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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 systemsThe critical difference between insights and actionable intelligenceWhy prioritization matters more than detectionReal results: 20% lower infrastructure costs, 25% productivity gainsThe 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

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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 announcementsTarget 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Grocery Dealz has integrated with Instacart to power same-day delivery directly from its price comparison app. This episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores why this partnership could be a game-changer for consumers.

Anne and Chris rate this announcement an 8 out of 10, explaining how it justifies delivery fees by maximizing savings through price comparison. Imagine shopping at three different stores for the best deals without leaving your house... Instacart now makes that possible through Grocery Dealz.

This is the second time in five months that Grocery Dealz has made headlines on the show, signaling that this Texas startup is becoming a force in grocery innovation. Plus, hear why this partnership could accelerate margin compression across the industry as price transparency becomes the norm.

For the full episode head here

#grocerydealz #instacart #grocerydelivery #pricecomparison #retailtech #groceryshopping #samedaydelivery #groceryinnovation #retailnews #omnichannel

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Doug McMillon is retiring as Walmart CEO, handing the reins to John Furner in February 2025. This episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores McMillon's incredible legacy... 400% stock gains, $576 billion in added market cap, and a cultural transformation that made Walmart a leader in retail innovation.

Chris shares a personal story about meeting John Furner and why he believes Furner is the perfect successor. Anne highlights the leadership qualities that set both executives apart.... from McMillon's "fail fast" culture to Furner's empathy-driven approach and curiosity that will be critical as AI reshapes retail.

For the full episode head here

#walmart #dougmcmillon #johnfurner #retailleadership #ceotransition #retailnews #walmartceo #samwalton #retailinnovation #leadershipstyle

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In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, Chad Lusk, Partner and Managing Director at A&M Consumer and Retail Group, joins Omni Talk to break down their latest consumer sentiment survey results that every retailer needs to understand.

From cautious spending increases to the explosive rise of private label brands, Chad reveals why consumers are trading down, what's driving the shift to lower-price stores, and how retailers can navigate the complex landscape of value-conscious shoppers.

You can also read A&MCRG's Consumer Sentiment Survey for Fall 2025 by heading here: alvarezandmarsal-crg.com/insight/cons?y-fall-2025/

? Topics covered:

Why consumers plan to spend more (but it's not optimism)The trade-down trend: cheaper brands and lower-price storesHow private label is closing the quality gap with national brandsWhat holiday spending will look like this yearWhy the middle tier is getting squeezed

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

#consumertrends #retailstrategy #privatelabel #consumersentiment #omnitalk #retailinsights #holidayretail #retailpodcast #consumerdata #retaileconomics

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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:

Doug McMillon retiring as Walmart CEO, with John Furner taking over in February (Source)Grocery Dealz integrating with Instacart?s Developer Platform for on-demand delivery (Source)Primark introducing Buy Now, Pay Later options with Klarna and Clearpay (Source)Google launching new AI shopping features including conversational search and agentic checkout (Source)Target and Starbucks debuting an exclusive Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Source)

And A&M?s Chad Lusk stopped by for Five Insightful Minutes to share takeaways from their latest consumer sentiment survey.

There?s all that, plus SantaGPT, Dick Van Dyke turning 100, the perfect hot cocoa recipe, and whether Sizzler?s comeback is rare, medium, or well done.

Music by hooksounds.com

#RetailNews #WalmartCEO #JohnFurner #DougMcMillon #BNPL #GoogleAI #TargetStarbucks #InstacartIntegration #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #GroceryDealz #Primark

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The lightning round gets personal as Kelly reveals she'd trade her data to Ulta for holiday discounts (with three sisters and multiple gift exchanges, who can blame her?), Waqas picks "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead" as his favorite Andy Garcia film, and the panel mourns the potential disappearance of Italian pasta from US shelves.

Plus: middle-aged men are revealed as the biggest holiday spenders, Waqas's dishwasher crisis becomes his entire holiday budget (German vs. Korean appliance debate included), and passionate discussions about the superiority of rigatoni and pappardelle over simple spaghetti.

Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#HolidayShopping #RetailTrends #LightningRound #ConsumerBehavior #RetailPodcast

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Dollar General has appointed Travis Nixon as SVP of Artificial Intelligence, tasking him with using AI to optimize supply chain, store operations, and merchandising. But how long before every retailer has a Chief AI Officer?and is this even the right approach?

Waqas Khan delivers a masterclass on why standalone AI roles may follow the same fate as Chief Digital Officers, most of whom lasted less than two years before the role dissolved. The panel discusses why Dollar General's SVP approach (rather than C-suite) may be smarter, which executive should oversee AI transformation, and why AI needs to be embedded across all functions rather than siloed.

Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#DollarGeneral #AILeadership #RetailTransformation #ChiefAIOfficer #RetailStrategy

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Target's new "10-4" policy requires employees to smile and wave at customers within 10 feet, and personally greet them within 4 feet. Is this explicit instruction necessary for today's workforce, or a forced, performative approach that signals deeper cultural problems?

Former Target store manager Chris Walton shares insider perspective on why this policy reveals how far store culture has declined, while Anne argues that explicit direction is needed for first-time workers entering the retail job market. Kelly calls it "firmly over and out," while Waqas warns it could give employees an excuse to avoid customers entirely.

Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#Target #CustomerService #RetailOperations #StoreManagement #RetailCulture

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Bath & Body Works is bringing Fresh Balsam to Grand Central Terminal, movie theaters, and interactive mall kiosks in what beauty expert Kelly Carey calls "my favorite marketing campaign of the year." But is piping fragrance into public spaces genius brand awareness or an invasive marketing tactic?

Kelly breaks down why this campaign is perfectly timed to recapture awareness in a booming fragrance market, while the panel debates the opt-in vs. opt-out question when scent is thrust upon consumers. From middle school Cherry Blossom memories to concerns about sensory overload in movie theaters, this discussion covers the full spectrum of experiential marketing.

Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#BathAndBodyWorks #ExperientialMarketing #HolidayMarketing #FragranceRetail #RetailInnovation

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Amazon is suing Perplexity AI over its Comet shopping agent, claiming it "covertly accesses Amazon customer accounts" and interferes with the curated shopping experience Amazon built over decades. But is this defensive move from the e-commerce giant actually a sign of things to come?

Waqas Khan from A&M breaks down the technology protocols at stake, why this feels like a classic incumbent vs. disruptor battle, and how advertising revenue is driving Amazon's aggressive response. Chris argues this is Amazon playing the role of the 1990s brick-and-mortar retailer fighting e-commerce, while the panel debates whether this lawsuit is a negotiation tactic or the first salvo in a long legal war over agentic commerce.

Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#Amazon #Perplexity #AgenticAI #RetailLawsuit #ShoppingAgents #RetailTech

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Adobe's October data reveals a game-changing milestone: generative AI traffic is now converting 16% BETTER than traditional sources?a complete 180 from three months ago when AI traffic converted 9% WORSE.

This episode breaks down what Kelly Carey and Waqas Khan from the A&M Consumer and Retail Group think retailers need to know about this inflection point.

With AI traffic up 1,200% year-over-year and shoppers spending 44% longer on sites when arriving from AI sources, the experts discuss why this shift makes sense, how consumers are using tools like ChatGPT to cut through digital clutter, and what retailers should be doing RIGHT NOW to prepare for an agentic omnichannel future.

Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#AIcommerce #GenerativeAI #RetailTech #AdobeAnalytics #ChatGPT #ShoppingTrends

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Placer.ai?s CMO Ethan Chernofsky is back... revealing why the ?convenience above all? mindset is costing retailers millions and what?s actually driving traffic in 2025. Omni Talk and Placer.ai reunite for their annual tradition of reviewing the retail year that was.

In this data-packed episode, Chris and Anne dig into Placer.ai?s latest location analytics to uncover:

? Why consumers are visiting more stores but spending less time in them

? The ?consumer preference epiphany? reshaping retail fundamentals

? How Sprouts, HEB, and Barnes & Noble are winning by doubling down on identity

? Why the retail middle is dying ? and what it takes to survive

? The surprising suburban opportunity most brands are missing

? Which "dead" brands are quietly staging comebacks

Plus: Ethan?s bold prediction for the 2025 holiday season that could reshape Q4 planning forever.

Featuring real-world traffic data and performance metrics from America?s top retailers, this episode is required viewing for anyone in retail leadership, store operations, or strategic planning.

#retailstrategy #locationanalytics #retailtrends #omnichannel #consumerinsights #retailtech

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In this Retail Fast Five episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton are joined by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group's Managing Director Waqas Khan and Director Kelly Carey to unpack the biggest retail headlines of the week?from the AI commerce inflection point to Amazon's legal battle with Perplexity.

With Adobe data revealing that AI-driven traffic now converts 16% better than traditional channels, the panel breaks down what this seismic shift means for retailers, why Amazon is fighting back against agentic shopping, and whether Target's new "10-4" service policy will actually work. Plus: Bath & Body Works' genius scent marketing play and the truth about Chief AI Officer roles.

? Topics covered:

The AI commerce inflection point: Why generative AI traffic is now converting better (Source)Amazon vs. Perplexity: The battle for first product search (Source)Bath & Body Works' experiential scent campaign across Grand Central and movie theaters (Source)Target's controversial 10-4 customer service policy and what it reveals about retail culture (Source)Why Chief AI Officer roles may follow the same path as Chief Digital Officers (Source)

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

#retailai #generativeai #retailtech #omnitalk #ecommerce #amazonvsperplexity #targetretail #aicommerce #retailinnovation #retailpodcast #bathandbodyworks #agenticai

Music by hooksounds.com

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In this Retail Technology Spotlight episode, Nick Matthews, VP of Solutions and Architecture at Wiliot, joins Omni Talk to reveal how Walmart is deploying Bluetooth-enabled IoT technology across all 4,600 U.S. stores and 40 distribution centers.

From wireless energy-harvesting tags to real-time pallet tracking, Nick breaks down how Wiliot's ambient IoT technology is reducing food waste by tens of millions of pounds, improving inventory accuracy, and improvingg store operations without requiring associates to change their workflow.

If you've ever wondered how retailers are solving the "where is my product?" problem at scale (who hasn't?), then this episode is for you.

? Topics covered:

How Wiliot's BLE pixels work and differ from RFID technologyWalmart's nationwide deployment strategy and infrastructure requirementsReal-time alerts that prevent inventory discrepancies and cold chain breaksFood waste reduction projections for 2026The concept of "Physical AI" and its retail applicationsROI benefits from inventory accuracy to FSMA compliance

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

#retailtech #walmart #IoT #supplychain #inventorymanagement #retailinnovation #foodwaste #omnitalk #bluetoothtechnology #physicalAI #retailpodcast

Music by hooksounds.com

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The Lightning Round gets wild this week! From a soccer coach using Chat GPT to devise winning defensive strategies, to Jonathan Bailey's Sexiest Man Alive title, to John Lewis offering hand massages for loyalty members, and Carly Rae Jepsen's baby naming dilemma... Chris and Anne tackle the most entertaining retail and culture moments.

Plus, hear their personal Chat GPT success stories and debate whether hand massages at a department store would actually drive traffic. It's retail meets pop culture in the best way possible!

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#chatgpt #AIcoaching #jonathanbailey #sexiestmanalive #johnlewis #loyaltyprograms #carlyraejepsen #retailculture #customerexperience #lightninground

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In a surprising move, GrubHub (owned by Mark Lore's Wonder super app) is partnering with Instacart to enable grocery delivery directly through the GrubHub platform. But this partnership raises major strategic questions: Why would Instacart help a potential future competitor?

Chris breaks down the "Greeks bearing gifts" dynamics at play and questions whether this is Mark Lore's chess move toward building the ultimate meal-time super app. Is Instacart making a strategic mistake, or is there a bigger play happening behind the scenes?

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#grubhub #instacart #marklore #wonder #deliverypartnership #grocerydelivery #whitelabel #thirdpartydelivery #retailstrategy #mealplanning

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Kroger is making history as the first retailer to integrate restaurant delivery directly into their grocery app through an expanded partnership with Uber Eats. Now customers can order their weekly groceries AND dinner from local restaurants in one seamless experience, with special benefits for Kroger Boost members.

