PLAY PODCASTS
Omni Talk Retail

Omni Talk Retail

622 episodes — Page 12 of 13

Fast Five Shorts | Buy Or Sell: Best Buy Storefronts?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, ClearDemand, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss Whether they're buying or selling Best Buy Creator Storefronts For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/xZ2R3c0ZxsU

Apr 11, 20258 min

Old Navy Hits The Radar, San Diego Bans Digital-Only Coupons & Amazon Debuts AI Agents | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed: - Best Buy storefronts and where influencer commerce will go next - Instacart’s introduction of “Will Call” Delivery (Source) - Old Navy rolling out Radar’s RFID solution to 1,200 stores - San Diego banning digital-only grocery store coupons And closed with a look at just how game-changing Amazon’s implementation of AI agents to shop third-party sites could be There’s all that, plus David Dorf of AWS stops by for 5 Insightful Minutes on Agentic AI, and Chris and Anne also discuss tariff stockpiling, soggy doggy burritos and which animal species Anne would most like to see brought back from extinction. Music by hooksounds.com

Apr 9, 202554 min

How Agentic AI Will Transform Retail Forever With David Dorf Of AWS | 5IM

David Dorf, Head of Retail Industry Solutions at AWS, joins Omni Talk to break down how Agentic AI—the next evolution beyond generative AI—is poised to reshape the retail industry. From recommendations and virtual analysts to autonomous shopping assistants, David shares real-world retail examples already in use today. Plus, he explains why the next frontier may be agent-optimized websites and what that means for advertising, loyalty, and even SEO. 💡 Key Moments: 0:21 – What is Agentic AI? How it differs from generative AI 1:36 – Real-world use cases: Amazon’s $260M in savings from AI agents 2:14 – Tapestry’s agent-powered data assistant 2:42 – AI recommending tires based on car type and usage 3:28 – Agents navigating browsers: Instacart demo and implications 4:30 – What happens to advertising and loyalty when agents shop for us? 5:41 – Advice for retailers: start small, focus on ROI and automation 📍 Don’t miss this mind-blowing 5-minute masterclass on the future of AI in retail. #AgenticAI #RetailInnovation #AWS #GenerativeAI #RetailTechnology #OpenAI #FutureOfRetail #AIinRetail #Automation #AIshopping #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #DavidDorf #Anthropic #RetailTrends2025 Music by hooksounds.com Sponsored Content

Apr 6, 20256 min

Fast Five Shorts | A Love Is Blind Lightning Round

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: A Love Is Blind Lightning Round For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE

Mar 28, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | Edible Arrangements To Sell . . . Edibles

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Edible Arrangements Making a Shift To Sell . . . Edibles For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE

Mar 28, 20253 min

Fast Five Shorts | Klarna & Doordash Bring BNPL To Meal Delivery

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Klarna & Doordash Bringing BNPL To Meal Delivery For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE

Mar 28, 20254 min

Fast Five Shorts | Best Buy Connects Retail Media With Meta

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Best Buy Connecting Retail Media With Meta For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE

Mar 28, 20254 min

Fast Five Shorts | Amazon Haul 50% Off During Big Spring Sale

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Amazon Haul Being Priced At 50% Off During Big Spring Sale For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE

Mar 28, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | Buy Or Sell: Target’s “Brown Box Delivery” Pilot?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Whether They're Buying Or Selling: Target’s “Brown Box Delivery” Pilot For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE

Mar 28, 20254 min

Shoptalk 2025 Key Takeaways Live Podcast

The Shoptalk 2025 Key Takeaways Podcast is here! Recorded live on stage, this fast-paced episode features Omni Talk's Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton with Shoptalk's content team — Marielle Bobo, Ben Miller, HG O’Connell, and the live conference audience — as they spin the wheel to hit the hottest themes of the show. 🎯 Key Moments & Topics: (00:54) Introduction of the “Shoptalk Dream Team” (03:00) Tariffs: Shein’s surprising openness to regulation (05:01) Data: AI, personalization, and retail transformation with DoorDash, Hanes, and SoulCycle (10:14) Retail Media: Growth slowing or just evolving? (13:52) Quote of the Show: Creativity, authenticity, and CVS’ traffic drivers (18:50) Demand Creation: Stores still rule; digital discovery leads (23:16) Search: Language & visual search, AI co-pilots, and TikTok’s next gen influence (28:33) Startup Winners: Sotira (reverse logistics) and Playably (gamified ecommerce) (30:31) Most Exciting Tech: From jewelry design with AI to in-store audio (32:45) Careless Whisper (aka Most Interesting Idea Heard Offstage): Trove’s 3-5 comp point resale lift, Sam’s Club’s reinvestment strategy, metaverse surprises, and CEOs getting back in stores (33:58) Agentic AI: Is this a “Bezos moment” for retail? (39:00) Closing Thoughts: What’s next? Shoptalk Europe, Fall, Groceryshop & more 📍 For more on upcoming Shoptalk shows visit shoptalk.com

Mar 27, 202540 min

Walmart EVP Cedric Clark on Tech, Culture & the Future of Retail | Shoptalk 2025 Interview

In this Shoptalk 2025 special, recorded live from the Shoptalk TV studio, Omni Talk sits down with Cedric Clark, EVP of Stores at Walmart, to unpack the company’s people-led, tech-powered evolution. Cedric dives into Walmart’s commitment to associate experience, innovation in store technology, and why staying connected to the frontline is key to long-term retail success. 🎯 Key Moments: (00:54) Cedric on Shoptalk and innovation trends (1:45) His Walmart journey: From fishing licenses to EVP (3:09) Why store-level experience matters in leadership (4:12) People-led, tech-powered: Walmart’s core philosophy (5:47) Game-changing tech: My Walmart app and digital shelf labels (7:53) AI for smarter scheduling and task nudges (13:12) Store experience evolution: Then vs. now (16:06) How Walmart develops its associates (18:20) Winning over new customers and boosting loyalty (20:39) Walmart’s "secret sauce" for success (23:09) Keeping the customer at the center of every decision (25:37) Teasers for what’s ahead in 2025

Mar 27, 202526 min

Amazon Haul, Best Buy Social+ & Edibles.com | Fast Five

🎧 Retail Fast Five | March 26, 2025 – Live from Shoptalk 2025 This week, Chris and Anne are back together live at Shoptalk 2025, bringing you exclusive insight and on-the-ground energy. This week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital and Infios, kicks off with a behind-the-scenes look at their interviews with CVS, Wayfair, and Purina (03:15), followed by their five big retail stories of the week: Best Buy Launches Social Plus – A new retail media/social ad hybrid (06:23) Amazon Haul Gets a Spring Sale Boost – But is it bold enough? (12:23) Klarna x DoorDash Partnership – BNPL comes to food delivery (16:46) Edible Arrangements Launches Edibles.com – Game-changing move into hemp products (20:54) Target Tests Brown Box Delivery – Efficiency play or PR puff? Or both? (24:43) They also talk Christina Aguilera workout songs (28:47), bad airport snacks (30:14), socks and sleep debates (31:53), and whether Minneapolis should host dating shows (33:03). 💥 A must-listen for anyone following the ever-changing retail landscape. Music by hooksounds.com #RetailFastFive #OmniTalk #RetailNews #BestBuy #AmazonHaul #ShopTalk2025 #RetailMedia #Klarna #DoorDash #Edibles #TargetRetail #Ecommerce #RetailTrends #BNPL #RetailInnovation

Mar 25, 202535 min

Wayfair Opens MASSIVE Store in Atlanta – Brilliant Strategy or Huge Risk?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Wayfair going BIG in Atlanta with a new 150,000 sq ft store—but is this retail expansion smart or risky? Chris and Anne break down why Wayfair’s move into physical stores could challenge IKEA, fill a key market gap, and provide crucial data to enhance their omnichannel strategy in this latest episode of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital and Infios. (0:03) – Wayfair announces its second large-format store in Atlanta for 2026 (1:00) – Chris shares the backstory: Wayfair's initial reluctance to go big (2:19) – In-store dwell time up 25%—why shoppers linger at Wayfair (2:45) – The white space: serving customers between IKEA and luxury brands (4:30) – Same-day pickup, easy returns, and why convenience wins (5:39) – Can Wayfair connect in-store behavior to online reviews and sales data? (6:44) – AI or no AI? The power of real-time retail data to optimize inventory (7:02) – The caveat: 15% sales bump might not be enough—store must be profitable Will Wayfair’s big store bet pay off? The verdict’s out—but this move could reshape how we shop for furniture in 2025 and beyond. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/K-LainhQQyY #wayfair #furnitureshopping #homedecor #retailstrategy #omnichannelretail #furnituretrends #retailinnovation #homefurnishings

