Shein Is Low-Priced DTC Apparel at the Speed of Algorithms. Is This a New Moat or Just Table Stakes? (Tech Strategy – Podcast 83)

In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses the rise of Shein, a Chinese fast fashion retailer that has become one of the most popular online apparel brands in the world. He argues that Shein’s success is due to its low prices, its use of algorithms to design and market its products, and its rapid shipping times. He concludes that Shein is a disruptive force in the fashion industry and that its success could have implications for other retailers.

Can ByteDance Breach Alibaba’s Infrastructure Moat and Become An Ecommerce Giant? (Tech Strategy – Podcast 82)

In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses whether ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant behind TikTok, can breach Alibaba’s dominance in the Chinese ecommerce market. He argues that ByteDance has a number of advantages, including its large user base, its data-driven approach to marketing, and its ability to innovate quickly. However, he also acknowledges that Alibaba has a number of strengths, including its strong infrastructure, its deep relationships with merchants, and its brand recognition. He concludes that it is too early to say whether ByteDance will be able to challenge Alibaba, but that the battle between the two companies is one to watch.

6 Early Indicators of the Greatness of Sea Limited (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)

Sea Limited is rocking and rolling. Jumping from gaming to ecommerce. Then to payment and financial services. And now to Mexico. There is a growing public consensus that the Sea management team is extraordinarily effective. That’s cool. But it would have been much better to know that two years ago, when the stock was much […]

Adobe Inc. and the Power of Old School Software Economics (Tech Strategy – Podcast 81)

In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses how Adobe has been able to maintain its dominance in the software industry despite the rise of cloud-based alternatives. He argues that Adobe’s success is due to its focus on old-school software economics, such as network effects and recurring revenue. He explains that network effects make it more valuable for each user to join a platform as more users join, and that recurring revenue provides a steady stream of income that can be used to invest in new products and services.

Evil Moats: Tech-Created Habits and the Hijacking of Consumer Minds (Tech Strategy – Podcast 80)

In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses how tech companies are creating “evil moats” by building habits and capturing the consumer mind. He argues that these moats are difficult to compete with and can lead to market concentration. He cites examples such as Facebook, Google, and TikTok, which have all created products that are highly addictive and difficult to switch away from.