Chris and Anne discuss why this integration is brilliant for the subscription wars and predict when Walmart will respond with a similar Door Dash partnership. Is this the future of grocery shopping?

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#kroger #ubereats #grocerydelivery #restaurantdelivery #krogerboost #subscriptionservices #omnichannel #retailinnovation #fooddelivery #seamlessshopping

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Mondel?z (maker of Oreo and Chips Ahoy) is investing over $40 million in a custom generative AI tool to slash marketing costs by 30-50% and create TV-ready ads for the 2027 Super Bowl. But is building proprietary AI technology the right move, or should CPG brands partner with specialized providers?

Chris and Anne debate whether this massive investment will pay off or become a costly sunk cost trap as AI technology rapidly evolves. Anne shares insights from cutting-edge AI advertising demos that are already creating human-likenesses in commercials.

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#mondelez #generativeAI #aimarketing #cpginnovation #accenture #marketingautomation #oreo #advertisingtechnology #aicommercials #retailtech

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Starbucks just revealed that delivery has become a $1 billion annual business, growing 30% year-over-year?and it's changing everything about how we think about coffee shops. With 40% of delivery orders including food, this massive revenue stream raises critical questions about Brian Nichol's turnaround strategy.

Should Starbucks double down on automation and dark cafes, or invest in improving the in-store experience? Chris and Anne debate the future of Starbucks as delivery continues to explode.

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#starbucks #coffeedelivery #brianniccol #starbucksstrategy #deliveryservices #ghostkitchens #coffeeshop #retailstrategy #automation #mobilepickup

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Amazon is shaking up Whole Foods with a controversial transformation that has retail experts divided. From robot-powered "ShopBots" in the back room fetching Tide Pods and Pepsi, to a massive 3,800 square foot Amazon Grocery kiosk replacing the coffee shop in Chicago's flagship location, Amazon is testing whether Whole Foods shoppers want mainstream brands alongside their organic kale.

Chris and Anne debate whether this move will destroy Whole Foods' brand identity or unlock new value for Amazon's delivery business. Is this the future of grocery, or a mistake that will alienate Whole Foods' core customers?

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full episode head here

#amazon #wholefoods #groceryrobots #retailtech #amazongrocery #grocerydelivery #retailinnovation #shopbots #organicgrocery #mainstreambrands

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Computer vision is transforming retail stores, but most pilots fail to scale beyond proof of concept. In this Omni Talk Ask An Expert episode, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Joe Serrano (Global Managing Partner, Retail & CPG at HTEC) and Daniel Horton (VP of Engineering & Delivery at HTEC) to reveal the playbook for successful computer vision deployments.

Learn why 75% of retail AI pilots fail to scale, which use cases deliver the fastest ROI, and how to evaluate your existing infrastructure before investing in new technology. Joe and Dan share hard-earned lessons about everything from camera requirements and network readiness to privacy concerns and customer trust.

Key topics covered:

? Why demo accuracy rarely matches real-world performance

? How to leverage 60-80% of existing cameras with minor augmentation

? The critical difference between customer-facing vs. operational AI deployments

? Smart carts, inventory visibility, shrink control, and shelf availability use cases

? Privacy, GDPR, and building customer trust with in-store AI

? Build vs. buy decisions for computer vision infrastructure

Whether you're piloting your first computer vision project or scaling existing implementations, this conversation provides actionable insights to help you avoid costly mistakes and deliver measurable ROI.

Join HTEC for their January Webinar: Computer Vision in Action: Cutting Shrink, Boosting Efficiency, and Powering Smarter Stores with Edge AI

https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/21011/656661?utm_source=brighttalk-sharing&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=linkshare

#RetailTech #ComputerVision #ArtificialIntelligence #RetailInnovation #StoreOperations #RetailAI #OmniChannelRetail #InventoryManagement #RetailTransformation #SmartStores

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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 push to add mainstream brands like Pepsi and Doritos to Whole Foods through ShopBots and Amazon Grocery kiosks (Source: Wall Street Journal)Starbucks crossing the $1 billion milestone in annual delivery sales with 30% quarterly growth (Source: CNBC)Mondelez investing $40 million in a generative AI tool to slash marketing costs by 30-50% (Source: Reuters)Kroger expanding its Uber Eats partnership to integrate restaurant delivery directly into the Kroger app across 2,600+ stores (Source: Chain Store Age)Grubhub partnering with Instacart to offer grocery delivery through its platform nationwide (Source: Supermarket News)

And this month, Chris and Anne handed out the OmniStar Award in partnership with Quorso to Justin Weinstein, EVP and Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Giant Eagle, for leading the 95-year-old retailer's bold $100 million "Because It Matters" brand positioning.

