Omni Talk Retail

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and Anne were live from eTail West in Palm Springs as they discussed:Carrefour signing a sweeping strategic partnership with Vusion to digitize all of its hypermarkets and supermarkets in France by 2030 (Source)Kohl’s rolling out its new Deal Bar concept to all 1,100+ stores nationwide (Source)Walmart launching Scintilla In-Store, a new real-time mobile data platform for supplier field reps (Source)Gap Inc. officially launching Encore, a unified cross-brand loyalty program spanning Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta (Source)Burger King President Tom Curtis personally fielding calls and texts from customers at his work number (Source)There’s all that, plus mysterious ghost sightings, Thin Mints in the freezer, and a nerd laugh that Anne was not quite ready to deliver on camera.Music by hooksounds.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Omni Talk Retail is live from eTail West 2026 with coverage powered by NetElixir.In this interview, Anne Mezzenga speaks with Denise Incandela, EVP of Fashion at Walmart, about the ongoing transformation of Walmart Fashion.Over the past several years, Walmart has evolved from a basics driven apparel business into a modern, trend relevant fashion destination. Denise shares how the company has:Relaunched and elevated major private brandsIntroduced new brands like Free Assembly to fill key market white spaceLeveraged AI to accelerate trend analysis and product designModernized stores and e commerce to make fashion the heroUsed pop ups and influencer strategy to shift customer perceptionWalmart is also applying AI at the earliest stages of product development, using insights from runway shows, social media, and global trend data to accelerate design and deliver more trend right product to customers, faster.With 145 million weekly customers, Walmart’s opportunity to democratize fashion at scale is unmatched.#eTailWest #RetailInnovation #WalmartFashion #AIinRetail #PrivateBrands #Ecommerce #RetailLeadershipThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Omni Talk Retail is live from eTail West 2026 with coverage powered by NetElixir.In this interview, Anne Mezzenga speaks with Kristin Shane, Chief Merchandising Officer at REI, about the company’s three year “Peak 28: Ascending Together” strategy and what it means for the future of specialty retail.Kristin shares how REI is putting the customer at the center through a differentiated service model powered by its Green Vests, a culturally leading assortment designed to inspire progression into new outdoor activities, and renewed investment in retail fundamentals.The conversation also dives into:How REI is approaching AI as a workforce enablement tool, led jointly by the Chief People Officer and Chief Technology OfficerWhy agility matters more than ever in today’s tech environmentThe challenge and opportunity of partnering with brands that are also direct-to-consumer competitorsBuilding a culture centered on being connected, focused, and trailblazingWhat customers can expect from REI in 2026, including new partnerships and expanded experiential assortmentA thoughtful discussion on values driven retail, culture as strategy, and what modern merchandising leadership looks like in an AI era.#eTailWest #RetailLeadership #Merchandising #AIinRetail #SpecialtyRetail #OmniTalk #RetailStrategyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Omni Talk Retail is live from eTail West 2026 with coverage powered by NetElixir.In this interview, Anne Mezzenga speaks with Udayan Bose, Founder and CEO of NetElixir, about how AI is shifting from theory to measurable business impact in performance marketing.A 19 year eTail veteran, Udayan shares how the conversation around AI has evolved from buzzword to accountability, with retailers now demanding tangible, quantifiable outcomes.The discussion breaks AI in marketing into two clear categories:Efficiency AI, including generative AI tools that reduce manual campaign management timePerformance AI, powered by machine learning and predictive analytics to unlock new revenue opportunitiesUdayan shares real world results, including how NetElixir’s experimentation platform helped reactivate over 1,100 dormant SKUs for CarParts.com in just four months, generating significant incremental revenue and new customer acquisition.The conversation also explores:How to approach AI experimentation without unnecessary riskWhy first party data is critical in a performance AI strategyHow to work alongside Google and Meta’s automation without losing controlWhat retailers should avoid when investing in new AI toolsFor retailers looking to move beyond AI hype and into measurable growth, this is a practical roadmap.#eTailWest #AIinRetail #PerformanceMarketing #DigitalMarketing #RetailInnovation #Ecommerce #MachineLearningThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Retail Technology Spotlight Series episode from Omni Talk Retail, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga welcome back Grocery Dealz co-CEOs Matt Goynes and Micheal Waldroup to unpack the rapid national expansion of their real-time grocery price comparison app.Now live in 40 states, Grocery Dealz enables consumers to compare grocery prices across retailers in real time before they shop and even push their lists directly into Instacart for delivery.The conversation dives into how the platform works, how pricing data is sourced, why retailers are paying attention, and what price transparency means for the future of grocery. From over-the-counter medicine and alcohol price swings to retail media