Podcast appearances and mentions of anne mezzenga

Recorded live at FMI 2026, Omni Talk Retail hosts Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton wrap up their conference coverage with Benjamin Bond, SVP, Strategy & Client Success at Simbe, from the Simbe booth. In this final interview of the conference, Ben shares how Simbe thinks about long term strategy while working day to day with retailers to ensure value realization at scale. He explains why shelf intelligence succeeds when entire organizations align around the store associate, and how Simbe's technology helps teams prioritize, act in real time, and run better stores. The conversation goes beyond the robot demo to explore how retailers move from pilot programs to full chain deployments, how CFOs evaluate emerging technology investments, and why shelf data is becoming one of the most foundational datasets in retail. Ben also looks ahead to how Simbe's platform, AI, and computer vision continue to evolve across grocery and other retail verticals. Key Topics Covered - Ben Bond's role spanning strategy and client success at Simbe - Empowering store associates with real time shelf intelligence - Moving from pilot programs to large scale deployments - Building the business case and ROI for retail robotics - Operating models that drive long term retailer success - The future of computer vision, AI, and multimodal platforms - Expanding beyond grocery into additional retail sectors This conversation closes out Omni Talk Retail's live coverage from FMI 2026, recorded at the Simbe booth. #FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #Simbe #RetailTechnology #ShelfIntelligence #RetailOperations #StoreExecution #RetailRobotics

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Tim Horton, Vice President of Center Store at Schnucks, to discuss how center store strategy is evolving as consumer health trends, technology, and store execution continue to collide. Tim shares his personal journey growing up in the grocery business and why center store remains a critical frontier for physical retail. The conversation explores how trends like GLP 1 adoption, higher protein demand, and changing definitions of health and wellness are reshaping assortment decisions, space allocation, and the in store experience. The discussion also dives into Schnucks approach to store technology, including electronic shelf labels and robotic scanning, and how these tools are being used to improve execution, compliance, and customer facing service without removing labor from stores. Tim outlines how data, digital engagement, and shelf level personalization will play a growing role as Schnucks looks ahead to 2026. Key Topics Covered: -How center store is changing amid GLP 1 and health focused consumer trends -Balancing space changes with customer trust and shopping habits -Schnucks approach to technology, including electronic shelf labels and robotics -Using data and automation to improve merchandising execution -Elevating health and wellness categories in center store -The role of digital and personalization in supporting in store discovery -Priorities for Schnucks center store strategy heading into 2026 Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, and be sure to visit the Simbe booth, #118, in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #Schnucks #CenterStore #GroceryRetail #RetailTechnology #HealthAndWellness #StoreExecution #RetailLeadership #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 Simbe's launch of Tally 4.0, the most advanced generation of its autonomous shelf-scanning robot. Live from FMI, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss why expanded coverage across produce, freezers, and top stock is a game-changer, how real-time shelf data becomes the foundation for the connected store, and why in-store robotics may offer one of the clearest ROIs in retail heading into 2026. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jVDymvwAUXg #Simbe #Tally40 #RetailRobotics #ConnectedStore #RetailTech #GroceryRetail #RetailFastFive #OmniTalk

Recorded live at FMI 2026, Omni Talk Retail hosts Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton sit down with Justin Weinstein, EVP, Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer at Giant Eagle, Inc., from the Simbe booth. Justin shares an update on Giant Eagle's progress since their last conversation, including how the company is reinvesting in stores, sharpening value, and doubling down on fresh and quality across the business. He discusses how Giant Eagle is thinking about store prototypes, department level differentiation, and how trends like GLP 1s are influencing merchandising, space allocation, and customer engagement. The conversation also explores agentic AI in grocery, where the hype is real but still evolving, and why operational rigor, real time insight, and strong partnerships are critical to serving customers when it matters most. Key Topics Covered: - Progress on Giant Eagle's growth and reinvestment strategy - Store of the future thinking and department differentiation - Value, pricing, and promotional focus - Fresh, protein, and nutrient dense foods - GLP 1s and implications for merchandising and space planning - Agentic AI and its role in grocery commerce - Operational execution and real time visibility through technology partners For more insights from grocery and retail leaders, continue following Omni Talk Retail's live coverage from FMI 2026, recorded at the Simbe booth. #FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #GroceryRetail #GiantEagle #Merchandising #RetailMarketing #FoodRetail #RetailTechnology #Simbe

Recorded live at FMI 2026, Omni Talk Retail hosts Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton sit down with Alyssa Vescio, Chief Merchandising Officer at The Fresh Market, from the Simbe booth. In this conversation, Alyssa shares her career journey from Target to Whole Foods Market and now The Fresh Market, and how each chapter shaped her approach to merchandising, leadership, and purpose. She discusses why healthy discontent has fueled her career, how purpose driven retail can scale responsibly, and what excites her most about The Fresh Market's brand, people, and potential as she looks ahead to 2026. The discussion explores how merchandising sits at the center of guest experience, supplier relationships, and long term business impact, especially in food retail where quality, freshness, and human connection matter most. Key Topics Covered: - Alyssa Vescio's path from Target and Whole Foods to The Fresh Market - Building strong merchandising foundations across disciplines - Purpose driven retail and the stakeholder model - Why food is a powerful human connector - Approaching the first 90 days in a new leadership role - Unlocking brand love, discovery, and differentiation - Accessibility and expanding access to high quality food For more conversations from grocery and retail leaders, continue following Omni Talk Retail's live coverage from FMI 2026, recorded at the Simbe booth. #FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #GroceryRetail #Merchandising #FoodRetail #RetailLeadership #TheFreshMarket #Simbe

Live from FMI 2026 in San Diego, Omni Talk Retail's Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Thom Blischok, Chairman and CEO of The DiaLogic Group, at the Simbe booth to discuss why 2026 will be the year retail robotics finally move from pilots to scale. Thom breaks down what's driving broader adoption of in store robotics, including rising cost to serve, labor productivity pressures, and the growing need to improve shelf execution and shopper experience. He also shares why change management is often the missing piece in successful deployments and what independent grocers must get right to compete with larger retailers. Key topics covered: - Why 2026 is the year retail robotics scale - Moving from pilot programs to enterprise deployment - Cost to serve, labor productivity, and shelf efficiency - Change management as a critical success factor - Robotics, shelf intelligence, and the connected store - How independent grocers can compete using technology - Lessons from Schnucks and other early adopters Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #GroceryRetail #RetailTechnology #RetailRobotics #InStoreInnovation #ShelfIntelligence #FutureOfRetail #OmniTalkRetail