Mar 21, 20257 min

Walmart Ditches Affirm for Klarna – Here's Why It’s a Big Deal

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Walmart going all-in with Klarna as its sole Buy Now, Pay Later provider—ditching Affirm and integrating BNPL into its OnePay FinTech app. Chris and Anne explore why this is more than a simple switch, and how it positions Walmart to become a dominant force in payments. (0:03) – Walmart drops Affirm, partners exclusively with Klarna for BNPL (0:30) – Klarna to underwrite loans, Walmart’s OnePay to handle customer experience (1:10) – Walmart’s OnePay valued at $2B+ with $200M in annual revenue (1:54) – Why Walmart’s customers won’t notice a difference—and why that matters (2:26) – Klarna’s global reach gives Walmart valuable data and fraud prevention potential (3:06) – Is BNPL becoming the next Visa or Mastercard for retail? (3:24) – Walmart’s strategy: Growth through ownership of payment capabilities (4:26) – Signing up is shockingly easy—Chris’s experience and $60 in credits (4:42) – Walmart’s long game: becoming the “payment conduit for America” (5:08) – Why simplicity and trust in one provider can be more powerful than choice With millions of daily shoppers, Walmart’s bet on Klarna and OnePay could reshape how Americans pay. Will other retailers follow suit? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/K-LainhQQyY #walmart #klarna #buynowpaylater #retailtech #retailinnovation #retailtech

Mar 21, 20255 min

Kroger's New E-Commerce Unit – Smart Move or Eventual Disaster?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss how Kroger is betting big on e-commerce—but is its strategy already flawed? In this segment, brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital and Infios, Chris and Anne debate Kroger’s controversial decision to separate online operations into a standalone unit, question the leadership choice, and unpack whether this sets Kroger up for success—or disaster. (0:03) – Kroger forms new e-commerce business unit (0:11) – Yael Cosset promoted to EVP and Chief Digital Officer (0:32) – Kroger CEO Ron Sargent emphasizes digital growth (0:56) – Should e-commerce be a separate division? (1:46) – Why this goes against omnichannel best practices (2:53) – Is Kroger stuck in the sunk cost trap with Ocado? (3:54) – Concerns over leadership structure and priorities (6:07) – Are digital sales underperforming despite the investment? (7:14) – Final thoughts: too many risks, not enough clarity Don’t miss this deep dive into a major retail shakeup—and what it could mean for the future of grocery e-commerce. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/K-LainhQQyY #kroger #ecommercestrategy #retailnews #grocery #ocado #omnichannelretail #digitaltransformation #onlinegroceryshopping #retailtech #retailinsights

Mar 21, 20257 min

Ulta Beauty Launches Marketplace – Game-Changer for Customers & Retail Media?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Ulta Beauty going big with a new curated online marketplace—what does this mean for customers, loyalty, and retail media? Chris and Anne break down why this is a savvy move for Ulta, how Mirakl enables quick marketplace rollouts, and why 2025 is shaping up as the year of marketplace dominance in retail in this latest episode of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital and Infios. (0:02) – Ulta Beauty’s official marketplace announcement (0:20) – “Curated” marketplaces—real or just marketing? (1:02) – Why this is a smart move for Ulta’s customers (2:08) – Retail media revenue and loyalty points as key drivers (3:14) – The role of Mirakl in accelerating marketplace adoption (4:30) – 2025: The year of the marketplace (Best Buy, Janie and Jack, Ulta) (5:46) – Data value in high-frequency beauty purchasing (6:03) – How Ulta’s platform could attract CPG advertisers If you're in retail or beauty, this is one trend you can't afford to miss. Ulta's move could reshape the future of digital commerce in beauty and wellness. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/K-LainhQQyY #ultabeauty #ecommercetrends #retailinnovation #beautyindustry #retailmedia #customerloyalty #OmnichannelRetail #digitalcommerce #retailtech #beautytech

