Omni Talk

Chris and Anne tackle the week's quirkiest retail stories in rapid-fire format! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. From NFL-themed Crocs to Harry Potter donuts and pawn shops becoming back-to-school destinations, discover the unexpected retail trends shaping consumer behavior. For the full episode head here: youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64 Topics: NFL merchandise, specialty donuts, alternative shopping, fair food trends #retail #trends #NFL #Crocs #HarryPotter #KrispyKreme #backtoschool

Target and Ulta Beauty are ending their successful shop-in-shop partnership in August 2026, shocking the retail world. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. Chris delivers harsh criticism of Target's strategy while Anne worries about the retailer's future without one of its biggest traffic drivers. A must-watch analysis of retail's biggest breakup. For the full episode head here: youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64 Topics: Target Ulta partnership, retail strategy, beauty category, shop-in-shop concepts #Target #Ulta #beauty #retail #partnership #strategy

IKEA is opening mini showrooms inside select Best Buy stores, focusing on kitchen and laundry products with IKEA designers on-site. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. Chris and Anne disagree on whether this partnership makes sense - is it smart space utilization or an over-engineered branding exercise? For the full episode head here: youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64 Topics: IKEA Best Buy partnership, retail partnerships, home goods, appliances #IKEA #BestBuy #partnership #retail #homegoods #appliances

Warby Parker is ending its iconic Home Try-On program by year-end, citing that most customers now live within 30 minutes of a store. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. Chris and Anne analyze what this cost-cutting move signals about Warby's growth challenges and whether the Target partnership can fill the gap. For the full episode head here: youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64 Topics: Warby Parker strategy, home try-on program, eyewear retail, store expansion #WarbyParker #eyewear #retail #directtoconsumer #strategy

Starbucks is shutting down 80-90 mobile-only pickup stores because they lack "warmth and human connection." sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. CEO Brian Niccol's surprising strategy shift prioritizes coffee house "vibes" over efficiency. Chris and Anne debate whether this move makes sense or signals deeper operational challenges at the coffee giant. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64 Topics: Starbucks strategy, mobile pickup stores, customer experience, retail formats #Starbucks #mobile #pickup #retail #customerexperience #coffeehouse

Amazon launches same-day delivery for perishable foods across 1,000+ US cities - but is it a real threat to Walmart and Instacart? sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. Chris and Anne break down why this might not be the grocery game-changer everyone expects. From infrastructure challenges to consumer trust issues, discover why Amazon's fresh food expansion faces serious headwinds in the competitive grocery delivery space. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64 Topics: Amazon Fresh expansion, grocery delivery competition, Prime membership value, retail logistics challenges #Amazon #grocery #delivery #retail #freshfoods #Prime #competition

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris and Anne discussed: Amazon adding perishable foods to its same-day delivery offering across 1,000+ U.S. cities (Source) Starbucks abandoning its mobile order, pickup-only store format due to lack of “warmth and human connection” (Source) Warby Parker ending its home try-on program as most users live within 30 minutes of a store (Source) IKEA opening mini-showrooms inside select Best Buy locations in Florida and Texas (Source) The conclusion of Target and Ulta Beauty's shop-in-shop partnership in August 2026 (Source) Chris and Anne also handed out our monthly OmniStar award to Scott Casciato, VP of Global Logistics and Omnichannel Fulfillment at Dick's Sporting Goods, and Ben Miller from Shoptalk dropped by for 5 Insightful Minutes on what to expect at this year's Shoptalk Fall and Groceryshop conferences. There's all that, plus NFL Crocs, Harry Potter doughnuts, pawn shop back-to-school shopping, and whether Chris will ever upgrade from his OOFOS slides. P.S. Get your discounted admission now with Omni Talk! Retailers and brands save 20% with codes: - For Shoptalk Fall, use code RBOMNIT20 (Link: https://stfall25-registration.personatech.com/code?cId=cmJvbW5pdDIw) - For Groceryshop, use code RBOMNIT510 (Link: https://gs25-registration.personatech.com/code?cId=cmJvbW5pdDUxMA==) Or save 20% off General Admission with codes: - For Shoptalk Fall, use code GAOMNIT20 (Link: https://stfall25-registration.personatech.com/code?cId=Z2FvbW5pdDIw) - For Groceryshop, use code GAOMNIT799 (Link: https://gs25-registration.personatech.com/code?cId=Z2FvbW5pdDc5OQ==) Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #AmazonFresh #StarbucksStrategy #WarbyParker #IkeaBestBuy #TargetUlta #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #SameDayDelivery #RetailInnovation #ShopInShop #RetailPartnerships

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, Ben Miller, VP of Original Content and Strategy for Shoptalk and Groceryshop, joins Omni Talk to preview the upcoming Shoptalk Fall and Groceryshop events. From AI deep dives to tariff implications, Ben breaks down the main themes emerging for Shoptalk Fall (September 17-19 in Chicago), plus reveals the brand-new "Test Kitchen" format launching at Groceryshop (September 28-October 1). Discover what's driving retail innovation, efficiency gains in grocery, and why retail media sits at the center of every retailer-brand conversation.

Fashion meets artificial intelligence in the most controversial way possible! This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, explores the backlash Vogue faced for featuring AI-generated models in a Guess advertisement. Chris and Anne debate whether critics need to "take a chill pill" or if high fashion magazines should draw the line at artificial beauty. Discover the complex ethics of AI in fashion and what it means for brand authenticity in the digital age.

Walmart is revolutionizing retail AI with their new "super agent" strategy! In this segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne dive deep into how Walmart is consolidating dozens of AI agents into four specialized "super agents" for customers, employees, engineers, and suppliers. Discover why this consolidation strategy could be the future of retail AI and how Walmart's CEO-level commitment sets them apart from competitors. Plus, hear Chris's take on whether four agents is too many or just the right stepping stone to the ultimate single super agent.

The fun finale! In this Lightning Round from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne rapid-fire through the week's quirkiest stories. From Aldi's "Summerween" products and chicken wing preferences to party attendance data and celebrity gossip, discover the lighter side of retail trends and consumer behavior. Plus, find out which host prefers drumsticks vs. flats and who they think "leveled up" in the Katy Perry-Justin Trudeau dinner drama!

The home goods giant is back! In this segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne analyze Bed Bath & Beyond's return to Brick x Mortar retail, complete with their iconic coupons. But is nostalgia enough to succeed in today's crowded home furnishing market? Hear why Chris is "selling hard" on this comeback and Anne's take on whether there's still room for middle-tier home goods retailers.

Strategic partnerships are reshaping retail! In this segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne explore Macy's new partnership with Abercrombie Kids for back-to-school season. With 3x the distribution for Abercrombie and a traffic driver for Macy's, this partnership could signal a new trend of department stores becoming "mini malls." Discover why both hosts love this strategic move and what it could mean for the future of retail.

She's back! In this segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne dive into Ty Haney's dramatic return to Outdoor Voices with a "confident, bold, and sexy" rebrand. From wiping Instagram clean to positioning the brand as the "uniform for doing things," is this founder comeback genuine innovation or just marketing spectacle? Plus, learn when it's the right time to bring back a founder and when it's time to move on.

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed: Walmart's overhaul of its AI agent strategy, consolidating dozens of agents into four “super agents” for different user groups Vogue magazine's AI model backlash after featuring an AI-generated model in a Guess advertisement Bed Bath & Beyond's brick-and-mortar return on August 8th in Nashville, complete with legacy coupon acceptance Ty Haney's comeback at Outdoor Voices with a “confident, bold and sexy” relaunch strategy Macy's partnership with Abercrombie Kids for back-to-school merchandising There's all that, plus Buffalo wings, which Halloween candy they would most like to see in stores year-round, and who leveled up more – Katy Perry or Justin Trudeau? Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #WalmartAI #VogueAI #BedBathBeyond #OutdoorVoices #AbercrombieMacys #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailTech #AIAgents #RetailInnovation

Returns are no longer just a cost center - they're a $1 trillion opportunity waiting to be unlocked. In this episode of Omni Talk's Ask An Expert series, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with David Morin, VP of Customer Strategy at Narvar, to reveal how leading retailers are transforming their returns operations from a liability into a competitive advantage. David shares exclusive data showing over 55% of retailers now charge for returns "at some point in time" - but it's not what you think. Learn how brands are using personalized return policies, leveraging customer data for fraud detection, and creating frictionless experiences that actually increase customer loyalty. Key topics covered: - Why charging for returns doesn't hurt conversion (when done right) - How retailers save 50%+ on shipping costs through smart consolidation - The shocking reality of returns fraud (52% of consumers admit to it) - Real-world examples from Urban Outfitters, Sephora, and other major brands - AI-powered tools that identify high-risk vs. high-value customers - The chandelier story that perfectly explains returns psychology Whether you're an e-commerce leader, operations manager, or retail executive, this conversation provides actionable strategies to reduce costs while improving customer experience. Music by hooksounds.com #RetailReturns #ecommerce #RetailOperations #CustomerExperience #RetailTech *Sponsored Content*

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, Chris and Anne tackle rapid-fire retail topics in their signature Lightning Round. From influencer marketing apps to airline policy changes and restaurant relocations, get quick takes on the week's most interesting retail and consumer stories that are shaping industry trends.

Target price matching policy, retail pricing strategy, target vs walmart, competitive pricing retail, target brand perception, retail customer loyalty, pricing policy changes, target strategic decisions, retail price wars, customer value proposition. This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, Chris and Anne debate Target's controversial decision to eliminate price matching. Analyze whether this move strengthens Target's position or drives customers to competitors like Walmart and Costco. Get expert insights on the real reasons behind this policy change and its impact on Target's already challenged brand perception.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, we explore Tesco's groundbreaking 8-week advance delivery scheduling. Chris and Anne discuss how this UK innovation could transform grocery shopping in the US, enabling better family planning and operational efficiency. Learn why extended scheduling represents the true definition of omnichannel retail convenience.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, we examine Mall of America's deployment of AI-powered car counting and video analytics. Learn how this technology is revolutionizing the mall experience through improved parking operations, enhanced security, and data-driven decision making for hours, events, and staffing. Discover why this investment represents the future of physical retail customer experience.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, we explore Tesla's ambitious Supercharger diner concept in Los Angeles. Chris and Anne debate whether this 80-charger location with movie screens and 24/7 dining represents the future of EV charging or just an expensive marketing stunt. Get insights on what this means for the evolution of transportation retail and charging infrastructure.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, Chris and Anne analyze Walmart's strategic move to make Vizio TVs exclusive private label products. Discover why this isn't just about sales but about building a comprehensive media ecosystem that combines content, consumer data, advertising, and commerce. Learn how Walmart is positioning itself against Amazon in the retail media wars and why this could be their biggest competitive advantage yet.

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand: Walmart's plan to sell Vizio TVs exclusively as a private brand Tesla's Supercharger Diner officially opening in Los Angeles Mall of America expanding car-counting video analytics across its campus Tesco launching early delivery slots for families during the summer Target ending its price matching policy starting July 28 And A&M's Chris Creyts and Brandon Pezely also dropped by to help us hand out insights on how grocers should be thinking about space allocation for their future success and store development plans in this week's 5 Insightful Minutes segment. There's all that, plus Southwest Airlines new seating policy, Midwestern In-N-Out dreams, and a tribute to the dearly departed Malcolm-Jamal Warner. P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #WalmartVizio #TeslaDiner #RetailTech #TargetPricing #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #MallofAmerica #TescoDelivery #RetailInnovation #PrivateLabel #ConnectedTV

Retail Media Networks are booming—but there's a catch. As major retailers like Walmart, Target, Albertsons, and Kroger rake in billions from retail media, a growing bottleneck is emerging: campaigns are being sold to brands that can't get their products on the shelf. The result? Missed sales, empty shelves, and damaged shopper trust. In the latest Omni Talk Retail Ask An Expert Series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga welcome Director of Customer Success, Joy Spiotta, and Senior Product Marketing Manager, Jenya Lawson, of SPS Commerce to dive into performance-based media access—where supply chain readiness determines who gets premium ad placement, not just who's willing to pay the most. 0:00 - Introduction to retail media bottleneck crisis 2:30 - Meet the experts: Joy Spiotta and Jenya Lawson from SPS Commerce 5:00 - What SPS Commerce does: Connecting retail supply chains 6:15 - The core problem: Ads running for out-of-stock products 8:45 - Why communication breaks down between media and supply chain teams 12:00 - Planning challenges and historical data limitations 14:50 - Real-world example: Sex and the City pearl necklace viral moment 16:30 - Store vs. digital inventory coordination challenges 19:00 - Automation and technological solutions for inventory management 21:30 - Measuring retail media ROI and transparency issues 24:00 - Actionable steps retailers and brands can take today 27:30 - Collaboration strategies and contingency planning 29:00 - Contact information and wrap-up Music by hooksounds.com #retailmedia #supplychain #inventorymanagement #retailtechnology #ecommerce #retailanalytics #merchandising #retailoperations #digitaladvertising *Sponsored Content*

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, A&M's consumer and retail experts Chris Creyts and Brandon Pezely join Omni Talk to reveal how grocers can adapt their space planning strategy in today's rapidly changing retail landscape. From the $37 billion growth in fresh food areas to the $27 billion revenue loss in general merchandising, Chris and Brandon break down why advanced space planning isn't just important—it's essential for survival. They share actionable insights on navigating inflation impacts, e-commerce disruption, GLP-1 drug effects on shopping behavior, and the health & wellness trend reshaping grocery stores.

Placer.ai's Chief Marketing Officer Ethan Chernofsky delivers his highly anticipated retail grades for the first half of 2024! Discover which retailers are crushing it (Walmart, Trader Joe's, Sprouts) and which ones need improvement (Target, Lululemon). This data-driven analysis uses real foot traffic and location analytics to reveal surprising retail trends, from the movie theater comeback to department store resurgences. Essential insights for retail professionals, investors, and anyone interested in consumer behavior and retail performance trends. 0:00 – Introduction: Omni Talk hosts welcome Placer AI's newly promoted CMO Ethan Chernowski for summer retail grades 1:50 – What is Placer.ai: Location data company tracking tens of millions of devices to analyze retail foot traffic 3:25 – “A's As Expected”: Top performers including Walmart, Trader Joe's, Sprouts, TJX/Marshalls – retailers with clear reason for being 8:30 – “Holding Onto Newfound Momentum”: Chili's remarkable turnaround through menu simplification and value focus, plus department store recovery (Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's) 17:10 – “Blockbuster Mindset”: Movie theaters showing improvement when big films release, but need year-round merchandising strategy 25:00 – “Shaky But Promising”: Hobby Lobby benefiting from Jo-Ann closures, Home Depot tariff impact, Ulta recovery, and B-class mall resurgence 33:00 – “Needs Improvement”: Lululemon facing saturation challenges, Target's operational issues beyond DEI controversy, Dave & Busters pricing problems 40:00 – Key takeaway: Success comes from knowing your “reason for being” and focusing on retail fundamentals over flashy technology Music by hooksounds.com #retailanalytics #retailtrends #walmart #target #lululemon #consumerbehavior #retailstrategy #omnitalk #locationdata Sponsored Content

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we rapid-fire through the week's quirkiest retail stories. Morrison's limits colleague access to stock rooms to prevent "idling," Call Her Daddy's Alex Cooper gets booed at Wrigley Field, Nextdoor replatforms to cut cranky neighbor posts, and an AI influencer with 150K followers fools everyone at Wimbledon.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we examine Shopify's proactive stance on AI agent regulation. Shopify is drawing boundaries around agentic AI with new language in merchant websites' robots.txt files, stating "scraping, buy from me agents, or any end-to-end flow that completes payment without a final review step is not permitted." The move shows Shopify thinking ahead to protect its ecosystem while directing legitimate integrators to use official APIs.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we explore the generational shift reshaping grocery retail. Traditional supermarkets are falling out of favor with younger generations, with Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X increasingly turning to discount retailers for groceries. According to new survey data, 22% of Gen Z shoppers made their most recent grocery trip at Aldi, matching Walmart's share. Meanwhile, 28% of baby boomers and 31% of the silent generation still prefer traditional supermarkets.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we examine how tariff-driven inflation threatens the upcoming holiday season. Inflation rose to 2.7% in June, its highest level since February, as President Trump's sweeping tariffs push up costs across furniture, clothing, and large appliances. Core inflation climbed to 2.9% annually, creating massive uncertainty for retailers planning holiday inventory and pricing strategies. With nobody knowing what tariffs will be in place during peak season, retailers face unprecedented challenges.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we analyze contrasting approaches to return-to-office policies. Both Starbucks and Target issued return-to-office orders this week, but with very different strategies. Starbucks mandates employees work in the office a minimum of four days a week (Monday-Thursday) starting in October, even offering voluntary exit packages for those who refuse. Target takes a softer approach, asking team members to work in person at least three times a week with flexibility on which days, leaving decisions to individual leaders.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we dive into the biggest CPG story of the year. Kraft Heinz is preparing to break itself up a decade after the infamous merger orchestrated by Warren Buffett and Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital Partners. The company plans to spin off a large chunk of its grocery business, including many Kraft products, into a new entity valued as much as $20 billion. This would leave a separate company housing faster-growing offerings like Heinz ketchup, Grey Poupon mustard, and hot sauces that align better with consumer preferences.

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, A&M's Chad Lusk and David Brown joined Chris and Anne to discuss: Kraft Heinz's breakup plans – The food giant is preparing to spin off a large chunk of its grocery business into a new $20 billion entity, a decade after the infamous Warren Buffett-orchestrated merger Return to office mandates – Both Starbucks and Target issued new in-person work requirements, with Starbucks mandating four days (Monday-Thursday) and Target requiring three flexible days per week Tariff-driven inflation concerns – Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June as President Trump's tariffs push up costs on furniture, clothing, and appliances, potentially impacting holiday shopping Supermarkets losing younger shoppers – Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X increasingly favor Walmart and Aldi over traditional supermarkets, with 22% of Gen Z shoppers choosing each retailer for their most recent grocery trip Shopify sets AI boundaries – The e-commerce platform is blocking agentic AI bots from completing purchases without human review, adding new restrictions to protect merchants from unauthorized automation And AWS's Daniele Stroppa also dropped by to help us hand out a new award we are giving out each month in partnership with AWS, and we are calling it the Retail Startup of the Month – this month's winner is Bria AI, a visual generative AI platform that helps brands create compliant, on-brand content at scale. There's all that, plus discussions on AI influencers taking Wimbledon by storm, cranky Nextdoor neighbors, and whether Alex Cooper was rightly booed at Wrigley Field last week. Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #KraftHeinzBreakup #ReturnToOffice #TariffInflation #SupermarketTrends #ShopifyAI #AgenticAI #BriaAI #RetailTech #OmniTalk #RetailPodcast #AWSTechStartup

AWS's Daniele Stroppa, Worldwide Technical Lead for AWS partners in retail, joins us to announce July's retail tech startup of the month: Bria AI. Daniele breaks down why Bria AI is revolutionizing content creation for brands with their visual generative AI platform. Unlike typical text-to-image generators, Bria focuses on commercial value, seamless integration, and fully compliant content creation using properly licensed data. From maintaining brand integrity with "tailor generation" to creating thousands of product images in minutes instead of weeks, Bria AI is solving real enterprise challenges with practical solutions that integrate into existing workflows.

Our lightning round covers McDonald's spicy breakfast innovation, Bob's Furniture's quirky "Furniture Eulogies" social campaign, and the new dating trend "Banksying." Plus Chris shares his furniture design advice and grocery shopping habits. Brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital.

New app Grocery Dealz allows real-time price comparison across grocery stores, potentially triggering massive industry disruption. Chris warns this could herald the age of agentic AI grocery shopping that threatens traditional retailers' margin structures and survival. Brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital.

Sephora offers $20 Lyft credits to drive customers to stores during Prime Day week. Our hosts analyze whether this "delivered to beauty" campaign represents innovative omnichannel thinking or just smart marketing spin that luxury retailers have done for decades. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital.

Staples pivots to services like TSA pre-check, passport photos, and Verizon device sales as core printing business declines. Chris and Anne debate whether this services salvation story can sustain the 945-location chain or if it's just delaying the inevitable. Brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital.

Amazon teams up with Gopuff for 15-minute grocery delivery across major UK cities. Our hosts debate whether this signals Amazon's retreat from direct grocery or a strategic setup for agentic AI shopping experiences that could revolutionize how consumers buy groceries. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital.

Walmart launches "Dinner Tonight" - a new meal solution platform that combines recipes, ready-made meals, and one-click ordering with same-day delivery. Chris and Anne analyze why this could be the meal kit killer and how Walmart's AI integration positions them ahead of competitors. Brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital.

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed: - Walmart's “Dinner Tonight” platform launch – The retail giant's one-stop meal solution that lets customers type “Dinner Tonight” or “easy dinner” to access one-click baskets, recipe hubs, and shoppable lists, complete with deli and bakery delivery options. - Amazon's 15-minute grocery delivery partnership with GoPuff in the UK – - The ultra-fast service has expanded from Birmingham and Salford to major cities including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Cardiff, Bristol and Sheffield, offering 24/7 grocery delivery through GoPuff's micro-fulfillment network. - Staples pivoting to services for business relevance – The office supply retailer is driving foot traffic through printing, shipping, passport services, and a new Verizon partnership to sell phones and devices in-store, with about 945 locations serving roughly 90% of the U.S. population. (Source) - Sephora's “Delivered to Beauty” partnership with Lyft – The beauty retailer offered $20 Lyft credits for rides to select stores in NYC, LA, San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle during July 7-10, with customers receiving in-store guidance and $10 off purchases over $50. - Grocery Dealz app launch as the “Gas Buddy of grocery” – The new Dallas-Fort Worth based app allows shoppers to compare grocery prices across supermarkets and build carts, with plans for statewide Texas expansion and eventual national rollout. Plus: This month's OmniStar award goes to Tracey Brown, EVP and Chief Customer Officer at Walgreens, for becoming a licensed pharmacy tech and working weekend shifts to better understand operations and accelerate change. There's all that, plus spicy McMuffins, furniture eulogies, and the new dating trend called “Banksying.” Music by hooksounds.com

This segment on the Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, covers rapid-fire retail takes. Quick hits on General Dynamics buying Macy's anchor space (Chris suggests hiding alien bodies), Google's AI mode for fashion try-ons (Anne loves how flattering it is), and Jeff Bezos' celebrity-packed wedding. Plus Anne's controversial Arnold Schwarzenegger movie rankings with Kindergarten Cop at #1! For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/-J5sCVAKsfQ

This segment on the Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, analyzes Starbucks' hiring transformation under CEO Brian Niccol. Starbucks adds district managers to barista hiring decisions as part of experience improvements. Chris sees it as a culture message but fears operational issues remain unsolved, while Anne advocates for automation first, comparing it to Chick-fil-A's efficient model where human interaction focuses on key moments. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/-J5sCVAKsfQ

This segment on the Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, examines Hibbett's kids-focused digital strategy. Hibbett launches a standalone kids app and website under new owner JD Sports for ages 13 and younger. Both Chris and Anne question this approach, suggesting resources would be better spent on TikTok influencers and content creation where kids actually discover products, rather than building separate apps. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/-J5sCVAKsfQ

This segment on the Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, breaks down Target's factory direct shipping test. Target explores factory direct shipping similar to Temu and Shein's model for apparel and home goods. Chris loves the defensive move and believes Target's brand credibility can win, while Anne questions if Target has lost its design edge and worries about competing on price against Walmart and Amazon. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/-J5sCVAKsfQ

This segment on the Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, explores Wegmans' smart cart pilot. Wegmans pilots Instacart's AI-powered Caper Carts at their Syracuse store for seamless checkout and spending tracking. Anne remains "mid" on smart carts, seeing them as a retail media play rather than essential retail tech, while Chris questions if this expensive capital investment will ever scale effectively. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/-J5sCVAKsfQ

This segment on the Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, dives into Walmart's dark store pilot program. Walmart is testing dark stores in Dallas for faster online fulfillment, with plans for Bentonville. Chris calls it a smart defensive and offensive move that could eliminate out-of-stocks online, while Anne questions whether this accelerates competition with Amazon and what Target's response will be.

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, gStore by GregyOrange's General Manager Troy Sewek joins Omni Talk to share his tried-and-true tips on tech for the world's smartest stores. From RFID foundations to computer vision innovations, Troy breaks down what technology is truly critical for retailers facing market uncertainty, how to build smart store pilots that actually change behavior (not just showcase tech), and why the future is all about orchestration — where all your store systems work together like a central nervous system. If you've ever wondered what smart store tech is worth adopting and how to implement it fast, this episode is for you.

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed: Walmart testing dark stores Wegmans piloting Instacart's smart carts Target exploring factory-direct shipping models similar to Shein and Temu Hibbett's launch of a kid-focused app and website Starbucks retooling its hiring process for baristas And gStore from GreyOrange's General Manager, Troy Siwek stopped by for 5 Insightful Minutes to give us the lowdown on what technologies he thinks retailers should be evaluating for their next generation of smart stores. There's all that, plus alien bodies, AI mode, the Bezos wedding, and Arnold Schwarzenegger movie rankings. Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #WalmartDarkStores #InstacartSmartCarts #RetailTech #TargetFactoryDirect #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #StarbucksHiring #HibbettKids #RetailInnovation #GroceryTech #RetailStrategy

Omni Talk sits down with Krystina Gustafson, co-founder of RetailClub and former Shoptalk content chief, to talk about the new AI Deep Dive Retreat launching this September in Huntington Beach. In this candid conversation, Krystina explains how RetailClub is reinventing the retail event experience—ditching the booths and buzzwords in favor of real conversations, collaborative learning, and hands-on AI training.

In this week's Fast Five Podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, our rapid-fire lightning round covers the week's quirkiest retail stories: Ollipop's 5-cent VIP boxes, Jimmy John's steamy romance novel promotion, Unilever acquiring Dr. Squatch, and Tombstone's wild French fry crust pizza experiment. Timestamps: 32:19 - Ollipop Amazon partnership 32:53 - Jimmy John romance audiobook 34:54 - Dr Squatch acquisition 35:34 - Tombstone French fry pizza Catch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/3lsaTBvBuMs #RetailNews #FoodInnovation #BrandMarketing #ConsumerTrends #LightningRound