Omni Talk Retail

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 Save Mart’s rollout of Amazon Returns kiosks across more than 140 stores.

Chris and Anne discuss what returns-as-traffic really means for grocers, whether this partnership helps or hurts store economics, and how physical retail keeps getting pulled deeper into Amazon’s ecosystem.

⏩ Watch the full episode here.

#SaveMart #AmazonReturns #RetailPartnerships #BrickAndMortar #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk

In this segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, the team unpacks Amazon’s integration of instant meal shopping into browser-based Alexa+.

Chris and Anne debate whether this is true convenience or just more friction hiding behind AI, and what it signals about Amazon’s long-term grocery and agentic commerce ambitions.

⏩ Watch the full episode here.

#Amazon #AlexaPlus #AIShopping #MealPlanning #GroceryTech #AgenticCommerce #OmniTalk

This clip from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Kroger’s new discount initiative for SNAP recipients.

Chris and Anne discuss why affordability strategies matter more than ever, how grocers are approaching value differently, and whether programs like this can drive both loyalty and impact at scale.

⏩ Watch the full episode here.

#Kroger #SNAP #GroceryRetail #RetailStrategy #FoodAccess #RetailNews #OmniTalk

This segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Instacart’s decision to shut down its AI-driven pricing tests after consumer backlash.

Chris and Anne dig into why pricing transparency still matters, how quickly trust can erode, and what this means for AI-powered pricing across grocery and retail. A sharp conversation on where experimentation crosses the line.

⏩ Watch the full episode here.

#Instacart #AIPricing #RetailAI #GroceryDelivery #PricingTransparency #RetailTech #OmniTalk

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, Richard McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer at Veloq (a division of the Rohlik Group), joins Omni Talk to reveal how they've cracked the code on profitable online grocery delivery. From achieving 30% annual growth to maintaining an 88 NPS score, Richard breaks down how Rohlik delivers full-basket grocery in 3 hours profitably, why their automation approach succeeds where others have failed, and how building technology "customer backwards" creates operational excellence.

If you've ever wondered what actually makes online grocery work financially, this episode is for you.

🔑 Topics covered:

✅ How to achieve profitability in online grocery delivery

✅ Why full-basket strategy drives sustainable unit economics

✅ The importance of right-sizing automated fulfillment centers

✅ Building grocery-first technology vs. adapting warehouse solutions

✅ Managing complexity across 7 picking zones in 30 minutes or less

🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights!

#onlinegrocery #retailtech #grocerydelivery #fulfillmentautomation #omnitalk #ecommerce #supplychain #retailinnovation #Rohlik #veloq #retailpodcast

*Sponsored Content*

Join Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga for their second annual NRF must-see tech preview, showcasing five breakthrough retail technologies solving critical operational challenges. From AI employees autonomously negotiating supplier contracts to overhead RFID achieving 99% inventory accuracy, discover the solutions delivering measurable ROI and transforming how retailers operate in 2026.

Featured companies and innovations:

Gain - AI employees Natalie and Bob executing end-to-end supplier negotiations and replenishment, closing deals from repair parts to $2-3M agreements

ESW - Cross-border commerce platform reducing international duties by 60% and enabling launches across 200+ countries without the $2.5-4.5M per-country build cost

PervasID - Overhead RFID technology (Trackmaster 3X) delivering 98-99% stock accuracy with 6-8 month ROI and 5-10% sales increases through improved on-shelf availability

Diebold Nixdorf - Visual AI at checkout reducing shrink from 3% to under 1% through intelligent nudging, with 80% of shoppers self-rectifying when prompted about missed scans

Cleveron - Robotic parcel lockers deployed in 300+ Zara stores across 38 countries, eliminating click-and-collect friction with QR code scan delivery in seconds

Whether you're a retail technology executive planning your NRF booth strategy, building your 2026 technology roadmap, or looking to move beyond pilots to production deployments, this preview delivers real deployment data, ROI calculations, and operational insights from retailers like Zara, H & M, Calvin Klein, and other major CPG companies already scaling these solutions.

#RetailTechnology #NRF2026 #AgenticAI #CrossBorderCommerce #RFID #ComputerVision #RetailAutomation

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 discussed:

1. Instacart ending its controversial price testing program (Source)
2. Kroger launching a new discount program for SNAP recipients (Source)
3. Amazon integrating instant meal shopping into browser-based Alexa Plus (Source)
4. Save Mart placing Amazon Returns kiosks across 140+ stores (Source)
5. Schnucks seeing 100% success preventing gift card fraud with Digimarc (Source)
6. And Veloq CEO Richard McKenzie stopped by to give us five insightful minutes on how the Rohlik Group does E-commerce grocery profitably - and how they're bringing that technology to other grocers.