Mar 21, 20256 min

Lightning Round | $200K White Lotus Resort Tours, Irish Pub Inheritances & Ranking Sandler Movies

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss the week's most intriguing entertainment stories in this latest episode of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital and Infios! We explore Heineken's unique campaign to find a successor for a fourth-generation Irish pub, debate dream vacations, and rank our favorite Adam Sandler films. KEY MOMENTS: 0:02 - Heineken's search for someone with a specific Irish surname to take over an Irish pub 0:27 - Would our hosts change their name and move to Ireland to inherit a bar? 1:03 - Discussing Mariah Carey's viral unimpressed reaction at the iHeart Radio Music Awards 1:25 - Personal story about an unexpected reaction to a surprise birthday party 2:17 - The incredible $200,000 Four Seasons vacation package to all White Lotus filming locations 2:51 - Speculation about where White Lotus Season 4 might be filmed 3:24 - Happy Gilmore 2 trailer discussion and ranking our favorite Adam Sandler movies 3:45 - Debating Sandler's best work from classics like Billy Madison to critically acclaimed Uncut Gems Tune in for laughs, hot takes, and our candid thoughts on whether we'd spend $200K to visit White Lotus resorts! For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/K-LainhQQyY #whitelotus #adamsandler #HappyGilmore2 #fourseasonshotel #entertainmentnews #mariahcareyreaction #movierankings #luxurytravel

Mar 21, 20254 min

Wonder Buys Tastemade – Is Mark Lore Trying to Give Everyone Their Own Personal Chef?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss how Wonder has scooped up Tastemade for $90 million as part of its grand plan to become the super app of mealtime. Chris and Anne dissect the strategy behind combining streaming food content with real-time delivery via Grubhub and Blue Apron—and whether Wonder’s vision of democratizing personal chefs can actually scale. (0:02) – Wonder acquires Tastemade to fuel its mealtime super app ambitions (0:33) – Wonder’s pivot from food trucks to centralized kitchens and restaurants (1:14) – Grubhub and Blue Apron acquisitions—building blocks of a food empire (1:40) – Marc Lore’s bold plan: Personalized chefs for everyone? (2:03) – The appeal: choice, convenience, and reducing friction in mealtime decisions (2:52) – Is it about delivery... or empowering consumers to cook with ease? (3:36) – Advertising potential: Tastemade as a platform to subsidize costs (4:46) – Scaling the logistics: Can Wonder handle the complexity at a reasonable price? (5:29) – Bezos’ rule of choice, food as friction, and the psychology of convenience (7:00) – Final verdict: Big risk, big vision—but is it big enough to work? Marc Lore is betting big on food—and the way we eat might never be the same. Will Wonder change the game... or burn through billions chasing an impossible dream? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/K-LainhQQyY #wonderapp #tastemade #foodtech #mealdelivery #superapps #grubhub #cloudkitchen #venturecapital #retailinnovation #foodstartup

Mar 21, 20258 min

Kroger's Sunk Cost Trap, Ulta's Mirakl & Why Klarna's Walmart Deal Is 'One' For The Ages | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital and Infios, Chris and Anne discussed: - Kroger’s surprising decision to create a standalone e-commerce unit - Ulta’s launch of a digital marketplace with Mirakl - Wayfair’s plans to open a second large format store in Atlanta - Klarna becoming Walmart’s exclusive BNPL provider - And closed with a look at Wonder’s acquisition spree and if its “super app for mealtime” is just bad branding of what is actually a good idea There’s all that, plus Mariah Carey, Irish names, and our rankings of the best Adam Sandler movies of all-time. Music by hooksounds.coom

Mar 18, 202546 min

Our Shoptalk 2025 Tech Preview Podcast!

