Omni Talk Retail

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, Takeoff, and Manhattan Associates, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga debate: - Target's billion dollar plus move into alcohol delivery and what CEO Brian Cornell likely wears to the gym twice a day. - Amazon Go Grocery's rebranding to Amazon Fresh and what it heralds for the future (hint: it's more than you think). - Google and Shopify's new partnership and whether it will amount to a hill of beans. - The rumors that the RealReal is planning to create its own private label line. - And we close with a discussion about retail startup CAMP's latest innovation that lets 3 year-olds shop online for toys with their 1% parents' money. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/ To learn more about Manhattan Associates Momentum Connect Conference, visit: https://www.manh.com/en-gb/events/momentum?utm_campaign=21-01-global-all-multiproducts-paidmedia-Influencer&utm_content=Momentum&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=click-through&utm_term=INFLUENCER21This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In 2020, Adeptmind made headlines with plans to make Centennial Mall properties fully shoppable online, and just last month this plan became a reality. Consumers can now shop over 2.0 million skus across a bevy of retailers at Centennial’s MainPlace mall for both delivery and pickup. That's 2.0 million plus skus online, from a mall, for delivery and pickup -- a massive milestone and achievement in mall-based retailing. We first spotlighted Adeptmind in a podcast interview last year, and now Chris Walton brings Adeptmind Managing Director, Jesse Michael, back for a second time as part of our Ask An Expert interview series to talk about how Jesse and Adeptmind have made it all happen. Together Chris and Jesse discuss all the do's and don'ts around making malls shoppable online, including POS and OMS integrations, handling returns, and, of course, coordinating fast delivery. Everyone is talking about making malls shoppable online right now, and there is a ton of smoke and mirrors out there about how to get it all done. This interview gives it to you straight. To see MainPlace mall in action, head here: https://shopnow.shopmainplacemall.com/ *Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, Takeoff, and Manhattan Associates, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga talk: – The reportedly leaked memo that confirms our long held suspicions surrounding Walmart's tenuous hold on its grocery market share in the face of third-party marketplaces and Amazon. – Why in the hell it is that eBay suddenly seems cool again. – The long legs of Dick's Sporting Goods new off-price concept. – Tanger Outlets and its Fillogic partnership and why, even though the concept is cool, it could be the wrong starting point. – And Circle K's new $5.99 per month coffee subscription that Anne somehow loves despite being Death Valley low on the same idea from Panera last year. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/ To learn more about Manhattan Associates Momentum Connect Conference, visit: https://www.manh.com/en-gb/events/momentum?utm_campaign=21-01-global-all-multiproducts-paidmedia-Influencer&utm_content=Momentum&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=click-through&utm_term=INFLUENCER21This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

If you’ve ever considered a career in management consulting or had a question about the consulting industry, this interview is a must-listen. Anne Mezzenga sits down with Patrica Hong, a 20-year management consultant veteran and Partner at the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group. Patricia got into consulting thinking she’d get some early career experience and the opportunity to move to the US to get her MBA and then move onto other career opportunities. Little did she know, several years later, that she would leave consulting, come back, and still be doing it today. Patricia provides her insights on the skills it takes to succeed as a consultant and how to accept situations when you find you don’t have all the answers, like, for example, when helping a company manage their business through a pandemic. Patricia even closes the conversation sharing the number one thing on which, consultant or not, no one should ever compromise. Sponsored by Parcel Pending by Quadient (parcelpending.com) Music by hooksounds.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Anne Mezzenga is joined by CEO and President of Athleta, Mary Beth Laughton. Since Mary Beth became CEO of Athleta, Athleta has become a billion-dollar brand, rolled out inclusive sizing chain-wide, and made several pivots to provide a full omnichannel experience for their customers as they worked and worked out from home during the pandemic. Mary Beth’s career in retail started early on at the Tasty Freeze in Chicago, where she went above and beyond at an early age, asking to re-configure menu boards and craft an even more perfect cone. Her ambition and success continued through her professional career, which saw her hold positions at McKinsey, launch the DTC side of Nike’s business, run e-commerce for Sephora, and finally in her current role leading the team at Athleta. Through it all, Mary Beth says her key to success is being proactive in her career, and she shares some tips on how to do that along with advice on making personal and professional career decisions, creating best in class omnichannel retail experiences, and how to prepare yourself and your teams for the next generation of retail. Sponsored by Parcel Pending by Quadient (parcelpending.com) Music by hooksounds.