There's all that, plus LEGO smart bricks, toxic mom groups, five-gallon buckets of popcorn, and whether the Stranger Things finale needs a do-over.

Music by hooksounds.com

#RetailNews #Instacart #KrogerGrocery #AlexaPlus #AmazonMealPlanning #RetailTech #GiftCardFraud #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #GroceryDelivery #EcommerceGrocery #Veloq

This segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, features Chris and Anne tackle the fun side of retail as we head into NRF 2026.

Ryan Reynolds keynotes NRF this January... Chris shares the one question he'd ask about Blake Lively's best film role. Anne reveals her son's elaborate Google Slides pitch for an F1B goldendoodle and her puppy yoga compromise. The hosts preview Calvin Klein's new SoHo flagship as a must-see NRF store tour stop, and pay tribute to the late Rob Reiner with their Mount Rushmore picks: Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me, A Few Good Men, and Spinal Tap.

⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/RjBUyfWgxzY

#RyanReynolds #NRF2026 #retailconference #keynote #retailmarketing

This segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, examines Ashley Furniture's groundbreaking partnership with Perplexity that enables complete transactions—from product recommendations to payment—in one conversation.

Chris loves this move, calling it brilliant because Ashley can bypass marketplaces and leverage its brand recognition directly in AI search. Anne agrees but criticizes retailers for announcing features that don't work yet, sharing her frustration trying to actually use the Ashley-Perplexity integration. A must-watch for understanding agentic commerce strategy!

⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/RjBUyfWgxzY

#AshleyFurniture #PerplexityAI #agenticcommerce #AIshop ping #answerengines #retailstrategy #furniture #ecommerce

This segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, analyzes Target's new permanent Soho store featuring "The Drop" rotating seasonal styles, a Broadway Beauty Bar, and influencer-curated selections.

Anne sees potential if Target can solve the technology and operational challenges needed to scale this concept, especially as Ulta departs Target stores. Chris pushes back hard, calling it "pure PR sizzle" that's designed for Instagram photos rather than operational scalability. The debate gets heated as they discuss whether New York City is the right testing ground.

⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/RjBUyfWgxzY

#Target #TargetSoho #retailinnovation #storeconcept #experientialretail #retailstrategy #omnichannel

This segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, unpacks November's stunning $12.3 billion in online grocery sales—the second time monthly sales topped $12 billion.

Chris is gobsmacked by consumers choosing the more expensive delivery option despite budget constraints, while Anne attributes growth to improved curbside pickup experiences and loyalty incentives. Both hosts agree this signals that agentic AI will explode in grocery first, as UBS predicts, given consumers' growing comfort with repeat ordering and price transparency.

⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/RjBUyfWgxzY

#onlinegrocery #grocerydelivery #ecommerce #curbsidepickup #Walmart #Target #agenticAI #consumertrends

This segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, examines Consumer Reports' investigation revealing Instacart's AI-powered pricing experiments that resulted in price variations up to 23% between customers.

Chris and Anne debate whether algorithmic pricing is acceptable for essential categories like grocery, especially as consumers gain access to AI tools that can instantly compare prices across platforms. Anne sees the business case for convenience-based pricing, while Chris questions the ethics of dynamic pricing on necessities. Plus, the A&M Put You on the Spot Question explores whether pricing algorithms feel different for groceries versus travel.

⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/RjBUyfWgxzY

#Instacart #dynamicpricing #AIpricing #grocery #consumerrights #algorithmicpricing #retailtech #transparency

This segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores Amazon's reported plans to launch a Rush pickup service enabling one-hour order collection at Amazon-owned stores.

According to Business Insider, the service would let shoppers place unified orders from Amazon's marketplace and physical store inventory. Chris argues this is a road to nowhere given Whole Foods' operational constraints and Walmart's superior store network, while Anne sees potential if Amazon can solve the logistics puzzle. Is this Amazon's answer to Walmart's pickup dominance or an operational overreach?

⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/RjBUyfWgxzY

#Amazon #AmazonRush #WholeFoods #retailpickup #lastmile #Walmart #omnichannel #retailoperations

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, David Dorf, Head of Retail Industry Solutions at AWS, joins Omni Talk to cut through the AI hype and reveal what's actually coming for retail in 2026.

From LLM limitations to agentic commerce reality checks, David breaks down why domain-specific models are replacing frontier model fantasies, how answer engines will reshape search, and why shopping agents will start with your grocery delivery. If you've ever wondered what AI predictions are worth believing, this episode delivers the clarity you need.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Why LLMs hit a plateau and what comes next
• Domain-specific models and AWS Nova Forge
• The real state of agentic commerce
• Answer engines vs. search: advertising, trust, and optimization
• Shopping agents with Instacart and DoorDash leading the charge
• Internal retail AI agents transforming merchandising and supply chain
• Agentic payments with Visa's B2B breakthrough

🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights!

#retailai #AWS #generativeai #retailtech #omnitalk #agenticcommerce #answerengines #retailinnovation #DavidDorf #retailpodcast #LLM #shoppingagents #retailoperations

Music by hooksounds.com

*Sponsored Content*

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris and Anne discussed:

• Amazon’s planned “rush” pickup service for one-hour order collection (Source)
• Instacart’s AI-enabled pricing experiments that may be inflating grocery bills (Source)
• November’s record-breaking $12.3 billion in online grocery sales (Source)
• Target’s new SoHo store concept featuring curated beauty and apparel (Source)
• Ashley’s partnership with Perplexity and PayPal for agentic commerce (Source)

And special guest David Dorf of AWS, one of our favorite recurring guests, dropped by to share his insightful predictions on AI for 2026.

There’s all that, plus Ryan Reynolds at NRF, the world’s largest golden retriever gathering, and whether Chris would smuggle Calvin Klein underwear from a store tour.

Music by hooksounds.com

#RetailNews #AmazonRush #InstacartPricing #OnlineGrocery #AgenticCommerce #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #TargetSoHo #AshleyFurniture #PerplexityAI #RetailInnovation

Specialty retailers keep asking us: handheld scanners or overhead readers? So we settled it the only way we know how: with a knockdown, dragout debate between two RFID experts.

In this Retail Technology Spotlight, Anne Mezzenga moderates as Madalynn Lauria (Team Handheld) and Pareiya Gupta (Team Overhead) from GreyOrange make their cases for the best RFID solution. From proving ROI on a tight budget to cutting inventory counts from hours to minutes, this conversation tackles the real questions retailers are wrestling with as they decide how to track inventory in 2026.

The verdict? It's not as simple as picking a side. Whether you're testing RFID for the first time or scaling across hundreds of stores, the right answer depends on your velocity, your budget, and what you're actually trying to solve. But one thing's clear: manual counts and mystery stockrooms aren't going to cut it anymore.

Key Topics covered:

• How to test RFID with minimal budget and staff

• Cutting inventory counts from hours to under 20 minutes

• Why some retailers are going hybrid (overhead + handheld)

• Real-time shrink visibility and where product actually disappears

• Tracking TikTok trends and moving inventory between stores in hours

• The smart fitting room problem nobody talks about

Music by hooksounds.com

*Sponsored Content*

#RFID #retailtech #inventorymanagement #omnitalk #retailinnovation #smartretail #retailpodcast #omnichannelretail #retailoperations #supplychain

Chris, Anne, and Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group close with bold 2026 predictions sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chad predicts OpenAI will launch its own payment platform for agent commerce, Chris forecasts Starbucks will abandon seating for mobile-focused ghost cafes, while Anne expects agent-influenced shopping to triple during 2026 holiday season. Which prediction will prove most accurate?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#retail2026 #retailpredictions #openai #agentcommerce #starbucksstrategy #retailfuture #AIshopping

Chris, Anne, and Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group call out 2025's most ridiculous retail headlines in this segment sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Anne demolishes Starbucks' claim that mobile pickup stores lack "warmth and connection," Chad laughs at Liquid Death's viral pit diaper incident, while Chris questions Target's small town expansion as desperate PR. Which headline showed the worst strategic thinking?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#starbucksfails #liquiddeath #targetstrategy #laughableheadlines #retailfails #retailstrategy #mobilepickup

Chris, Anne, and Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group debate 2025's smartest retail partnerships in this segment sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chad highlights Walmart's Rebag luxury resale partnership as perfectly timed for cross-income shopping trends, Chris praises Walmart and Avery Dennison's perishables tracking as the "holy grail" for grocery margins, while Anne champions IKEA's Best Buy kitchen installations as brilliant real estate utilization. Which partnership model works best for expansion?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#retailpartnerships #walmartrebag #ikeabestbuy #luxuryresale #inventorytracking #retailcollaboration #marketplacestrategy

Chris, Anne, and Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group recognize 2025's best retail turnarounds in this segment sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Both Anne and Chris praise Macy's focus on core stores, private brand investment, and Tony Spring's shoe department service improvements, while Chad celebrates Gap's viral marketing comeback with KATSEYE bringing cultural relevance. Can advertising alone save a struggling brand, or does execution matter more?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#macysturnaround #gapmarketing #tonyspring #strugglingretailers #brandrevival #retailstrategy #KATSEYE

Chris, Anne, and Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group pitch their retail movie ideas in this segment sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chris envisions "Shein: Sac le blue!!!" featuring Paris protests, Chad creates a Black Mirror-style thriller about Neo's terrifying robot servant with human controllers, while Anne wants true crime investigations of mysterious CEO departures at Kohl's and Kroger. Which retail headline belongs on the big screen?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#retailmovie #shein #neorobot #kohlsCEO #krogerCEO #retaildrama #retailheadlines

Chris, Anne, and Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group call out 2025's most overhyped retail technologies in this segment sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Anne criticizes smart carts' misleading deployment numbers and questionable ROI, while both Chad and Chris agree agentic AI commerce is overhyped despite being transformative… pointing to Target's rushed ChatGPT integration as proof retailers are moving too fast without strategy. Can technology be both the future and overhyped simultaneously?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#overhypedtech #smartcarts #agenticai #targetchatgpt #retailtech #technologyhype #retailstrategy

Chris, Anne, and Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group crown their CEO of the Year in this segment sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chad surprises with Fidji Simo's bold move from Instacart to OpenAI Applications as a signal of commerce's future direction, while both Chris and Anne recognize Doug McMillon's decade-long transformation of Walmart from legacy retailer to omnichannel powerhouse. Was 2025 about execution or strategic positioning?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#retailCEO #dougmcmillan #fidjisimo #openai #walmarttransformation #retailleadership #executivemoves

Chris, Anne, and Chad reveal their Technology of the Year picks in this segment sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chad champions pricing transparency tools like Grocery Dealz that could disrupt grocery economics, Anne argues electronic shelf labels finally reached mainstream adoption after Walmart's chain-wide rollout, while Chris focuses on operational agentic AI transforming warehouses and inventory management. Which technology truly moved the needle?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#retailtech #electronicshelflabels #agenticai #pricingtransparency #grocerytech #warehouseautomation #retailinnovation

Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Chris, and Anne debate 2025's most significant retail headline sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chris picks Walmart's ChatGPT integration as a potential Amazon disruptor, Anne highlights Etsy and OpenAI's transactional partnership as commerce's pivotal moment, while Chad argues Doug McMillon's retirement marks the end of retail's post-Amazon era. Which headline will define retail's next decade?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#headlineoftheyear #dougmcmillan #walmartchatgpt #etsyopenai #retailleadership #agenticcommerce #johnfurner

Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Chris, and Anne debate Retailer of the Year in this segment sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chad champions Aldi's unprecedented 225-store expansion and perfect timing with value-conscious consumers, while Anne argues Walmart's technology leadership and fashion momentum earned them the crown. Chris makes the case for Costco's operational discipline and traffic growth despite stock challenges. Who deserves 2025's top retail honor?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/ApiGWRByxIY

#retaileroftheyear #aldi #walmart #costco #groceryretail #retailexpansion #privatelabel #valueretail

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris and Anne teamed up with Chad Lusk from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group to hand out our 2025 Omni Awards across the following categories:

• Retailer of the Year
• Headline of the Year
• Retail Technology of the Year
• Most Overhyped Retail Tech
• Best Strategic Move from a Struggling Retailer
• And so much more, including 2026 predictions

There’s all that, plus liquid death pit diapers, the Aldi Aisle of Shame Facebook group, and whether robots watching you do chores is the stuff of nightmares.

Music by hooksounds.com

#RetailAwards #WalmartChatGPT #AldiGrowth #RetailTech #AgenticAI #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #DougMcMillan #2026Predictions #RetailInnovation #ElectronicShelfLabels #RetailCEO

Store digitization promises to transform retail operations, but most retailers struggle to move beyond pilots and buzzwords. In this Omni Talk Ask An Expert episode, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Troy Siwek (General Manager of gStore at GreyOrange) to reveal what actually works when digitizing physical stores.

Learn how digital twins are evolving from concept to operational reality, why unified platforms matter more than individual point solutions, and how to cut through the hype around retail AI. Drawing from GreyOrange's 40,000+ technology deployments, Troy shares hard-earned lessons about RFID integration, computer vision evaluation, robotics orchestration, and organizational readiness.

Key topics covered:

• What store digitization actually means: bridging the physical-digital customer knowledge gap
• Digital twins as operational "mirrors" that surface real-time insights for associates and executives
• How to evaluate computer vision vendors based on what they actually specialize in
• Why most retailers should partner for core digitization tech rather than build in-house
• RFID inventory accuracy reducing store tasks from a week to 18 minutes
• The organizational shift: who owns store digitization across CTO, CIO, and store ops teams
• How excessive decision-making processes kill retail innovation speed
• When to pilot, when to scale, and when to cut failing technology experiments

Whether you're building your 2026 technology roadmap or trying to scale existing store digitization pilots, this conversation provides actionable insights to help you avoid costly mistakes, accelerate decision-making, and deliver measurable improvements for store associates.

Connect with Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troysiwek/ 

Visit GreyOrange: https://www.greyorange.com 

#RetailTech #StoreDigitization #DigitalTwins #RetailAI #RFID #ComputerVision #OmniChannelRetail #RetailOperations #InventoryManagement #RetailInnovation #StoreTransformation #GreyOrange

In this Retail Technology Spotlight Series episode, Doron Hazan, Director of Data, Product, and AI at Wiliot, joins Omni Talk to discuss the concept of "physical AI" and how it ultimately improve retail operations from the ground up.

From ambient IoT sensors to real-time inventory intelligence, Doron breaks down how battery-free Bluetooth pixels are creating self-aware supply chains, how retailers can start small and scale strategically, and why the future of retail operations is about connecting physical things to AI-powered decision engines.

If you've ever wondered what happens when IoT meets artificial intelligence in real-world stores (who hasn't), this episode is for you.

🔑 Topics covered:

- The difference between digital AI and physical AI

- How ambient IoT creates invisible operational improvements

- Why battery-free Bluetooth sensors are changing retail visibility

- Real-world impact on freshness, inventory accuracy, and customer experience

- The platform approach to scaling physical AI solutions

🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights!

Link to Doron's blog post: www.wiliot.com/why-your-ai-agent…tead#news-content

#physicalai #retailtech #ambientiot #wiliot #omnitalk #smartretail #retailinnovation #inventorymanagement #supplychain #retailpodcast

Music by hooksounds.com

*Sponsored Content*

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, Ashley Hubka, Senior Vice President of Walmart Business, joins Chris and Anne to reveal how Walmart is shaping B2B e-commerce for businesses, nonprofits, and government entities.

From discovering millions of organizational customers already shopping Walmart to building a dedicated B2B platform with business-specific tools, Ashley breaks down how Walmart Business saves organizations time, money, and hassle. Learn about unique features like business printing kiosks, automated subscriptions, multi-user accounts, and pay-by-invoice options that traditional retail can't provide.

If you've ever wondered how enterprise-scale retail infrastructure can serve small businesses and organizations, this episode is for you.

🔑 Topics covered:

• How Walmart discovered millions of B2B customers in their existing base
• Business-specific tools: printing, subscriptions, and spend management
• Omnichannel flexibility: from express delivery to curbside pickup
• Walmart Business Plus membership and its unique organizational benefits
• The future of B2B retail: expanded assortment and invoicing capabilities

🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights!

#walmartbusiness #b2becommerce #retailtech #omnitalk #businesssolutions #smallbusiness #walmartplus #retailinnovation #supplychaintech #retailpodcast

Advent calendars are the hot holiday trend...from Skims to fishing lures to ice cream. Chris reveals his dream: 28 days of Nikes. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

In this Lightning Round:

• Are slop bowls officially dead as sandwiches stage a comeback?

• The White House drops 120 pounds of gingerbread

• And how Mariah Carey turned one song into $60M

For the full episode head here    

#adventcalendar #nike #holidaytrends #specialtyretail

Amazon is testing "Amazon Now," a new 30-minute delivery service in Seattle and Philadelphia, repurposing former Amazon Fresh sites into rapid delivery hubs. But is this innovation or desperation? This segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, analyzes Amazon's grocery struggles.

Chris reveals the shocking stat: Despite owning Whole Foods and having Amazon's infrastructure, Amazon's grocery share is still only 4%. He sees this as a defensive move more than offensive strategy. Anne questions the economics. Prime members pay $3.99 per delivery, but after two orders you could subscribe to DoorDash and get access to better quality groceries from trusted regional stores.

