What would you NEVER buy without trying on first? What's the one purchase you wish you'd returned? And when it comes to classic fighting games, are you Team Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, or Karate Champ?

Chris Walton puts Cory Painter and Anshu Prasad on the spot in this week's Fast Five Lightning Round, covering everything from shopping habits and questionable purchases to arcade nostalgia and Tesla's flying Roadster. And when the conversation turns to what could possibly go wrong behind the wheel of a flying car, things get even more entertaining.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/yRpWJ5ICqBs

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UPS' Happy Returns is now integrated directly into TikTok Shop, allowing shoppers to return purchases without boxes or labels at 10,000 drop-off locations nationwide, including The UPS Store, Ulta Beauty, and Staples. Retailers including Everlane, Windsor, and Pacsun are among the early adopters, marking the first time Happy Returns has integrated directly into a shopping platform rather than individual retailer websites.

Could making returns this easy be the missing piece that turns TikTok Shop into a more trusted shopping destination? Chris Walton, Cory Painter, and Anshu Prasad rate the importance of the partnership and discuss why removing friction from the returns process could make consumers more comfortable buying from unfamiliar brands.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/yRpWJ5ICqBs

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OpenAI has introduced virtual try-on capabilities in ChatGPT, allowing shoppers to upload a selfie and see themselves wearing clothing and accessories before making a purchase. Available on web and mobile, the feature lets users generate images of themselves in different products and save their favorites or organize items into folders in their ChatGPT Library.

If ChatGPT can offer virtual try-on, should retailers reconsider spending millions developing their own versions? Chris Walton, Cory Painter, and Anshu Prasad discuss whether retailers should rethink their technology roadmaps entirely, what actually makes a shopping feature worth investing in, and why measuring real business results matters more than simply getting customers to use the technology.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/yRpWJ5ICqBs

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Hackers targeted refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets, reportedly forcing fridges and freezers to temperatures as high as 122°F overnight. The large-scale cyberattack resulted in spoiled food, equipment damage, and even fires, raising serious concerns about the security of connected technology throughout grocery stores.

If hackers can remotely manipulate something as basic as a supermarket freezer, just how prepared are retailers for the next attack? Chris Walton, Cory Painter, and Anshu Prasad examine vulnerabilities hiding beyond traditional IT systems, the growing risks of third-party technology, and whether AI could make retailers both more vulnerable and better protected.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/yRpWJ5ICqBs

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Online grocery shopping just reached another major milestone, with nearly 64% of U.S. households purchasing groceries online in September and sales climbing 20.7% year over year in Q3. According to Brick Meets Click, online grocery now accounts for a record 20.9% of total grocery spending, with delivery growing more than 30% while pickup increased only in the mid-single digits.

With one in every five grocery dollars now being spent online, should grocers double down on their own delivery capabilities or continue relying on platforms like DoorDash and Instacart? Chris Walton, Cory Painter, and Anshu Prasad explore the economics of fulfillment, the risks of third-party dependency, and what it really takes to compete as online grocery becomes a core part of the business.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/yRpWJ5ICqBs

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Albertsons beat Wall Street expectations on second-quarter profit but suspended its full-year guidance and announced a comprehensive business review, with a turnaround plan expected by spring 2027. Net income fell 69% year over year, identical sales declined 0.8%, and digital sales grew 11%. Now, everything from its cost structure and operating model to its portfolio of 22 banners is under review.

Is Albertsons headed toward a major breakup, or can it turn things around without sacrificing the regional brands and infrastructure it has spent years building? Chris Walton, Cory Painter, and Anshu Prasad debate what the company's future could look like, including whether consolidating its banners could actually do more harm than good.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/yRpWJ5ICqBs

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Kroger debuts three refreshed, food-first store formats at its investor day as it plans 110 new stores and $7 billion in incremental sales by 2029.Big Y Foods rolls out in-store kiosks and online prepared foods ordering powered by Instacart's FoodStorm platform.Bath & Body Works expands its holiday assortment to every Ulta Beauty store nationwide, bringing back Pink Suede as an Ulta exclusive.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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Who’s really winning on Amazon, and how are TikTok Shop and AI shopping assistants changing the ecommerce playbook? In this edition of 5 Insightful Minutes, Scott Needham, Founder and CEO of SmartScout, joins Omni Talk’s Chris Walton to break down what the data reveals about Amazon’s biggest brands, the growing influence of TikTok Shop, and how AI-powered shopping assistants are changing the way consumers discover and purchase products.

Scott explains why big brands are gaining ground on Amazon, how TikTok Shop is driving growth across other retail channels, and why creator-driven discovery is creating new opportunities for brands. He also explores how Amazon’s Alexa shopping assistant could reshape product recommendations, why traditional search and advertising remain important, and what brands need to do to stay competitive. Plus, Scott reveals the ONE metric brands should be tracking to understand who's actually winning on Amazon.

Key Topics Covered:

Why big brands are taking a larger share of Amazon's biggest categoriesHow TikTok Shop is driving sales growth beyond its own platformWhy creator-driven discovery is changing how consumers shopWhich product categories are finding success on TikTok ShopHow Amazon's Alexa shopping assistant could change product discovery and advertisingWhy detailed product content matters for AI-powered recommendationsWhy traditional Amazon search and advertising remain importantThe ONE competitive metric brands should be tracking on AmazonWhy category growth and market share matter more than revenue growth alone

Learn more about SmartScout: https://www.smartscout.com/

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It's a BIG week in retail, and Chris Walton is joined by A&M Consumer and Retail Group's Cory Painter and Anshu Prasad for a packed Fast Five covering everything from Albertsons' uncertain future to digital grocery's explosive growth, cybersecurity threats, and the latest in AI-powered shopping.

Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Quorso, Veloq, and SmartScout, this week's episode tackles some BIG questions about where retailers should invest, what they should build themselves, and how they can stay competitive.

This week, they discuss:

Albertsons Hits Reset: Albertsons beats Q2 profit expectations but pulls its guidance and launches a sweeping business review. Is a turnaround possible, or is a breakup inevitable? Chris, Cory, and Anshu debate what should happen to the grocer's 22 banners and whether consolidation is the answer. (Source)Digital Grocery Hits 20 Percent: Nearly 64% of U.S. households shopped for groceries online in September, with digital sales now accounting for one in every five grocery dollars. As delivery outpaces pickup, the group debates where grocers should invest and whether they've become too dependent on Instacart and DoorDash. (Source)French Supermarket Fridges Get Hacked: Hackers reportedly forced supermarket refrigeration systems up to 122°F, causing food losses and fires. How prepared are retailers for cyberattacks, and could AI make these threats even harder to prevent? (Source)ChatGPT Lets You Try It On: OpenAI launches virtual try-on in ChatGPT, raising questions about retailers' own technology investments. Should they keep building proprietary shopping tools, or rethink their strategies as AI platforms become more capable? (Source)Happy Returns Comes to TikTok Shop: UPS' Happy Returns brings box-free, label-free returns to TikTok Shop through 10,000 drop-off locations. The group rates just how BIG this partnership is for social commerce and why easier returns could mean more confident shoppers. (Source)

PLUS, Five Insightful Minutes with Scott Needham, Founder & CEO of SmartScout!

Scott joins Chris to discuss who's really winning on Amazon and TikTok Shop, why big brands are gaining ground, and how AI shopping assistants are changing the ecommerce playbook.

And, of course, the Lightning Round! We're talking products you HAVE to try on in person, purchases you regret not returning, Mortal Kombat vs. Street Fighter, and the biggest fears surrounding Tesla's flying Roadster.

P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/

P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot.

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Walmart launches a $120-a-year joint Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus membership, nearly $100 less than buying both separately.FMI urges the USDA to drop state-level SNAP food restrictions, citing legal authority concerns and a compliance patchwork for retailers.Best Buy launches Best Buy Gamers in beta, partnering with IGN on content and opening a dedicated in-store gaming experience in Torrance, California.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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It's a packed week on GrocerTalk, and Ben Miller is bringing in not one, but TWO industry experts to tackle some of the biggest questions facing grocery retailers right now.

Sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, Vusion, and Sifter Solutions, this week's episode covers everything from cyberattacks on European supermarkets to the future of AI shopping assistants, retail media, and Albertsons' sweeping business review.

First, Christian Beckner, Founder & Principal of Commerce Risk Advisory and former NRF cybersecurity executive, joins Ben to discuss the latest attacks on grocery retailers and how they can better protect themselves.

Then, EMARKETER VP of Content Suzy Davidkhanian tackles a BIG question: If AI assistants start doing the shopping, what happens to retail media?

This week, they discuss:

02:21 | Cybersecurity in grocery: The attacks on French supermarkets, security vulnerabilities, and growing third-party risks.10:24 | Protecting connected stores: Practical steps retailers can take NOW, plus the limitations of cyber insurance.17:49 | AI assistants and retail media: What happens to sponsored search when AI starts shopping for us?30:55 | Hy-Vee's five-minute shopping ambition: Using AI to cut online grocery shopping from 40 minutes to five without losing product discovery. (Source)36:40 | Albertsons' big reset: Ben's take on the company's comprehensive business review, withdrawn guidance, and the need for stronger pricing action.

A few things to note from this episode:

Hear more about Hy-Vee's AI shopping plans in Ben's full Groceryshop interview with CEO Jeremy Gosch: Watch here.UK & European CPG listeners: Ben is hosting an invite-only dinner in London on November 3 with Nectar360 Managing Director Amir Rasekh. Interested? Reach out to Ben directly!

P.S. Check out all our other podcasts from the past week here!

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

TikTok Shop kicks off a nearly three-week Black Friday and Cyber Monday event on November 11, adding three-day delivery badges and box-free returns, as Best Buy launches a TikTok storefront.Dick’s Sporting Goods plans to hire about 20% fewer seasonal workers this holiday season as Foot Locker’s outlook darkens.Sam Altman’s World debuts World ID for AI agents, aiming to help merchants tell verified human shoppers from anonymous bots.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Stripe's John Collison says agentic commerce "went vertical" in September.Online grocery sales grow 20.7% in Q3, with delivery taking share from pickup and nearly 64% of U.S. households now shopping online.OpenAI launches virtual try-on in ChatGPT, catching up to Google as it builds out a full shopping experience.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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Halloween is right around the corner, and Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn are tackling the questions that REALLY matter. What's the best and worst Halloween candy? What was Chris's most memorable costume? Is Target's Shabby Chic comeback worth celebrating? And when is it officially acceptable to start playing Christmas music?

From candy preferences that might divide the room to Halloween costume memories and a surprisingly important holiday music debate, this week's Fast Five Lightning Round gets festive FAST.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/LCloikvqMpc

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Walmart is launching Express Pickup, allowing customers to place curbside orders through its app and pick them up in as little as one hour. The service is already available at 500 stores, with a nationwide rollout planned ahead of Thanksgiving, and Walmart+ members can use it at no additional fee.

Could one-hour pickup become Walmart+'s biggest competitive advantage against Amazon Prime this holiday season? Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn debate the value of speed, the challenge of changing consumer shopping habits, and why knowing an item is available nearby can make all the difference.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/LCloikvqMpc

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Tractor Supply has opened its 11th distribution center, an 865,000-square-foot, $200 million-plus facility in Nampa, Idaho. The location is its first to feature KNAPP automated storage and retrieval technology alongside a dedicated on-site AI Innovation Team, with approximately 500 full-time jobs and AI fundamentals training for every team leader.

Could this be the beginning of an entirely new approach to retail workforce management? Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn discuss why putting AI expertise directly inside operations, rather than keeping it at corporate headquarters, could set an important precedent for the industry.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/LCloikvqMpc

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TikTok is launching an agentic AI shopping experience that combines a conversational Shopping Assistant with Buy Direct, a one-click checkout feature that lets users purchase directly from brands without leaving their For You feed. The AI assistant can answer questions about product details, sizing, shipping, and availability, bringing discovery, product research, and checkout into one experience.

So which platform stands to gain the most online market share over the next decade: TikTok, DoorDash, or Amazon? Chris Walton puts Jenn Hahn on the spot with a ranking challenge, and the two explore why the future of shopping may look very different from traditional e-commerce.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/LCloikvqMpc

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Amazon is restructuring its Stores business, which oversees retail operations including Amazon.com and Whole Foods, in a move affecting hundreds of employees. The cuts come even as Amazon's online store sales grew 15% year over year in Q2, raising questions about how the company is balancing growth, efficiency, and its investment in AI.

Is Amazon's restructuring simply routine efficiency, or a sign of how AI is changing retail workforce planning? Chris Walton and recruiting expert Jenn Hahn dig into hiring trends for 2027, the danger of expecting AI to solve staffing problems overnight, and why employee burnout could become an even bigger concern.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/LCloikvqMpc

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Amazon's October Prime Big Deal Days helped drive $9.86 billion in U.S. online sales across retailers, up from $9.09 billion last year. Shoppers took advantage of discounts on electronics and everyday essentials, while more than a third of Amazon shoppers said they had already completed at least half their holiday shopping.

But is October officially becoming the new Black Friday? Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn discuss whether these early promotions are changing holiday shopping habits for good, and what that could mean for retailers counting on November and December sales.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/LCloikvqMpc

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How will changing SNAP regulations impact grocers and CPG brands, and how can retailers maintain compliance without risking revenue? In this edition of 5 Insightful Minutes, Sifter’s Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Kevin Billings, joins Omni Talk’s Ben Miller to break down the latest developments in state-level SNAP waivers and what they mean for the future of grocery retail.

Kevin explains how Sifter’s food intelligence platform is helping retailers and CPGs adapt to complex, evolving state restrictions. From managing restricted product lists to providing in-store scanning tools for shoppers, Kevin highlights how Sifter’s technology protects retailer revenue, enhances shopper personalization, and powers innovative state programs like their recent compliance contract with Arkansas.

Key Topics Covered:

How Sifter supports grocers with shopper personalization and Food as Medicine strategiesWhat SNAP waivers are and the current status of state-level implementationThe financial impact of SNAP waiver compliance on grocers and CPG brandsHow retailers can protect their SNAP licenses and navigate margin shiftsA deep dive into Sifter’s SNAP waiver compliance partnership with the State of ArkansasHow Sifter’s proprietary food intelligence technology simplifies complex state-by-state guidelinesHow shoppers and retailers alike can use digital tools to identify SNAP-eligible products in real time

To learn more about Sifter’s SNAP compliance solutions, visit: https://siftersolutions.com/

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Amazon closes its grocery partner storefronts on Amazon.com and pushes grocers toward Lockers, co-location and AWS.ALDI promises a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 for under $39, with no coupons, loyalty cards or memberships required.Target refreshes its myDay store operations app with a new Leader View and a Scan to Divert tool it says has driven $25 million in value.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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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, Quorso, Veloq, and SmartScout, Chris Walton welcomes back resident talent expert Jenn Hahn, founder and CEO of J Recruiting Services. With retail layoffs, AI-driven hiring decisions, and holiday shopping already in full swing, Jenn brings her recruiting expertise and operator perspective to a week full of questions about the future of retail.

The episode also kicks off with this month’s OmniStar Award, presented in partnership with Quorso, recognizing Kevin Iverson, Zone Training Director at Family Dollar, for his longstanding contributions to the retail industry and support of Omni Talk.

Chris and Jenn dig into five of the biggest stories in retail this week, including:

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days driving $9.86 billion in U.S. online sales, as shoppers stock up on essentials and get an early start on holiday shopping. Is October becoming the new Black Friday? (Source)Amazon cutting hundreds of jobs in its Stores division, despite continued sales growth, raising questions about AI, workforce efficiency, and the future of retail hiring. (Source)TikTok launching an AI Shopping Assistant and one-click checkout, prompting Chris and Jenn to rank which marketplace, TikTok, DoorDash, or Amazon, stands to gain the most market share. (Source)Tractor Supply opening a $200 million-plus automated distribution center in Idaho, complete with a dedicated AI Innovation Team, potentially setting a new standard for retail operations. (Source)Walmart launching one-hour Express Pickup, free for Walmart+ members, as the retailer looks to make speed a competitive advantage against Amazon Prime this holiday season. (Source)

The episode wraps with a Halloween-themed lightning round covering the best and worst candy to hand out, Chris’s memorable Darth Vader costume, the return of Shabby Chic at Target, and the age-old debate over when it’s officially acceptable to start playing Christmas music.

P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/

P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot.

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Hackers breach a refrigeration vendor and overheat coolers in hundreds of French supermarkets, spoiling food and causing millions of euros in losses.Kroger plans to cut roughly 3,000 corporate jobs over three years, and CEO Greg Foran says the savings will go into lower prices.Albertsons beats on EPS but pulls its full-year guidance and launches a sweeping business review, with its 22 banners under scrutiny.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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Chris Walton is back on GrocerTalk with Ben Miller, and this week, they're shaking things up a little!

From a major shakeup in UK health and beauty to the growing push for healthier grocery shopping and the rise of autonomous delivery robots, there's plenty to unpack. Sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, Vusion, and Sifter Solutions, Ben and Chris are taking on three big questions: Who stands to win in UK beauty? How can grocers help shoppers make healthier choices? And are sidewalk robots really the future of delivery?

Plus, Kevin Billings of Sifter Solutions joins Ben for Five Insightful Minutes to break down the latest SNAP waivers, what they mean for grocers and CPG brands, and why compliance is becoming increasingly important.

This week, they discuss:

UK Health & Beauty Gets a Shakeup

The Weston family's $8.9 billion acquisition of Boots and whether new ownership can revive the retailer. (Source)Sephora's partnership with Marks & Spencer to bring premium beauty to 100 UK stores, and what the retailers can learn from Sephora's relationship with Kohl's. (Source)The latest M&A headlines, including Sainsbury's walking away from Morrisons merger talks (Source), rumors of a Starbucks and Chipotle deal (Source), and Tesco's reported interest in Majestic Wine. (Source)

Helping Shoppers Make Healthier Choices

Sifter Solutions' Kevin Billings joins for Five Insightful Minutes to discuss SNAP waivers, compliance challenges, and what changing restrictions mean for grocers and CPG brands. (Source)The Giant Company's new GLP-1 grocery tours and whether nutrition-focused shopping experiences can scale. (Source)The ongoing debate over personalized pricing and electronic shelf labels, including the grocery industry's response to the FTC and how ESLs could help shoppers. (Source)

Autonomous Delivery Robots: The Next Big Thing?

DoorDash and Deliveroo bringing sidewalk delivery robots to five UK cities and what the expansion means for autonomous last-mile delivery. (Source)Just Eat expanding robot delivery through its partnership with Morrisons and Starship Technologies. (Source)The bigger debate over sidewalk robots versus drones, including Serve Robotics' expansion with Grubhub (Source) and Starship's growing focus on grocery delivery. (Source)

Plus, a few more retail developments they're keeping an eye on.

P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Amazon is reportedly in talks to acquire Israeli AI startup Decart for about $7 billion, after Anthropic's own deal for the company fell through.Lowe's launches Black Friday deals on October 29, with early Doorbuster access for rewards members and weeks of rolling holiday promotions.Tm:rw turns its Times Square flagship into nine brand studios streaming live on TikTok Shop, with one always-on studio staying permanently.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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In this Retail Technology Spotlight Series, Chris Walton sits down with Gagan Luthra, VP of Product at Impinj, to tackle one of retail's most persistent and expensive challenges: inventory distortion. With an estimated $1.7 trillion lost annually to inventory distortion, retailers have spent years investing in systems designed to improve accuracy. But what if the real problem isn't inventory at all? What if it's the data? Gagan explains how advances in RFID technology, including Impinj's Gen2X, are helping retailers move beyond inventory snapshots toward more accurate, real-time item-level visibility.

Chris and Gagan also explore what this looks like in practice, including how Zara and parent company Inditex have used RFID to improve inventory accuracy, reduce counting times, and minimize unsold merchandise. Plus, they discuss Impinj's vision for physical intelligence, the role of trusted data in powering agentic AI, and why the next big opportunity goes well beyond simply knowing what's on the shelf. From automated replenishment and loss prevention to food safety and supply chain orchestration, they unpack what it takes to turn better visibility into better business decisions.

Key Topics Covered:

00:02:20 - Why inventory distortion is really a data problem, not just an inventory problem00:05:09 - What Impinj's Gen2X technology changes about RFID accuracy and reliability00:07:19 - How better RFID communication enables continuous, real-time inventory visibility00:09:38 - Why smaller RFID tags create new challenges for retailers00:12:57 - How Zara and Inditex have used RFID to transform inventory accuracy and operations00:17:31 - Where item-level visibility goes next, from grocery to supply chain traceability00:20:54 - How physical intelligence and trusted data can unlock agentic AI00:23:29 - Two lessons for successfully deploying RFID technology at scale

Over 8 years and nearly 200 episodes, the Retail Technology Spotlight Series has featured some of the biggest names and boldest thinkers in retail. Explore the full archive here: https://omnitalk.blog/category/spotlight-series-podcast/

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Starbucks declines to comment on a Financial Times report that it explored a takeover of Chipotle, saying it remains focused on its turnaround under CEO Brian Niccol.Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days helps drive $9.86 billion in U.S. online spending, as early deals threaten to pull demand forward from Black Friday and Cyber Monday.CVS opens its first pharmacy-focused store in the Boston area, bringing its roughly 3,000-square-foot format to Roxbury.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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It's lightning round time on Fast Five, and Chris Walton and guest host Richard McKenzie are taking a break from the week's retail headlines for a little UK film history, television, furniture assembly, and French retail.

From debating whether Chariots of Fire is actually celebrated in the UK and choosing which Ted Lasso character would make the best retail CEO, to an IKEA assembly story that takes a VERY unexpected turn and a disagreement over Carrefour versus Monoprix, this lightning round has a little bit of everything.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/kJFF7No8vvU

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IKEA is closing three of its small-format plan and order stores in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, including a Georgetown location that opened less than a year ago. The closures come as IKEA reevaluates its U.S. footprint while continuing to invest in home delivery, pickup services, and digital channels.

After years of positioning smaller stores as a way to reach more customers, is IKEA discovering that its traditional big-box experience is harder to replicate than expected? Chris Walton and Richard McKenzie break down the logistical challenges of the plan and order concept and whether these closures signal a bigger problem for IKEA's small-format strategy.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/kJFF7No8vvU

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Walmart is rolling out three new light-up digital shelf label features across its stores in time for the holiday season. Shop to Light helps customers locate products using the Walmart app, while Pick to Light and Stock to Light help associates fulfill online orders and restock shelves more efficiently.

But which of these three features will actually deliver the most value? Chris Walton and Richard McKenzie rank the benefits of Walmart's new technology and discuss why something as simple as a flashing shelf label could have a much bigger impact on store operations and the shopping experience than you might expect.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/kJFF7No8vvU

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DoorDash is expanding its retail marketplace with Macy's, Anthropologie, The North Face, Vans, and Timberland, bringing hundreds of additional stores onto its platform. The company is also introducing Dasher Returns, a $7.99 service that lets customers have returns picked up directly from their doors. With more than half of the NRF Top 100 Retailers now partnering with DoorDash, its vision of becoming the "mall in your pocket" is gaining momentum.

But is DoorDash building the next major retail marketplace, or are shoppers really only turning to it for last-minute purchases? Chris Walton and Richard McKenzie debate the long-term opportunity, the operational challenges, and why Amazon might have more to worry about than it realizes.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/kJFF7No8vvU

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Marks & Spencer and Sephora are teaming up to bring Sephora at M&S to 100 UK stores and M&S.com beginning in spring 2027. The partnership will introduce a curated selection of beauty brands, in-store Sephora Beauty Advisors, and online shopping with home delivery and Click & Collect, giving Sephora a much larger footprint in the UK beauty market.

We've seen similar partnerships in the U.S. with Sephora at Kohl's and Ulta Beauty at Target, but could this one play out differently? Chris Walton and Richard McKenzie discuss why M&S might be the ideal partner, who needs the deal more, and what it could mean for the future of UK beauty retail.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/kJFF7No8vvU

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McDonald's is piloting third-party advertising on digital drive-thru menu boards at 450 company-owned U.S. restaurants as part of its new McDonald's Media Network, with ambitions of building a $1 billion advertising business. The ads appear after customers place their orders, and the network could eventually expand to additional screens throughout its restaurants.

But is McDonald's sitting on a billion-dollar advertising opportunity, or is the real value somewhere beyond the drive-thru? Chris Walton and Richard McKenzie debate whether the strategy can deliver meaningful returns without overwhelming customers with even more ads.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/kJFF7No8vvU

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The Store of the Future is closer than you think, and it might not involve nearly as many screens, keyboards, or handheld devices as it does today. As retailers continue investing in AI and automation, one big question remains: What will the day-to-day experience actually look like for the employees working inside stores five to ten years from now?

In the latest Omni Talk Retail Ask An Expert Series, Chris Walton welcomes Matthew Mott, Director of Marketing at Zello, to explore the rise of the keyboardless store, the power of voice technology, and how AI-powered assistants could transform frontline retail operations. From keeping employees "eyes up" and focused on customers to identifying operational inefficiencies through everyday conversations, the two discuss what happens when technology starts working alongside store associates instead of getting in their way.

In this episode:

0:00 – What will the Store of the Future look like?2:41 – The rise of the keyboardless store and "eyes up" service7:54 – AI agents as the next generation of frontline coworkers10:03 – Why voice could become the interface of the future12:40 – AI as a sidekick and orchestrator for store associates17:07 – Turning customer "walk-away moments" into actionable insights22:55 – The future of AI-powered personalized shopping experiences

To learn more about Zello and its frontline communication technology, visit zello.com

P.S. To see our full lineup of past Ask An Expert conversations, head here.

Music by hooksounds.com

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What happens to grocery loyalty when AI agents start making shopping decisions for consumers? In this edition of 5 Insightful Minutes, recorded live at Groceryshop 2026, Seb Hill, Chief Marketing Officer at TCC Global, joins Omni Talk's Ben Miller to explore how agentic AI could reshape grocery retailing, challenge traditional loyalty programs, and change what it really means to earn a shopper's loyalty.

Drawing on new research from TCC Global, Seb discusses what happens when AI agents begin prioritizing price, convenience, and efficiency over traditional retailer relationships. He and Ben examine whether loyalty programs, personalized offers, and existing metrics can keep up with this shift, why retailers need to look beyond transactions to understand genuine customer loyalty, and how grocery retailers can build stronger shopper relationships in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Key Topics Covered:

Why agentic AI could be the next major disruption in grocery retailWhat changes when AI agents begin making shopping decisions for consumersHow agentic commerce could challenge traditional grocery retail modelsWhat happens to loyalty programs, retailer apps, and personalized offersWhy traditional loyalty metrics may not reflect genuine shopper loyaltyHow retailers can better measure the strength of customer relationshipsWhy price and convenience may no longer be enough to drive loyaltyHow grocery loyalty needs to evolve in the age of AI agentsWhat TCC Global's latest grocery research reveals about the future of shopper relationships

Explore TCC Global's research on agentic AI: https://www.tccglobal.com/insights/agenticai-1

Music by hooksounds.com

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

TikTok launches an AI Shopping Assistant and one-click Buy Direct checkout, letting shoppers discover and buy without leaving the For You feed.FMI and the National Grocers Association urge the FTC to separate personalized pricing from loyalty offers, coupons, and electronic shelf labels.Tractor Supply opens its 11th distribution center in Nampa, Idaho, a $200 million-plus automated facility with a dedicated AI team.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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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, Quorso, Veloq, and SmartScout, Chris Walton welcomes Richard McKenzie into the guest hosting chair. The former Ocado executive and Veloq CEO brings his retail expertise, UK perspective, and plenty of back-and-forth with Chris, "bringing this week’s show to an 11."

Chris and Richard dig into five of the biggest stories in retail this week, including:

• McDonald’s piloting third-party ads on digital drive-thru menu boards at 450 company-owned U.S. restaurants as part of a new McDonald’s Media Network that it hopes could eventually become a $1 billion advertising business. (Source)

• Marks & Spencer and Sephora teaming up to launch Sephora at M&S, a new beauty shop-in-shop concept coming to 100 M&S stores and M&S.com beginning in spring 2027. (Source)

• DoorDash expanding its retail Marketplace with Macy’s, Anthropologie, The North Face, Vans, and Timberland, while also launching Dasher Returns, a $7.99 service that lets shoppers have a Dasher pick up returns right from their door. (Source)

• Walmart rolling out Shop to Light, Pick to Light, and Stock to Light digital shelf label features companywide by the holiday season, using light-up labels to help both customers and associates find products faster. (Source)

• IKEA closing three of its small-format plan and order stores in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, including a Georgetown location that opened less than a year ago, as the retailer reevaluates its U.S. footprint. (Source)

The episode wraps with a lightning round covering the UK legacy of Chariots of Fire, IKEA furniture assembly fails, and plenty more Fast Five fun.

P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/

P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot.

Music by hooksounds.

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Uber agrees to acquire workplace catering platform ezCater in a $2.3 billion all-cash deal, adding $400-plus average orders to Uber Eats and Uber for Business.Walmart launches Ship with Walmart, giving Marketplace sellers Walmart-negotiated shipping rates and up to $100 in lost-item protection directly inside ShipStation.The Giant Company rolls out one-hour store tours and online classes for GLP-1 users at six Pennsylvania stores as weight-loss drugs reshape grocery baskets.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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Chris Walton is back on GrocerTalk this week, joining Ben Miller for a show all about growth, loyalty and the changing grocery shopping experience. Sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, Vusion, and Sifter Solutions, they dig into Costco’s growth machine, Morrisons’ latest Click & Collect experiment, and a Kroger double-header on rewards and 24-hour stores.

Plus, TCC Global CMO Seb Hill joins for Five Insightful Minutes on loyalty in the age of agentic commerce.

This week, they discuss:

• Costco’s latest Q4 results, continued momentum in fresh food, and whether its growth story is showing any signs of slowing. (Source)

• Morrisons piloting StrongPoint’s multi-temperature Click & Collect lockers and whether they could ease the operational pressures of grocery ecommerce. (Source)

• TCC Global CMO Seb Hill joins Ben from the Groceryshop show floor to unpack new research on how AI agents could reshape grocery loyalty and customer relationships. (Source)

• Kroger’s new Rewards World Elite Mastercard and whether connecting payments directly to its rewards program is the right move for loyalty. (Source)

• Kroger testing a return to 24-hour stores and whether the potential traffic gains outweigh the operational challenges. (Source)

Plus, in GrocerTalk Grab & Go, Chris covers Kroger’s predictive creative scoring and Walmart’s expanding drone delivery program, while Ben digs into Walmart’s Shop to Light rollout and the return of Trader Joe’s mini tote bag mania.

P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/

Music by hooksounds.com.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Gap Inc. launches AI-powered shopping tools across all four of its brands, 30 years after the Gap brand's first e-commerce website.Walmart expands its 30-minute Wing drone delivery service to the Seattle and Denver metro areas.Staples adds roughly 120 more Party City shop-in-shops across 27 states ahead of the holiday season.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

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In this Retail Technology Spotlight Series, Chris Walton sits down with Brian Kinsella, Chief Product Officer at Manhattan Associates, to explore one of the biggest technology dilemmas facing growing retailers and brands: Do you start small and risk outgrowing your systems, or invest in enterprise technology before you have the size, resources, or complexity to justify it?

Brian breaks down why that tradeoff may finally be changing. As customer expectations rise and growing brands take on marketplaces, stores as fulfillment nodes, wholesale, DTC, and increasingly complex supply chains, the technology decisions companies make early on can quickly become their ceiling. And when they outgrow those systems, the real cost isn't always the software itself. It's the migration, retraining, change management, operational disruption, and time spent rebuilding instead of growing.

Brian takes Chris inside Manhattan Associates' new Editions offering, where AI can simplify implementation, and what buyers should look for when evaluating long-term technology partners. From avoiding rip-and-replace to building a foundation where "the ceiling moves with you," they break down how growing retailers can move fast today without creating a technology problem for tomorrow.

Key Topics Covered:

00:02:05 - Why growing retailers feel like they're constantly behind on technology00:03:31 - Why customer expectations don't change based on company size00:06:51 - What actually breaks when companies outgrow their systems00:13:08 - How retailers can start smaller without sacrificing their long-term technology foundation00:17:52 - Inside Manhattan Associates' new Editions offering00:23:15 - Where AI can simplify implementations and software configuration00:28:24 - The questions every CIO and COO should ask before choosing a platform

Over 8 years and nearly 200 episodes, the Retail Technology Spotlight Series has featured some of the biggest names and boldest thinkers in retail. Explore the full archive here: https://omnitalk.blog/category/spotlight-series-podcast/

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by ZenlineAI and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

Nike posts a 4% revenue decline and unveils "Pace," its third restructuring since fiscal 2024, with more layoffs coming next year.Walmart rolls out light-up digital shelf labels to help shoppers find products and associates pick and stock faster.Ikea closes three small-format plan and order stores in the Washington, D.C. area, including one that opened less than a year ago.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Producer Ella puts Chris Walton on the hot seat for a solo Fast Five lightning round.

What’s the greatest retail employee uniform of all time? Vegas or Nashville for one night only? What’s the one thing Chris wants delivered to his backyard by drone in 20 minutes? And could camera-free smart glasses finally convince him to buy in?

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/YTVMA7yS7-g

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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Lowe’s is taking to the skies, becoming the first home improvement retailer to launch drone delivery through partnerships with DoorDash and Wing.

Customers can get more than 100 project essentials delivered in as fast as 20 minutes. Chris Walton explains why forgotten painter’s tape, caulk, batteries and other last-minute essentials could make home improvement one of the strongest use cases for drone delivery.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/YTVMA7yS7-g

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Amazon is letting merchants using its Multichannel Fulfillment service offer Prime delivery directly on their own websites, with no added cost to retailers or shoppers.

Is Prime on your own site a gift for mid-sized retailers or a Trojan horse that makes them even more dependent on Amazon? Chris Walton argues it might actually be a little bit of both.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/YTVMA7yS7-g

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Kroger just updated its store dress code for the first time in a decade, putting nearly 400,000 associates across 21 chains in company-issued shirts after shoppers said they were having trouble finding employees.

Can something as simple as a new uniform actually improve the store experience? Chris Walton explains why the move could signal something much bigger about Kroger’s expectations for its stores.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/YTVMA7yS7-g

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Tapestry is making Coach and Kate Spade products purchasable directly inside Google’s Gemini app and AI Mode, complete with Google Pay checkout and no website redirect.

Chris Walton breaks down why he likes the experiment, but also why brands shouldn’t overinvest in someone else’s AI experience at the expense of building agentic search on their own sites.

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/YTVMA7yS7-g

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Amazon just cut off Meta’s new Muse AI agent from shopping on Amazon.com, citing data security concerns.

But as AI shopping agents continue to gain traction, Chris Walton asks the bigger question: Can Amazon really keep the agents out, or will consumer demand ultimately force its hand?

Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/YTVMA7yS7-g

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Chris Niesen is back for episode 2 of Making Space Real Time, presented by the Association of Retail Consumer Professionals (aka ARC) in partnership with Omni Talk. Omni Talk CEO Chris Walton returns as guest host, and this time both Chrises walked all three stores before hitting record.

In this episode

Meta Lab at Best Buy. The AI glasses and VR headset shop-in-shop launched in June and is now in 50 stores, while Meta takes its standalone labs from 8 to 14. Chris Niesen breaks down placement, design, and experience at the Roseville, MN store: strong framing and hands-on demos, but broken smart mirrors and 600 square feet of empty floor next door. Chris Walton argues the real question for Best Buy's shop-in-shops (Meta, IKEA, Yardbird) is who pays for the staffing, and explains why this was the first display that made him see a future for smart glasses.

Lululemon's rough quarter. Q2 revenue fell 4.3%, comps fell 9%, women's leggings dropped 20%, and store openings are being cut as new CEO Heidi O'Neill steps in. Chris Niesen's diagnosis is that the brand no longer has a clear point of view, especially next to Alo, Vuori, and the Gymshark shop at Dick's. Chris Walton was the only customer in the store at 2 p.m. on a Saturday, and he explains why "SKU reduction" is code for "we need to focus" and why localization won't fix a product problem.

Kohl's doubles down on Babies"R"Us. The concept is expanding to 56 more stores on top of the 200 opened in 2024, even as Sephora at Kohl's (about 10% of sales) keeps sliding. Chris Niesen makes the case that the stores themselves are fundamentally broken and that Kohl's should cut 20% of its fixtures and product before chasing the next shop-in-shop. Chris Walton pushes back slightly: baby could be the right traffic play, and he'd stop taking Amazon returns before he'd kill Babies"R"Us.

The Checkout. Why Altar'd State is a visual merchandising standout, what Lush's Ruth Andrade told Ben Miller about walking away from social media, college sports allegiances, and favorite Christopher Nolan movies.

Final Sale. Chris Walton's assignment for Chris Niesen and a future show: the 100+ Toys"R"Us pop-up stores opening this year, and whether they're Spirit Halloween part two.

Timestamps

0:00 Welcome and what this show is about2:11 Chris Walton on conference season4:42 Story 1: Meta Lab at Best Buy11:33 Who pays for shop-in-shop staffing?18:14 Story 2: Lululemon's quarter and what it looks like in store23:50 How new leadership should approach the turnaround28:53 Story 3: Kohl's and Babies"R"Us33:42 Is Babies"R"Us the right move?37:41 The Checkout42:16 Final Sale: Toys"R"Us pop-ups43:16 Wrap-up

Links

Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/omnitalkretailListen: search "Omni Talk Retail" wherever you get your podcastsChris Niesen's writing: chrisniesen.substack.com

New episodes every other week. If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a like or a review. We'll see you on the floor.

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Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, ZenlineAI, and Mirakl.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:

McDonald's launches the McDonald's Media Network, piloting third-party ads on drive-thru menu boards with its sights set on a $1 billion ad business.DoorDash adds Macy's, Anthropologie, The North Face, Vans, and Timberland to its marketplace and launches $7.99 Dasher Returns.Shopify opens checkout to browser-based AI agents, going the opposite direction of Amazon, which is blocking them.

The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail news.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy