What can Amazon's early days teach us about today's retail landscape, startup challenges, and holiday supply chain planning? With billions in Prime Day sales, rising startup failures, and an unusual peak shipping season, supply chain leaders have plenty to consider as the year comes to a close. In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, host Kim Reuter is joined by fellow members of The Collective, Kerry Gibson-Morris, Jack Mowreader, and Derreck Travers, to break down the latest developments in e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and global supply chains. Drawing on their firsthand experiences helping build Amazon's early operations, the panel discusses the evolution of Prime Day, the balance between customer loyalty and profitability, and the growing influence of AI-assisted shopping. They also explore why venture capital-backed startups are struggling, what separates successful founders from failed ventures, and the importance of understanding customer needs, managing finances, and knowing when to pivot. Finally, the group examines the 2026 Q4 shipping outlook, including early inventory movement, port congestion, trucking capacity, and strategies for navigating continued supply chain disruptions. Key Takeaways Amazon Prime Day's evolution: Discover how Amazon's early shipping and inventory strategies helped shape Prime Day and influence modern e-commerce.Retail trends and consumer behavior: Explore Prime Day sales performance, discount strategies, AI-assisted purchasing, and what early holiday shopping could mean for retailers.Why startups fail: Understand how weak unit economics, unrealistic expectations, venture capital pressures, and a lack of customer focus can threaten new businesses.Lessons from Amazon's early leaders: Learn why calculated risks, rapid experimentation, financial discipline, and the willingness to fail fast are essential to long-term success.Q4 shipping and import challenges: Examine how early inventory movement, tariffs, port congestion, and transportation capacity are affecting holiday supply chains.Preparing for peak season: Hear practical advice on contingency planning, securing carrier capacity, maintaining inventory buffers, and preparing for post-holiday returns.Whether you're managing a supply chain, building a startup, or preparing for the holiday retail rush, this episode offers valuable lessons from leaders who helped shape modern e-commerce. Tune in for firsthand Amazon stories, practical business insights, and strategies to help your organization stay flexible, profitable, and prepared for whatever comes next. Additional Links & Resources: Altium Develop: https://bit.ly/Try-Altium-DevelopWith That Said: https://bit.ly/With-That-Said-NewsletterOnline spend during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days neared $10B in the US: https://bit.ly/4sBPPnlRecord Startup Shutdowns Reflect a Market That Is Moving Forward: https://bit.ly/4jPvYyAU.S. ocean container imports set September record as China shipments rise: https://bit.ly/4iwEZu2Altium Agile Teams: https://www.altium.com/agile/teamsConnect with Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-reuter-csg/Connect with Kerry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-gibson-morris-179453/Connect with Jack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmowreader/Connect with Derreck on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrecktravers/Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveLearn more about MFG.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiIWEBINAR- Planning Your 2027 AI Strategy: 5 Research-Backed Best Practices: https://bit.ly/4z1LM5rWEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3fWEBINAR- Belgian Chocolate, Smarter Forecasting: Barry Callebaut Is Transforming Global Demand Planning: https://bit.ly/48iDzyRThis episode was hosted by Kim Reuter, Kerry Gibson-Morris, Jack Mowreader, and Derreck Travers, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. 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