For the full episode head here    

#amazon #amazonnow #grocerydelivery #rapiddelivery #amazonfresh #retailstrategy #lastmile #quickcommerce

McKinsey and Business of Fashion report predicts smart glasses are set for a breakthrough year in 2026, with Ray-Ban Meta glasses already the top-selling product in 60% of EMEA stores. But Chris and Anne aren't buying it. This segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, questions the hype around smart eyewear.

Anne argues that smart glasses are too visible and fashion-forward for mass adoption—unlike discrete smartwatches and rings. Chris, who owns Meta's Ray-Bans, admits they mostly collect dust and warns fashion retailers to stay away from tech partnerships that could leave them holding markdown bags.

For the full episode head here    

#smartglasses #raybanmeta #wearabletech #fashiontech #retailtech #metaclasses #techtrends #retailinnovation

Walmart is quietly testing a new ad format called "sponsored prompts" inside its Sparky AI shopping engine and both Chris and Anne agree this is exactly the right move. This segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, breaks down why retailer-owned AI is the smart play.

According to Wall Street Journal reporting, Walmart's new ad format integrates sponsored content directly into Sparky conversations with click-to-buy options. Anne loves it because it captures consumers at the perfect moment with relevant offers. Chris sees it as proof that retailers should focus on their own AI experiences rather than chasing ChatGPT integration—especially since Walmart's ad business is already growing at nearly 100% per year.

For the full episode head here    

#walmart #retailmedia #aishopping #sparky #retailstrategy #advertising #ecommerce #retailtech

ChatGPT just launched shopping research that does the product hunting for you, but should retailers be worried or relieved? This segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores the real implications of AI-powered shopping tools.

Anne is bullish, arguing that AI shopping tools provide unprecedented price transparency and will change how consumers shop for everything from snacks to electronics. Chris pushes back hard: only 30% of searches are actually research-intensive, and Amazon already dominates product search without needing ChatGPT. The debate gets heated as they question whether these platforms are truly game-changing or just incremental improvements to search.

For the full episode head here    

#chatgpt #aishopping #openai #productresearch #retailtech #generativeai #ecommerce #shoppingtrends

Black Friday 2025 just hit $11.8 billion in online sales... up 9.1% from last year. But Chris questions whether AI's 805% traffic surge is actually impressive or concerningly slow compared to other tech adoption curves. This segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, dives deep into what the numbers really mean.

Anne argues that 25% of purchases involving AI agents shows tremendous growth potential, especially since we can't even transact in these platforms yet. Chris counters by comparing AI adoption to buy-now-pay-later's 970% growth over three years, suggesting retailers should slow their roll on AI investments. Plus: Why are club stores crushing Black Friday traffic? And why is mobile still only 55% of purchases?

For the full episode head here    

#blackfriday #retailanalytics #aishopping #ecommerce #retaildata #holidayshopping #mobilecommerce #retailtrends

In this Fast Five episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga break down the biggest retail stories from Black Friday 2025, including record-breaking online sales, AI's growing influence on shopping, and what it all means for the future of retail.

From ChatGPT's new shopping research tool to Walmart's bold move to monetize Sparky with ads, Chris and Anne debate where retailers should focus their AI investments. Plus, they tackle smart glasses' potential breakthrough year, Amazon's 30-minute delivery test, and whether the industry is moving too fast on agentic commerce.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Black Friday's $11.8 billion in online sales and what the numbers really mean (Source)
• ChatGPT introducing shopping research (Source)
• Walmart's smart play bringing ads to Sparky (Source)
• The reality check on smart glasses adoption (Source)
• Amazon's expensive 30-minute delivery experiment (Source)

🎧 Don't forget to like, leave a review, and subscribe for more weekly retail insights!

Music by hooksounds.com

#blackfriday #retailai #agenticcommerce #chatgpt #walmart #retailtech #omnitalk #smartretail #ecommerce #retailpodcast

This Lightning Round segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, gets personal with the Omni Talk crew's Thanksgiving and Black Friday plans!

Anne and producer Ella gang up on Chris's love of jarred gravy (spoiler: they're both anti-gravy). The team shares their Black Friday shopping strategies from Banana Republic to luxury consignment pop-ups. Plus, Anne weighs in on Bianca Censori's Kanye-funded fashion brand launch… is it ironic that someone famous for barely wearing clothes is launching a clothing line? Tune in for the fun, unfiltered takes!

#thanksgiving #blackfriday #holidayshopping #shopssmallsaturday #retailpodcast #biancacensori #kanyewest #fashion #lightninground #thanksgivingfood

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, examines Bath & Body Works' decision to launch on Amazon early next year.

With $60-80M in unauthorized gray market sales already happening, the company will test a curated assortment to control its brand and capture revenue. Anne argues LLM search makes marketplace presence essential for discovery and conversion. Chris believes Bath & Body Works should wait, perfect their own site experience first, and avoid feeding Amazon's dominance. Who has the better long-term strategy?

#bathandbodyworks #amazon #marketplace #graymarket #ecommerce #brandstrategy #retailstrategy #thirdpartysellers #beautyretail #amazonmarketplace

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, celebrates Gap's 7% comparable sales surge after its viral "Better in Denim" campaign featuring KATSEYE.

Anne praises Richard Dickson's entertainment-first approach for making Gap culturally relevant again with Gen Z and millennials. Chris remains cautiously optimistic, questioning whether flashy marketing alone can drive repeat purchases if the product quality doesn't deliver. 

#gap #richarddickson #katseye #gapdenim #retailmarketing #fashion #genz #viralmarketing #gapcomeback #retailsales

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, analyzes Kroger's decision to shut down three automated fulfillment centers with a staggering $2.6 billion write-off.

The grocer is pivoting to in-store fulfillment and third-party delivery partnerships to improve digital profitability by $400M in 2026. Chris questions the scale of the initial investment error, while Anne explores how evolving customer demand for fresh products may impact automation ROI. Is this the end of the CFC era, or just a course correction? 

#kroger #automation #CFC #grocerytech #ecommerce #retailautomation #Ocado #supplychain #digitalcommerce #grocerydelivery

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores Target's bold move to enable shopping through ChatGPT just days before Black Friday.

Anne sees it as a necessary first step into LLM-powered commerce and applauds Target for testing publicly. Chris calls it a "big nothing burger"... questioning why Target launched an incomplete beta feature during their busiest week, especially when their own site search isn't optimized yet. Who's right?

#target #chatgpt #aicommerce #llmsearch #conversationalcommerce #retailtech #targetapp #innovation #retailAI #voiceshopping

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, dives into Target's disastrous Q3 earnings.

While Walmart, TJX, Ross, and Best Buy raised their outlooks, Target's four-year sales stack turned negative—meaning zero growth since 2021. Chris argues Target is the "real turkey" of earnings season, while Anne questions what anyone expected during a CEO transition and 1,800-person layoff. Is this rock bottom or just the beginning of a longer turnaround? Tune in for the heated debate!

#target #retailearnings #walmart #targetvswalmart #discountretail #retailnews #earnings #retailanalysis

For this month's Retail Tech Startup of the Month, AWS's Daniele Stroppa returns to spotlight SymphonyAI, a groundbreaking computer vision solution that's improving how retailers tackle the costly out-of-stock problem.

SymphonyAI leverages existing in-store cameras to deliver something retailers have been missing: actionable, prioritized worklists that tell associates exactly what to fix first to maximize sales impact. No more drowning in dashboards, just clear direction that drives results. Daniele breaks down how retailers are achieving 25% increases in labor productivity and 5-7% improvements in on-shelf availability, proving this isn't just another tech demo, it's a boon for physical retail operations.

🔑 Topics covered:

• How SymphonyAI turns existing cameras into intelligent inventory systems
• The critical difference between insights and actionable intelligence
• Why prioritization matters more than detection
• Real results: 20% lower infrastructure costs, 25% productivity gains
• The shift from reactive to predictive AI-driven store operations

🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights!

#computervision #retailtech #symphonyai #aws #retailinnovation #smartstores #inventorymanagement #omnitalk #retailpodcast #retailai

Sponsored Content

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris and Anne discussed:

• A roundup of the latest retail earnings announcements
• Target enabling mobile app shopping within ChatGPT (Source)
• Kroger closing some of its automated fulfillment centers (Source)
• Gap's recent sales surge after viral 'Milkshake' denim ad with Katseye (Source)
• Bath & Body Works planning to launch on Amazon early next year (Source)
• And AWS's Daniele Stroppa dropped by to help us hand out November's Retail Tech Startup of the Month Award

There's all that, plus Thanksgiving shelf-stable food rankings, Black Friday shopping plans, and whether Chris is going turkey trotting or sofa surfing this holiday.

Music by hooksounds.com

#retailearnings #target #chatgpt #kroger #gap #bathandbodyworks #omnitalk #retailtech #retailinnovation #ecommerce #retailpodcast

In this inaugural episode of Confessions of a Supply Chain Executive, host Chris Walton teams up with Richard Stewart (EVP of Product & Industry Strategy) and Eugene Amigud (Chief Innovation Officer) from Infios to conduct a forensic deep dive into retail's most persistent challenge: out-of-stocks.

Despite billions spent on technology, the average retailer still faces an 8-10% out-of-stock rate. But here's the truth most won't admit: the problem isn't getting better. It's just getting different.

This episode walks through every breakdown point in the supply chain, from forecasting failures to the infamous backroom problem, and delivers a practical framework to diagnose what's really happening inside your operations.

🔑 Topics covered:

- Why out-of-stocks are a connectivity problem, not just an inventory problem

- The difference between warehouse accuracy (98%+) and store accuracy (97-99%)

- How machine learning is transforming demand forecasting

- The phantom inventory problem and what causes it

- Why you need a centralized decisioning "brain" across OMS, WMS, and TMS

- The role of AI in solving out-of-stock situations

- Why perfection isn't the goal . . . resilience is

- How to start small with purposeful innovation

🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more brutally honest retail supply chain insights!

Music by hooksounds.com

#outofstock #retailsupplychain #retailtech #omnitalk #inventorymanagement #supplychain #retailinnovation #Infios #retailpodcast #supplychainexecution

*Sponsored Content*

The lightning round brings holiday cheer and nostalgia to close this episode! Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chris reveals he'll use "Santa GPT" (ChatGPT for holiday shopping) to find gifts for his mom, though she already told him she wants a Brita water pitcher. Anne shares her family's Black Friday strategy: setting alarms for discounted ski passes rather than shopping for traditional items.

Celebrating Dick Van Dyke's upcoming 100th birthday, Anne reminisces about his role as the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins. The conversation turns to hot chocolate preferences... Chris keeps it basic with mini marshmallows and a "Swiss Miss" approach, while Anne declares that quality marshmallows make or break the experience.

For the full episode head here

#SantaGPT #ChatGPT #holidayshopping #DickVanDyke #hotchocolate #Sizzler #restaurantrevival #nostalgia #retailfun #holidaytraditions

Target and Starbucks have partnered to create an exclusive frozen peppermint hot chocolate available only at Starbucks cafes inside Target stores nationwide. This episode, Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores why this seemingly small move could signal Target's merchandising mojo is returning.

Chris loves this idea, calling it "smart merchandising that leverages a true differentiation point." Target Circle 360 members get 24-hour early access. While the impact may be small potatoes compared to Target's larger challenges, it's exactly the kind of creative thinking Target used to do well.

Anne highlights an additional experience: select Target stores are featuring weekend hot cocoa bars where kids can customize drinks creating memories and driving foot traffic. Both hosts wonder if this could become Target's next "pumpkin spice latte" moment. Producer Ella agrees this is brilliant... adding a Starbucks drink to her hand means even longer browsing time in Target.

For the full episode head here

#Target #Starbucks #retailcollaboration #exclusivedrink #Targetstores #holidayshopping #retailmerchandising #Targetcircle360 #coffeeshopretail #retailstrategy

Google is rolling out major AI shopping features including conversational search, agentic checkout, and an AI that calls stores for you. This episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, sparks a fascinating debate about the future of shopping search.

Anne argues Google's comprehensive data ecosystem... from Gmail to Maps to Calendar, gives it an edge over ChatGPT and Perplexity. She believes Google could leapfrog competitors by leveraging existing consumer relationships. Chris pushes back, citing Google Shopping's historical struggles and questioning whether Google's legacy interface might actually hinder innovation.

For the full episode head here

#GoogleAI #AIshopping #conversationalsearch #agenticAI #ChatGPT #Gemini #retailtech #ecommerce #shoppinginnovation #AIretail #GoogleSearch

Primark has introduced Buy Now Pay Later options through Klarna and Clearpay... marking a major milestone in BNPL's journey from innovation to mass adoption. This episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores what this means for retailers.

Chris declares that BNPL has officially "crossed the chasm", seven years after it first emerged at Shop.org in 2018. When you can buy $4 shirts on installments, there's no turning back. Anne shares shocking data: 25% of Americans now use BNPL for groceries, up from 14% just a year ago.

For the full episode head here

#primark #buynowpaylater #klarna #clearpay #bnpl #retailpayments #paymentinnovation #retailtech #affordablefashion #retailnews