In this packed episode, Omni Talk hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview the most innovative retail technology providers attending Shoptalk 2025, giving listeners an insider’s guide to the conference’s must-see tech solutions. Key Moments: 1:33 – Interview with Big Sur AI’s CEO Vinod Ramachandran on their AI sales agent, content marketer, and data scientist tools 17:12 – Lucky Labs’ Sneh Parmar explains how they connect brands to major retailers with real-time inventory and attribution data 27:47 – Lily AI’s Purva Gupta breaks down how they bridge the gap between merchant language and consumer search terms 44:33 – Syrup’s James Theuerkauf discusses their AI decision support system for optimizing inventory management 56:50 – Placer.AI’s Ethan Chernofsky shares insights on location analytics and understanding retail traffic patterns 1:12:34 – Treasure Data’s Mark Tack on intelligent data platforms transforming retail customer experiences 1:25:01 – Mirakl’s Alex Hase explains the rising trend of specialty retailers launching marketplace platforms 1:35:33 – Signifyd’s Raj Ramanand reveals how AI is solving the $890 billion returns problem in retail Be careful out there, #retailtech #shoptalk #aiinretail #retailinnovation #ecommerce #retailstrategy #customerexperience #retailanalytics #digitaltransformation *Sponsored Content*

Mar 17, 20251h 52m

Fast Five Shorts | CVS To Launch New “Mini-Stores”

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Alvarez & Marsal, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, along with guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Chris Creyts and David Schneidman break down the week’s retail news. In this short, they cover: CVS Launching New “Mini-Stores” For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/zoe5hsCC9jU

Mar 14, 20258 min

Fast Five Shorts | Buy or Sell: Reckitt’s Claim AI Has Reduced Product Development Lead Times By 60%

n the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Alvarez & Marsal, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, along with guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Chris Creyts and David Schneidman break down the week’s retail news. In this short, they cover: Buying or Selling: Reckitt’s Claim AI Has Reduced Product Development Lead Times By 60% For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/zoe5hsCC9jU

Mar 14, 20257 min

Fast Five Shorts | Loblaw To Tag US Sourced Products With Tariff Symbol

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Alvarez & Marsal, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, along with guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Chris Creyts and David Schneidman break down the week’s retail news. In this short, they cover: Loblaw To Tagging US Sourced Products With Tariff Symbol For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/zoe5hsCC9jU

Mar 14, 20259 min

Fast Five Shorts | A Ride Or Die Lightning Round

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Alvarez & Marsal, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, along with guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Chris Creyts and David Schneidman break down the week’s retail news. In this short, they cover: A Ride Or Die Lightning Round For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/zoe5hsCC9jU

Mar 14, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | Is App Fatigue Real And A Reason To Move To Digital Wallets?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Alvarez & Marsal, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, along with guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Chris Creyts and David Schneidman break down the week’s retail news. In this short, they cover: If Portillo's App Fatigue IS Real And A Reason To Move To Digital Wallets For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/zoe5hsCC9jU

Mar 14, 20258 min

How AI & Smart Data Capture Are Converging To Improve Retail Store Operations | Ask An Expert

How is AI transforming retail technology? In this episode, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga talk with Jessica Grisolia from Scandit about the latest innovations in smart data capture, shelf intelligence, and workforce efficiency. Find out how AI is not replacing store associates but enhancing their productivity, and why next-best-action intelligence is coming soon to inventory management. ⏳ Key Moments: 0:08 – Intro to OmniTalk’s Ask An Expert Series 1:21 – The importance of human-centric retail AI 5:41 – The $1.7 trillion inventory problem retailers face 9:25 – How AI optimizes store associates’ workflows 18:52 – Staples Canada’s 45% cost reduction with smart data capture 27:44 – Retail AI trends for 2026: Agentic AI and coordinated computer vision 📍 Join the conversation and stay ahead of retail tech trends! #RetailTechnology #AIinRetail #SmartDataCapture #InventoryManagement #RetailTrends #Omnichannel #AIforRetail #RetailAutomation #StoreOptimization #Scandit #NextBestAction #RetailAI Music by hooksounds.com Sponsored Content

Mar 12, 202533 min

CVS "Mini-Stores," Google Shopping & Loblaw's Plan To Slap Tariff Labels On U.S. Goods | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital and Infios, A&M’s David Schneidman and Chris Creyts joined Chris and Anne to discuss: - CVS Health’s rollout of “mini-stores,” i.e. smaller stores with pharmacies but a limited retail selection - Loblaw identifying U.S. made products at shelf with a new tariff symbol - Google Shopping’s new AI search features - Reckitt’s claims that it has reduced product development lead times by over 60% with generative AI - And closed with an examination of Portillo’s launch of its new loyalty program, not through an app, but through a digital wallet There’s all that, plus Blue Steel, airline preferences, and moonlighting as social media influencers. Music by hooksounds.com