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, Takeoff, and Manhattan Associates, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga head to the Kellogg School of Management to talk: – This year's list of the Top 10 Online Retailers and what it tells us about the future of retail. – Walmart's "ladder theory" defense against a $15 minimum wage. – The Macy's kerfuffle over its scan-and-go mobile app and what it says about Jeff Gennette's leadership and technology overall within retail experience design. – Who stands to win and who stands to lose from Instacart's brilliant move to become the online SNAP redemption clearinghouse for a bevy of new grocers. – And what SoFi's new cryptocurrency rewards program says about loyalty, asset transferability, and today's youth. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/ To learn more about Manhattan Associates Momentum Connect Conference, visit: https://www.manh-momentum.com/event/2900e153-e818-4d29-8aa7-08ece92093ad/summaryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, Takeoff, and Manhattan Associates, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga talk: – Walmart removing its in-store pickup towers and how the announcement, despite the headlines, is about way more than robotics. – Gopuff nabbing a 20 year Amazon veteran to head up operations after its latest $1 billion financing round. – The hilarious Amazon vs. Walmart battle over cool sounding in-home delivery PR. For the record, Amazon wins hands down, and I make no bones about it, calling in-home fridge delivery one of the worst ideas Walmart has had in the past five years. – Instagram's new marketplace to connect creators and brands. – And why a new Harry Potter store in NYC highlights everything that is right about physical retail, even though it really has nothing to do with retail. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/ To learn more about Manhattan Associates Momentum Connect Conference, visit: https://www.manh-momentum.com/event/2900e153-e818-4d29-8aa7-08ece92093ad/summaryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern go back to the 1990s and talk: – Lululemon getting into resale (and some of the watch outs it should consider) – Why Amazon's new hair salons are about way more than hair - What Taco Bell's digital-only store in NYC means for our ever-growing fear of a WALL-E future - AiFi's new camera-only checkout free implementation with Choice Market - And why Amazon's new home delivery installation program is way cooler than anyone probably thinks on first blush. Plus, it is Emma the Intern's last show so we send her off in style with pictures of Chris and Anne from 1998 and put her through her own "How Gen X are You?" quiz. This week's episode is a whole lot of Abercrombie & Fitch, frosted tips, and a little Savage Garden thrown in for good measure. Truly, madly, deeply it is. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

NielsenIQ recently unveiled its new Omnishopper solution to enhance the industry’s understanding of omnishopping consumer behavior across the U.S. marketplace. In the latest edition of their Omni Talk Spotlight Series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss the launch with Liz Buchanan and Natalie Williams of NielsenIQ and learn how the new Omnishopper solution works, what it does, and why it enhances the overall insights retailers and CPGs can glean from how today's shopper is actually shopping. For NielsenIQ, the solution also marks the first stage of a multi-pronged product release, focused on bringing accurate omni-intelligence to the global stage. And, for retailers and CPGs, it just may also mark one of the biggest changes in the "history of category management," which is not a statement to take lightly, either. Retail is changing fast and how we talk about performance across the channels and by market just may be the most central question of all going forward. This interview is another Omni Talk exclusive you won't want to miss! *Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern, along with special guest hosts Kristin Kohler Burrows and David Ritter: – Discuss what Harry's $155 million investment round means for its future and the future of CPGs. – Exchange barbs about Best Buy's new subscription program, Best Buy Beta. – Grade Starbucks' new reusable cup pilot on a scale only Starbucks drinkers will love. – Highlight why Nordstrom's market strategy would be even cooler if Macy's and Kohl's started drinking from the same Kool-Aid. – And anxiously and unanimously await the day when rumored Amazon discount electronics and home goods stores are actually a reality. There’s all that and more in this week’s episode, including our favorite Arquette, the Pointer Sisters, and how many HBS grads its takes to record a podcast. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest Omni Talk Live Production -- You Can't Spell Autonomous Shopping Without AI -- Chris Walton goes deep on the subject of AI and autonomous shopping with executives from NVIDIA, Dell Technologies, and AWM Smart Shelf who know their stuff as well as anyone. Azita Matin (NVIDIA's VP & GM, AI for Retail & CPG), Trey McMillian (Dell Technology's GM for Retail), and Kevin Howard (AWM Smart Shelf CEO) all join Chris for a lively and frank discussion on what we can all expect in the world of autonomous shopping over the next few years. Together they discuss and predict: - That key retailers will be rolling out more autonomous shopping pilots in the next 6 to 12 months (8:25) - Why autonomous shopping is a "natural evolution of human nature" (11:00) - How AI frees up employees time for value added tasks (14:44) - The nuances between autonomous shopping and autonomous operations (15:50) - The importance of GPUs in autonomous shopping (28:50) - Why the path to autonomous shopping doesn't have to be linear -- i.e. self-checkout machines, scan-and-go, smart carts, then fully autonomous (35:42) - The insanity of retailers trying to go this alone with their own home grown solutions (40:18) - And, that fully autonomous shopping could be the norm within 3 years (45:16) Yes, you heard that last point here first -- 3 years! That is the timeline by which three AI executives all believe that we can expect the major retail players in the world to deploy fully autonomous shopping at scale. Sign us up! We are all in!