monetization and API partnerships, this episode explores how comparison shopping could reshape consumer behavior... just as it did in travel and gas.With grocery bills rivaling plane tickets in weekly spend, is price transparency the next major retail disruption?Key Topics Covered:•What Grocery Dealz is and why it exists•The 3-step user experience: search, substitute, compare•Categories covered beyond center store (including OTC meds & alcohol)•How real-time grocery pricing data is sourced•Retailers’ response to price transparency•The Instacart integration and delivery convenience factor•How Grocery Dealz makes money (affiliate + retail media model)•Consumer adoption metrics and time spent in app•What’s coming next: live coupons and national growth•Can price comparison truly change grocery shopping behavior?Connect with the Guests:Matt Goynes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-goynes-65921368/Micheal Waldroup: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheal-waldroup-3a74b82b7/#retailtech #grocerytech #pricetransparency #retailmedia #ecommerce #omnichannel #retailinnovation #retailpodcast #OmniTalkRetailThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode of Confessions of Supply Chain Executives, host Chris Walton sits down with Amir Khoshniyati, Vice President at Wiliot, to break down the five supply chain trends that will actually matter in 2026. Every January, supply chain executives make bold predictions. AI will transform everything. Automation will solve labor shortages. Real-time visibility will finally arrive. And by December, most of those predictions turn out to be wildly optimistic or completely off-target.But 2026 may be different. Retail is approaching a true convergence point where Physical AI, real-time item location, generative and agentic AI, grocery e-commerce acceleration, and mounting regulatory pressure are all colliding at the same time. The result is a potential restructuring of how supply chains operate.Drawing from his work with some of the world’s largest retailers, including Walmart, Amir shares what is actually being deployed versus what is still sitting in PowerPoint decks, and why the real driver of change is not hype. It is quantified pain. This episode examines whether we are at a true inflection point and what executives must prioritize right now to avoid falling behind.Key Topics Covered:• Why 2026 could be a true supply chain inflection point• What “Physical AI” really means and how it differs from traditional IoT• Where adoption stands today, pilot purgatory or scaled deployment• The BLE vs. RFID debate and why it may not be either or• Why real-time item location is moving from nice to have to mission critical• How generative and agentic AI intersect with physical supply chain data• When AI agents may begin making autonomous inventory and fulfillment decisions• Why grocery e-commerce is a forcing function for real-time visibility• How perishability, waste, and margin pressure are reshaping tracking needs• The impact of FSMA and growing traceability mandates• Whether compliance will become a competitive advantage• The uncomfortable truth retailers may not want to hear about these trendsIf you are a supply chain executive with limited budget and bandwidth, this episode delivers a clear message. Start with your pain, quantify it, and build your visibility foundation first.🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more brutally honest conversations about retail, supply chain, and the technology reshaping how work actually gets done.Music by hooksounds.com#ConfessionsOfASupplyChainExecutive #SupplyChain #RetailSupplyChain #Retail2026 #PhysicalAI #AmbientIoT #RealTimeVisibility #GroceryEcommerce #AIInSupplyChain #AgenticAI #FSMA #SupplyChainTransparency #WarehouseOperations #RetailTechnology #WiliotSponsored ContentThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on Fashion Week trends, 2016 nostalgia, Robert Duvall’s Mount Rushmore, and unexpected Olympic curling drama. From the cultural ripple effects of Fashion Week to the one thing our hosts would bring back from 2016, plus strong opinions on Robert Duvall and the intensity of Olympic curling, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by Jenn Hahn, keep things moving with quick hits and sharp debate. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#RetailLightningRound #RetailCulture #FashionWeek #WinterOlympics #RobertDuvall #RetailNews #OmniTalk #ConsumerTrendsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at independent convenience stores deploying AI-powered voice insights across 5,200 locations. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by Jenn Hahn, break down how real-time AI analytics are transforming store operations, workforce monitoring, and frontline decision-making. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#ConvenienceStore #RetailAI #VoiceAnalytics #StoreOperations #RetailInnovation #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines American Eagle building its largest creator community yet through a rewards-based micro-influencer program. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Jenn Hahn, discuss how this move reflects shifting influencer economics and why smaller creators may deliver outsized engagement. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#AmericanEagle #MicroInfluencer #CreatorEconomy #RetailMarketing #InfluencerStrategy #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into Target and Albertsons testing conversational advertising inside ChatGPT. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by Jenn Hahn, debate whether AI-driven conversations could become a scalable retail media platform or remain an experimental marketing play. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Target #Albertsons #ChatGPTAds #ConversationalCommerce #RetailMedia #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Co-op launching a gender pay gap toolkit ahead of new UK regulations.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Jenn Hahn, discuss whether proactive compliance can become a competitive advantage and how transparency may reshape retail leadership strategy.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#GenderPayGap #RetailLeadership #Coop #RetailHR #WorkforceStrategy #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Converse employees being instructed to work from home ahead of anticipated layoffs as Nike continues its broader restructuring efforts. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by Jenn Hahn of J Recruiting Services, unpack what this signals about Nike’s long-term brand strategy, workforce management, and competitive positioning. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Nike #Converse #RetailLayoffs #RetailWorkforce #RetailStrategy #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Retail’s future winners aren’t defined by hype. They are defined by where consumers actually go. In this Omni Talk Ask An Expert episode, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Ethan Chernofsky, Chief Marketing Officer at Placer.ai, to break down the retailers, sectors, and strategies poised to shape 2026.Drawing from real-world foot traffic data and consumer behavior insights, Ethan shares which brands are gaining momentum, which are in turnaround mode, and how shifting expectations around health, value, and experience are redefining retail success. From fitness to grocery to coffee to digitally native retail, this conversation uncovers where physical retail is headed next.Key Topics Covered:Why the fitness sector, including brands like EōS Fitness, is benefiting from long-term health and wellness shiftsHow grocers like H-E-B are winning through localization and innovationThe competitive momentum behind specialty retailers like MichaelsThe “bounce-back” potential of Starbucks and its third-place strategy revivalWhere Home Depot and Target stand on the recovery spectrumGrocery’s evolving battleground: quality vs. value vs. unique differentiationHow retailers like Kroger are experimenting to stay competitiveThe future of digitally native brands and physical retail after pullbacks from players like AllbirdsWhy partnerships with retailers such as Nordstrom may reshape DTC expansionThe industry debate around “value” and why it may be retail’s most misunderstood conceptWhether you’re building your 2026 retail strategy, evaluating growth sectors, or tracking competitive momentum, this conversation delivers data-backed insights to help you understand where consumers are spending their time and why.Connect with Ethan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-chernofsky-16ab4519/Visit Placer.ai: https://www.placer.ai#RetailTrends #RetailersToWatch #RetailAnalytics #FootTrafficData #RetailStrategy #FitnessIndustry #GroceryRetail #Starbucks #DTCBrands #ConsumerBehavior #OmniTalk #RetailInsightsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, Maia Josebachvili, Chief Revenue Officer of AI at Stripe, joins Omni Talk to break down what retailers are really saying about Agentic Commerce — and how the conversation has shifted dramatically in just six months.From fraud concerns to discoverability challenges, Maia explains how Stripe is helping merchants navigate the AI agent landscape with the tools they need to stay in control, stay competitive, and sell through AI agents without rebuilding their entire commerce stack.🔑 Topics covered:The two forms of Agentic Commerce and why retailers are now all-inThe four biggest concerns merchants have about AI-driven shoppingHow Stripe's Agent Commerce Protocol and Suite tackle control, discoverability, fraud, and checkoutWhich major brands — including Walmart, Etsy, Glossier, Spanx, Urban Outfitters, and more — are already live🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights!#agenticcommerce #retailai #stripeai #retailtech #omnitalk #ecommerce #aiagents #retailinnovation #agenticai #retailpodcastMusic by hooksounds.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, guest host and resident talent expert Jenn Hahn, joined Chris and Anne to discuss:Converse employees being instructed to work from home ahead of layoffs and restructuring at the struggling Nike brand (Source)Co-op launching a gender pay gap toolkit ahead of new UK regulations (Source)Target and Albertsons testing conversational advertising inside ChatGPT (Source)American Eagle building its largest creator community yet with a rewards-based micro-influencer program (Source)Independent convenience stores deploying AI voice insights across 5,200 locations (Source)And Stripe's Chief Revenue Officer of AI, Maia Josebachvili, stopped by to give us 5 Insightful Minutes on how retailers can set themselves up for success in the new world of agentic commerce.PLUS — in partnership with Quorso, and together with Jenn, we handed out this month's OmniStar Award to Kristin Popp, Executive Vice President of Woodman's Food Market and President of Women's Grocers of America, fresh off being named Woman of the Year at the NGA Show.There's all that, plus curling drama at the Winter Olympics, Robert Duvall's Mount Rushmore, and what one thing from 2016 our hosts would bring back.Music by hooksounds.com#RetailNews #Converse #Nike #ChatGPTAds #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #AmericanEagle #MicroInfluencer #ConvenienceStore #AIRetail #AgenticCommerce #Stripe #GenderPayGapThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on luxury travel, Valentine’s Day spending, and one very unexpected McNugget caviar moment.From the continued boom in luxury hotels to billions in Valentine’s retail projections and the internet’s obsession with fast food meets fine dining, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by Shoptalk’s Joe Laszlo, keep things moving with quick hits and strong opinions.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #RetailLightningRound #RetailCulture #LuxuryTravel #ValentinesDay #McNuggetCaviar #ConsumerTrends #RetailNews #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Spotify’s partnership with Bookshop.org to sell physical books.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk’s Joe Laszlo, unpack why this move feels like a natural extension of Spotify’s ecosystem and what it means for omnichannel reading behavior.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Spotify #BookshopOrg #RetailStrategy #Omnichannel #RetailPodcast #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Albertsons’ expansion of cart tracking technology to measure retail media effectiveness.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk’s Joe Laszlo, discuss whether dwell time truly correlates with incremental sales and what this signals for the evolution of in-store retail media.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Albertsons #RetailMedia #InStoreTech #GroceryRetail #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Anthropic’s Super Bowl campaign pledging that Claude AI will remain ad-free.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk’s Joe Laszlo, debate whether ad-free AI is sustainable, what it means for monetization models, and how AI platforms may shape retail and commerce.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#Anthropic #ClaudeAI #OpenAI #AIAdvertising #RetailTech #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Target’s decision to cut 500 roles while increasing investment in frontline store staffing.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk’s Joe Laszlo, break down the labor math behind the move and debate whether this represents meaningful operational change or a strategic reset.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Target #RetailLabor #StoreOperations #RetailStrategy #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Kroger’s appointment of former Walmart executive Greg Foran as CEO.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk’s Joe Laszlo, unpack what this leadership change signals for Kroger’s competitive positioning, ecommerce ambitions, and long-term strategy against Walmart.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Kroger #GregForan #GroceryIndustry #RetailLeadership #RetailStrategy #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Shoptalk's Joe Laszlo joined Chris and Anne to discuss:Kroger's appointment of former Walmart executive Greg Foran as new CEO (Source)Target cutting 500 jobs while investing in frontline store staffing (Source)Anthropic's Super Bowl ad campaign pledging Claude AI will remain ad-free (Source)Albertsons expanding cart tracking technology to measure retail media effectiveness (Source)Spotify partnering with Bookshop.org to sell physical books (Source)And Shop Talk's Joe Laszlo joined Chris and Anne to preview Shop Talk Spring 2026 - the 10th anniversary of the event - themed "Retail in the Age of AI"There's all that, plus solarium cappuccinos, the hyoid bone, first edition Dune books, and whether McNugget caviar is worth hitting reload for.Music by hooksounds.com#RetailNews #KrogerCEO #TargetStores #AnthropicAI #RetailMedia #SpotifyBooks #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #Shoptalk #RetailTechThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Retail Technology Spotlight Series episode, Chris Walton sits down with Experion Technologies' Mahesh Vijayaraghavan (VP of Retail & Consumer Goods) and Siraj Alimohamed (Global Head of Data & AI) to cut through the AI hype.From platform-first strategies to the pilot fatigue epidemic, Mahesh and Siraj break down why AI is overhyped at the dashboard level but underappreciated where it matters most, i.e. in 6 a.m. inventory decisions and real-time store operations.Learn why building AI like a muscle beats treating it like a project, how to escape automation chaos, and why your digital experience is about to become your biggest competitive advantage.🔑 Topics covered:Why AI is overhyped but underimplemented in retailPlatform-first approach vs. endless pilot programsInternal efficiency gains vs. consumer-facing AI investmentsProcess optimization before automation (avoid the 30-40% fat)How digital experience becomes differentiation in the AI eraAgentic AI that acts within guardrails, not just recommendsThe reinvestment strategy: internal savings to customer benefits🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights!#retailai #retailtech #omnitalk #digitalexperience #agenticai #retailinnovation #aiimplementation #experiontechnologies #retailpodcast #supplychainThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Lightning Round segment of the OmniTalk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on culture, fashion, and the lighter side of retail. From Ralph Lauren’s Olympic uniforms and Cracker Barrel’s employee dining rules to winter travel escapes and Kelly Clarkson nostalgia, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by A&M’s Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, keep things moving with quick hits and strong opinions. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #RetailLightningRound #RetailCulture #FashionRetail #PopCulture #RetailNews #OlympicsFashion #CrackerBarrel #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at BJ’s Wholesale Club’s experiment with smaller-format stores. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by A&M’s Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, discuss whether clubs can win quick-trip shopping missions, who should be most concerned, and how this move could reshape regional grocery competition. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #BJsWholesale #ClubStores #RetailFormats #GroceryRetail #ConvenienceRetail #RetailStrategy #RegionalGrocers #RetailTrends #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines eBay’s decision to ban AI-powered shopping bots. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside A&M’s Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, debate the risks and rewards of agentic commerce, why collectibles marketplaces may need tighter controls, and whether other retailers will follow eBay’s lead. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #eBay #RetailAI #AgenticCommerce #EcommerceAutomation #MarketplaceTrust #RetailPolicy #AIinRetail #RetailInnovation #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Walmart’s launch of cross-border marketplace shipping. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by A&M’s Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, explain why this move strengthens Walmart’s marketplace flywheel, expands retail media opportunities, and positions Walmart as a true competitor to Amazon’s FBA ecosystem. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#Walmart #Marketplace #CrossBorderEcommerce #RetailMedia #EcommerceStrategy #AmazonFBA #GlobalRetail #RetailNews #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores why grocery ecommerce has quietly reached 19% penetration. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside A&M’s Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, unpack what this milestone means for regional grocers, curbside economics, and whether grocery leaders are underestimating how fast digital adoption is accelerating. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#GroceryEcommerce #OnlineGrocery #CurbsidePickup #RetailTrends #DigitalRetail #GroceryIndustry #RetailStrategy #OmniChannel #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Amazon’s decision to shut down its palm payment technology and close select Amazon Fresh stores. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by A&M’s Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, debate why biometric payments failed to gain traction, whether consumers were ever ready for palm-based checkout, and what Amazon’s renewed focus on Whole Foods signals about the future of grocery retail. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#Amazon #RetailTech #BiometricPayments #AmazonFresh #WholeFoods #CheckoutTechnology #RetailInnovation #RetailStrategy #GroceryRetail #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, A&M's Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar joined Chris and Anne to discuss:Amazon shutting down its Amazon One palm recognition payment system and closing all 72 Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores (Source)Grocery E-commerce hitting a record 19% penetration in December 2025 (Source)Walmart launching a cross-border shipping program called Walmart Exports (Source)eBay banning AI shopping bots from its platform (Source)BJ's Wholesale opening its second small format BJ's Market in Delray Beach, Florida (Source)There's all that, plus Ralph Lauren Olympic uniforms, Cracker Barrel meal mandates, and whether Ken prefers Taco Bell or Ruth's Chris.Music by hooksounds.com#AmazonFresh #GroceryEcommerce #WalmartExports #eBayBots #BJsWholesale #RetailNews #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailTech #MarketplaceCommerceThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on pop culture, consumer trends, and the lighter side of retail. From Netflix’s AI predictions and rotisserie chicken subscriptions to mushroom coffee and internet-fueled food trends, Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn keep things fast, fun, and unpredictable. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #LightningRound #RetailCulture #ConsumerTrends #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down American Eagle’s decision to shut down Quiet Logistics after acquiring the company for $360 million. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss why selling logistics tech proved harder than expected, when retailers should avoid becoming software companies, and what this means for future retail tech bets. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#AmericanEagle #RetailLogistics #RetailTech #Omnichannel #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at why grocery stores are increasingly winning lunchtime trips from quick-service restaurants. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss how ready-to-eat meals, pricing pressure, and changing consumer routines are driving this shift and why lunch may be grocery’s most underrated growth opportunity. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Grocery #Foodservice #RetailTrends #LunchRush #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, unpacks Amazon’s plan to eliminate 30,000 corporate roles as CEO Andy Jassy targets bureaucracy and organizational bloat. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn explore why this move is about structure... not just AI... and what retail leaders can learn about talent, layers, and operational discipline. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#Amazon #RetailLayoffs #RetailLeadership #AIinRetail #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Dollar General’s rapid expansion of same-day delivery and why rural America may be its biggest competitive advantage over Amazon. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss how physical proximity, store density, and cost structure give Dollar General an edge — and why convenience doesn’t always require cutting-edge tech. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #DollarGeneral #Amazon #LastMileDelivery #RuralRetail #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Walmart’s sweeping leadership reorganization as the retailer reshapes its structure to accelerate AI-driven growth. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss why Walmart elevated the Chief Growth Officer role, how centralized platforms change accountability, and what this shift signals about the future of retail leadership and execution. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Walmart #RetailLeadership #RetailAI #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and guest host Jenn Hahn discussed:Walmart's sweeping leadership changes as new CEO John Furner reorganizes for AI transformation (Source)Dollar General expanding same-day delivery to 17,000+ rural stores to compete with Amazon (Source)Amazon planning 30,000 corporate job cuts—the largest in company history (Source)Traditional grocers stealing lunch customers from quick-service restaurants (Source)American Eagle shuttering Quiet Logistics after a $360 million bet gone wrong (Source)And Jenn Hahn also helped us hand out this month's OmniStar award in partnership with Quorso to Tricia Snider, Divisional VP for Dollar General's Northeast/New England Division.There's all that, plus Netflix binge-prediction AI, rotisserie chicken subscriptions, Harry Styles residencies, and whether Jenn has evolved beyond black coffee.Music by hooksounds.com#RetailNews #WalmartLeadership #DollarGeneral #AmazonLayoffs #GroceryLunch #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailTransformation #LastMileDelivery #RetailInnovation #QuietLogistics #JennHahnThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on culture, fashion, and the lighter side of retail.From retro love letters and typewriter nostalgia to celebrity wedding drama, fashion legacy, and Broadway’s Magic Mike Live, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga keep things fast, fun, and unpredictable.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#LightningRound #RetailCulture #PopCulture #OmniTalk #FMI2026This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Simbe’s launch of Tally 4.0, the most advanced generation of its autonomous shelf-scanning robot.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss why expanded coverage across produce, freezers, and top stock is a game-changer, how real-time shelf data becomes the foundation for the connected store, and why in-store robotics may offer one of the clearest ROIs in retail heading into 2026.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#Simbe #Tally40 #RetailRobotics #ConnectedStore #RetailTech #GroceryRetail #RetailFastFive #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down why entertainment has become retail’s latest buzzword... from Fanatics launching Fanatics Studios to Gap appointing its first-ever Chief Entertainment Officer.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga debate whether retail entertainment is a true growth engine or just modern marketing, why Fanatics’ sports flywheel gives it a massive edge, and whether Gap’s LA-based “fashiontainment” strategy will drive ROI or simply add cost.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#Fanatics #Gap #RetailEntertainment #Retailtainment #BrandMarketing #RetailStrategy #RetailFastFive #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Walmart’s push into trendier, more upscale home goods as it looks to attract higher-income shoppers and take share from Amazon.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss why home is ultimately a price-and-search-driven category, how Walmart’s scale, returns, and Walmart+ advantages change the game, and why selling high-end items may be far less risky than it appears.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Walmart #HomeGoods #RetailStrategy #Ecommerce #RetailTrends #RetailFastFive #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Kroger’s nationwide rollout of grocery delivery through Uber Eats, Uber, and Postmates... putting nearly 2,700 stores on yet another major platform.Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss why Kroger is embracing every delivery channel, how this strategy compares to Walmart and Amazon’s owned networks, and whether expanding third-party delivery is a smart hedge in a post-Ocado world or a long-term road to being squeezed.⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#Kroger #UberEats #GroceryDelivery #RetailStrategy #OmniChannel #RetailTech #RetailFastFive #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down OpenAI’s move to begin testing ads on ChatGPT... a major shift in how AI-powered search may monetize. Live from FMI, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga debate whether users will care about ads at all, why UI and buying friction matter more than privacy fears, and what this signals about the escalating battle between OpenAI and Google. They also explore how brands may respond as AI-driven searches continue to convert at higher rates. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#ChatGPT #AIAdvertising #RetailMedia #SearchWars #AgenticCommerce #OmniTalk #FMI2026This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Recorded live at FMI 2026, Omni Talk Retail hosts Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton wrap up their conference coverage with Benjamin Bond, SVP, Strategy & Client Success at Simbe, from the Simbe booth.In this final interview of the conference, Ben shares how Simbe thinks about long term strategy while working day to day with retailers to ensure value realization at scale. He explains why shelf intelligence succeeds when entire organizations align around the store associate, and how Simbe’s technology helps teams prioritize, act in real time, and run better stores.The conversation goes beyond the robot demo to explore how retailers move from pilot programs to full chain deployments, how CFOs evaluate emerging technology investments, and why shelf data is becoming one of the most foundational datasets in retail. Ben also looks ahead to how Simbe’s platform, AI, and computer vision continue to evolve across grocery and other retail verticals.Key Topics CoveredBen Bond’s role spanning strategy and client success at SimbeEmpowering store associates with real time shelf intelligenceMoving from pilot programs to large scale deploymentsBuilding the business case and ROI for retail roboticsOperating models that drive long term retailer successThe future of computer vision, AI, and multimodal platformsExpanding beyond grocery into additional retail sectorsThis conversation closes out Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from FMI 2026, recorded at the Simbe booth.#FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #Simbe #RetailTechnology #ShelfIntelligence #RetailOperations #StoreExecution #RetailRoboticsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Recorded live at FMI 2026, Omni Talk Retail hosts Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton sit down with Justin Weinstein, EVP, Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer at Giant Eagle, Inc., from the Simbe booth.Justin shares an update on Giant Eagle’s progress since their last conversation, including how the company is reinvesting in stores, sharpening value, and doubling down on fresh and quality across the business. He discusses how Giant Eagle is thinking about store prototypes, department level differentiation, and how trends like GLP 1s are influencing merchandising, space allocation, and customer engagement.The conversation also explores agentic AI in grocery, where the hype is real but still evolving, and why operational rigor, real time insight, and strong partnerships are critical to serving customers when it matters most.Key Topics CoveredProgress on Giant Eagle’s growth and reinvestment strategyStore of the future thinking and department differentiationValue, pricing, and promotional focusFresh, protein, and nutrient dense foodsGLP 1s and implications for merchandising and space planningAgentic AI and its role in grocery commerceOperational execution and real time visibility through technology partnersFor more insights from grocery and retail leaders, continue following Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from FMI 2026, recorded at the Simbe booth.#FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #GroceryRetail #GiantEagle #Merchandising #RetailMarketing #FoodRetail #RetailTechnology #SimbeThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Recorded live at FMI 2026, Omni Talk Retail hosts Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton sit down with Alyssa Vescio, Chief Merchandising Officer at The Fresh Market, from the Simbe booth.In this conversation, Alyssa shares her career journey from Target to Whole Foods Market and now The Fresh Market, and how each chapter shaped her approach to merchandising, leadership, and purpose. She discusses why healthy discontent has fueled her career, how purpose driven retail can scale responsibly, and what excites her most about The Fresh Market’s brand, people, and potential as she looks ahead to 2026.The discussion explores how merchandising sits at the center of guest experience, supplier relationships, and long term business impact, especially in food retail where quality, freshness, and human connection matter most.Key Topics CoveredAlyssa Vescio’s path from Target and Whole Foods to The Fresh MarketBuilding strong merchandising foundations across disciplinesPurpose driven retail and the stakeholder modelWhy food is a powerful human connectorApproaching the first 90 days in a new leadership roleUnlocking brand love, discovery, and differentiationAccessibility and expanding access to high quality foodFor more conversations from grocery and retail leaders, continue following Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from FMI 2026, recorded at the Simbe booth.#FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #GroceryRetail #Merchandising #FoodRetail #RetailLeadership #TheFreshMarket #SimbeThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Recorded live at FMI 2026 from the Simbe booth, Omni Talk Retail interviewed with Lei Duran, SVP at Lowes Foods, to discuss how a regional grocer is redefining what it means to compete through experience, culture, and guest centricity.In this conversation, Lei shares her career journey across Walmart, agencies, and retail strategy roles, and why she ultimately chose grocery as the most powerful place to build lasting brand preference. She explains how Lowes Foods is blending food, entertainment, and community to create destinations customers are willing to drive past competitors for.The discussion also explores how marketing at Lowes Foods goes beyond campaigns, evolving into a true business transformation strategy that connects data, personalization, in store experience, and long term growth.Key Topics Covered:Creating grocery experiences rooted in culture, community, and entertainmentHow Lowes Foods differentiates through in store moments and human connectionUsing guest data and personalization to inform go to market strategyBalancing creativity, speed, and authenticity in a regional grocery environmentMeasuring success through preference, market share, and customer behaviorStay tuned for more live interviews and insights from Omni Talk Retail at FMI 2026, recorded from the Simbe booth. Stop by booth 118 to say hello and catch the conversations in person.#FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #GroceryRetail #FoodRetail #RetailMarketing #CustomerExperience #RetailLeadership #SimbeThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 in San Diego at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton connected with Madhav Durbha, Group Vice President of CPG & Manufacturing at RELEX Solutions.Madhav shares a practical and grounded perspective on what it really means to adopt an AI-first mindset in grocery and supply chain organizations. Drawing from his experience working with leading companies, he outlines a portfolio-style approach to AI adoption, balancing proven solutions, emerging use cases, and aspirational moonshots.The conversation emphasizes why people remain at the center of supply chain transformation, even as AI accelerates. Madhav explains why organizations must invest heavily in education, culture, and change management, and why successful AI adoption requires as much unlearning as learning.The discussion also explores how leaders are navigating AI with cautious excitement, filtering hype from reality, and rethinking processes instead of simply automating legacy workflows.Key Topics CoveredWhat an AI-first mindset really looks likeA 70/20/10 framework for AI adoptionWhy people and culture determine AI successFiltering AI hype from real business valueRethinking processes instead of automating themThe role of unlearning in digital transformationStay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section.#FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #ArtificialIntelligence #SupplyChain #RetailTechnology #AIFirst #RELEX #FutureOfRetailThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Live from FMI 2026 in San Diego, Omni Talk Retail’s Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Thom Blischok, Chairman and CEO of The Dialogic Group, at the Simbe booth to discuss why 2026 will be the year retail robotics finally move from pilots to scale.Thom breaks down what’s driving broader adoption of in store robotics, including rising cost to serve, labor productivity pressures, and the growing need to improve shelf execution and shopper experience. He also shares why change management is often the missing piece in successful deployments and what independent grocers must get right to compete with larger retailers.Key topics covered:Why 2026 is the year retail robotics scaleMoving from pilot programs to enterprise deploymentCost to serve, labor productivity, and shelf efficiencyChange management as a critical success factorRobotics, shelf intelligence, and the connected storeHow independent grocers can compete using technologyLessons from Schnucks and other early adoptersStay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section.#FMI2026 #GroceryRetail #RetailTechnology #RetailRobotics #InStoreInnovation #ShelfIntelligence #FutureOfRetail #OmniTalkRetailThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 in San Diego at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga speak with Bruce Burrows, former CIO of Loblaw and Sobeys and current Strategic Advisor at Simbe, about how technology, AI, and shelf intelligence are reshaping grocery retail.Bruce shares his perspective on why retailers should focus on being great retailers, not software developers, and how the buy versus build debate is evolving in an era of AI and private LLMs. The conversation explores where grocery sits on the maturity curve for connected stores, why in store execution is becoming table stakes, and how retailers can use data to drive better decisions across merchandising, supply chain, and store operations.Bruce also outlines a practical crawl, walk, run framework for adopting shelf intelligence, starting with fixing out of stocks and pricing issues, then moving toward smarter merchandising, supply chain integration, and new monetization opportunities. The discussion touches on agentic AI, avoiding solution sprawl, and why mid market grocers are often moving faster than larger enterprises.Key Topics CoveredBuy versus build in retail technologyThe role of AI and private LLMs in groceryShelf intelligence and the connected store maturity curveCrawl, walk, run adoption of smart store technologyImproving in stock, pricing accuracy, and executionUsing store data to enhance merchandising and supply chainAgentic AI, solution sprawl, and platform strategyWhy mid market grocers are leading tech adoptionStay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section.#FMI2026 #RetailTechnology #GroceryRetail #AIinRetail #ShelfIntelligence #SmartStores #RetailLeadership #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy