Episode Details

Main Takeaways:

• Retail consolidation is happening, and it really is survival of the best fit.

• Phillip really wants Alexa to stop trying to figure him out.

• Amazon raises its minimum wage to $15, but are workers really benefiting?

• Shopify launches a glorified Apple Genius Bar in Downtown LA.

• Adobe has an uphill battle in integrating its acquisitions into a seamless ecosystem.

Traditional Retail is Making Moves in Pretty Much Every Direction:

• DSW, (everyone's favorite place to buy trendy ankle boots), has along with Authentic Brand Group has made a deal to acquire Camuto Group for 375MM. DSW will contribute 200MM to this deal.

• it seems Toys 'R Us has been revived. On October 1st the retailer filed papers in bankruptcy court to halt the auction of their intellectual property.

• In news that will shock almost no one: Sears (a company that has somehow survived for 132 years)  has filed for bankruptcy, and is simultaneously trying to tread water.

• Sears has already shuttered thousands of Sears and Kmart stores, and its future remains uncertain, to say the least.

• Levi Strauss has posted massive gains (10% for Q3), This news must be very exciting to lovers of high-quality jean jackets everywhere.

Should Everyone Just Feel Sorry For Billionaire Bezos?

• Amazon raises its minimum wage to $15, and yet some are suspicious of the retail giant's sudden goodwill.

• Amazon has faced prior criticism for its treatment of warehouse workers, including insane production quotas, too short break times, and a "big brother environment at work. Some of these stories sound like they are from a different century.

• And some of the criticism may be warranted: NBC News is reporting that Amazon is cutting bonuses and stock options to those same warehouse employees. This allows Amazon to enjoy the political benefit, and public adoration, while still being able to undercut employees.

• While Amazon has received praise for the minimum wage hike from former critics including Senator Bernie Sanders, it is still being hit with criticism for the cutting of benefits.

• Phillip and Brian lament that poor Jeff Bezos cannot seem to catch a break

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Shopify LA: Just Another Apple Genius Bar?.

• Shopify has set up shop in a brick and mortar space in downtown LA, the location choice being a mystery to most.                 

• According to Philip and Brian, this store is more proof of concept than anything else.

• Shopify putting its footprint down in a physical space seem