FORMER AMAZON LEADER: “ Learn the RULES of the Game Before You Jump Into Amazon.”

James Thomson is the Managing Partner at Equity Value Advisors, where he advises brand executives and investors on accelerating e-commerce revenues and aligning distribution and pricing strategies. He serves on the boards of and invests in companies such as Mamenta, Davinci Micro Fulfillment, and MAVI.io. Previously, James was the Chief Strategy Officer at Buy Box Experts, a managed services agency that assists brands in optimizing their online sales channels as well as investors of businesses selling on Amazon. Before Buy Box, he served as the Business Head of Amazon Services, the division responsible for recruiting tens of thousands of sellers annually to the Amazon marketplace, and he was the Senior Manager for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

In this episode…

Amazon has evolved beyond just a marketplace; it is now a data-driven company that leverages first-party consumer insights to dominate digital advertising. As generative AI reshapes online shopping, Amazon uses its vast data resources to enhance customer experiences, refine search results, and expand its advertising reach. How can retail-first brands break into this competitive space?

While Walmart remains a major player in retail, its e-commerce strategy differs significantly from Amazon’s. Rather than directly competing, Walmart focuses on converting its in-store shoppers into online customers, leveraging its physical presence to drive digital growth. However, many traditional retail brands struggle to adapt to Amazon’s algorithm-driven marketplace, where competitor brands thrive by optimizing keywords, pricing competitively, and constantly innovating. According to Amazon veteran James Thomson, brands that invest in data-driven decision-making, continuously refine their product listings, and adapt to Amazon’s evolving algorithms can increase visibility and outperform competitors.

In this episode of What The Teck?, James Thomson, the Managing Partner at Equity Value Advisors, joins Rolando Rosas to discuss the shifting dynamics of Amazon’s online marketplace. He explains Amazon’s evolving role in social commerce, how Amazon uses first-party data to influence customer experiences, and the importance of blocking out your calendar for family time.