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 in San Diego at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga speak with Bruce Burrows, former CIO of Loblaw and Sobeys and current Strategic Advisor at Simbe, about how technology, AI, and shelf intelligence are reshaping grocery retail. Bruce shares his perspective on why retailers should focus on being great retailers, not software developers, and how the buy versus build debate is evolving in an era of AI and private LLMs. The conversation explores where grocery sits on the maturity curve for connected stores, why in store execution is becoming table stakes, and how retailers can use data to drive better decisions across merchandising, supply chain, and store operations. Bruce also outlines a practical crawl, walk, run framework for adopting shelf intelligence, starting with fixing out of stocks and pricing issues, then moving toward smarter merchandising, supply chain integration, and new monetization opportunities. The discussion touches on agentic AI, avoiding solution sprawl, and why mid market grocers are often moving faster than larger enterprises. Key Topics Covered - Buy versus build in retail technology - The role of AI and private LLMs in grocery - Shelf intelligence and the connected store maturity curve - Crawl, walk, run adoption of smart store technology - Improving in stock, pricing accuracy, and execution - Using store data to enhance merchandising and supply chain - Agentic AI, solution sprawl, and platform strategy - Why mid market grocers are leading tech adoption Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #RetailTechnology #GroceryRetail #AIinRetail #ShelfIntelligence #SmartStores #RetailLeadership #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga speak with Brad Bogolea, Co-founder and CEO of Simbe, about how shelf intelligence is reshaping store execution and why real-time visibility inside the store is becoming essential for retailers. Brad shares the thinking behind Simbe's newly announced Tally 4.0, the company's fourth-generation autonomous inventory robot, and how advancements in battery life, edge compute, and optical sensing are unlocking more frequent store coverage and faster time to value. He explains how real-time shelf data is evolving into predictive intelligence that supports merchandising, replenishment, and forecasting decisions across the retail enterprise. The conversation also explores why shelf intelligence is foundational in an increasingly agentic and AI-driven retail environment, how retailers across geographies are prioritizing physical store data, and what Simbe's first decade has revealed about building long-term retailer partnerships and scaling innovation in grocery and beyond. Key Topics Covered - What's new in Simbe's Tally 4.0 platform - Why shelf intelligence is gaining urgency across retail - Real-time visibility versus predictive intelligence - How edge AI and advanced sensing improve store execution - The role of shelf data in merchandising and replenishment - Lessons from Simbe's first 10 years in retail automation - What the next decade of store intelligence could look like Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth, #118, in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #Simbe #ShelfIntelligence #RetailAutomation #StoreExecution #RetailTechnology #AIinRetail #GroceryRetail #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 in San Diego at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Russell Zwanka, Director of the Food Marketing Program at Western Michigan University. Russell shares insights from decades in grocery retail and merchandising, paired with his current role shaping the next generation of industry leaders. The conversation explores how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are entering the workforce, what retailers often misunderstand about younger talent, and why flexibility, culture, and in-person learning still matter. The discussion also dives into AI, agentic commerce, GLP-1 adoption, and how grocery store formats are beginning to diverge. Russell explains why shelf intelligence, human judgment, and operational understanding remain critical, even as automation and AI accelerate across the industry. Key Topics Covered - What retailers get right and wrong about Gen Z talent - How AI and agentic commerce are changing food marketing - Why human curation still matters in an AI-driven world - The growing divide between grocery store formats - How GLP-1s are influencing shopping behavior and nutrition - What future grocery careers will look like for students Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #GroceryRetail #FoodMarketing #RetailEducation #AIinRetail #GLP1 #FutureOfGrocery #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 culture, fashion, and the lighter side of retail. From retro love letters and typewriter nostalgia to celebrity wedding drama, fashion legacy, and Broadway's Magic Mike Live, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga keep things fast, fun, and unpredictable. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jVDymvwAUXg #LightningRound #RetailCulture #PopCulture #OmniTalk #FMI2026

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 why entertainment has become retail's latest buzzword... from Fanatics launching Fanatics Studios to Gap appointing its first-ever Chief Entertainment Officer. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga debate whether retail entertainment is a true growth engine or just modern marketing, why Fanatics' sports flywheel gives it a massive edge, and whether Gap's LA-based “fashiontainment” strategy will drive ROI or simply add cost. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jVDymvwAUXg #Fanatics #Gap #RetailEntertainment #Retailtainment #BrandMarketing #RetailStrategy #RetailFastFive #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 Walmart's push into trendier, more upscale home goods as it looks to attract higher-income shoppers and take share from Amazon. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss why home is ultimately a price-and-search-driven category, how Walmart's scale, returns, and Walmart+ advantages change the game, and why selling high-end items may be far less risky than it appears. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jVDymvwAUXg #Walmart #HomeGoods #RetailStrategy #Ecommerce #RetailTrends #RetailFastFive #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 Kroger's nationwide rollout of grocery delivery through Uber Eats, Uber, and Postmates... putting nearly 2,700 stores on yet another major platform. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss why Kroger is embracing every delivery channel, how this strategy compares to Walmart and Amazon's owned networks, and whether expanding third-party delivery is a smart hedge in a post-Ocado world or a long-term road to being squeezed. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jVDymvwAUXg #Kroger #UberEats #GroceryDelivery #RetailStrategy #OmniChannel #RetailTech #RetailFastFive #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 OpenAI's move to begin testing ads on ChatGPT — a major shift in how AI-powered search may monetize. Live from FMI, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga debate whether users will care about ads at all, why UI and buying friction matter more than privacy fears, and what this signals about the escalating battle between OpenAI and Google. They also explore how brands may respond as AI-driven searches continue to convert at higher rates. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jVDymvwAUXg #ChatGPT #AIAdvertising #RetailMedia #SearchWars #AgenticCommerce #OmniTalk #FMI2026