There's all that, plus a debate on whether AI-generated ads are the future, why ordering dinner through your grocery app makes perfect sense, and whether hand massages would get Chris into John Lewis for holiday shopping.

Music by hooksounds.com

#RetailNews #WholeFoods #StarbucksDelivery #RetailTech #GenerativeAI #KrogerUberEats #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #Mondelez #GrubhubInstacart #RetailInnovation #CoffeeDelivery

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In this Retail Technology Spotlight Series episode, Julie Haleluk, Global Head of Growth at Amazon Shopping Video, and Wayne Purboo, VP of Amazon Advertising and Amazon Shoppable Video, join Omni Talk to reveal the future of social commerce and how AI is transforming the way we shop.

From the evolution of shoppable video to agentic commerce, Julie and Wayne break down why social commerce isn't going away, how to measure video content beyond the live moment, and why brands need to clean up their data NOW before AI agents start shopping for customers.

If you've ever wondered what's next in retail video and social commerce, this episode is for you.

? Topics covered:

How AI is reshaping the customer journey without replacing human connectionThe difference between social commerce and emerging agentic commerceWhy video content lowers return rates and drives purchase confidenceHow to measure attribution across the evolving customer touchpoint journeyWhat brands must do to prepare for AI agents shopping on behalf of customersWhy Shop the Show on Prime Video is changing second-screen shopping

Want to get tickets to SoCom? Head to SoCom.live now to register!

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

Want to get tickets to SoCom? Head to SoCom.live now to register!

#socialcommerce #amazonlive #shoppablevideo #retailai #ecommerce #omnitalk #retailtech #agenticcommerce #videcommerce #retailinnovation #amazonadvertising #retailpodcast

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Chris and Anne tackle the week's quirkiest retail stories: Netflix bringing Stranger Things' finale to theaters, Target's Weirdly Hot Santa returns for year two, Lululemon's NFL licensing sparks more debate, and Red Bull drops a $50 advent calendar. Fast takes, sharp opinions, and laughs from retail's most entertaining podcast duo.

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

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#strangerthings #targetholiday #redbull #retailmarketing #holidaycampaigns #lightninground #omnitalk

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Amazon unveils AI-powered smart glasses designed to help delivery drivers scan packages, navigate, and capture proof of delivery hands-free. Anne sees potential to reduce device overload for field workers, while Chris worries about long-term health implications and potential lawsuits. Is this the future of last-mile delivery or a Hot Shots-style disaster waiting to happen? Learn about the AR overlay technology, current trials, and what questions retailers should be asking.

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

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#amazonglasses #deliverytech #AIwearables #lastmile #drivertech #augmentedreality #logisticsinnovation #amazonlogistics

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Lululemon announces its first-ever licensing deal, partnering with all 32 NFL teams to release officially branded apparel. Anne sees opportunity in solving the women's fan gear problem, while Chris warns it cheapens the brand and signals an identity crisis. Who's right? Plus, debate whether this should have been a college athletics play instead, and whether you'll ever see Viking yoga pants in a Lululemon store near you.

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

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#lululemon #NFL #sportslicensing #athleisure #brandstrategy #fanapparel #retailpartnerships #sportsfashion

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Walmart and Avery Dennison achieve what was long considered impossible: RFID sensors that work in high-moisture, cold environments for meat, deli, and bakery departments. Chris and Anne explain why this breakthrough represents a domino effect for the smart store of the future, how it tackles food waste and spoilage, and why it will transform online grocery fulfillment. Plus, learn about the FSMA legislation driving this innovation forward.

