Omni Talk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Walmart's plan to expand digital shelf labels across all 4,600 U.S. stores. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn discuss what this massive technology rollout means for pricing accuracy, store operations, and the future of in store retail technology. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/qZQHl9r-BUc #RetailNews #Walmart #DigitalShelfLabels #RetailTech #RetailInnovation #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Costco's pledge to return any tariff refunds directly to members. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn debate whether this move reflects Costco's long standing value promise or a strategic messaging play during a complicated economic moment. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/qZQHl9r-BUc #RetailNews #Costco #RetailEconomics #RetailStrategy #RetailIndustry #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid fire takes on nihilist penguins, Friday the 13th superstition, and March Madness predictions. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn prove once again that retail conversations always find their way into pop culture and the internet's strangest trends. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/qZQHl9r-BUc #LightningRound #RetailFastFive #OmniTalk #RetailPodcast #PopCulture #MarchMadness #InternetCulture

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at how Dick's Sporting Goods unexpectedly surged up the Apple App Store rankings. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn break down how the retailer's Move fitness rewards app is driving engagement and why gamifying fitness could be a powerful retail loyalty strategy. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/qZQHl9r-BUc #RetailNews #DicksSportingGoods #RetailApps #RetailEngagement #RetailInnovation #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Kroger's use of autonomous drones inside sub freezing distribution centers. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn discuss how drone technology could transform warehouse inventory management and eliminate some of the most difficult cold chain tasks. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/qZQHl9r-BUc #RetailNews #Kroger #WarehouseAutomation #RetailLogistics #SupplyChain #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at Kroger's decision to create a Chief Data and AI Officer role. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn discuss what elevating the leader of 84.51 means for Kroger's long term AI strategy and how data leadership is becoming central to retail. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/qZQHl9r-BUc #RetailNews #Kroger #AIinRetail #RetailTechnology #RetailInnovation #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and guest host Jenn Hahn of J Recruiting Services discussed: Walmart expanding its digital shelf label technology to all 4,600 of its US stores, completing what is likely the single largest ESL rollout in retail history (Source) Costco CEO Ron Vachris is publicly pledging to return any tariff refunds directly to members through lower prices (Source) Kroger creating a new Chief Data and AI Officer role by elevating Milen Mahadevan, president of its 84.51 analytics subsidiary, to lead its entire AI and data agenda (Source) Kroger deploying autonomous inventory drones from Corvus Robotics into sub-freezing cold chain distribution facilities (Source) Dick's Sporting Goods, thanks to its Move fitness rewards app, unexpectedly rocketing to #3 on the Apple App Store free download chart, landing right between Claude and Gemini (Source) And Jenn also helped us hand out this month's OmniStar Award — given in partnership with Quorso — to Mark Chenier, SVP GMM of Footwear at Academy Sports and Outdoors! There's all that, plus nihilist penguins, spring break plans, March Madness predictions, and green beer. Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #WalmartESL #DigitalShelfLabels #KrogerAI #RetailTech #CostcoTariffs #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive #DicksSportingGoods #OmniStar #RetailInnovation

In this episode of Confessions of Supply Chain Executives, host Chris Walton sits down with Omar Akilah, SVP of Product at Infios, and Aadil Kazmi, Head of AI Product Development at Infios, to tackle one of the biggest questions facing retail leaders today: Are retailers actually ready for agentic AI? While AI dominated the conversation at NRF, the reality inside many retail organizations is far more complicated. Many companies are still struggling with fragmented systems, unclear strategies, and uncertainty about where AI should even be applied. Omar and Aadil break down what agentic AI really means for commerce, how it differs from traditional generative AI, and why the biggest opportunity may not be flashy customer experiences but rather the operational backbone of retail: supply chain execution. From autonomous order monitoring to real-time visibility across the entire order lifecycle, they explore how agentic AI could fundamentally reshape how retailers manage fulfillment, delivery promises, and operational decision making. The conversation also challenges common assumptions about AI readiness, including why retailers may not need perfect data infrastructure to begin adopting agentic AI and what leaders should actually focus on in the next 30 days if they want to stay competitive. Key topics covered: • What agentic AI actually means for retail operations • Why most retailers are unprepared for the next wave of AI • The difference between generative AI and agentic AI • Why supply chain execution is a prime use case for AI agents • How autonomous order visibility can transform customer experience • Why retailers may not need a perfect data lake to begin adopting AI • The three ways retailers can approach AI adoption • How to avoid getting stuck in “AI pilot purgatory” • The first practical AI use cases retailers should implement

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Walgreens' pilot of a new hybrid pharmacist role. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan discuss whether this approach could ease pharmacist burnout, improve store operations, and help Walgreens adapt to the evolving healthcare retail landscape. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/COjVCrP5sHE #Walgreens #PharmacyRetail #RetailOperations #OmniTalk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into IKEA testing a store-in-store concept with sporting goods retailer Decathlon. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan discuss what this collaboration could mean for the future of retail partnerships, experiential stores, and how retailers rethink physical space. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/COjVCrP5sHE #IKEA #Decathlon #RetailPartnerships #OmniTalk

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid fire takes on McDonald's Big Arch taste test backlash, the surprising Scrubs reboot generation gap, the never-ending daylight saving time debate, and Jane Fonda's viral breakfast burrito “sandwich” comment. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan prove once again that retail, culture, and the internet always collide. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jVDymvwAUXg #LightningRound #RetailFastFive #OmniTalk #PopCulture

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into Jack Dorsey's claim that AI could dramatically shrink corporate workforces. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan debate what this means for the future of work, whether companies will truly replace employees with AI, and how organizations may need to rethink talent strategy in an AI-driven world. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/COjVCrP5sHE #AI #FutureOfWork #JackDorsey #RetailTechnology #OmniTalk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Schlotzsky's new brand strategy and redesigned store model. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan break down whether the beloved sandwich chain can modernize its concept, attract new customers, and compete in an increasingly crowded quick service restaurant market. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/COjVCrP5sHE #RestaurantIndustry #QSR #RetailInnovation #OmniTalk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into Target removing artificial dyes from cereals across its aisles. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan discuss whether this move reflects growing consumer demand for cleaner ingredients or if it signals a broader power shift where retailers begin dictating product standards to brands. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/COjVCrP5sHE #Target #GroceryRetail #FoodTrends #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and special guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan from the A&M Consumer and Retail Group discussed: Target announcing it will only carry cereals made without certified synthetic colors by the end of May (Source) Block's Jack Dorsey cutting nearly 4,000 jobs — 40% of its workforce — and replacing that capacity with AI (Source) Schlotzky's Deli going back to basics with a “deli” rebrand and a next-generation prototype designed to slash operating costs by 20–25% (Source) Walgreens piloting a first-of-its-kind hybrid pharmacist role across six states (Source) IKEA opening its iconic blue box stores to Decathlon in a landmark store-within-a-store pilot in the UK (Source) There's all that, plus whether a burrito counts as a sandwich, the McDonald's CEO's cringeworthy Big Arch taste test video, and whether any of them are excited about the Scrubs reboot. You can give this week's Fast Five retail news roundup a listen by clicking above or on the platform of your choice below: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Amazon Music Be careful out there, – Chris, Cassie, Joanna, and the Omni Talk team 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.com #RetailNews #TargetHealth #ArtificialDyes #BlockAI #JackDorsey #SchlotzkysDeli #WalgreensPharmacy #IKEA #Decathlon #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive #RetailTech #RetailInnovation

In this episode of Confessions of Supply Chain Executives, host Chris Walton sits down with Richard McKenzie, CEO at Veloq, to tackle one of retail's most persistent questions: When does online grocery finally become profitable? For years, grocers have chased digital growth, but profitability has remained elusive. High picking costs, last mile complexity, thin margins, and legacy infrastructure continue to weigh down performance. Richard breaks down where the real friction points are, why many retailers are still structuring e-commerce as a cost center instead of an operating model, and what has to change for online grocery to truly scale sustainably. This episode explores the operational realities behind digital grocery, from fulfillment models and automation strategies to the role of data orchestration across the enterprise. Richard explains why profitability is less about volume and more about precision, and how retailers that rethink their tech stack, store operations, and network design may finally turn the corner. Key Topics covered: • Why online grocery margins remain under pressure • The true cost of store pick vs. micro fulfillment • Where last mile economics break down • How legacy systems quietly erode profitability • The operational tradeoffs between speed, convenience, and cost • Why data orchestration is becoming a competitive advantage • What scalable automation actually looks like in grocery • The tipping point that could finally make online grocery profitable

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Walmart's launch of Scintilla In Store, giving suppliers real time store level data. Chris and Anne explain why this move could redefine supplier collaboration and unlock faster store execution at scale. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2_dIsTGWqJQ #Walmart #RetailData #RetailAI #SupplyChain #OmniTalk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Gap Inc's launch of Encore, a unified loyalty program across Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. Chris and Anne debate whether loyalty consolidation can drive cross shopping and growth for the portfolio. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2_dIsTGWqJQ #GapInc #RetailLoyalty #OldNavy #Athleta #OmniTalk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into Burger King President Tom Curtis personally taking customer calls and texts. Chris and Anne discuss whether this represents meaningful executive engagement or a smart short term marketing play. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2_dIsTGWqJQ #BurgerKing #RetailMarketing #CustomerExperience #OmniTalk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at Carrefour's major partnership to digitize stores across France as part of its 2030 strategy. Chris and Anne discuss whether smart stores are finally becoming reality and what US retailers should be doing to keep pace. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2_dIsTGWqJQ #Carrefour #SmartStores #RetailTech #RetailInnovation #OmniTalk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Kohl's rollout of its new Deal Bar to all 1100 plus stores. Chris and Anne debate whether this value forward merchandising move can meaningfully impact performance or if it is simply table stakes in today's retail environment. ⏩ Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2_dIsTGWqJQ #Kohls #RetailTurnaround #StoreStrategy #RetailNews #OmniTalk

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid fire takes on Girl Scout cookie records, Survivor reaching season 50, Team USA hockey celebrations, and a little nerd nostalgia. Chris and Anne prove once again that retail and pop culture always collide. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2_dIsTGWqJQ #LightningRound #RetailFastFive #OmniTalk #PopCulture

Omni Talk Retail is live from eTail West 2026 with coverage powered by NetElixir. In this interview, Anne Mezzenga speaks with Kelly Cook, CEO of Davids Bridal, fresh off the stage to discuss the company's bold “Aisle to Algorithm” strategy and what she calls the bridal tech revolution. David's Bridal is expanding beyond a $4B bridal TAM into the broader $70B wedding ecosystem, building what Kelly describes as an AI and asset light approach to retail and media within the wedding industry. Key themes from the conversation: • The “tech sandwich” model: high tech before and after the in store bridal appointment • Virtual try on, AR wedding visualization, and agentic AI guiding brides through 300 planning tasks • A vision for one click wedding planning powered by immersive augmented reality • How partnerships and retail media are unlocking value beyond the dress • Why large scale transformation requires fearless talent and cultural clarity Kelly also shares three leadership lessons for retail executives navigating transformation, including her now famous advice: be somebody's shot of whiskey, not everybody's cup of tea. Thank you to NetElixir for supporting our eTail West 2026 coverage. #eTailWest #RetailTransformation #AIinRetail #Weddings #RetailInnovation #DigitalTransformation

Omni Talk Retail is live from eTail West 2026 with continued coverage powered by NetElixir. In this interview, recorded on site at eTail West, Anne Mezzenga speaks with Alex Seaman, Senior Vice President of Furniture.com, about the company's recent relaunch and its vision for the future of furniture shopping. Furniture.com is building a unified, AI driven platform designed to simplify one of retail's most complex and considered purchases. By partnering with trusted national furniture retailers, the platform enables shoppers to browse, compare, and check out across multiple merchants in one seamless experience, while retailers retain ownership of fulfillment and first party customer relationships. Alex explains how Furniture.com is leveraging standardized product data, conversational search, and its in house AI agent Dottie to reduce decision fatigue and bring joy back to home design. The conversation also explores why brand trust and strong retail partnerships will matter even more as AI powered discovery reshapes how consumers shop. Key Topics Covered: • The recent Furniture.com relaunch and AI powered foundation • Agentic checkout and multi merchant cart functionality • Standardizing and enriching product data across 75 plus retailers • Why trust and brand strength matter in an AI driven search landscape • Balancing B2B retailer partnerships with a shopper first experience • Solving decision fatigue in high consideration purchases like furniture Stay tuned for more interviews from eTail West 2026. #eTailWest #RetailInnovation #Ecommerce #AIinRetail #FurnitureRetail #OmniChannel #DigitalCommerce #RetailLeadership

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

Omni Talk Retail is live from eTail West 2026 with coverage powered by NetElixir. In this interview, Anne Mezzenga speaks with Denise Incandela, EVP of Fashion at Walmart, about the ongoing transformation of Walmart Fashion. Over the past several years, Walmart has evolved from a basics driven apparel business into a modern, trend relevant fashion destination. Denise shares how the company has: • Relaunched and elevated major private brands • Introduced new brands like Free Assembly to fill key market white space • Leveraged AI to accelerate trend analysis and product design • Modernized stores and e commerce to make fashion the hero • Used pop ups and influencer strategy to shift customer perception Walmart is also applying AI at the earliest stages of product development, using insights from runway shows, social media, and global trend data to accelerate design and deliver more trend right product to customers, faster. With 145 million weekly customers, Walmart's opportunity to democratize fashion at scale is unmatched. #eTailWest #RetailInnovation #WalmartFashion #AIinRetail #PrivateBrands #Ecommerce #RetailLeadership

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

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

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

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

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Converse employees being instructed to work from home ahead of anticipated layoffs as Nike continues its broader restructuring efforts. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by Jenn Hahn of J Recruiting Services, unpack what this signals about Nike's long-term brand strategy, workforce management, and competitive positioning. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/adBITqt-5Ho #Nike #Converse #RetailLayoffs #RetailWorkforce #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk

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

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on Fashion Week trends, 2016 nostalgia, Robert Duvall's Mount Rushmore, and unexpected Olympic curling drama. From the cultural ripple effects of Fashion Week to the one thing our hosts would bring back from 2016, plus strong opinions on Robert Duvall and the intensity of Olympic curling, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by Jenn Hahn, keep things moving with quick hits and sharp debate. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/adBITqt-5Ho #RetailLightningRound #RetailCulture #FashionWeek #WinterOlympics #RobertDuvall #RetailNews #OmniTalk #ConsumerTrends

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into Target and Albertsons testing conversational advertising inside ChatGPT. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by Jenn Hahn, debate whether AI-driven conversations could become a scalable retail media platform or remain an experimental marketing play. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/adBITqt-5Ho #Target #Albertsons #ChatGPTAds #ConversationalCommerce #RetailMedia #OmniTalk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines American Eagle building its largest creator community yet through a rewards-based micro-influencer program. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Jenn Hahn, discuss how this move reflects shifting influencer economics and why smaller creators may deliver outsized engagement. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/adBITqt-5Ho #AmericanEagle #MicroInfluencer #CreatorEconomy #RetailMarketing #InfluencerStrategy #OmniTalk

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Co-op launching a gender pay gap toolkit ahead of new UK regulations. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Jenn Hahn, discuss whether proactive compliance can become a competitive advantage and how transparency may reshape retail leadership strategy. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/adBITqt-5Ho #GenderPayGap #RetailLeadership #Coop #RetailHR #WorkforceStrategy #OmniTalk

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

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

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, Maia Josebachvili, Chief Revenue Officer of AI at Stripe, joins Omni Talk to break down what retailers are really saying about Agentic Commerce — and how the conversation has shifted dramatically in just six months. From fraud concerns to discoverability challenges, Maia explains how Stripe is helping merchants navigate the AI agent landscape with the tools they need to stay in control, stay competitive, and sell through AI agents without rebuilding their entire commerce stack.

This Lightning Round segment of the OmniTalk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on luxury travel, Valentine's Day spending, and one very unexpected McNugget caviar moment. From the continued boom in luxury hotels to billions in Valentine's retail projections and the internet's obsession with fast food meets fine dining, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by Shoptalk's Joe Laszlo, keep things moving with quick hits and strong opinions. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/mvfY4BAy_2c #RetailLightningRound #RetailCulture #LuxuryTravel #ValentinesDay #McNuggetCaviar #ConsumerTrends #RetailNews #OmniTalk

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Kroger's appointment of former Walmart executive Greg Foran as CEO. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk's Joe Laszlo, unpack what this leadership change signals for Kroger's competitive positioning, ecommerce ambitions, and long-term strategy against Walmart. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/mvfY4BAy_2c #Kroger #GregForan #GroceryIndustry #RetailLeadership #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Target's decision to cut 500 roles while increasing investment in frontline store staffing. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk's Joe Laszlo, break down the labor math behind the move and debate whether this represents meaningful operational change or a strategic reset. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/mvfY4BAy_2c #Target #RetailLabor #StoreOperations #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Anthropic's Super Bowl campaign pledging that Claude AI will remain ad-free. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk's Joe Laszlo, debate whether ad-free AI is sustainable, what it means for monetization models, and how AI platforms may shape retail and commerce. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/mvfY4BAy_2c #Anthropic #ClaudeAI #OpenAI #AIAdvertising #RetailTech #OmniTalk

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Albertsons' expansion of cart tracking technology to measure retail media effectiveness. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk's Joe Laszlo, discuss whether dwell time truly correlates with incremental sales and what this signals for the evolution of in-store retail media. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/mvfY4BAy_2c #Albertsons #RetailMedia #InStoreTech #GroceryRetail #OmniTalk

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Spotify's partnership with Bookshop.org to sell physical books. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside Shoptalk's Joe Laszlo, unpack why this move feels like a natural extension of Spotify's ecosystem and what it means for omnichannel reading behavior. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/mvfY4BAy_2c #Spotify #BookshopOrg #RetailStrategy #Omnichannel #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk

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

In this Retail Technology Spotlight Series episode, Chris Walton sits down with Experion Technologies' Mahesh Vijayaraghavan (VP of Retail & Consumer Goods) and Siraj Alimohamed (Global Head of Data & AI) to cut through the AI hype. From platform-first strategies to the pilot fatigue epidemic, Mahesh and Siraj break down why AI is overhyped at the dashboard level but underappreciated where it matters most, i.e. in 6 a.m. inventory decisions and real-time store operations. Learn why building AI like a muscle beats treating it like a project, how to escape automation chaos, and why your digital experience is about to become your biggest competitive advantage.

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at BJ's Wholesale Club's experiment with smaller-format stores. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by A&M's Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, discuss whether clubs can win quick-trip shopping missions, who should be most concerned, and how this move could reshape regional grocery competition. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/zqyHBYoL9N4 #BJsWholesale #ClubStores #RetailFormats #GroceryRetail #ConvenienceRetail #RetailStrategy #RegionalGrocers #RetailTrends #OmniTalk

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores why grocery ecommerce has quietly reached 19% penetration. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside A&M's Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, unpack what this milestone means for regional grocers, curbside economics, and whether grocery leaders are underestimating how fast digital adoption is accelerating. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/zqyHBYoL9N4 #GroceryEcommerce #OnlineGrocery #CurbsidePickup #RetailTrends #DigitalRetail #GroceryIndustry #RetailStrategy #OmniChannel #OmniTalk

This OmniTalk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines eBay's decision to ban AI-powered shopping bots. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, alongside A&M's Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, debate the risks and rewards of agentic commerce, why collectibles marketplaces may need tighter controls, and whether other retailers will follow eBay's lead. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/zqyHBYoL9N4 #eBay #RetailAI #AgenticCommerce #EcommerceAutomation #MarketplaceTrust #RetailPolicy #AIinRetail #RetailInnovation #OmniTalk

This Lightning Round segment of the OmniTalk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on culture, fashion, and the lighter side of retail. From Ralph Lauren's Olympic uniforms and Cracker Barrel's employee dining rules to winter travel escapes and Kelly Clarkson nostalgia, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, joined by A&M's Ken Cochran and Jon Malankar, keep things moving with quick hits and strong opinions. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/zqyHBYoL9N4 #RetailLightningRound #RetailCulture #FashionRetail #PopCulture #RetailNews #OlympicsFashion #CrackerBarrel #OmniTalk