Amazon may have started out as a book retailer, but it has quickly become a major player in apparel, grocery, logistics, voice, advertising and an ever-increasing number of other segments. Thanks to its base of over 100 million Prime members, most brands have had to weigh whether it makes sense to tap into the platform.

If you ask Cooper Smith, director of Amazon IQ Research at Gartner L2, it's pretty clear that Amazon's goal of becoming the world's largest retailer is really more of a means to an end — and it all comes back to the supply chain. This time on the podcast, Retail Dive Reporter Corinne Ruff sat down with Smith to talk about where Amazon is headed this year, and what brands should know. In some ways, this interview is sort of a "how-to" when it comes to dealing with Amazon.

Sit back, relax and listen. You can stream the episode below or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.