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern: – Take sides on the landlord vs. retailer sales calculation debate – Discuss how far is too far in Nike's distribution pullback efforts – Forecast out the impact on retail workers of increased demand for warehousing space – Fantasize about other Restoration Hardware-like retail and hospitality mashups – And, go in some of the strangest directions imaginable talking about whether Tinder commerce could become a big thing There's all that and more in this week's episode, including Charles in Charge references, Quorso mugs, and the sultry sounds of posh acronyms. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern talk: – Albertsons rolling out more microfulfillment centers – Fabletics' store expansion plans and its unique position in the athleisure market – Dollar General's new Popshelf concept and some mind blowing statistics from Nielsen that might make you think the concept is going to be quite successful – Amazon's new NFL deal, its push to sell products on Amazon Music, and how social commerce now seems like a small scale and pedestrian idea – And, what's cooler about 7-Eleven's new concept store -- that it has a drive-thru or that it also serves frozen margaritas? Will leave the last one for you to decide. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

For the latest episode of Omni Talk’s new Ask An Expert Interview Series for 2021, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview Kristin Kohler Burrows and David Ritter of the A&M Consumer and Retail Group. David and Kristin love retail, have great backgrounds as both operators and consultants (Kristin in shoes and David in the Army), and both share our Omni Talk passion for great debate as a path to the right answers. Every week they put us on the spot with tough questions about the future of retail in our weekly Omni Talk Fast Five podcast. In this episode, Chris and Anne turn the tables on them and put them to test and ask them to share their thoughts as experts on the future of retail and what matters most, right now. Together the four of them discuss: – The issues facing various categories of retail – Inventory management and assortment planning, especially in grocery – Digital marketplace partnerships and the impact on in-store experiences – The move to microfulfillment and overall grocery profitability -- CPG's going direct-to-consumer (and the lessons they can take from the footwear industry) -- Anne's favorite topic du jour, revenge spending, and jumping feet first into the latest seasonal trends -- And, the two trends to which retailers should be paying more attention but are not (sustainability and China) Listen to this podcast, and one thing will stand out — Kristin and David have pretty sound thoughts around how to work smarter and not harder as retailers. And, for those keeping score at home, their combined Millennial score was about a 33 to 35. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail *Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

“Be Mission Driven.” That's the theme of this podcast. Chris Rupp’s mission is to use technology to make life more convenient for people, and you’ll hear all about how she achieves that goal in this latest episode of the Women's Retail Collective podcast with Anne Mezzenga. You may know Chris from her time leading the development of Amazon Prime or her current role as the Chief Digital and Customer Officer of Albertsons Companies, but did you know that she is also responsible for tractors having cupholders? True story. Give this podcast a listen, and you will get the full rundown of Chris’s career. From her early days as an associate buyer, manually writing orders for coordinated pantsuits at L.S. Ayers Department Store, to running all of hardlines for Amazon on Day 2 of her job there, to her latest success launching a pilot of cutting edge pickup kiosks for Albertsons. Special thanks to Parcel Pending by Quadient for their support of this episode of the Women's Retail Collective Podcast Series. To learn more about Parcel Pending by Quadient, visit www.ParcelPending.com.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern discuss: – Amazon's plan to rollout Amazon Fresh to 28 more stores, while also testing "Just Walk Out" tech at full scale – Walmart's curbside sampling program and all the amazing ways to think about the value it creates – The decision by Adidas to cut back wholesale distribution, open bigger stores, and push its business to 50% DTC – Whether Walmart hiring Brandon Maxwell as its new creative director for its upscale fashion lines matters one iota – And, why Amazon's nationwide rollout of Amazon Care could signal tough times ahead for Walmart's physical healthcare strategy Plus, Anne introduces Chris to the wonderful world of OB-GYN product placement, while Chris tries to set new marks for Omni Talk alliteration. This week's episode is as sharp, sidesplitting, and speedy as ever! To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern talk: – Walmart's brilliant one-stop strategy move to roll out ghost kitchens in Canada – Costco's appallingly slow rollout of curbside pickup – Bed Bath & Beyond's risky private label strategy – The long-term implications of Drest, the new fashion styling game – And, why Disney's decision to close down stores is a shrewd omnichannel move To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest Groceryshop edition of the Omni Talk Spotlight Series, sponsored by 1010data, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview Wes Schroll, Founder and CEO Fetch Rewards. "Adulting," as Wes puts it, and living on his own during college, Wes couldn't understand why retailers and brands asked consumers to jump through so many hoops to earn loyalty rewards. So, he set out to do something about it. For his final business school assignment in his Sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin, Wes created what has now become Fetch Rewards. Soon after, he began pitching his business plan in startup competitions throughout the country and ultimately earned $185K in seed money. Today, Fetch is now rumored