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

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#walmartRFID #averydennison #freshfood #grocerytech #smartstore #inventorymanagement #foodwaste #supplychain

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DoorDash launches a game-changing emergency food response program, offering free delivery for food banks and waiving fees for 300,000 SNAP recipient orders amid the government shutdown crisis. Anne and Chris break down why this move demonstrates the power of third-party logistics platforms, signals improving retailer partnerships, and builds customer loyalty that will last for years. Learn how reactive merchandising and doing good creates a competitive advantage.

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

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#doordash #SNAPbenefits #foodinsecurity #grocerydelivery #retailgivingback #emergencyresponse #socialimpact

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Amazon eliminates 14,000 corporate roles while Target cuts 1,800 positions in what marks one of the darkest days in recent retail history. Chris and Anne share personal insights from their own experiences, discuss the cultural implications of these moves, and offer advice for affected workers. Is this the beginning of an industry-wide trend driven by AI automation? Plus, learn why Target's CEO messaging raises serious questions about accountability and cultural recovery.

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

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#amazonlayoffs #targetlayoffs #retailjobs #corporatelayoffs #retailcareer #workforcereduction #AIautomation #retailculture

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AWS's Daniele Stroppa, Worldwide Technical Lead for AWS Partners in Retail, joins Omni Talk to announce October's Retail Tech Startup of the Month: Writer.

Daniele breaks down why Writer's full-stack generative AI platform is transforming how retailers and brands automate processes and generate content across their organizations. From their proprietary large language models to pre-built retail-specific agents, Writer offers a specialized solution that accelerates time to production.

? Topics covered:

Why Writer stands out in the crowded GenAI landscapeHow Writer's specialized models differ from general-purpose LLMsPre-built, pre-vetted agents and workflows for retailBuilt-in guardrails for consistency and compliancePlug-and-play solutions that accelerate deployment

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#retailai #generativeai #retailtech #omnitalk #writer #retailinnovation #AWS #retailstartup #contentgeneration #retailpodcast

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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 and Target?s major layoffs affecting thousands of corporate employees (Source)DoorDash launching an Emergency Food Response program for SNAP recipients (Source)Walmart and Avery Dennison partnering to track fresh food with breakthrough RFID technology (Source)Lululemon venturing into its first licensing deal with the NFL (Source)Amazon unveiling smart glasses for its delivery drivers (Source)

And AWS?s Daniele Stroppa also dropped by to help us hand out this month?s Retail Tech Startup of the Month award.

There?s all that, plus Stranger Things movie theater premieres, Target?s weirdly hot Santa returning for year two, and whether Red Bull really gives you wings.

Music by hooksounds.com

#RetailNews #AmazonLayoffs #TargetLayoffs #DoorDash #WalmartRFID #LululemonNFL #AmazonAIGlasses #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailTech #RetailInnovation

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In this Retail Technology Spotlight Series episode, Matt Goynes, co-founder and co-CEO of Grocery Dealz, joins Omni Talk to reveal how a Texas startup is improving grocery shopping with AI-powered price comparison.

From fighting inflation fatigue to building transparent marketplaces, Matt breaks down how Grocery Dealz is becoming the "Gas Buddy for groceries," why price transparency is finally possible now, and how AI enables seamless product matching across hundreds of stores.

If you've ever wondered how much you could save by switching stores or how retailers can compete in a transparent pricing world, this episode is for you.

? Topics covered:

How Grocery Dealz compares prices across hundreds of grocery storesWhy now is the perfect time for grocery price transparencyThe AI behind product matching and substitutionBuilding a B2B marketplace for retailers and CPG brandsWhy retailers are embracing (not fighting) price comparisonDefensibility against ChatGPT and AI-powered shopping search

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

#grocerydealz #grocerypricing #retailai #pricetransparency #grocerytech #omnitalk #retailinnovation #agentic #smartretail #retailpodcast #groceryapp #inflationfighting

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In this week's Lightning Round, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga are joined by Alvarez & Marsal's Lisa Collier and Manola Soler to tackle Apple's iPhone 17 surge (Lisa's learned to wait out the upgrades!), debate Mr. Bean's comedy versus his impeccable taste in classic Jaguars, worry about OpenAI's Sora creating AI models instead of cat videos, and reveal Manola's meteor shower stargazing plans. Plus birthday shoutouts to the fly himself, Jeff Goldblum! Quick hits, hot takes, and laughs to close out the show!

