Eric Martindale

Elite Commerce Group

We are the most aggressive, growth-oriented E-Commerce Management Agency in the game.  

From End-to-End Management, to Strategic Growth, to Digital Advertising or Product Development - We leverage a blend of deep experience with proprietary technology to change the game for our Brand Partners.

Founder, CEO

Our Agency launches and grows brands on Amazon and the other digital Marketplaces.

President and CEO

Villanova University

Associate Professor, Villanova University and University of Pennsylvania

United States Marine Corps

Executive Officer of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion
Commanding Officer, Engineer Support Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion
Officer Instructor, Combat Engineer Instruction Company
Commanding Officer, Company A, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Executive Officer, Company C, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Platoon Commander, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
3 Combat Tours, Bronze Star, Crazy Stories

Marine Officer

While assigned to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, I served as a company commander during the battalion's combat deployment to Afghanistan.  I was later assigned as the battalion executive officer on 5 January 2011. 3 Combat tours, Bronze Star, loads of fun.

Battalion Executive Officer, 2d Combat Engineer Battalion

Founder, Elite Commerce Group | E-Com & Retail Media | Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, Instacart | E-Com Futurist | USMC Combat Vet

Leading Brands into the Future of Commerce.  Our team of developers, digital marketers, and e-commerce veterans; are experienced on a wide range of digital platforms, including both e-commerce marketplaces and retail media platforms.  

We pride ourselves in developing "best fit" solutions to meet each Brand where they are.  No two omnichannel strategies are alike.  We come to each Brand uniquely, rather than trying to squeeze a Brand into our template.

Don’t hold this against me, but…

I’m….  

I’m…. 


I’m Welsh.  😳


Ok, my dad’s dad was Welsh.  

I’m like a little bit Welsh, I guess.

My friend Huw Curtis is the real deal though. ✔️
 

I have made the Mecca to Wales a few times. 

Lamb is a big part of the Economy and a way of life.

When I go, Cawl or lamb stew, is my go-to.  

But take your pick.  When it comes to lamb…

…the Welsh know how to throw down.  


If you haven’t experimented with lamb, I have nothing but good news for you.

If you do it right, it’s the most tender meat you’ll make.  

“Fall off the bone tender” is actually pretty easy.

Lamb has a higher collagen-to-muscle ratio than beef.


Pictured:  Braised Lamb Shanks in a Red Wine Reduction.  

(This is technically be more Moroccan style than Welsh.)


What do you think about lamb?

Over or underrated?


#lamb

Eric M.

Founder, Elite Commerce Group | E-Com & Retail Media - Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, Criteo | Banned from Chuck E. Cheese | USMC Combat Vet

No alternative text description for this image

Here’s why Walmart is done opening stores:


They already have them all.  ✔️


That statement is of course, false.

But it is closer to true than you think.


Between Walmart and Sam’s Club locations…

Walmart has 5,206 total US doors.

90% of the US lives 10 miles from a Walmart.


That other 10%?

They eat roadkill stew.. 🙅🏻


Ok, not true.  (Maybe.)  

But they’re likely too rural for a Walmart. 


Walmart’s smartest play is not more doors.

Walmart, smartest play is more money, same doors.

Walter Holbrook might call that same store comp.
 

Consider some realities:

-  Walmart is NOT aggressively growing doors.

- Walmart IS growing revenues.

- Walmart IS growing profits.

- Walmart IS the leader in grocery tech.


No, Walmart is not coming for more doors.

Walmart is coming for more share pantry.

Walmart is coming for Instacart.

Walmart is coming for Amazon.

Doug McMillan’s exit is no coincidence.


For consumers, you certainly don’t have to shop there.

But for Brands…

I might consider Walmart as part of the long game.



 What do you think?

Is there anyone out there you think can give Walmart a run for its money?


———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia #retailgrowth #retailvelocity #cpg #cpgbrands #instacart #futureofretail #retailtech #shoppermarketing #Amazonconsulting
#Amazon #AmazonGrowth #Grocery #GroceryTech #DoorDash

Scaling Brands in E-Com & Retail Media - Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, TikTok, Whole Foods, Criteo | Banned from Chuck E. Cheese | USMC Combat Vet | Founder Elite Commerce Group

An agency sabotaged our client. 

We helped turn it into $25k more per month.  ✔️

(4 Steps with a Plot Twist.)


We recently started working with an incredible brand.  

A steely-eyed killer with lots of retail placement.

Lots of dialed in retail media we needed to improve.  

Challenge accepted.  👊


But the outgoing agency burned the crops behind them.  

They did everything possible to destroy the account.

They Reset every bid.

They deleted every report.

Dumped thousands of keywords in the wrong campaigns.  


Months and months of optimization, VAPORIZED.

So we went to work.  

All hands on deck. 


Not only did we repair the account in one night.  

We improved their ROAS (ROI) by 1.13, instantly.  


Here’s how we did it:

𝟭.  𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻…
- Keyword level performance.
- Match-type performance (broad, phrase, etc.)
- Placement performance (In-grid, Home Page, etc.)
- Device performance (Mobile, App, PC, etc.)
- Bid and campaign level capouts. 

𝟮.  𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.
- Used RPC bidding formula to set value-based bids. 
- Reset keyword bidding to true value-based targets.
- Paused or reset “dumped” keywords.  
- Reset fresh device and placement adjustments.

𝟯.  𝗥𝗲-𝘀𝗲𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀: 𝗦𝗞𝗨 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.  
- Segmented SKU’s by product type where necessary.  
- Reorganized SKU’s by keyword performance.

𝟰. 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗞𝗨-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀. 
- Identified higher and slower moving SKU’s.
- Isolated slow-moving SKU’s into their own campaigns.


But there’s a serious Plot Twist.

There’s a name for this type of forensic reconstruction:

Routine Campaign Managenent.


As it turns out, this is what every agency should be doing.

And it gave us an extra 1.13 in ROAS overnight.

The devil, as they say, is in the details.


Shoutout to smart brands that communicate velocity needs - in SKU-level detail - with their agencies.  


What do you think?

Should service providers destroy accounts on their way out?

———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia #retailgrowth #retailvelocity #cpg #cpgbrands #instacart #futureofretail #retailtech #shoppermarketing #Amazonconsulting
#Amazon #AmazonGrowth #Grocery #GroceryTech #DoorDash #business

It turns out, you LOVE bacon.  

Even more than peanut butter.  


My kids eat a lot of bacon.  

I find myself making a lot of it.  

And I find myself thinking about it a lot. 

It’s just an every day part of every day life.

I make it in a cast iron, on the flat top, heck…

I even microwave it in a pinch. 🤫 


Now I’ve done the fanciest things with eggs.

Poached, Shakshuka, egg bakes, you name it.  

But with bacon…  I just make the bacon.


Take GLP-1, organic, protein, sea moss, whatever.  

Some are trends, and some are paradigm shifts.

But bacon just keeps being bacon.  

Just good old salty delicious bacon.  

And we eat TONS of it.  


This $9B Market is set to reach $12-13B by 2030.

Completely oblivious to politics or dietary trends.  

It just keeps plodding along quietly.  

Growing, but quite under the radar.  

It almost makes you think…


Want to build a moat around your business?  

Yes, take the protein bar and crush the macros.  

Fill it with sea moss and methylene blue.  

But if you really, really want a protective moat.  

Make it flipping delicious. 

It’s the one thing customers won’t overlook.



So how do you like your bacon?

Crispy or chewy?

Pork or turkey? 




#bacon

Red Pill:  Everyone is getting fired.  

A Story of AI, Robots & Gaslighting.


Their line:

“We’re freeing up people to do other things.”


Your line:

“AI will create more jobs than it destroys.”


Gucci.  

But the data doesn’t back up either of those.


I just read about Harmon’s new robotics contract.

Utah’s “people first“ independent grocer.

Followed by the obligatory repurposing people quote.


But it just never seems to play out that way.

Consider…

Amazon.
Profit clearly up.
Revenue clearly up.
Headcount down.

Walmart.
Profit clearly up.
Revenue clearly up.
Headcount down.  

The picture is the same across industries.

Microsoft, UPS, Adidas, P&G, Intel, Rivian, Bayer…

Revenue up.  Profit up.  Headcount down.  

The examples are positively endless.


And if you’re going to tell me this is related to tariffs…

Many of these companies are not major imports.

Many don’t  use many material goods at all.

And we’re talking about cuts AMIDST record profits.


How about all those jobs that AI is going to create?

Can somebody please show me this by the numbers?

Is it the bots in my DM’s trying to sell me AI services? 


I know, I know.

“Eric, LinkedIn is for gaslighting and toxic positivity.”

Yes, but I’m taking a break for this morning.


No, I don’t think we are all going to die.

Yes, I think we need to know where tech is taking us.

And yes, I do think each of us need to have a plan.



What do you think? 

Do you think AI will create more imaginary jobs than it destroys?

How does rapid tech expansion impact your industry?


———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia #AI #Tech

TikTok Shop, virality, and the truth no one is telling you.  


I suppose I’m a dream crusher.  

I do 2 to 3 calls per day with prospective clients.

And I probably tell two of three to save their money.


It’s not that I don’t want business.

But my little brain is a storm of digital data points.

Amazon, Google ads, TikTok shop, Instacart…

I’m crossing them off one by one as we talk.

I want nothing to do with a losing proposition for you.


Probably the number one thing I talk brands out of…

TikTok Shop.  


Now I’m hugely pro TikTok shop.  We do a lot of of it.

But you have to know what you’re getting into.


Here’s what no one is telling you…

TikTok shop is both tiny and expensive.


Amazon:  the World’s largest retailer, headed to $700B this year.  

Digital Grocery:  an exploding format, headed to $240B this year.   

TikTok Shop is a $15B spark.

It’s 2% of the size of Amazon.  

7% the size of digital grocery.  


𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘐 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘴.  


But Eric, isn’t TikTok Shop the future of shopping?

Well, yes, it’s part of it.  


But when you need to get dollars in for dollars out…

…and you’re not a content churning machine…

…it may or may not be the right move right now.  



Here is when I think TikTok Shop makes sense…

- You can afford to invest with a delay on return.  

- 100-300 free samples/month makes sense, or…

- You can produce high-converting videos daily.  

- Your product that makes e-commerce sense.  

👉 50 lb bags of dog food or glass jars of pickles?

❌ TikTok Shop is a great way to grow broke.  


Don’t get me wrong. 

There are TONS of brands that should be on Shop.  

But like everything else, #timing.


If you need volume, Amazon.

If you need velocity, Retail Media.

If you can invest in virality, TikTok Shop. 


TikTok Shop is probably not a cash flow solution.

But it is likely your best investment in virality.  


“𝘓𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢.  𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸.”  - Eric



Do you think TikTok grows from here?

Be honest.  How much time are you soendung on it? 

———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia

LinkedIn, I made you this settings button. 
 

Not that I don’t love hearing how impressive my work is at Elite Commerce Group.


What’s your Cold DM policy?

Ignore, engage, block, taunt, or reply? 





#ColdDMs
#Ecommerce

I would like to put pineapple on your pizza. 

Sometimes I just know what’s best for you.  

I hope you understand.  


You see, I’m not pro-pineapple-on-pizza.

But I am occasionally pro-Hawaiian-pizza.

At least a real-deal, authentic Hawaiian pizza.  

You know, the one invented in Canada.   


If you can imagine the best of sweet and savory…

This is it.  


Italian prosciutto.  

Thick cut bacon.  

Thin sliced onion. 

Fresh pineapple. 

Hot honey.  


No, I wouldn’t just dump pineapple on pizza. 

I’m not a psychopath.  


But I’m a ‘yes’ to an occasional Hawaiian.  


What do you think?  

Are you in for a true Hawaiian pizza?  



#Pizza
#PizzaSunday

Within 5 years, we’ll stop saying “AI”.


I am NOT suggesting AI will become obsolete.

Very much to the contrary.


AI will just be embedded in everything we do.  

No more single apps.

No more simple computing.

No more manual calculations.

No more experts selling repackaged ChatGPT.


Instead, generative will give birth to agentic.  

Agentic will give birth to autonomous.

Autonomous to universal.


Get ready for a brave New World.



#AI
#Business

5 Christmas Flavors.
5 Deadly Histories.  


I just stumbled on the bloody history of cinnamon.