to be worth almost $1.5 billion. Free to consumers, Fetch Rewards app users take a photo of their receipts and then earn Fetch Rewards points from over 450 brands and retailers participating in the platform. On average, Fetch Rewards' 7 million active users scan over 20 receipts per month! Users get rewarded for shopping, and brands generate more loyalty for their products. It's a win-win or 1 + 1 = 3 situation all around, and it also gives brands and retailers a tremendous longitudinal view into the shopping habits of their customers both online and in store. Wes and Fetch Rewards are even able to see how digital incentives impact store purchasing behavior. No panel data required. The whole concept is about intuitive as it gets, and all the more reason to stop what you are doing, give the podcast a listen, and see what you may have been missing. Chris even downloaded the app right in the middle of the interview.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest Groceryshop edition of the Omni Talk Spotlight Series, sponsored by 1010data, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview Caper CEO Lindon Gao hot off his company's new smart cart pilot implementation with Kroger (see video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=burdDUj6f6w). Much has been said over the great smart cart debate of 2021, with Chris at one time even calling it the dashboard GPS of the retail industry, but is he now warming up to the idea? Maybe. Just maybe . . . at least in the right use cases. Together with Lindon, Chris and Anne pressure test what they know and don't know about the concept, like: - How the shopping cart is one of the few controlled environments within a grocery store - How carts, small trolleys, or even countertop devices may be much more palatable for small mom and pop operations to digest than cameras in ceilings or sensors in shelves - And, also how a myriad of operational use cases could still spring from the whole idea, like monitoring shelf inventory, regardless of whether consumers end up using smart carts to shop or not. Chris still may not be ready to put the cart before the horse (i.e. full computer vision AI), but one thing will be abundantly clear after listening to this interview -- the smart cart is going to be a central figure in the checkout-free revolution debate for years to come. After all, Kroger is kind of a big deal.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest Groceryshop edition of the Omni Talk Spotlight Series, sponsored by 1010data, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview Eric Tribe, Chief Marketplace Officer Flashfood. Did you know 30-40% of all food ends up in a landfill? That is the origin story behind Flashfood, the fast growing startup whose technology helps to solve the problems of food waste and of getting affordable food to people who need it the most. Eric discusses with Chris and Anne how the Flashfood app works as a marketplace for discounted grocery store items that may soon go out of date and would otherwise be thrown away. When users open the Flashfood app, they can see the soon-to-be-discarded food available at their local grocery stores, buy the food through the app, and then go to the store to pick it up. And the app works with local grocers without requiring any integrations to their POS and OMS systems as well! Yes, Chris really had a hard time believing that one too, but it is true. It's also why Meijer rolled out the concept to 250 stores in just 4 weeks. Give this podcast a listen and you will be wishing, as Anne does, that this app was available in your local market, not just for you but because it feels like the right thing for all grocers to do.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest Groceryshop edition of the Omni Talk Spotlight Series, sponsored by 1010data, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview Tim Rowland, CEO of Badger Technologies, and Peter Veloz, CEO UltraViolet Devices Inc. (or UVDI for short). Coming off the success of its robotics implementations with Stop & Shop, the Giant Company, and Woodman's last year, Tim and Badger Technologies have now set their sights on developing robots that can also disinfect store shelves and products in response to COVID-19. Together with UVDI, Badger's robots will soon be able to disinfect grocery stores with UVC light wave technology, a practice that has long been used in our nation's hospitals. So, now, instead of grocery store employees having to clean aisle after aisle and risk their own health and safety, robots may soon be able to take on this task for them. Overall, it is yet another case of a win-win application for robotics in retail or, as Peter likes to say, one that exemplifies the four D's of where robotics will have their earliest successes -- i.e. eliminating the dirty, dull, dangerous, and difficult jobs that no one ever wants to do. *Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern talk: – Target's murky yet still enviable competitive position heading into 2021 – One of the all-time biggest exec gaffes in history at Nike – Amazon Go coming to London – Albertsons actually going away from owned online deliveries in favor of third-parties – And, a fun story about a robot named Smiley that sells candy while you shop. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest episode of Omni Talk’s Ask An Expert Interview Series for 2021, Chris Walton interviews Jonah Ellin, Chief Product Officer at 1010data. There is no question that 2020 was a transformative year for grocery. Consumer behavior changed, and retailers changed in response, but which of these changes are here to stay is still an important and outstanding question. So, with all that said, Chris went right to the data and asked Jonah to share his company's latest report on the state of the grocery industry for 2021. Together Chris and Jonah discuss: - The raw growth in online grocery across 2020 - The lingering power of Instacart even after stay-at-home orders have ceased - The new normal level of curbside pickup across retailers, especially the warehouse clubs - And, why the old ways of looking at grocery performance, e.g. market share and sales over LY, may no longer be enough to understand where the puck is headed next. Give this podcast a listen and one thing will become 100% clear -- curbside pickup and Instacart aren't going away anytime soon, if at all. We have reached a new normal, and the grocery winners and losers will be determined by those who embrace this new world as opposed to those who continue to cling to operating models of the past. To read the full 2021 State of Grocery Report in full, head to Omni Talk: https://omnitalk.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021_1010Data_StateofGrocery_Report_Final.pdf *Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