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#LightningRound #iPhone17 #Apple #MrBean #RowanAtkinson #JaguarEType #OpenAI #Sora #MeteorShower #RetailPodcast #JeffGoldblum #TechTrends #ClassicCars #AIVideo

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DoorDash is piloting autonomous deliveries with Waymo in Metro Phoenix?but will consumers actually embrace robot deliveries? Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Lisa Collier is skeptical: "If I'm paying for delivery, I want it handed to me." Manola Soler shares hilarious experiences with delivery robots in Jersey City that couldn't navigate stairs and blocked sidewalks. The panel debates whether this works better in suburban vs. urban environments, the logistics of restaurant employees running orders to vehicles, and whether lower delivery fees would make consumers accept the trade-off.

Chris Walton points out this might succeed in suburban America first, where last-mile costs are higher and homes have driveways?not apartment buildings with elevators.

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#doorDash #waymo #autonomousdelivery #selfdriving #retailtech #lastmiledelivery #phoenix #deliveryinnovation

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Wayfair's luxury brand Perigold opens a massive 30,000-square-foot, two-level store in West Palm Beach! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

The new location features 150+ luxury home brands, a dedicated sleep center, and expanded kitchen appliances?with many products available to take home or ship within a week (remarkable for furniture!). But is this Restoration Hardware-esque flagship profitable?

Manola Soler initially questions the four-wall economics before coming around on the brand-building exercise and quick-turn inventory model. We debate whether Wayfair should have showcased a mix of Perigold's luxury offerings with more accessible Wayfair products?creating a high-low concept no one else in furniture can match. Plus, Lisa emphasizes why planning is the central nervous system that makes these physical experiences work.

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#wayfair #perigold #luxuryretail #furniture #westpalmbeach #retailstrategy #omnichannel

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New research reveals Gen Z will transform Britain's high streets into social, tech-driven hubs by 2050! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

According to American Express research, 65% of Gen Z says each trip should deliver something they can't get online, while 79% want future retail destinations to blend shopping with dining, drinking, and leisure. Three-quarters believe retailers should use AI for immersive in-store experiences.

Lisa Collier, fresh from London, shares her perspective on whether this evolution is realistic, drawing parallels to how malls served Boomers. We discuss the importance of experiential touchpoints, planning organizations, and ensuring the technology actually works. Is this clickbait or genuine strategy? Our panel weighs in.

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#genz #retailtrends #highstreet #experientialretail #AIretail #futureofretail #brickandmortar

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Ulta Beauty officially launches its marketplace powered by Mirakl! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

The beauty retailer is taking a curated, invitation-only approach to third-party sellers, integrating marketplace listings with unified search, shopping carts, and checkout. Customers can earn Ulta Beauty rewards points on marketplace purchases but can't redeem them on marketplace items... a interesting twist that sparked debate among our panel.

Manola Soler shares her expertise on what Ulta needs to get right, balancing breadth of assortment with curation, and how to scale faster without sacrificing brand integrity. We also discuss the challenges of the loyalty program integration and why beauty marketplaces require a different approach than mass retail.

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#ultabeauty #mirakl #marketplace #beautyretail #ecommerce #retailstrategy #loyaltyprograms

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Walmart makes a bold move partnering with OpenAI to bring shopping directly to ChatGPT! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

In this segment, we discuss how users will shop Walmart's massive assortment... including apparel, entertainment, and packaged foods right from ChatGPT with a simple buy button. Fresh food is notably excluded for now, but this strategic decision shows Walmart's thoughtful approach to leveraging its omnichannel advantage against Amazon.

Hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga are joined by Alvarez & Marsal's Lisa Collier and Manola Soler join us to analyze whether this is an "if you can't beat them, join them" moment and what it means for other retailers. We explore the competitive implications, data sharing considerations, and why this move could reshape the "marketplace of marketplaces."

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#walmart #openai #chatgpt #AIretail #retailtech #amazon #marketplace #omnichannel

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