Turns out, there’s a deadly history behind your Christmas cheer.


Absolutely disgusting.

Let’s make a fun post about it.  ✔️


𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻.
𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗴.
𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲.
𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀.
𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮.

A little bit of joy.
And a whole lotta muder.  

—

𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻.
Did you know the Blood Spice War was fought over it? 
Arab traders hid the source for centuries.
Anyone who leaked the secret disappeared.
Then Portugal invaded Sri Lanka.
Spice plantations became battlefields.
Thousands dead over your sprinkle of “warmth.”

Did someone say snickerdoodles?
I say it was worth it. 🥰

—

𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗴.
The Manhattan Trade-Off.
The Dutch wanted nutmeg so badly
they traded Manhattan to Britain for it.
Islanders were enslaved.
Villages wiped out.

Turns out the Gingerbread man has a violent past. 🔪

—

𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲.
Sweet Human Sacrifice.
Cacao was Aztec currency.
Worth more than gold.
War were fought and prisoners were sacrificed
While nobles drank chocolate.

It turns out that chocolate Santa…
Started in a blood ritual. 🍫

—

𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀.
Villages burned over it.  
Clove trees only grew on a few islands.
So spice cartels controlled every leaf.
Try planting one outside their rule?
You were executed and your village torched.

But hey, you can kind of get it, right?
Try making an eggnog without it. 🍵

—

𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮.
Mexico was one the only place vanilla grew. 
European powers wanted it but couldn’t make it grow.  
So they attacked plantations to kidnapped growers.  
Many were put on boats and taken back to Europe.

But I mean, probably worth it. 
Can you imagine a Christmas cookie without it? 🙅🏻

—


So what do you think? 

What’s the one seasonal dessert you would kill for?

(Pumpkin Spice answers not allowed.)


And are you on Team Eggnog or no? 




#SeasonalFlavors
#Ecommerce
#Murder

Fierce competition makes Amazon selling a knife fight.    

Here's how we help brands unlock maximum profit.  


Amazon will be the largest retailer on Earth for the first time this year.  

The problem for sellers?   This really isn't much of a secret.  

Combine that with a low barrier to entry, and you've got yourself a battle. 


Don't worry; we have you covered.  

Step 1.  Watch for 5 steps to controlling profitability on Amazon.  

Step 2.  Schedule a call for help opening up your Amazon profitability.  


Amazon CEO says AI will reduce our indepdence on brick-and-mortar.

Agree or disagree?

———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia #retailgrowth #retailvelocity #cpg #cpgbrands #instacart #futureofretail #retailtech #shoppermarketing #Amazonconsulting #Amazon #AmazonGrowth #Grocery #GroceryTech #DoorDash #business

Congratulations on your Amazon success!

You’ve earned a battle with resellers. ✔️


Stick around long enough, and it’s inevitable.

As my grandmother used to say…

They’ll come out of the woodwork.


But don’t worry. 

You know we’ve got you covered. ;)


Unauthorized resellers can be absolutely destructive.

They take your Buy Box and shut down ads.

They interfere with keyword ranking strategy.

They can interrupt an otherwise clean catalog.

And customer experience can be disgusting.


But you 𝘤𝘢𝘯 actually get complete control.

Having an Amazon prep center puts us in a unique position.

It becomes our responsibility, one we take seriously.

So of course; we have it DIALED.


Here are 5 steps for getting complete catalog control:

𝟭.  𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡.  
- Take inventory of everything out there.
- Offers a place to assign actions and track progress.  

𝟮.  𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.  
- Trademark, Merge, Counterfeit, Transparency.
- Consider Reviews, Redundancy, and Catalog Concept.  

𝟯.  𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡’𝘀.
- ASIN’s with “Generic” or incorrect brand names.  
- Counterfeit or Trademark, but be right!

𝟰.  𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡’𝘀.
- Useful on ASIN’s with strong rank or reviews.  

𝟱.  𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡’𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.  
- Resellers will NEVER be able to sell on enrolled ASIN’s.  
- ASIN’s you’re keeping, and ones you can’t get rid of.  

𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗨𝗦: 𝗨𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗹𝗹 “𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲” 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡𝘀.
- Resellers will search “Add a product“ with your UPC’s.
- Beat them to it and get it done.


Sequence is important here.

If you’ve been playing the trademark game for years…

You are missing out on some real peace of mind. 


Don’t get me wrong.

This is straightforward, but not easy.

It is both an art and a science.

But I guarantee it can be done.

Because we’ve done it many times.


DM me for help, or if you need a prep solution.  



So…

What percentage of your Christmas shopping will you do on Amazon?

———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia

How to pick, and cook, the perfect steak.  


Oh, me?  I have no idea.  

I was hoping you knew.  


But here’s at least what I do: 

1️⃣ Start with the cut.
      - Ribeye for flavor.
      - Striploin for balance.
      - Tenderloin for texture.
      - Picanha for the best of all worlds. 

2️⃣ Marbling beats marketing.
      - White fat lines mean flavor.
      - Don’t fall for “Angus” label.  Shop the grain. ✔️

3️⃣ Thickness wins.
      - Buy it at LEAST 1.25” thick.
      - Thin steaks can’t crust—they overcook.

4️⃣ Temper before heat.
      - Dry rub for 24 hrs, but 2hrs at room temp.
      - Dry surface = better sear.

5️⃣ Salt like you mean it.
      - Coarse salt, before the pan, not after.
      - Pepper after if you don’t like burnt spice.

6️⃣ Hot grill, cold oil. 
      - Sear 90 seconds per side.
      - Rotate every 45 seconds.  
      - Most of the cooking should be indirect heat.

7️⃣ Rest, then slice.  (To keep juices in.)
      - 5 minutes minimum.
      - Cut against the grain.

BONUS:  I marinade 2 days in something acidic.

BUT, still dry rub before cooking.  ✔️



What do you think?  

What do you do differently? 





#Business
#JustKidding
#Steak

Amazon just followed Walmart’s OpenAI partnership.

Now meet your 3 new Masters.


I posted about Walmart’s revolutionary OpenAI partnership.

Many of you said Amazon would be next.

I agreed with you.   

And here we are.  


Amazon just announced a $38B OpenAI deal.

Except this one isn’t about e-commerce.

It’s about AWS cloud computing infrastructure.

Including NVIDIA GPUs and tens of millions of CPUs.

They’ll train and run OpenAI’s next-gen AI models. 


I posted it before about the genius of AWS.

It powers half of American businesses.

It’s control in a way most companies can’t touch.  


I then posted about Amazon‘s $30B AI infrastructure project.

And how that was going to be an AWS like play for AI.

Again, here we are.  



Every CPG brand should be paying attention.

There are 3 companies that keep growing in dominance.

They continue to snap up adoption and market share. 

They’ll form the basis of the next gen of commerce.

Walmart, Amazon, and OpenAI.

I encourage you to find your place.


Personally, you don’t have to love it.

Professionally, you should probably prepare for it.


Our clients will be ready.

Because we see it as our responsibility.


What do you think?

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy just said AI will end brick and mortar dominance.

Do you agree?



———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia #retailgrowth #retailvelocity #cpg #cpgbrands #instacart #futureofretail #retailtech #shoppermarketing #Amazonconsulting #Amazon #AmazonGrowth #Grocery #GroceryTech #DoorDash #business

We’re missing the point with Gen Z.


“Baby Boomers are the wealthiest generation.”

“Gen X has the highest per capita income.”

“Millenials spend the most in key categories.”


But we’re missing the significance of Gen Z.

There’s more strategic than their spend.

Truly, they are more than a generation.

𝘎𝘦𝘯 𝘡 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.


Highly digital.

Highly experiential. 

Influenced by social media.

An endless appetite for innovation.  


True, these are all provably true for Gen Z.

But Gen Z is a bell weather for all other generations.  

Even Bsby Boomers (who are now using ChatGPT).


If you want to see where all of culture is headed… 

Watch Gen Z.  



#culture
#GenZ
#ecommerce

By year end, Amazon will be the largest retailer on Earth.  

The largest retailer, with the lowest barrier to entry.


And I just love a good knife fight.  

God help my enemies.  



#Amazon
#Ecommerce

“AI will destroy Brick-and-Mortar.”

Here’s why Andy Jassy may be right.


Last year, I one-clicked my way through my Christmas list.  

45 minutes on the couch, and I was done. 

It isn’t that I don’t like going into the store.

I appreciate the 1,000 steps I get from a Walmart trip.

And I love merchandising for friends and clients.


It’s more so that I’ve been so busy the last few years.

As are many other busy professionals.

As are many parents with small kids.

As are….  etc, etc, etc. 


Maybe Americans are getting lazier.

But maybe life is just getting crazier.


And shopping is becoming more…  𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴.


Will AI really destroy retail as Andy Jassy suggested?

Certainly nothing retail-ending is coming overnight.

But there are “a thousand paper cuts” ahead for retail.

At least for those businesses that don’t digitize.


It’s the appliances that now build Instacart lists.  

It’s Amazon now delivering same-day fresh and frozen. 

It’s the grocery delivery that now operates profitably. 

It’s ChatGPT instantly finding the cheapest option.  

It’s e-commerce checkout getting faster and easier.

It’s TikTok getting an increasing “Share of Pantry”.


I’ve referenced this Jassy quote a few times recently.

But I haven’t been sure of my opinion on it.

If you take it out of context, it certainly isn’t true.


You have to really look at what he is saying.

𝘈𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

And I think he’s right.


That leads us to an even more important quote:

“𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.” - Dorothy


We’re no longer looking at a digital future.

We’re looking at a digital now.



Do you think Andy Jassy is right?

Does AI end the REIGN of brick and mortar?

Are you buying more or less online these days?

———

🔹We drive velocity in Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Sprouts, and More.

🔹We grow Amazon Sales.

🔹DM me or book an appointment for help.

#ecommerce #retailmedia #retailgrowth #retailvelocity #cpg #cpgbrands #instacart #futureofretail #retailtech #shoppermarketing #Amazonconsulting
#Amazon #AmazonGrowth #Grocery #GroceryTech #DoorDash #business

Tax the rich.  

(And also sell to them.)


“Tax the Rich” has been almost viral lately.


Why? 

We have problems.

And the rich have money.


👉 Yes, that opening line is Clickbait. ✔️


My point:  Even in a Value Economy Era, the wealthy spend.  

In fact, the top 10% do 50% of the retail spending.  

It’s why brands like Godiva, Erewhon and Hennessy still exist. 


You see the thing about the wealthy is…

…they’re wealthy.


Choose your customer wisely.


———

1.  No I do not hate the wealthy. #Hyperbole
2.  Big credit to Walter Holbrook for flying me in on this stat.  


#Business
#Ecommerce

Super thrilled to have chatted with the Great George Milton on the newest, hottest CPG and Business podcast, Gross to Net.  

George is brilliant and a gifted conversationalist.   

This is going to be a big thing.  Give it a listen!

Co-founder at Yellowbird Foods 🔥 Level 11 College of Valor Half-Elf Bard ⚔️ Mustache guy 🥸

Today marks the official launch of the Gross To Net podcast! Built out of the conversations I was having and questions I was asking over on my Substack, I’m having conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, investors, operators, thinkers, philosophers, and doers about what makes them tick and what they’re optimizing for.

I’m also unashamedly trying to find the meaning of life. Don’t say 42.

In this episode, I talked to Eric Martindale about importing, Amazon, AI, and entrepreneurship.

Got a lot more already recorded, booked, and in pipeline that I’m super excited about!

Subscribe if this is the sort of thing you’re into.

Open article: Gross To Net by podcasts.apple.com

taplio

Eric M.'s Linkedin Analytics

Eric Martindale

Performance ScoreEric Martindale's LinkedIn Performance

Eric Martindale's Best Posts (last 30 days)

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

.css-6ytdur{background-image:linear-gradient(284deg, rgba(39, 43, 72, 1) 0%, rgba(33, 47, 183, 1) 100%);color:transparent;-webkit-background-clip:text;background-clip:text;}Eric M.'s Linkedin Analytics

Eric Martindale

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Eric Martindale's LinkedIn Performance

Eric Martindale's Best Posts .css-1emoo84{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:400;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);}(last 30 days)

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Eric M.'s Linkedin Analytics

Performance ScoreEric Martindale's LinkedIn Performance

Eric Martindale's Best Posts (last 30 days)