"Take The Leap" is the theme of this podcast, and no one has done that better than Kelly Kowal, Chief Platform Officer at Farfetch. Kelly didn't casually enter into a retail career, she dove into one. With courage and a "can-do" attitude, she began a journey in e-commerce running digital marketing at eBags.com. At the time, e-commerce was new to Kelly, so when she didn't know the acronyms people were using in the weekly status meetings, she showed up to the office at 5 AM before anyone else arrived, did her research, and figured it out. This persistence and determination took her to London and to her current role as Chief Platform Officer of Farfetch. In this podcast, Kelly shares her career story and how she and her team professionally and personally weathered the pandemic, all while refining and expanding the offerings Farfetch plans to bring to market in the coming year. You won't want to miss this interview, and be sure to stay until the end when Anne and Kelly plan their next retail conference concert escapades. Thanks to our sponsor, Parcel Pending. For more information about Parcel pending, visit ParcelPending.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern talk: – The absolute explosion in online grocery, particularly curbside pickup and third-party delivery – What to make of the rumor that Instacart is investigating warehouse automation (hint: it is not as nefarious as many people would want you to believe) – TikTok's new seller marketplace – Why Walmart's new BigCommerce partnership sounds cool but is really a big snore – And, just how ludicrous Kohl's activist investors sound when you look under the covers There's all that and more in this week's episode, including Brits pretending to be Brits in Farrelly Brothers' movies. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest episode of the Omni Talk Spotlight Series, Indy Guha, Chief Marketing Officer at Signifyd, joins Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga to discuss the topic of fraud prevention and how to think about it not as a cost reduction activity but as a revenue generating opportunity. Together, Chris, Anne, and Indy go deep on all the ways fraud can impact the consumer shopping experience across the entire purchase funnel, from e-commerce transactions to even the final proof point in the buy online, pickup in-store process. The podcast is another great example of how network effects across data capture can make life simpler and easier for retailers, with big and quick upside. There's of course savings from manual processing costs and better fraud detection overall, but most importantly the data can also lead to better precision in understanding which digital orders are actually revenue retailers should want to earn. Of all the interviews Chris and Anne have completed over the last few years, this one is quite possibly the easiest, fastest, and most impactful win (it only takes weeks to implement!) at which every retailer should take a look right now. Plus, the anecdote of how fraudsters use Zillow data to game the system will blow your mind. To learn more about unlocking more revenue by streamlining the payments and risk management process, visit www.signifyd.com *Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern discuss: – The latest statistics on and the now burning platform that is Walmart+ – Victoria's Secret getting back into swimwear – Poshmark getting into the pets business – Amazon's acquisition of Selz – And, P&G's off-the-wall plans to open Old Spice barbershops (seriously, WTF?) It's another podcast for the ages and one chock-full of 80's references, including Remington Steele, Cagney & Lacey, with even a little Evan and Seth from Superbad and a debate on the appropriate swimwear for Generation X sprinkled in for good measure. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

For the latest episode of Omni Talk’s new Ask An Expert Interview Series for 2021, Chris Walton interviews Kevin Swanwick, Vice President Store Solutions at Manhattan Associates. The correlative relationship between service and margin is a fundamental axiom in business, and yet retail companies often overlook this relationship in evaluating what technologies are right for them. The flashiest answers may not be the best answers and could depend on whether your business is designed to move many units at low margin or designed for high touch service with lower turn and a higher product margin per unit sold. In this episode, Chris and Kevin explore this topic in depth and through the lens of point-of-sale technology to shine a light on all the different nuances involved in technology decision-making. Together Chris and Kevin discuss: - What it means to be an order-centric retailer vs. a customer-centric retailer (and what it implies for technology) - Why cloud commerce is essential for both setups - Which retail experiences are more suited for self-service scan-and-go style checkout versus others - And, which cloud commerce system is the most integral piece of a retailer's omnichannel engine Listen to this podcast, and one thing will stand out -- the future of in-store retail experiences will look very different from one retailer to another. No one size will fit all. Rather, the right answers will depend on who you are as a brand and how your business model actually works. *Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern discuss: -- Instacart's ever-growing dominance across 25,000+ stores across America -- Target coyly and quietly building out its own same-day marketplace with brands that neither Amazon nor Walmart may carry -- Walmart hitting another snag on its quest for TikTok -- Walgreens and Uber's new partnership on free rides for vaccinations -- And, what in the world Kohl's may be thinking with its new Eddie Bauer partnership. Flannels, cords, and fleece. We have it all in this week's show, including growing CEO adoration for Emma the Intern and Anne's utter inability to make her own Mount Rushmore of crushes without it getting tawdry. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by A&M Consumer & Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern discuss: – Asos purchasing TopShop – Imagr's new checkout-free implementation in Japan and the ongoing debate on smart carts – The latest last-mile developments from Instacart and Uber – Lego making its own version of Tik Tok for kids – And, Jeff Bezos leaving Amazon and his legacies that will endure All that, plus Chris shares his latest Ginsburg update and extols the unassailable virtues of Tom Brady, while Anne and Chris also sing Natalie Imbruglia's one-hit wonder for Emma the Intern who has no idea what they are doing. Let's just say, this week's episode is all good and all bad at the same time. To view the video of the Imagr installation, click here: https://omnitalk.blog/2021/02/01/spotlight-series-live-demo-of-imagrs-new-checkout-free-installation-in-japan/ To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.linkedin.com/in/david-ritter/ To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest episode of the Omni Talk Spotlight Series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview Marshall Kay and JP Kamel, or as those in the know call them, the RFID Sherpas. RFID is a topic that is rightly back en vogue of late as retailers race to meet the rapidly changing needs of the consumer amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Together in this podcast, Chris, Anne, and the Sherpas discuss all the ways RFID can unlock value across retail, including how it can deliver ROI through better inventory accuracy, less shrink, and overall enhanced omnichannel experiences. Plus, together with Omni Talk, Marshall and JP also developed a new quiz on the subject, called RFIQ. You can take it here and put your knowledge to the test: https://omnitalk.blog/rfid-sherpas/ Go on, everyone's doing it. What's your RFIQ?This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest episode of Omni Talk’s new Ask An Expert Interview Series for 2021, Chris Walton interviews Ross Sabolcik, VP & GM Industrial & Commercial IoT Products at Silicon Labs. The episode marks what is the first interview in a multi-episode arc, in which Chris and Silicon Labs will delve deep into the smart retail technologies that will change physical retail experiences the most in 2021. Chris and Ross begin their discussion high level and then discuss five key areas on which their upcoming collaboration will concentrate: – Asset tracking - Electronic shelf labels (one of Chris's favorite tech picks for the year) - Edge security - Loss prevention tag innovation as a key to unlocking new apparel shopping experiences - And, overall interoperability design The interview is a springboard for much more to come, as Chris does what he does best with Ross -- i.e. speak the language and ask the questions on the minds of retail executives, from the perspective of a real retailer, to understand what matters most and to set the table for Omni Talk's fans this coming year. And, should you want even more on the subject, be sure also to check out two recent white papers on which Chris and Ross also collaborated: 5 Smart Retail Trends by Ross Sabolcik -- https://www.silabs.com/solutions/smart-industry/retail/retail-trends What ‘Smart Retail’ Really Means by Chris Walton - https://www.silabs.com/solutions/smart-retail-what-it-really-meansThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern: – Laud Walgreens' new CEO choice, Roz Brewer – Explore the deep meaning behind Walmart's large-scale push this week into microfulfillment – Discuss what Godiva's store closings say about the state of "experiential" retail – Highlight Centennial reaching Phase II of its plan to make malls shoppable online with one consistent checkout experience – And, get put on the spot and asked whether Nike's new concept store in Oregon, Nike Live, is anything to write home about All that, plus Anne scaredy-cats Amazon Fresh potentially coming to Minneapolis, while Chris and Emma couldn't be more excited. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.linkedin.com/in/david-ritter/ To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Kristin started her retail career in the Macy's training program and in no time at all, began heading up the handbags and hosiery department. Now, Kristin is CEO at JOOR and is taking that company all the way to the top as they reinvent the traditions, events, and systems retailers, brands, and designers have leaned on to run their businesses. Join Anne Mezzenga as she gleans advice from Kristin's experience as a VP for the XO Group (The Knot, The Bump, etc.), where she helped to launch many sites we all know so well, and her time building the first registry experiences for Linens-N-Things. Kristin is one to watch and you'll quickly understand why in this episode.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern discuss: - Costco reversing course on its curbside pickup plans - Why Kroger's new "KroGO" smart cart may not be a smart move at all - The tell that will forever indicate if Macy's new small store concept is actually cool or just a further profit drain waiting to happen - Walmart forming a more perfect union with Western Union - And, why Marc Lore's plans to build a "city of the future" will most likely end up looking like Tombstone, AZ All that, plus Anne regales the crew with her tales of working out to Peloton instructors without actual Peloton equipment. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: www.linkedin.com/in/david-ritter/ To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern talk: - Amazon getting ranked as America's preferred grocer - Lululemon's latest efforts to compete with Nike - The pros and cons of Walmart's new Fintech play - Toys R Us . . . uh, sorry, we mean Hudson deciding to license Amazon's 'Just Walk Out' technology for airports - And, why Walmart's latest play to save money on last-mile delivery is one of the 'cooler' ideas around All that, plus Chris frets over getting his first dog this weekend. To learn more about the A&M Consumer & Retail Group, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ritter/ To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

