Business

An ecommerce site is a business. Our Management & Finance category addresses online payments, funding needs, employee issues, merchant profiles, key metrics, multichannel and omnichannel strategies, cross-border analyses, inventory management, accounting topics, sales taxes, and much more.

Inventory
3 Flaws of Cost-plus Pricing

January 22, 2023 • Armando Roggio

Cost-plus pricing on the surface seems straightforward. But then market forces intervene.
Payments
Trouble Brewing for Buy Now, Pay Later Providers

January 17, 2023 • Marcia Kaplan

Consumers love buy now, pay later programs. But after rapid growth, the industry is staggering under rising interest rates, delinquent borrowers, and overexpansion.
Staffing
Does Your Business Need an AI Operator?

January 15, 2023 • Armando Roggio

Selecting artificial intelligence tools is one thing, but using them is another. It takes skill and training. Dedicated "AI operators" could be the answer.
Staffing
Entrepreneurs Are Arsonists, Says Business Coach

January 13, 2023 • Eric Bandholz

According to Tim Conley, a business coach, most founders prefer putting out fires in their businesses and neglect long-term strategy. If there are no fires, they often set them.
Business
Charts: U.S. Retail Ecommerce Sales Q3 2022

January 11, 2023 • Adel Boukarroum

Ecommerce sales in Q3 were robust, growing nearly 11% over the previous quarter and comprising roughly 15% of total retail. We tell the story in four charts.
Business
Please Take Our Short Reader Survey

January 10, 2023 • Kerry Murdock

Our winter 2023 reader survey takes just a minute or two. Your confidential responses help us tailor our content to your needs. Plus, you can win one of four $25 Starbucks gift certificates.
Finance
Cryptocurrencies and SPACs Implode

January 8, 2023 • Marcia Kaplan

In 2022, the value of cryptocurrencies and special purpose acquisition companies dramatically declined. Here's our analysis.
Amazon & Marketplaces
End-of-year Reflection and 2023 Forecast

January 6, 2023 • Eric Bandholz

Beardbrand founder Eric Bandholz, the host of the "Ecommerce Conversations" podcast, reflects on his company's performance in 2022 and beyond.
Shipping & Fulfillment
Tips for Sustainable Last-mile Deliveries

January 3, 2023 • Pete Bruckshaw

The "last mile" of ecommerce delivery typically produces the most emissions per package. Here are five ways merchants can help.
Business
2022 Top 25: Our Most Popular Posts of the Year

December 29, 2022 • Kerry Murdock

We published roughly 500 articles in 2022. Here are the 25 with the most page views.
Amazon & Marketplaces
Amid FBA Fee Hikes, Sellers Consider Alternatives

December 20, 2022 • Marcia Kaplan

Rising fees strain FBA sellers — forcing some to raise the price of goods and others to pursue alternative sales channels. Contributor Marcia Kaplan takes a closer look.
Finance
Quiet Light Founder on State of Ecommerce M&A

December 14, 2022 • Kerry Murdock

Coming off a historically robust 2021, ecommerce mergers and acquisitions had to cool, but by how much? For insights, we turned to Mark Daoust, a pioneering business broker.
Amazon & Marketplaces
Amazon’s ‘Customers ask Alexa’ Is a Marketing Opportunity

December 12, 2022 • Armando Roggio

Amazon's new "Customers ask Alexa" could be a marketing opportunity for brands and retailers. Here's how to get started.
Business
Founder’s Gut Health Inspires Poppi, a Soda

December 9, 2022 • Eric Bandholz

Persistent stomach pain prompted Allison Ellsworth to formulate a prebiotic soda, which she named Poppi. That was in 2018. It's now among the fastest-growing beverage brands in the U.S.
Staffing
Q&A: Executive Recruiter on State of Ecommerce Employment

December 7, 2022 • Kerry Murdock

The news of layoffs at Amazon, Shopify, and other ecommerce companies has caused much industry angst. We asked Harry Joiner, a longtime ecommerce recruiter, for his perspective.
Inventory
Is Selling Marijuana and Alcohol Online Worth It?

December 6, 2022 • Jeff Siegel

Selling alcohol and marijuana online in the U.S. is subject to a slew of state and federal laws, especially when shipping across state borders. We explain.
Business
Chaiz Aims to Disrupt Car Warranty Biz

December 2, 2022 • Eric Bandholz

Extended auto repair warranties are expensive and inefficient according to Ryan Hartman, chief marketing officer of Chaiz, a startup price comparison marketplace.
Business
Sales Report 2022: Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday

December 1, 2022 • Marcia Kaplan

U.S. consumers spent freely this year during the traditional five-day holiday shopping kickoff. We look at the numbers in this our eighth annual Cyber Week sales analysis.
Fraud Prevention
How SPF, DKIM, DMARC Drive Email Delivery, Security

November 28, 2022 • Armando Roggio

There's no shortage of crooks looking to impersonate an authentic email sender. These three authentication tools prevent that from happening while improving deliverability.
Business
Winc CMO on Complexities of Online Wine Sales

November 25, 2022 • Eric Bandholz

Jai Dolwani is chief marketing officer of Winc, a publicly-traded wine membership club. Selling alcohol online in the U.S. is challenging owing to 1920s-era laws on distribution and marketing.
Cross-border Selling
Turmoil for Chinese Ecommerce and Tech Companies

November 22, 2022 • Marcia Kaplan

China's federal government is exerting increasing control over tech companies, including ecommerce. That, combined with a slowing economy, creates uncertainty.
Shipping & Fulfillment
5 Steps to Sustainable Shipping

November 20, 2022 • Pete Bruckshaw

The rise of ecommerce and the corresponding growth of delivery vehicles results in much more carbon emissions. Here are five tips for implementing sustainable practices.
Business
Investment Banker Shifts to Male Sexual Wellness

November 18, 2022 • Eric Bandholz

Jordan Elist launched Mate, a provider of male sexual wellness supplements, in 2020. "I’m the son of a urologist. I grew up learning about men’s sexual health," he says.
Finance
Charts: Global State of Venture Capital Q3 2022

November 16, 2022 • Adel Boukarroum

Worldwide venture capital investments declined in Q3 to the lowest level since early 2020. We tell the story in four charts.
Inventory
Is Online Marijuana the Next Big Thing?

November 13, 2022 • Jeff Siegel

Sweeping state-based marijuana legalization has created a booming industry. But limitations remain for ecommerce.
Inventory
5 Tips for after-Christmas Promotions

November 6, 2022 • Armando Roggio

The January sales lull can be frightening for merchants. An after-Christmas promotional event can provide a necessary boost.
Business
Frugal Living Suits ‘My Wife Quit’ Founder

November 4, 2022 • Eric Bandholz

Steve Chou is a successful entrepreneur. But quality of life drives many of his business decisions. Frugal living is one component.
Finance
Charts: Banking Trends and Outlook

November 2, 2022 • Adel Boukarroum

Recent studies by Deloitte and Boston Consulting Group highlight the enormous changes facing retail and business banking. We tell the story in three charts.
Cross-border Selling
Ecommerce Flourishes in Latin America

October 31, 2022 • Marcia Kaplan

Ecommerce growth in Latin America during the pandemic was among the highest worldwide. Those habits appear to be permanent.
Business
Agency Marketer Goes In-house at Range Leather

October 28, 2022 • Eric Bandholz

Tim Aton worked at a marketing agency running high-dollar campaigns for clients. Then a friend who owned a leather-goods company called. Here's Aton's story.