Whatnot vs Traditional E-commerce: The Shift No One’s Talking About
Fri Feb 06 2026
Join your Watson Weekly Weekend Edition hosts, Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky, as they break down the biggest shifts in tech, retail, and e-commerce. From Pinterest’s AI pivot to Starbucks’ massive loyalty shakeup, we’re diving deep into the news moving the needle this week.
📌 Pinterest’s AI EvolutionPinterest is cutting 15% of its workforce (approx. 700–800 roles) to go all-in on AI. We discuss whether this is a genuine transformation or a "playbook" move to appease investors as user growth plateaus. Is the shift to "AI-proficient talent" enough to fend off TikTok and Reels?
☕ The New Starbucks Rewards (Launching March 10, 2026)Starbucks is reimagining loyalty with three distinct tiers designed to gamify your morning coffee:
Green: The standard $1 = 1 star.Gold: Accelerated earning (1.2 stars/$) and non-expiring points.Reserve: A 2,500-star threshold (or $2,500 spend) with perks like all-expenses-paid trips to Tokyo, Milan, or Costa Rica.Note: The "free customization" era is ending with a new $10 cap on 200-star drinks.🛍️ Shopify vs. The "Robot Agents"
Shopify’s latest partner update provides a blueprint for the AI era. They are redefining "partners" to include digital entities and tightening the reins on data—prohibiting developers from using merchant data to train external models. Plus, third-party apps must now feed directly into the Shopify AI Sidekick.
🃏 Whatnot & The Live Selling ExplosionLive shopping has evolved far beyond QVC. Whatnot has reached $8 billion in GMV by gamifying the collector experience. We explore why midsize cities like Rochester and Dayton are out-earning Chicago on a per-resident basis, and how categories like Beauty (up 791%) are exploding.
"It’s not shopping; it’s entertainment." – Special Correspondent Shephard Lesesky on the addictive nature of live auctions.
The Watson Weekly is sponsored by Mirakl.
0:00 – Intro
1:25 – Pinterest’s Strategic Pivot
5:31 – Starbucks Loyalty 2026
8:58 – Shopify’s New Rules
13:15 – The Rise of Whatnot
🚀 Stay Connected
Subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel for your weekly dose of commerce insights.
Visit our website: https://www.watsonweekly.com
#WatsonWeekly #EcommerceNews #StarbucksRewards #Shopify #Pinterest #LiveShopping #Whatnot #AI #RetailTrends
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Join your Watson Weekly Weekend Edition hosts, Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky, as they break down the biggest shifts in tech, retail, and e-commerce. From Pinterest’s AI pivot to Starbucks’ massive loyalty shakeup, we’re diving deep into the news moving the needle this week. 📌 Pinterest’s AI EvolutionPinterest is cutting 15% of its workforce (approx. 700–800 roles) to go all-in on AI. We discuss whether this is a genuine transformation or a "playbook" move to appease investors as user growth plateaus. Is the shift to "AI-proficient talent" enough to fend off TikTok and Reels? ☕ The New Starbucks Rewards (Launching March 10, 2026)Starbucks is reimagining loyalty with three distinct tiers designed to gamify your morning coffee: Green: The standard $1 = 1 star.Gold: Accelerated earning (1.2 stars/$) and non-expiring points.Reserve: A 2,500-star threshold (or $2,500 spend) with perks like all-expenses-paid trips to Tokyo, Milan, or Costa Rica.Note: The "free customization" era is ending with a new $10 cap on 200-star drinks.🛍️ Shopify vs. The "Robot Agents" Shopify’s latest partner update provides a blueprint for the AI era. They are redefining "partners" to include digital entities and tightening the reins on data—prohibiting developers from using merchant data to train external models. Plus, third-party apps must now feed directly into the Shopify AI Sidekick. 🃏 Whatnot & The Live Selling ExplosionLive shopping has evolved far beyond QVC. Whatnot has reached $8 billion in GMV by gamifying the collector experience. We explore why midsize cities like Rochester and Dayton are out-earning Chicago on a per-resident basis, and how categories like Beauty (up 791%) are exploding. "It’s not shopping; it’s entertainment." – Special Correspondent Shephard Lesesky on the addictive nature of live auctions. The Watson Weekly is sponsored by Mirakl. 0:00 – Intro 1:25 – Pinterest’s Strategic Pivot 5:31 – Starbucks Loyalty 2026 8:58 – Shopify’s New Rules 13:15 – The Rise of Whatnot 🚀 Stay Connected Subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel for your weekly dose of commerce insights. Visit our website: https://www.watsonweekly.com #WatsonWeekly #EcommerceNews #StarbucksRewards #Shopify #Pinterest #LiveShopping #Whatnot #AI #RetailTrends