For the latest episode of Omni Talk’s new Ask An Expert Interview Series for 2021, Chris Walton interviews Chris Shaw, Sr. Director Product Marketing and Analyst Relations at Manhattan Associates. Chris Walton has long believed that cloud-based order management systems are one of the fundamental three legs of the omnichannel retailing stool, so this week Chris goes right to one of the most credible sources around to learn all he can about how these systems have evolved where they might be going next. Together in this podcast, Chris and Chris discuss: - How order management technology implementations have moved from being solely cost minimizing decisions to revenue maximizing ones. - How order delivery timing and speed are now critical factors way up in the consumer purchase funnel. - And, how the pandemic has pushed retailers to process and make decisions about inventory faster than ever before. Listen to this podcast, and one thing will become quite clear -- you will come away with a firsthand understanding of why correlated front-end and back-end technology design and real-time data processing, on everything from home delivery to order pickup, will likely become the make or break technology decision for almost every retailer out there over the next two years. *Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

For the inaugural episode of Omni Talk's new Ask An Expert Series for 2021, Chris Walton interviews Azita Martin, NVIDIA GM Artificial Intelligence for Retail & CPG In this new series, Chris leverages his long retail experience to dig deep into the issues that are top of mind for today's retail executives, one of which is AI, and where it matters. Chris delves into Azita's long background in retail technology to understand where she, from her position as an expert, is seeing AI move the fastest and also have the most immediate impact on retailer's bottom lines. Together Chris and Azita discuss everything from supply chain and e-commerce to the always moving target of the "intelligent store." Give this podcast a listen and you will come away knowing exactly where and how retail may change in the next few years in regards to AI and also where retail CEOs are likely going to invest their money quite soon. *Interview conducted in partnership with NVIDIA*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by FastSensor and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern talk: - Now former CEO Jill Soltau's ouster at JCP - Macy's new chief merchant hire - The degree of excitement we should feel around Afterpay's holiday results - Amazon's decision to call it quits on its partnership with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan - And, we close with a new game we call "Do We Care If They Go Away," where we ask whether it matters if 15 retailers, as cited by USA Today of being at risk for going bankrupt, end up sticking around. All that, plus Anne gets her feng shui on in Florida, while I relive childhood memories about the French Open. To learn more about FastSensor, visit: www.fastsensor.com/retail-promo To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Spotlight Series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview Skipify CEO and Founder, Ryth Martin. At a time when e-commerce is growing as fast as ever and when automated email communication is becoming an ever more important conversion tool, Ryth Martin and Skipify are breaking new ground in terms of how email can be used as an actual commerce platform. Fresh off a recently announced partnership with Google, Ryth explains just how important of a channel email is now within the conversion funnel and where the platform could be going next for shopping and for the millions of users who interact with email as a standard tool within their daily routines. For those interested in staying on the cutting edge of how retail is changing, Chris and Anne's conversation with Ryth is one of Omni Talk's most mind-blowing interviews yet!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest Omni Talk Spotlight Series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview one of their favorite people in retail technology, Kristin Savilia, CEO JOOR. Chris and Anne discuss with Kristin how she and her company are moving the buying and planning experience from countless spreadsheets, in person showroom events, and endless sampling to simple, real-time digital interactions that make buying easier. Nowhere was JOOR revolutionary work more evident than during this year's Fashion Week, when JOOR launched their new JOOR Passport platform to power 17 fashion events for various brands across the world and that over 136,000 retailers also attended. Chris and Anne first learned of JOOR from grassroots evangelists who couldn't stop singing the praises of how well the JOOR system works for apparel buying, so they went right to Kristin and just had to have her on the show!