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga speak with Karen Fang Grant, Managing Director and Global Research Lead at Accenture, about how technology, health trends, and AI are reshaping the future of grocery retail. Karen shares how forces like GLP 1 adoption, evolving definitions of health and wellness, and changing consumer expectations are influencing assortment, operations, and enterprise decision making across grocery. The conversation explores why AI is moving from experimentation to execution, how agentic AI and automation are beginning to drive real operational impact, and what retailers must do to scale these technologies responsibly. Karen also discusses why organizational readiness, strong data foundations, and cross functional collaboration matter more than any single technology investment, and what separates retailers successfully deploying AI from those still stuck in pilot mode. Key Topics Covered - How GLP 1 and health trends are reshaping grocery retail strategy - The evolving role of AI and automation in retail operations - Why agentic AI represents the next phase of enterprise transformation - Moving from AI pilots to scalable, real world impact - The importance of data readiness and organizational alignment - How retailers can responsibly adopt AI while maintaining trust - What grocery leaders should prioritize heading into 2026 Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #Accenture #GroceryRetail #RetailTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthAndWellness #RetailLeadership #DigitalTransformation #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga speak with Julian Mintz, VP of Sales at Albertsons Media Collective, about how retail media is evolving and what brands are looking for next. Julian shares how Albertsons Media Collective is leveraging national scale, local banner strength, and true omnichannel reach to help brands connect with shoppers from the couch all the way to checkout. The conversation explores why in store media is moving into the spotlight, how measurement and closed loop attribution are shaping brand confidence, and what it takes to align media, merchandising, and promotion into a single strategy. Julian also discusses how Albertsons works with CPG partners to break down silos between traditional media, shopper marketing, and retail media, and why education and internal collaboration are critical to driving unit sales and long term growth. Key Topics Covered - What differentiates Albertsons Media Collective in a crowded retail media landscape - How Albertsons defines true omnichannel reach - Why in store media is still early but gaining momentum fast - The role of measurement and closed loop attribution in brand adoption - Aligning media, merchandising, and promotion for better outcomes - Breaking down silos between brand, agency, and shopper budgets - How technology enables precision across banners and demographics Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #AlbertsonsMediaCollective #RetailMedia #InStoreMedia #GroceryRetail #RetailTechnology #Omnichannel #RetailLeadership #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Brian Monahan, SVP of Albertsons Media Collective, to discuss how retail media is evolving and why in store media is emerging as the next major growth frontier. Brian shares his background across Walmart, Pinterest, Dentsu, and now Albertsons, and explains why retail media is far from a bubble. The conversation explores how first party data, authenticated shoppers, and trip based insights are reshaping how brands measure performance and drive growth across grocery retail. The discussion also dives into Albertsons Media Collective approach to collective growth, the competitive realities of operating as a challenger retail media network, and why local banner equity creates differentiated value for brand partners. Brian outlines why in store media represents the third leg of the retail media stool and how connecting the shopper journey from couch to checkout will define the next phase of retail media innovation heading into 2026. Key Topics Covered - How retail media is evolving beyond sponsored ads - Why first party data and authenticated shoppers matter - The role of trip based insights in driving brand growth - Albertsons Media Collective approach to collective growth - Competing as a challenger retail media network - Why in store media is the next major retail media unlock - Connecting off site, on site, and in store media touchpoints - Where in store media stands on the adoption curve heading into 2026 Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, and be sure to visit the Simbe booth, #118, in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #Albertsons #RetailMedia #InStoreMedia #GroceryRetail #RetailTechnology #RetailLeadership #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026, Mike Wier, Vice President of Store Brands at CVS, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to discuss how CVS is rethinking private brands as a core growth engine across health, wellness, and everyday convenience. Mike explains what it means to run store brands like a “mini CEO,” overseeing product development, sourcing, branding, and growth across a 9,000-store footprint. With most CVS customers shopping quick, mission-driven trips, the conversation focuses on how simplicity, clarity, and trust at the shelf are shaping CVS's private brand strategy. Looking ahead, Mike outlines his vision for CVS private brands evolving beyond the store, becoming trusted consumer brands that extend outside of CVS's four walls and operate more like modern CPG companies. Key Topics Covered: -What it means to lead private brands as a “mini CEO” inside CVS -Why CVS simplified dozens of brands into a focused brand portfolio How short, mission-driven trips shape private brand strategy -Repositioning the CVS brand for health, wellness, and trust -Packaging simplification and shelf clarity as competitive advantages -Competing with national brands in wellness and everyday essentials -Why CVS private brands may expand beyond CVS stores -How private brands are becoming long-term growth platforms Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail's NRF 2026 coverage, and thank you to our listeners for following along throughout the show. #NRF2026 #CVS #PrivateBrands #StoreBrands #RetailStrategy #HealthAndWellness #RetailBranding #RetailInnovation #OmniTalkRetail

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion booth, Jacob Tveraabak, Group Chief Executive Officer of StrongPoint, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to discuss how in-store order picking, grocery efficiency, and store-based fulfillment are becoming critical to profitable grocery ecommerce. Jacob explains why grocery presents a fundamentally different operational challenge than other retail categories, driven by high item velocity, low margins, and large basket sizes. Drawing on StrongPoint's Scandinavian roots, he shares how high labor costs have forced retailers to engineer ultra-efficient picking solutions and why those lessons are increasingly relevant for U.S. grocers. Key Topics Covered: -Why grocery order picking requires a fundamentally different technology approach -How labor costs drive efficiency and innovation in Scandinavian retail -The role of in-store picking in profitable grocery ecommerce -Store-based fulfillment vs centralized fulfillment centers -Integrating order picking with shelf visibility and store data -Reducing substitution, mis-picks, and wasted labor -How connected store infrastructure improves execution at scale -Why stores are becoming the backbone of future grocery fulfillment Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail's live coverage from NRF 2026, and thank you to our listeners for tuning in throughout the week. #NRF2026 #StrongPoint #GroceryRetail #OrderPicking #StoreBasedFulfillment #RetailOperations #ConnectedStores #RetailTechnology #OmniTalkRetail

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion booth, Mark Williamson, AVP of Retail Media at Costco, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to discuss how Costco is building its retail media business in a way that stays true to its culture, values, and member-first philosophy. Mark shares how Costco's retail media organization has evolved over the past year, including major investments in people, data infrastructure, and foundational capabilities designed to support personalization at scale. Rather than prioritizing short-term monetization, Costco is intentionally building a retail media platform that serves its broader member communication and personalization strategy. Looking ahead to 2026, Mark outlines upcoming product launches including a new clean room, expanded offsite media measurement, search and shopping integrations, and a rebuilt onsite ad server designed to connect identity, data, and in-warehouse sales outcomes. The discussion closes with a look at how Costco views scan-and-go style experiences, warehouse mode, and the role of the app as a one-to-one personalization channel. Key Topics covered: -How Costco's retail media business has evolved since NRF 2025 -What it means to build retail media “the Costco way” -Hiring from within and preserving Costco culture at scale -Why retail media is subordinated to member communication strategy -The role of AI in delivering personalization across 135 million members -Why data readiness is the foundation for scalable retail media -Balancing national brands and Kirkland Signature within retail media -Clean rooms, offsite measurement, and growing advertiser expectations -New search, shopping, and onsite ad server capabilities for 2026 -How Costco thinks about scan-and-go, warehouse mode, and the member app Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello. #NRF2026 #Costco #RetailMedia #RetailTechnology #Personalization #RetailAI #OmnichannelRetail #RetailLeadership #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion booth, Martin Bailie, Senior Advisor at Vusion, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to explain why the execution gap has become the biggest risk facing retailers in 2026. As retailers invest heavily in AI, data platforms, and digital transformation, many are discovering that strategy alone does not drive results. Martin breaks down why execution at store level, not vision decks or pilot programs, determines whether technology delivers real P & L impact. From disconnected systems and poor data quality to organizational silos and change management challenges, this conversation examines why retailers struggle to move from ideas to outcomes. Key Topics Covered: • Why the execution gap is now retail's biggest competitive risk • The difference between strategy, pilots, and scalable execution • How disconnected store systems undermine AI and analytics investments • Why data quality and real time visibility matter more than new tools • The role of connected store platforms in driving consistent execution • Organizational barriers that prevent technology from delivering value • How retailers can align store operations, IT, and leadership priorities • Turning technology investments into measurable P & L results • What retailers must do in 2026 to avoid permanent execution debt Stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello! #NRF2026 #RetailExecution #ConnectedStores #RetailTechnology #RetailAI #StoreOperations #Vusion #RetailLeadership #OmniTalk