Mar 11, 202555 min

Publix Sued for Overcharging Customers – Pricing Error or Deception?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: 🛒 Publix is facing a class-action lawsuit over allegations of overcharging customers on weighted food items. Did a simple pricing error cause this, or is there a bigger problem with grocery store transparency? In this week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we break down what happened, why electronic shelf labels might help prevent these issues, and how customers can protect themselves. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/rTReEPz6yR8

Mar 7, 20253 min

Is Alexa+ Just Another Overhyped AI Assistant?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: 🚀 Amazon has launched Alexa Plus, its next-generation AI-powered assistant—but is it truly revolutionary or just another Alexa upgrade? 🤔 In this week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we discuss its new features, generative AI improvements, and whether it finally delivers on its smart shopping promise. Will you be subscribing or skipping Alexa Plus? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/rTReEPz6yR8

Mar 7, 20257 min

Furniture.com Is A Really Audacious Retail Concept

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: 🛋️ Furniture.com is shaking up the industry by integrating real-time inventory, search data, and in-store browsing into one seamless furniture shopping platform. Could this be the next big thing in home furnishings, or will giants like Wayfair and Walmart respond with their own versions? In this week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we break down the opportunities, challenges, and future of omni-channel furniture shopping. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/rTReEPz6yR8

Mar 7, 20256 min

Walmart Unlimited: The Future of Shopping or a Soon-To-Be Failed Experiment?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: 🎮 Walmart just launched Walmart Unlimited, a shoppable video game experience designed to merge immersive gaming and e-commerce. But is this the future of shopping or just another metaverse experiment destined to fail? In this week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we explore whether Walmart can drive real sales through virtual experiences and if customers will actually buy products inside a game. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/rTReEPz6yR8

Mar 7, 20254 min

Airport Theory, Stuffed Crust Wars & Retail Throwbacks – This Week in Consumer Trends!

🚀 In this week's Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we break down the viral Airport Theory TikTok trend (would you show up 15 minutes before your flight?!), the Domino’s stuffed crust debate, and the return of nostalgic retail brands like Limited Too! Plus, which pancakes reign supreme? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/rTReEPz6yR8

Mar 7, 20255 min

Is Target & Warby Parker's Partnership A Bigger Gamble Than It Appears?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Target teaming up with Warby Parker to bring in-store eyewear services to select locations—but is this a brilliant retail move or a risky bet? 🤔 In this week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we break down how this partnership benefits both brands, potential operational challenges, and why Warby Parker’s slow expansion rate raises questions. Should Target just acquire Warby Parker outright? Let’s discuss! For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/rTReEPz6yR8

Mar 7, 20257 min

Alexa+, Publix & Why There’s More Than Meets The Eye To Target And Warby’s New Deal | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne discussed: - All the wrinkles surrounding Target and Warby Parker’s new partnership - The launch of Alexa+ - The deceptive pricing lawsuit against Publix - Furniture.com’s unique take on omnichannel commerce - And closed with an examination of Walmart Unlimited, Walmart’s new video game shopping experience There’s all that, plus “airport theory,” stuffed crust pizza, and what style of pancakes reigns supreme. Music by hooksounds.com

Mar 4, 202543 min

Fast Five Shorts | Adidas To Offer Buy With Prime Via Its App & Website

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Adidas Offering Buy With Prime Via Its App & Website For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | Buy Or Sell: Walmart’s New AI Tool For Merchants, Aka Wally?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: If They're Buying Or Selling: Walmart’s New Ai Tool For Merchants, Aka Wally? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20259 min

Fast Five Shorts | An LA Raiders Latch Hook Lightning Round

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: An LA Raiders Latch Hook Lightning Round For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20254 min

Fast Five Shorts | Joann To Close All Its Stores

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Joann Closing All Its Stores For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20256 min

Fast Five Shorts | Kroger And Schnucks Enhance Their Quick Delivery Offerings Via Instacart

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Kroger And Schnucks Enhancing Their Quick Delivery Offerings Via Instacart For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | Sprouts To Launch First-ever Loyalty Program

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Sprouts Launching Its First-ever Loyalty Program For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20254 min

Good-Bye Joann, Hello Adidas Buy With Prime & Welcome Walmart To ‘Wally’ World | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, Anne remoted in from eTail West, Chris was back home in Minneapolis, and together they discussed: - Adidas offering Amazon Buy with Prime via its website and app - Joann no longer being in the fabric of our lives - Sprouts launching its first-ever loyalty program - Kroger and Schnucks enhancing their quick delivery offerings via Instacart - And closed with a discussion of Walmart’s new AI tool for merchants, aka “Wally” There’s all that, plus nightly news anchors, Joann memories, and Anne’s favorite Savage. Music by hooksounds.com

Feb 25, 202545 min

Fast Five Shorts | Pros And Cons Of Amazon Featuring Products From Other Websites Within Its App

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: The Pros And Cons Of Amazon Featuring Products From Other Websites Within Its App For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | "The Price Of Wishes Has Increased With Inflation" Lightning Round

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: How "The Price Of Wishes Has Increased With Inflation" In The Latest Lightning Round For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 20254 min

Build Profit & Boost Loyalty? Learn Why Both Are Possible With AI Powered Pricing | Ask An Expert

How can AI-driven pricing optimization boost retail profits and customer loyalty? 🚀 Chris Walton & Anne Mezzenga sit down with Matt Pavich, Senior Director of Strategy & Innovation at Revionics, to discuss how AI-powered pricing is shaping the future of retail and what retailers must do to stay competitive. 📌 Key Moments: ⏩ 00:00 – Intro ⏩ 02:00 – Why pricing optimization is the biggest lever in retail ⏩ 07:15 – The evolving complexity of pricing in retail today ⏩ 12:45 – AI-powered price optimization: How it benefits both retailers & consumers ⏩ 18:30 – The impact of tariffs, inflation, and economic trends on pricing ⏩ 24:15 – AI ethics & pricing: How retailers can ensure fair and strategic price changes ⏩ 29:00 – The future of AI in retail pricing: What’s next with generative & agentic AI ⏩ 35:00 – Closing thoughts & how to get started with pricing optimization 📩 Follow OmniTalk for more insights on AI-driven retail innovation! Music by hooksounds.com #retailinnovation #pricingstrategy #pricing #retailtech Sponsored Content

Feb 20, 202536 min

Fast Five Shorts | Buy Or Sell: Wayfair Muse?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: If They're Buying Or Selling: Wayfair Muse For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 20256 min

Fast Five Shorts | Does The World Need Amazon’s New Beauty Store In Italy?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: Whether The World Needs Amazon’s New Beauty Store In Italy? For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 20257 min

Fast Five Shorts | Pro Or Con: The Growth Of Digital Screens In Stores?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: Pro Or Con: The Growth Of Digital Screens In Stores? For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 202510 min

Fast Five Shorts | How Long Before Retailers Start To Emulate Dick’s Varsity Team Program?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: How Long It'll Take Before Retailers Start To Emulate Dick’s Varsity Team Influencer Program? For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 202510 min

Amazon’s Italian Beauty Store, Wayfair’s Muse & Dick’s Enviable Influencer Program | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, A&M’s David Brown and Lisa Collier joined Chris and Anne to discuss: - Amazon’s new beauty store in Italy - Scheels adding 460 and $11 million worth of digital screens into its stores - Dick’s new varsity influencer program - Wayfair’s new AI-powered shopping tool, Muse - And closed with a look at why in the world Amazon would test letting consumers purchase items within its mobile app from other brands’ websites There’s all that, plus David ranks his favorite sodas, Lisa picks her favorite SNL cast member of all-time, and we all discuss if the price of wish has gone up with inflation. Music by hooksounds.com

Feb 18, 202554 min

Fast Five Shorts | Aldi To Sell Back Stores It Had Acquired From Southeastern Grocers

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Ocampo Capital and Scratch Event DJs Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Aldi Selling Back Stores It Had Acquired From Southeastern Grocers For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/2w2T7EP2Liw

Feb 14, 20258 min