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by FastSensor and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern hand out their annual retail awards for 2020. Awards up for grabs include: - Retailer of the Year - CEO of the Year - Headline of the Year - Worst Retailer of the Year - Technology of the Year - And, more! Plus, they reveal their top "Ah-ha!" from the year along with what movie 2020 reminds them of the most in their last Fast Five of the year. To learn more about FastSensor, visit: www.fastsensor.com/retail-promo To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by FastSensor and Takeoff, Anne, Emma the Intern, and I talk: - Walmart's new legion of TikTokers - Bed Bath & Beyond's sale of Cost Plus World Market - DoorDash's IPO - Robomart and "store hailing" - Amazon's new custom T-shirt program (there's also a demo of it on LinkedIn from Anne that you have to check out) - And, slap chops. Yes, slap chops, and even some pocket hoses. All that, plus we ask Emma where she ranks in the great American intern debate of all time. To learn more about FastSensor, visit: www.fastsensor.com/retail-promo To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by FastSensor and Takeoff, Anne, Emma the Intern, and I talk: – Walmart smartly (and finally) shutting down its doomed from the start Store No 8 VR experiment – Social commerce, by way of WhatsApp Shopping – Stripe and Shopify linking up for banking – The opening of Amazon's 5th Fresh grocery store in Illinois (which is getting to be a pretty common occurrence in the Fast Five) – The death of the IKEA catalog – And, breaking the sound barrier. Yes, who doesn't need a little Chuck Yeager, especially this week? All that, plus we ask Emma the Intern how she is coping with her newfound celebrity status. To learn more about FastSensor, visit: www.fastsensor.com/retail-promo To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Ace Hardware Chief Marketing Officer Kim Lefko and Anne Mezzenga sit down to talk about Kim's career in retail in the latest edition of the Omni Talk exclusive, Women's Retail Collective podcast series. Kim was uniquely positioned for her current role, having most of her experience, prior to Ace, on the other side of the table, selling into retailers for companies like Graco, Black & Decker, DeWalt, and Weber grills. Kim shares how she and her team rolled out curbside pickup - overnight - at 4,500 independent stores during a pandemic and to demand, the likes of which they'd never seen, along with what it's like to lead marketing efforts that cater to each of Ace's 4,500 individual retailers and their communities. The interview concludes with Kim's advice for staying interested and challenged in your retail career, and, of course, her perfect concert lineup.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by FastSensor and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern talk: – How Sephora just gave Kohl's a She's All That-style makeover – Why Black Friday and Cyber Monday felt like a tree falling in the woods – Another in a long list of smart moves by Best Buy over the last six months – The opening of Amazon's 4th Fresh grocery store - A cool new startup called HungryPanda - And, Minnesota-adjacent states. Yes, we spread some love to Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas because Urban Rooster is heading there next! All that plus we pay homage to the late Tony Hsieh in this week’s edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five. To learn more about FastSensor, visit: www.fastsensor.com/retail-promo To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by FastSensor and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern talk: – Target and Walmart's wild sales results – TJX reversing course on e-commerce – Instagram updating its home page for shopping – Instacart inking a head scratching deal with Best Buy – Simon malls new return bars – And, roosters. Yes, roosters. Urban ones to be exact. All that and more in this week’s happy and optimistic edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five! To learn more about FastSensor, visit: www.fastsensor.com/retail-promo To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by FastSensor and Takeoff, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and Emma the Intern talk: – Target's new partnership with Ulta – Alibaba and Singles Day – J.C. Penney's court approved sale – Autonomous delivery – Molson Coors' new direct-to-consumer play, Revl – And, Laurence Olivier Yes, Laurence Olivier. All that and more in this week’s extra special safe edition of the Omni Talk Fast Five! To learn more about FastSensor, visit: www.fastsensor.com/retail-promo To learn more about Takeoff, visit: www.takeoff.com/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Any brand considering business in China should watch this interview -- it is a perfect illustration of how to work smarter and not harder. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga of Omni Talk interview Tony Shan, Head of Tmall Global -- Americas about his company's Overseas Fulfillment Program. Tmall, for those unfamiliar, is Alibaba's B2C marketplace in China. Thousands of brands sell products to the huge Chinese market every single day on Tmall. We at Omni Talk have long been supporters of American companies selling products to the Chinese market via Tmall and outlined for Forbes in 2018 six reasons why it is something every brand should consider. You can read the article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherwalton/2018/08/16/kroger-decision-to-launch-brands-with-alibaba-is-pure-genius/?sh=708536a72a23 This interview highlights a new reason, reason #7 -- Tmall's new Overseas Fulfillment Program. It is easy, simple for brands to use, and is about as low risk of an opportunity with a huge sales upside as one will ever find.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Karyn Schoenbart joins Anne Mezzenga to discuss her career, both as CEO of NPD Group and as author of the book MOM.B.A. This podcast is full of great advice, as Karyn shares some incredible lessons learned, including how a lateral move can actually propel your career forward, how to fight imposter syndrome, and how you can never go wrong asking someone "What can I do for you?"This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy