a web-based chat interface at Alexa.com, Amazon is moving into direct, side-by-side competition with ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

2) Amazon's differentiator isn't just "smarter" conversation; it's the ability to execute workflows (particularly shopping-related workflows). 

Alexa+ is being positioned as a "personal chief of staff".

3) This will further fuel the Amazon Prime flywheel.

Alexa+ will cost $19.99/month as a standalone subscription. BUT: It is included for free with an Amazon Prime membership.

At roughly $240/year for the standalone AI vs. the $139/year Prime membership, Prime becomes an even more obvious value proposition for heavy AI users.

#ces2026
#amazon
#amazonalexa

Amazon's big announcement at CES is that it is pivoting from a "hardware-first" strategy to an "AI-services-first" model. 

Forum Brands

Currently have the honor of overseeing the following functions:
Inventory Optimization, Product Sourcing & Engineering, Supply Chain, Customer Experience and Data/Analytics

VP of Operations

Director, Logistics & Inventory Planning

o Built out and oversaw full end to end supply chain across our portfolio of brands
  - Interviewed, assessed and selected key partners for manufacturing, freight forwarding, warehousing and fulfillment
o Coordinated all shipments from manufacturer through to 3PL's and to last mile fulfillment partners or into the FBA network
o Created internal systems for the tracking and forecasting sales at the sku, marketplace and geo level across platforms

Mgr, Supply Chain + Demand Planning

The TJX Companies, Inc.

Buyer (HomeGoods)

o	Managed strategic planning for the Tabletop and Outdoor Entertaining division of HomeGoods ~850 US stores
o	Served as a leader within the Planning Manager group assisting in both business and technical problem solving as well as contributing further to training and development at all levels of planning and allocation.
o	Lead team of analysts and associate managers while overseeing the allocation and shipments of just under $500M in annual merchandise flow
o	Executed pointed merchandise strategy through partnership with the buying and regional distribution centers, flowing regionally appropriate product offerings based on geographics, demographics, and assorted customer/sales correlations

Planning Manager II (HomeGoods)

o	Managed strategic planning for the Housewares division of HomeGoods ~800 US stores
o	Lead team of analysts and associate managers while overseeing the allocation and shipments of just under $500M in annual merchandise flow
o	Executed pointed merchandise strategy through partnership with the buying and regional distribution centers, flowing regionally appropriate product offerings based on geographics, demographics, and assorted customer/sales correlations

Planning Manager (Homegoods)

o Assisted in managing the merchandise planning of the total Storage and Workspace division comprised of a team of 5 people and over $280M in annual merchandise flow to all HomeGoods stores across the US
o Lead training sessions for incoming analysts as well as the entire 60+ analyst group on topics including: Shipping Strategically, Innovative Problem Solving, and Microsoft Excel
o Oversaw a committee of 13 associates responsible for planning networking, service, and team building events for the 500+ merchandise planning associates across the TJX Companies.

Associate Planner - Senior Analyst (HomeGoods)

Boardwalk Properties & Keller Williams

Maintained and fostered new relationships with landlords to acquire new listings and negotiate competitive rental pricing
Generated outbound rental sales through WOM marketing, Zillow, Trulia, Craigslist, and Facebook advertising
Drafted leases in accordance with MA law and addendums to reflect the agreed upon conditions of Lessees and Lessors

Real Estate Sales Professional

TK Maxx

Responsible for the allocation of Men's Knitwear to all TK Maxx stores throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland
Analyzed department selling and trends to ensure steady flow of trending goods to the appropriate stores
Partnered with distribution centers as well as the other menswear departments to maximize inventory, drive total menswear sales, and work towards company-wide goals

Allocation Analyst

Assisted buyers in ladies shoes department preparing for and helping plan our purchases
Organized product for buying team based on the upcoming needs of the business
Analyzed standard, and compiled additional, selling reports to report to the team on previous week’s business
Accompanied buyers to trade shows and client meetings and created trend reports based on the market’s display
Served as a liaison between the buying and planning teams

Associate Buyer (TJ Maxx & Marshalls)

Celent, an Oliver Wyman Group

Supported business development team throughout the sales process (engagement, proposals, and invoicing)
Fielded all incoming inquiries via email, phone and online registration form and either addressed or transferred leads to appropriate sales representatives
Maintained Salesforce database and served as the international go-to person for all Salesforce related questions or problems
Created, restructured, and generated new sales reports by region, type, representative, etc… 
Administrated event management through Eventbrite and RegOnline and sent follow-up emails to potential clients

Business Development

Northeastern University

Organized, filed, and categorized flyers, reports and financial statements from previous years
Created and maintain a 3,500+ alumni/donor database in Excel
Created and developed bi-monthly newsletters sent home to parents and alumni
Cooked and organized meals for 50-100 people every Friday night
Utilized Social Media to publicize events and promote upcoming programs

Administrative Assistant

Camp Ramah Nyack

Senior Counselor

Confident and competitive business driver with a demonstrated track record of successful P/L ownership in retail. Experienced in Leadership, Training & Development, Retail Planning, Sales, Event Management, Market/Trend Research and Analysis. Recognized for my ability to bring out the strengths of those around me, relentless curiosity and an affinity for combining data with outside of the box strategic thinking and execution.

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Jon Derkits

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