In this OmniTalk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion podcast studio, Ankur Mittal, Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director of Lowe's India, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to explain why Lowe's is commercializing its internal retail technology and what that means for the future of point of sale and omnichannel retail. Ankur shares how Lowe's India supports more than 5,000 associates across core corporate and technology functions, and why the company decided to launch a SaaS offshoot to bring its internally built POS platform to market. From hardware-agnostic design and AI-driven capabilities to modular, plug-and-play architecture, this conversation breaks down how modern POS systems are evolving into the backbone of omnichannel retail. The discussion also explores why mid-sized retailers are responding strongly to flexible, software-first POS solutions, how long POS change cycles have held retailers back, and why true omnichannel requires shared item, pricing, promotion, and inventory data across every channel. Key Topics covered: -Why Lowe's decided to commercialize its internally built retail software -Point of sale as the heart of omnichannel retail -Hardware-agnostic POS and why it matters for retailers -AI-driven capabilities including shrink identification -Modular commerce architecture and plug-and-play systems -How mid-sized retailers can modernize POS without big-bang upgrades -POS stability, speed, and operational reliability -What true omnichannel really means beyond BOPIS -Lowe's roadmap for POS, commerce engines, and enterprise platforms in 2026 Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello. #NRF2026 #OmniTalkRetail #RetailTechnology #RetailInnovation #PointOfSale #OmnichannelRetail

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion booth, Mary Beth Laughton, President and CEO of REI, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to discuss her first year leading the iconic outdoor co-op and the priorities shaping REI's next chapter. Mary Beth reflects on stepping into the role during a pivotal moment for the business, balancing retail fundamentals with innovation while staying deeply rooted in REI's mission and values. She shares how REI is sharpening its customer focus around what the company calls the “Outdoor Evangelist” and why community, trust, and human expertise remain core differentiators in an increasingly digital retail world. Looking ahead to 2026, she outlines REI's focus on reinventing its membership program, strengthening emotional loyalty, expanding partnerships like its new collaboration with Intrepid Travel, and continuing to elevate service and assortment for a rapidly changing outdoor consumer. Key Topics covered: -Mary Beth Laughton's first year as CEO of REI -How REI defines and serves the “Outdoor Evangelist” customer -Why customer-centric decision-making is embedded into REI's culture -Holiday performance, gifting growth, and the rise of experience-led shopping -The role of membership in driving long-term loyalty at REI -Why AI is becoming table stakes, not a retail differentiator -Blending human expertise with technology through REI's green vests -Reinventing loyalty to be emotional, not just transactional -New partnerships and experiences shaping REI's future -What excites REI most about the road ahead in 2026 Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello. #NRF2026 #REI #RetailLeadership #CustomerExperience #RetailInnovation #Membership #Loyalty #OmnichannelRetail #RetailAI #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion booth, Aimee Bayer Thomas, Chief Retail Officer at Ulta Beauty, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to explain why physical stores remain the foundation of Ulta's omnichannel strategy and how experiences are becoming a powerful growth driver in beauty retail. Overseeing more than 1,500 stores and 60,000 associates, Aimee shares how Ulta Beauty is scaling experiential retail through services, technology, and one of the industry's most ambitious event strategies. From salons and beauty services to birthday parties, brand-led activations, and Ulta Beauty World, she explains how Ulta executed more than 80,000 in-store events and why guests increasingly come in pairs and groups to discover, play, and connect. Key Topics covered: -What the Chief Retail Officer role covers at Ulta Beauty -Why Ulta believes stores are still central to omnichannel retail -How beauty services like salons, brows, and piercings create differentiation -The strategy behind executing 80,000 plus in-store events -Scaling experiential retail without creating noise or inconsistency -How Ulta partners with brands to deliver high-touch experiences -The role of technology and the Ulta app in discovery and store engagement -Why guests shop beauty experiences in pairs and groups -Birthday parties, celebrity events, and Ulta Beauty World as loyalty drivers -Balancing centralized event governance with local store execution Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello. #NRF2026 #UltaBeauty #ExperientialRetail #OmnichannelRetail #RetailLeadership #StoreExperience #RetailInnovation #BeautyRetail #CustomerExperience #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 in New York, Emily Erusha-Hilleque, SVP of Private Brands at Macy's and an OmniStar of 2025, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to discuss how private brands are becoming a core growth driver for modern retailers. Emily shares how Macy's is evolving its private brand portfolio to meet the needs of a multi generational, value conscious customer while delivering inspiration, quality, and relevance at scale. From filling white space across the brand matrix to launching new brands and elevating existing ones, this conversation explores what it takes to build private brands customers truly buy into. The discussion also covers how Macy's is using collaborations and experiential retail to create cultural moments, including the recent Inc. partnership with Christian Siriano, as well as how AI is supporting storytelling, personalization, and basket growth across Macy's private brand ecosystem. Key Topics covered: • Why private brands are central to Macy's long term growth strategy • How Macy's serves a multi generational and value conscious customer • The role of private brands in driving loyalty and lifetime value • How private brands fill white space across Macy's brand portfolio • Collaborations as a growth engine for private brands • The Inc. partnership with Christian Siriano and experiential retail moments • Making fashion and design more accessible through private brands • How AI supports brand storytelling, personalization, and selective selling • Raising basket size and customer engagement with private brands • What to expect from Macy's private brand strategy in 2026 Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026. #NRF2026 #PrivateBrands #RetailStrategy #RetailInnovation #RetailAI #CustomerExperience #Macys #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion booth, David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to break down how physical AI, smart carts, and connected store platforms are reshaping retail operations and customer relationships in 2026. As retailer boards demand real AI strategies, Instacart is positioning connected stores as a long-term competitive advantage. David explains how solutions like Caper smart carts, Store View, digital shelves, and agentic analytics work together to deliver personalization, basket lift, and operational efficiency at scale. From edge-based AI running inside stores to unifying online and in-store journeys, this conversation explores why retailers must own physical data to avoid disintermediation by hyperscalers. Key Topics covered: -What a Chief Connected Stores Officer actually oversees at Instacart -Why AI strategy is now a board-level mandate for retailers -The difference between cloud AI and physical AI in stores -How Caper smart carts use edge computing and real-time data -Double-digit basket lift and measurable retailer value from connected stores -Why checkout automation is really about reducing work, not skipping lines -How personalization, coupons, and gamification drive customer engagement -Using sensor fusion and shelf data to improve in-stocks and execution -Avoiding technology sprawl with integrated connected store platforms -Global expansion plans for Instacart's enterprise retail technology -The future of unified online and in-store shopping experiences Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello. #NRF2026 #Instacart #ConnectedStores #PhysicalAI #RetailAI #SmartCarts #OmnichannelRetail #RetailTechnology #RetailInnovation #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion booth, Julie Barber, EVP and Chief Merchant at Sam's Club, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to explain how merchandising, data, and agentic AI are reshaping assortment strategy, fresh food execution, and member value in 2026. With more than 20 years at Walmart Inc. and deep experience across grocery, health, general merchandise, and services, Julie shares how Sam's Club is balancing intentional, value-driven shopping with surprise and delight experiences that keep members engaged. From Scan & Go insights and real-time inventory visibility to agentic AI-powered assortment decisions, this conversation breaks down how modern merchants blend art and science at scale. Key Topics covered: -What surprised Sam's Club merchants about member behavior in 2025 -Why intentional shopping and surprise and delight coexist -How Scan & Go data is changing assortment and adjacency decisions -Using connected store signals to improve inventory accuracy -The role of scrubbers, real-time data, and floor execution -How Sam's Club approaches fresh food, protein trends, and home meal solutions -Member's Mark and the removal of artificial colors and ingredients -Applying agentic AI to assortment planning and localization -How AI speeds decisions from weeks to minutes -Turning AI-driven efficiency into better in-stocks, lower costs, and member value Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello. #NRF2026 #SamsClub #Merchandising #RetailAI #AgenticAI #ConnectedStore #RetailInnovation #MembersMark #OmniTalk #RetailLeadership

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at Vusion's booth, Todd Garner, Chief Product Officer at Sam's Club, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to share how Scan & Go has become a defining pillar of the Sam's Club member experience and what's coming next as agentic AI reshapes shopping. With Scan & Go now approaching 40% member adoption and nearing its 10-year anniversary, Sam's Club is using its limited SKU, membership-based model to reduce friction, shorten the distance between intent and purchase, and unlock new personalized, agent-driven experiences. Todd explains why mobile-first shopping, curated assortments, and AI-powered insights give Sam's Club a unique advantage and how all of it ladders back to engagement, renewal, and loyalty. Key Topics covered: -Scan & Go nearing 40% adoption and what's driving member usage -Why membership engagement and renewal matter more than individual feature metrics -How Scan & Go fits into a broader frictionless shopping ecosystem -Why limited SKUs make agentic shopping more powerful, not less -Using mobile-first experiences to shorten intent-to-purchase -The role of AI in merchandising, discovery, and personalized insights -How Sam's Club thinks about product, associate tools, and member experience together -What Todd is most excited to deliver next as Scan & Go approaches its 10-year milestone -Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by Vusion booth #4921 to say hello. #NRF2026 #SamsClub #ScanAndGo #RetailAI #AgenticAI #MembershipRetail #RetailTechnology #OmniTalk #RetailInnovation

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at Vusion's booth, Jim Norred, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Vusion, and Gina Ayala Claxton, CVP of U.S. Retail & Consumer Goods at Microsoft, join Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to explain why connected stores are quickly becoming a P&L priority for retailers in 2026. As margin pressure, labor constraints, and ecommerce fulfillment demands intensify, retailers are being forced to connect store infrastructure, data, and AI to drive faster, more accurate decisions. From Bluetooth-enabled connectivity and real-time shelf availability to agentic AI, data readiness, and governance at scale, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to modernize stores without creating costly “science projects.” Key Topics covered: -Why ecommerce picking accuracy is accelerating connected store adoption -Operational vs. marketing-led drivers of connected store investments -The anatomy of a connected store: BLE, data, and AI -Why Bluetooth is emerging as the heartbeat of in-store connectivity -Agentic AI, observability, and speeding decisions from signal to execution -Platform vs. point solutions and how retailers avoid technology sprawl -Governance, security, and scaling AI across thousands of stores -How retailers are prioritizing initiatives with measurable P&L impact -Turning connected store investments into loyalty, efficiency, and ROI Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by Vusion booth #4921 to say hello. #NRF2026 #ConnectedStore #RetailTechnology #RetailAI #OmnichannelRetail #StoreOperations #VusionGroup #Microsoft #RetailInnovation #OmniTalk

Join Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga for their second annual NRF must-see tech preview, showcasing five breakthrough retail technologies solving critical operational challenges. From AI employees autonomously negotiating supplier contracts to overhead RFID achieving 99% inventory accuracy, discover the solutions delivering measurable ROI and transforming how retailers operate in 2026. Featured companies and innovations: • Gain - AI employees Natalie and Bob executing end-to-end supplier negotiations and replenishment, closing deals from repair parts to $2-3M agreements • ESW - Cross-border commerce platform reducing international duties by 60% and enabling launches across 200+ countries without the $2.5-4.5M per-country build cost • PervasID - Overhead RFID technology (Trackmaster 3X) delivering 98-99% stock accuracy with 6-8 month ROI and 5-10% sales increases through improved on-shelf availability • Diebold Nixdorf - Visual AI at checkout reducing shrink from 3% to under 1% through intelligent nudging, with 80% of shoppers self-rectifying when prompted about missed scans • Cleveron - Robotic parcel lockers deployed in 300+ Zara stores across 38 countries, eliminating click-and-collect friction with QR code scan delivery in seconds Whether you're a retail technology executive planning your NRF booth strategy, building your 2026 technology roadmap, or looking to move beyond pilots to production deployments, this preview delivers real deployment data, ROI calculations, and operational insights from retailers like Zara, H & M, Calvin Klein, and other major CPG companies already scaling these solutions. #RetailTechnology #NRF2026 #AgenticAI #CrossBorderCommerce #RFID #ComputerVision #RetailAutomation

Specialty retailers keep asking us: handheld scanners or overhead readers? So we settled it the only way we know how: with a knockdown, dragout debate between two RFID experts. In this Retail Technology Spotlight, Anne Mezzenga moderates as Madalynn Lauria (Team Handheld) and Pareiya Gupta (Team Overhead) from GreyOrange make their cases for the best RFID solution. From proving ROI on a tight budget to cutting inventory counts from hours to minutes, this conversation tackles the real questions retailers are wrestling with as they decide how to track inventory in 2026. The verdict? It's not as simple as picking a side. Whether you're testing RFID for the first time or scaling across hundreds of stores, the right answer depends on your velocity, your budget, and what you're actually trying to solve. But one thing's clear: manual counts and mystery stockrooms aren't going to cut it anymore. Key Topics covered: • How to test RFID with minimal budget and staff • Cutting inventory counts from hours to under 20 minutes • Why some retailers are going hybrid (overhead + handheld) • Real-time shrink visibility and where product actually disappears • Tracking TikTok trends and moving inventory between stores in hours • The smart fitting room problem nobody talks about Music by hooksounds.com *Sponsored Content* #RFID #retailtech #inventorymanagement #omnitalk #retailinnovation #smartretail #retailpodcast #omnichannelretail #retailoperations #supplychain

Store digitization promises to transform retail operations, but most retailers struggle to move beyond pilots and buzzwords. In this Omni Talk Ask An Expert episode, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Troy Siwek (General Manager of gStore at GreyOrange) to reveal what actually works when digitizing physical stores. Learn how digital twins are evolving from concept to operational reality, why unified platforms matter more than individual point solutions, and how to cut through the hype around retail AI. Drawing from GreyOrange's 40,000+ technology deployments, Troy shares hard-earned lessons about RFID integration, computer vision evaluation, robotics orchestration, and organizational readiness. Key topics covered: • What store digitization actually means: bridging the physical-digital customer knowledge gap • Digital twins as operational "mirrors" that surface real-time insights for associates and executives • How to evaluate computer vision vendors based on what they actually specialize in • Why most retailers should partner for core digitization tech rather than build in-house • RFID inventory accuracy reducing store tasks from a week to 18 minutes • The organizational shift: who owns store digitization across CTO, CIO, and store ops teams • How excessive decision-making processes kill retail innovation speed • When to pilot, when to scale, and when to cut failing technology experiments Whether you're building your 2026 technology roadmap or trying to scale existing store digitization pilots, this conversation provides actionable insights to help you avoid costly mistakes, accelerate decision-making, and deliver measurable improvements for store associates. Connect with Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troysiwek/ Visit GreyOrange: https://www.greyorange.com #RetailTech #StoreDigitization #DigitalTwins #RetailAI #RFID #ComputerVision #OmniChannelRetail #RetailOperations #InventoryManagement #RetailInnovation #StoreTransformation #GreyOrange

In this Fast Five episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga break down the biggest retail stories from Black Friday 2025, including record-breaking online sales, AI's growing influence on shopping, and what it all means for the future of retail. From ChatGPT's new shopping research tool to Walmart's bold move to monetize Sparky with ads, Chris and Anne debate where retailers should focus their AI investments. Plus, they tackle smart glasses' potential breakthrough year, Amazon's 30-minute delivery test, and whether the industry is moving too fast on agentic commerce.

In this Retail Fast Five episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton are joined by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group's Managing Director Waqas Khan and Director Kelly Carey to unpack the biggest retail headlines of the week—from the AI commerce inflection point to Amazon's legal battle with Perplexity. With Adobe data revealing that AI-driven traffic now converts 16% better than traditional channels, the panel breaks down what this seismic shift means for retailers, why Amazon is fighting back against agentic shopping, and whether Target's new "10-4" service policy will actually work. Plus: Bath & Body Works' genius scent marketing play and the truth about Chief AI Officer roles.

Computer vision is transforming retail stores, but most pilots fail to scale beyond proof of concept. In this Omni Talk Ask An Expert episode, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Joe Serrano (Global Managing Partner, Retail & CPG at HTEC) and Daniel Horton (VP of Engineering & Delivery at HTEC) to reveal the playbook for successful computer vision deployments. Learn why 75% of retail AI pilots fail to scale, which use cases deliver the fastest ROI, and how to evaluate your existing infrastructure before investing in new technology. Joe and Dan share hard-earned lessons about everything from camera requirements and network readiness to privacy concerns and customer trust. Key topics covered: • Why demo accuracy rarely matches real-world performance • How to leverage 60-80% of existing cameras with minor augmentation • The critical difference between customer-facing vs. operational AI deployments • Smart carts, inventory visibility, shrink control, and shelf availability use cases • Privacy, GDPR, and building customer trust with in-store AI • Build vs. buy decisions for computer vision infrastructure Whether you're piloting your first computer vision project or scaling existing implementations, this conversation provides actionable insights to help you avoid costly mistakes and deliver measurable ROI. Join HTEC for their January Webinar: Computer Vision in Action: Cutting Shrink, Boosting Efficiency, and Powering Smarter Stores with Edge AI https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/21011/656661?utm_source=brighttalk-sharing&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=linkshare #RetailTech #ComputerVision #ArtificialIntelligence #RetailInnovation #StoreOperations #RetailAI #OmniChannelRetail #InventoryManagement #RetailTransformation #SmartStores

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

Walmart makes a bold move partnering with OpenAI to bring shopping directly to ChatGPT! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. In this segment, we discuss how users will shop Walmart's massive assortment... including apparel, entertainment, and packaged foods right from ChatGPT with a simple buy button. Fresh food is notably excluded for now, but this strategic decision shows Walmart's thoughtful approach to leveraging its omnichannel advantage against Amazon. Hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga are joined by Alvarez & Marsal's Lisa Collier and Manola Soler join us to analyze whether this is an "if you can't beat them, join them" moment and what it means for other retailers. We explore the competitive implications, data sharing considerations, and why this move could reshape the "marketplace of marketplaces."

In this OmniTalk Retail Fast Five episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga are joined by Alvarez & Marsal's Lisa Collier and Manola Soler to separate retail fact from fiction across five major headlines transforming the industry. From Walmart's groundbreaking partnership with ChatGPT to Ulta's curated marketplace launch, autonomous deliveries via Waymo, and the future of luxury retail, this episode covers it all. Plus, former Walmart EVP Marybeth Hays stops by for Five Insightful Minutes on how merchandising is evolving with AI, real-time shelf intelligence, and cross-functional collaboration.

Holiday retail is heating up... but this year looks dramatically different. With order counts steady but PO values down 25%, retailers are placing smaller, more frequent bets instead of locking in big inventory buys. Total holiday spend is expected to drop 5%, and gift spending is down 11%. So how do you execute when November and December throw inevitable curve balls? In this episode of the Omni Talk Ask An Expert Series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with SPS Commerce's Brandon Pierre (VP of Customer Success) and Tony DiPaolo (VP Head of Retail, Sales & Customer Success) to break down the execution risks facing retailers and suppliers this holiday season... and share five actionable tactics you can deploy right now to protect your sales. What You'll Learn: • Why retailers are frontloading inventory but keeping orders leaner than ever • The hidden costs of in-season reaction and supplier strain • How to use supplier scorecarding as your radar for demand spikes • Why OTIF (On-Time-In-Full) metrics matter more than ever this season • Collaboration strategies that help retailers and suppliers react faster • How to prepare for both hot demand and soft sales scenarios Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or brand navigating Q4, this conversation is packed with data insights and practical tactics to help you execute through uncertainty. #RetailTech #HolidayRetail #SupplyChain #RetailStrategy #OTIF #OmniChannel #RetailData #Q4Retail #BlackFriday #RetailExecution

Are you ready for commerce without websites? In this Omni Talk Expert Series conversation, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Jon Cleaver (CTO, Sportshoes.com) and Malte Ubl (CTO, Vercel) to explore how composable architecture and AI are reshaping retail's future. Jon shares the inside story of Sportshoes.com's aggressive 7-month website transformation... moving from a frustrating monolithic system to a flexible, composable stack. Malte reveals how modern infrastructure makes it possible to scale from zero to 100,000 compute instances instantly, and why retailers must think API-first to survive the agentic commerce revolution. Key topics covered: • Why composable commerce beats monolithic systems for AI readiness • How to transform your website in 7 months (and keep your job) • The real cost of AI in retail and how to manage it • Why your website won't disappear... but how customers will use it will • Starting your agentic AI experiments with logged-in customers • The critical role of product data enrichment for AI discovery Whether you're a CTO evaluating your tech stack or a merchant trying to understand where retail is heading, this conversation delivers practical insights you can act on today. #RetailTech #ComposableCommerce #AgenticAI #Ecommerce #RetailInnovation #APIFirst #DigitalTransformation

Omni Talk's Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga join Groceryshop's Rocquan Lucas and Ben Miller for the official key takeaways session live from the state at Groceryshop 2025, covering the biggest themes, surprising data points, and provocative predictions from the show. In this comprehensive recap session recorded live on the final day of Groceryshop 2025, the panel share and discuss: -The Changing Consumer: Health-conscious shopping reached unprecedented levels at this year's show. Sessions on GLP-1 medications, functional foods, and better-for-you products were packed as retailers and brands grapple with how dietary preferences and wellness trends are reshaping shopping behavior and store formats. Learn why companies like Danone and Chobani are winning with health positioning and how this impacts everything from loyalty programs to main shop destination decisions. -Agentic AI & Trust: AI has moved from hype to practical application. Discover how consumer trust in AI recommendations is evolving, why the shift from SEO to generative engine optimization (GEO) matters, and what it means for investment in earned and shared media over paid channels. Walmart's mission-based homepage and the role of AI in transforming entire customer experiences take center stage. -In-Store Efficiency & Operations: The panel reveals why operational technology delivers the strongest ROI right now. From inventory visibility and shelf intelligence to electronic shelf labels and reducing associate workload, learn which technologies are making stores more productive and why the focus has shifted to backend operations before customer-facing innovations. Digital Demand Creation: Explore the evolution of how brands create awareness and drive purchases through creators, influencers, and content strategies. Understand the balance between planned campaigns and opportunistic viral response, plus why mental availability matters as much as physical availability in today's grocery landscape. -Retail Media Evolution: Enter the “Age of Reckoning” for retail media in grocery. Learn why successful networks must activate both stores and online, move beyond just converting trade spend to capturing brand dollars, and deliver full-funnel experiences rather than just lower-funnel conversion. -Automation Economics & Future Predictions: Ocado CEO Tim Steiner's provocative question sparked debate: Will automated warehouses eventually be cheaper to operate than hypermarkets? The panel discusses this prediction, third-party delivery marketplace dependencies, and whether the industry can afford to be wrong about the future of automation. -Practical Challenges: Technology integration pain points, the need for vendor consolidation, macro-economic headwinds including cautious consumers and declining units, plus the importance of associate tool UX for Gen Z employee retention. -Key Topics: Groceryshop 2025 recap, health-conscious consumer trends, agentic AI adoption, retail media networks, in-store technology, warehouse automation, digital marketing, influencer strategies, operational efficiency, technology integration, workforce technology Subscribe for comprehensive grocery and retail industry insights! Music by hooksounds.com #GroceryShop2025 #AgenticAI #GLP1 #RetailMedia #GroceryTech #HealthConsciousShopping #Automation

Join Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga for an exclusive preview of the most innovative grocery technologies showcased at Groceryshop 2025. From AI-powered price comparison platforms to intelligent in-store audio advertising, discover the cutting-edge solutions helping grocers optimize operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences. Featured companies and innovations: Grocery Dealz - The "Gas Buddy for groceries" revolutionizing price transparency Buncha - Neighborhood-based delivery solutions reducing last-mile costs Fintech - Scan-based trading technology freeing up cash flow Gain - AI employees transforming supplier negotiations Constructor - Advanced search and discovery powered by machine learning Jukee AI - Real-time AI-generated in-store audio advertising Whether you're a grocery executive, retail technology professional, or industry enthusiast, this deep dive into grocery innovation will give you the insights needed to stay ahead of rapidly evolving consumer expectations and prepare you for Groceryshop 2025. #GroceryTech #RetailInnovation #GroceryShop2024 #FoodTech #RetailTechnology #AI #SupplyChain #LastMileDelivery #PriceComparison #RetailMedia

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*

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 the first edition of Omni Talk's new monthly series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga team up with AWS's Daniele Stroppa to spotlight the Retail Tech Startup of the Month—and the inaugural winner is Botify. Learn how Botify helps brands improve discoverability across both traditional and generative search engines by going beyond SEO to optimize content visibility for bots and agents. Discover why Botify's approach is a big win for brands navigating the evolving consumer search landscape, and how it also helps reduce operational costs. Key moments from the interview: 00:00 – Intro to new Omni Talk segment with AWS: Retail Tech Startup of the Month 00:33 – Meet Daniele Stroppa, AWS Worldwide Technical Leader for Retail 01:01 – Daniele's role in retail innovation and partner strategy at AWS 02:07 – First award winner revealed: Botify 02:19 – What Botify does: improving brand visibility across search platforms 02:54 – Why visibility in generative search (Perplexity, ChatGPT) matters 03:37 – How Botify goes beyond traditional SEO 04:06 – Analyzing bot and agent behavior on brand websites 04:23 – Helping brands ensure critical content is discoverable 04:41 – Long-term retail implications: revenue, brand recognition, infrastructure cost savings 05:31 – Congrats to Botify and final thoughts on the startup's impact Music by hooksounds.com #retailtech #StartupOfTheMonth #aws #Botify #omnitalkretail #ecommerceseo #generativeai #retailai #discoverability #digitalcommerce Brought to you in partnership with AWS

Join Omni Talk's Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga as they sit down with JOOR CEO Kristin Savilia to explore how Joor is transforming the wholesale fashion landscape. Kristin shares exclusive insights on digitizing the buyer-brand relationship, enabling smarter assortment planning, and helping independent retailers thrive globally. Learn how JOOR;s Shopify integration, AI-powered prospecting, and strategic tariff navigation are reshaping the fashion industry for 2025 and beyond. From shrinking shipping windows to a surge in indie retailers, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone navigating fashion's evolving B2B landscape. Key Moments: 00:00 – Intro and welcome back to Kristin Savilia, CEO of JOOR 01:30 – How JOOR digitizes wholesale buying for brands and retailers 02:50 – Overview of JOOR's platform and client base (14K brands, 670K buyers) 04:15 – Surge of independent retailers: From 47% to 62% of GMV 06:00 – Shopify integration: Bridging wholesale with e-commerce and POS 07:45 – How retailers can adapt to market uncertainty using JOOR data 08:50 – Shrinking shipping windows: From 240 to 84 days and dropping 10:15 – Brands respond with curated assortments and evergreen styles 11:40 – How JOOR helps optimize product curation and minimize buyer risk 13:00 – Tariff pressures and pricing strategies: Expect 20% price increases 16:45 – JOOR's "Ready to Ship" event to offload current inventory 18:50 – Leveraging regional assortments for competitive edge 20:00 – Launch of JOOR Discover: AI matchmaking tool for brand-retailer growth 22:00 – 78% reorder rate and 9X better conversion via AI outreach 24:00 – Rise in ChatGPT/Gemini lead generation vs. traditional SEO 26:30 – How DTC brands can expand into wholesale with JOOR 27:40 – Final thoughts and where to learn more at JOOR.com For more information on JOOR, head here: https://www.joor.com/ Access a JOOR Passport Event here: https://www.jooraccess.com/r/passport/ Download the JOOR Whitepaper here: https://resources.joor.com/how-to-tackle-tariffs-and-thrive-this-coming-market-season #fashiontech #wholesaling #retailai #Joor #omnitalk #retailinnovation #fashiontech #shopifyintegration #retailtrends #b2bfashion #retailstrategy Music by hooksounds.com

Former Target executives Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga analyze this week's biggest retail stories, including Target's questionable "acceleration office" strategy amid declining sales, Sam's Club's game-changing $8.98 pizza delivery service, Lowe's strategic marketplace expansion with Mirakl, Google's AI-powered shopping checkout revolution, and Nike's return to Amazon after six years. The episode features exclusive consumer sentiment data from A&M's David Schneidman, revealing how consumers are cutting discretionary spending while embracing private label and loyalty programs. The hosts deliver sharp criticism of Target's leadership while praising innovative moves from Sam's Club and Lowe's that leverage technology and customer loyalty. This episode is brought to you in partnership with thethe A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand. Music by hooksounds.com

In this deep-dive Omni Talk Spotlight, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga are joined by Rajat Nigam, Chief Product Officer at ClearDemand, to unpack the critical role of competitive intelligence in modern retail pricing. Formerly leading pricing innovation at Amazon, Rajat explains how engineering, data quality, and normalization are central to making pricing intelligence truly actionable — and profitable. From assortment gap analysis to real-time pricing enabled by electronic shelf labels, this episode explores the full retail stack of competitive data strategy. Key Moments: (1:00) Rajat's background and Amazon's secret pricing project (2:40) What makes “good” competitive intelligence (5:00) The three hardest problems in competitive data (7:30) Matching pack sizes and normalizing prices (10:00) Competitive data beyond pricing – assortment, promotions, planning (14:00) Where comp intel works best: grocery vs. luxury (17:00) Role of price elasticity in retail strategy (20:00) How to start: KVI items, category focus, and data gap analysis (23:30) Agility in pricing with ESLs and real-time data (25:00) Final thoughts and predictions for the future of pricing #RetailTech #CompetitiveIntelligence #PricingStrategy #RetailInnovation #ClearDemand #OmniTalk #GroceryTech #RetailData #amazon #PriceOptimization Music by hooksounds.com *Sponsored Content*

In this insightful analysis, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, retail experts reveal what Lowe's new AI assistant is really designed to accomplish, beyond the surface-level marketing about leaky faucets and fertilizer choices. Key Moments: 0:02 - Breaking news: Lowe's introduces MyLow Companion AI assistant for store associates 0:10 - Partnership details: Application developed with OpenAI across 1,700+ stores 0:14 - Core functionalities: Product details, project advice, and inventory information access 0:18 - Key benefit: Accelerating the employee onboarding process 0:27 - Scale achievement: "First retailer to successfully implement this type of technology at scale" 0:33 - Technical capabilities: Generative AI with natural conversational prompts and voice-to-text 0:42 - Example use cases: Fertilizer recommendations and home repair guidance 1:14 - Ben Millers's analysis: Why this is "a great use case for AI" in categories requiring expertise 1:38 - Customer service challenge: Associates' varying experience levels and knowledge gaps 1:50 - Consistency benefit: Creating uniform quality of information regardless of associate tenure 2:00 - Comparison to self-checkout: Options for customers who prefer different service models 2:22 - Anne Mezzenga's critique of the media reporting: Overlooking the more significant training use case 2:42 - Inside information: Conversation with a Lowe's executive reveals true onboarding purpose 2:56 - Real examples: New employees quickly learning shipment timing and warranty information 3:03 - Data collection value: Using interaction data to improve future associate training 3:12 - Customer perspective: Why shoppers wouldn't ask a teenage summer employee about complex repairs 3:40 - Chris Walton's agreement: "100% I'd look this up myself" rather than wait for an associate 4:00 - PR criticism 4:20 - Industry impact concern: Creating false expectations about AI tools for retail associates 4:43 - Higher-value application: Supporting complex high-consideration sales like flooring installations 4:54 - Advanced capability: Prompting associates to ask the right questions based on customer responses 5:01 - Integration potential: Connecting to loyalty programs to enhance personalized selling The experts conclude that while Lowe's marketing focuses on answering simple product questions, the real innovation is in employee training, knowledge management, and creating consistency across a large retail workforce. Catch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/BrQ0kfPY4LA #loweshomeimprovement #ai #retailnews #retailtech #retailstrategy #retailtrends