Podcast appearances and mentions of Chris Walton

Grocers are investing heavily in electronic shelf labels, but what happens when the hardware is in place and the software can't keep up with the complexity of grocery pricing? In this edition of 5 Insightful Minutes, Kim Schneider, VP of Sales for Vestcom North America Retail at Avery Dennison, joins Ben Miller and Chris Walton to explain why the key to maximizing shelf-edge technology investments starts with the software behind the labels. Kim breaks down why Vestcom's expertise goes far beyond paper shelf tags, and how its storeLink software acts as a central brain for managing the complex data, pricing rules, promotions, and operational demands of the grocery shelf edge. She explains why going digital doesn't eliminate the challenges of retail execution, especially when grocers are managing a combination of paper and electronic shelf labels, and how intelligent software can help retailers protect their ROI, avoid vendor lock-in, and maintain accurate pricing across every store. Key Topics Covered: • Why electronic shelf labels are only as effective as the software behind them • How Vestcom's 40 years of shelf-edge expertise informs its technology solutions • Why grocery pricing data is so complex • How storeLink manages pricing, promotions, and shelf-edge data • The operational challenges of balancing paper and digital shelf labels • Why going digital doesn't automatically eliminate pricing and execution issues • How software can act as a single source of truth across paper and digital labels • Why hardware-agnostic software helps retailers avoid vendor lock-in • How retailers can protect the ROI of their ESL investments • The hidden operational costs of pricing errors and sync failures • How storeLink proactively identifies data issues, layout errors, and offline tags • Why software should never be an afterthought in an ESL rollout • What grocery CEOs and CIOs should consider before investing in digital shelf labels Read Kim Schneider's article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/could-esl-blindspot-sabotage-your-roi-kim-schneider-uaxdc/?trackingId=UdhUmpfGRGlt8s4B9EO%2Frg%3D%3D Music by hooksounds.com Sponsored Content

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Quorso, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, Chris Walton is joined by J Recruiting's Josh Hahn for another round of Fast Five fun, recorded from Chris's very tiny Paris hotel room across the street from NRF Europe. This week's episode can best be summed up as . . . better ingredients, better pizza, better delivery via Walmart. Chris and Josh dig into five of the biggest stories in retail this week, including: • Walmart adding Papa Johns to Walmart Express Delivery and whether Walmart is quietly building a challenger to DoorDash and Uber Eats: https://chainstoreage.com/walmart-delivery-first-papa-johns • Macy's posting its fifth straight quarter of comparable-sales growth and raising guidance as CEO Tony Spring's turnaround begins to take hold: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/10/macys-m-q2-2026-earnings.html • Amazon expanding “Shop the Show” from 1,300 titles to more than 8,000 and whether shoppable TV is finally reaching scale: https://chainstoreage.com/amazon-enhances-shopping-capabilities-prime-video • SKIMS partnering with DoorDash for on-demand delivery and whether instant delivery fits a brand built around exclusivity and hype: https://about.doordash.com/en-us/news/doordash-skims-partnership • Kroger cutting its full-year sales outlook even as ecommerce and retail media continue to grow, raising questions about the future of traditional grocery: https://www.supermarketnews.com/finance/kroger-cuts-same-store-sales-outlook-for-2026 The episode wraps with a lightning round covering Josh's 20 years between Sports Authority and Meijer, the daily chore Chris wishes AI would handle for him, which QSR Josh would like to see added to Walmart's restaurant tab, and Chris's two non-negotiable rules for airport etiquette. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot. Music by hooksounds.

In this episode, sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, Vusion, and Sifter Solutions, Ben Miller is joined by Chris Walton, President and CEO of Omni Talk, live from NRF Retail's Big Show Europe in Paris, to unpack the latest grocery news and trends shaping the global grocery and CPG industry. This week, they discuss: • Kroger's stalled performance and lowered 2026 sales outlook, examining whether the challenges facing the supermarket giant are specific to Kroger, the broader supermarket format, or consumer confidence: https://www.supermarketnews.com/finance/kroger-cuts-same-store-sales-outlook-for-2026 • Instacart and Shipt launching AI-powered shopping assistants, and what the latest developments in AI-powered grocery shopping mean for the customer experience retailers should be working toward: https://www.grocerydive.com/news/instacart-shipt-launch-ai-powered-shopping-assistants/829859/ • Walgreens partnering with Looma to deploy in-store advertising screens, and whether working with a partner that provides hardware, content production, and measurement is the right approach to in-store digitization: https://chainstoreage.com/news-briefs/2026-09-08?article=walgreens-deploy-store-advertising-screens • Albertsons expanding its board and naming Meg Whitman as its first Executive Chair, examining what the appointment could signal for the company and the wider grocery industry: https://www.grocerydive.com/news/albertsons-expands-board-names-first-executive-chair-meg-whitman/829895/ Plus, Kim Schneider of Vestcom joins us for Five Insightful Minutes to explore how grocers can maximize their investment in shelf-edge technologies. A few things worth checking out from this week's episode: Don't miss our exclusive interviews from NRF Retail's Big Show Europe in Paris, featuring the retail leaders and innovators shaping the future of grocery and retail. Catch them on the Omni Talk LinkedIn page, podcast channels, and YouTube. Register for Omni Talk's Fall Conference Season “Must-See” Tech Preview: https://www.linkedin.com/events/omnitalk-sfallconferenceseason-7486477216600518656/theater/ Episode 005. Welcome to GrocerTalk. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ Music by hooksounds.com.

Costco has quietly shut down Costco Next, its member-only online marketplace that connected shoppers with products from outside brands. Chris Walton and Shelley Huff discuss why Costco's club model may not translate neatly to a marketplace business, and what the move says about where Costco wants to focus its digital strategy. The big question: Does Costco really need a marketplace when its core model is already working? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

Sephora is testing monthly exclusive product drops on TikTok Shop, giving the beauty retailer another way to create demand and build community around new products. Chris Walton and Shelley Huff discuss how TikTok Shop differs from Amazon, and why the platform may be more valuable for creating demand than simply capturing it. The big question: Can TikTok Shop turn product drops into a repeatable retail habit? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

It's lightning round time, and Chris Walton and Shelley Huff are making some very important decisions, from their Super Bowl picks to choosing between Genie and Samantha and naming the Adam Sandler movie they'd keep forever. Plus, one very specific wish involving a dog that may or may not be possible. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

Sprouts has named Nick Konat as its next CEO, with the leadership transition set to take effect in January 2027. Chris Walton and Shelley Huff discuss what Konat should focus on as he takes the reins, from staying disciplined on the retailer's existing strategy to executing the roadmap already in motion. The big question: Does Sprouts need a new strategy, or simply a new leader to execute the one it already has? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

Amazon is bringing back its digital grocery pop-up for Labor Day, but the bigger question is what these short-term grocery pushes actually accomplish for the retailer. Chris Walton and Shelley Huff discuss whether Amazon's grocery pop-ups are a smart way to build share and stay top of mind, or just another temporary promotion in an increasingly crowded grocery market. The big question: Is Amazon building a grocery business, or just building grocery moments? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here:https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

Ulta is facing backlash over its use of Flock Safety's automated license plate reader technology, raising bigger questions about transparency, communication, and how retailers handle technology that can impact their customers. Chris Walton and Shelley Huff discuss whether the bigger problem is the technology itself or the way Ulta communicated its use of it. The big question: When retailers use controversial technology, how much transparency do customers deserve? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Quorso, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, Shelley Huff is back again, joining Chris Walton for another round of Fast Five fun. The former Serta Simmons CEO and Walmart executive, now CEO and Co-Founder of the Interval, joins Chris to discuss: • Amazon's latest limited-time grocery storefront for Labor Day and whether these smaller, occasion-based sales events are smart incremental share-building moves or just a gimmick that doesn't move the needle: https://chainstoreage.com/news-briefs/2026-08-31?article=amazon-offers-digital-labor-day-grocery-store • Ulta Beauty's social media backlash over its use of Flock Safety's automated license-plate reader technology at a small number of stores, and whether retailers can justify surveillance technology as a tool against organized retail crime while managing the inevitable public backlash: https://www.retaildive.com/news/ulta-flock-technology-backlash/829623/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202026-09-04%20Retail%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:88897%5D&utm_term=Retail%20Dive • Costco quietly shutting down Costco Next, its member-only online marketplace, and what the move says about the role marketplaces should play in club retail: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/09/02/costco-shuts-down-costco-next/91577977007/ • Sephora piloting a new “Drop Shop” storefront on TikTok Shop, featuring exclusive monthly product drops and livestream shopping events, and why brands may see more opportunity in social commerce than traditional marketplaces: https://chainstoreage.com/sephora-debut-tiktok-shop-monthly-drops? • Sprouts Farmers Market naming President and COO Nick Konat as its next CEO as comparable-store sales turn negative, and what his priorities should be as he takes the reins in January: https://www.grocerydive.com/news/sprouts-farmers-market-jack-sinclair-nick-konat-ceo-change/829586/ Plus, Chris and Shelley tackle the lightning round, including their thoughts on Obsession, one-wish willows, and the age-old question: Genie or Samantha? P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/retail_podcasts/ Music by https://www.hooksounds.com/

Remarkable Retail Episode 311 welcomes guest co-host and longtime friend of the pod Anne Mezzenga, Founder & CEO of Retail Field Report, joining Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc on mic and on camera.Anne opens with her new venture, launched in March as an evolution of the work she built at Omni Talk Retail with co-founder Chris Walton. Retail Field Report takes a journalist's lens rather than an analyst's — working shifts in stores, interviewing executives and walking floors to learn what's actually happening inside retail organizations, not what the headlines claim.The news opens on a shaky macro backdrop: diesel at a four-year high, the priciest Labor Day gas in a year, worse still across Europe, and a Fed narrative that has flipped from cuts to a 62% market-implied probability of at least two hikes by year-end. Michael adds the Canadian view — reciprocal tariffs, shelved US liquor and a tourism reversal after June's 5% bump in cross-border travel. Anne reports from the field: once fuel, healthcare and food are covered, the discretionary spending big-box retailers count on is running dry.On earnings, Steve unpacks Five Below's five straight quarters of double-digit comps, 23% revenue growth, its move past 2,000 stores and a rare guidance raise. Victoria's Secret posts a 9% comp; Anne credits store consistency, omnichannel execution and strength in PINK and beauty, and the pair explore whether GLP-1s — increasingly prescribed alongside hormone replacement therapy — are quietly reshaping apparel and beauty demand. Lululemon disappoints, with comps down 9% and the Americas down 12% as Heidi O'Neill steps in as CEO; Anne argues the brand needs a sharper point of view and less rinse-and-repeat product. At Kohl's, Steve flags a second straight quarter of Sephora underperforming the rest of the store.The centerpiece is Anne's work as a flex retail associate, booking shifts through the Reflex app in cities across the US: point-of-sale systems so intuitive that training is nearly obsolete, twelve strangers running a warehouse sale that moved 3,000 customers in a single shift, and hospitality-only roles at Longchamp in Boston and Sézane in San Francisco, evidence that mid-tier retailers are putting real P&L dollars into the welcome.The trio then debates Anthropic's open-source Claude Commerce Agents — throttled assortments in agentic pilots, returns exposure, and grocery shoppers splitting weekly lists across banners by price. Anne walks Target stores with executives and lands bullish on the Bullseye, while Steve sizes up Shein's Hong Kong listing at roughly $27 billion against its one-time $100 billion valuation.On the radar screens: Quince's rumored raise and brick-and-mortar ambitions (Steve's skeptical the assortment translates), and Michael on JBS, the world's biggest meat processor, Brazilian beef imports, and whether beef can price itself out of the grocery basket for good. Registration is open for a special webinar featuring Steve in conversation with Placer AI's Head of Analytical Research RJ Hottovy. From changing shopping patterns to emerging market opportunities, shifting consumer demand continues to reshape the industry. So don't miss this data-driven session unpacking the most important trends defining today's marketplace and the strategies leading brands are using to win retail's future. It's all brought to you by Placer.AI and It all happens on Tuesday September 29 at 1pm ET..Register here today:https://www.placer.ai/discover-events/discover-shifting-consumer-demand About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2026 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

In this Retail Technology Spotlight series, Chris Walton sits down with Julian Sellan, Senior Supply Chain Engineer at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, and Nick Cianfarani, Senior Account Manager at Dematic, to explore one of the biggest questions facing supply chain leaders today: How do you decide when it's time to upgrade your logistics network and when is it smarter to start over? Through the lens of Southern Glazer's ongoing network transformation, Julian and Nick break down what goes into evaluating aging facilities, consolidating distribution centers, and designing an operation that can meet today's demand without becoming obsolete tomorrow. From modular pick modules and miles of conveyor to warehouse software that acts as the "brain" behind the operation, the conversation explores what it takes to build flexibility into a logistics network from day one. Julian and Nick also dig into the often overlooked human side of automation, including why standardization, employee buy-in, knowledge transfer, and "hypercare" can make or break a successful go-live. And the results are already beginning to show, with Southern Glazer's Louisiana operation doubling throughput and reducing delivery frequency from five days a week to four. From deciding between retrofit and greenfield facilities to designing warehouses that can evolve alongside changing consumer demand, this episode offers a practical look inside what it really takes to modernize a logistics network without designing yourself into the next problem. Key Topics Covered: 00:03:50 - Why Southern Glazer's began reevaluating its logistics network 00:05:46 - How to decide between upgrading an existing facility or building new 00:09:18 - Why consolidation can reduce complexity and unlock new efficiencies 00:11:09 - How to right-size a facility for today's demand and tomorrow's growth 00:14:14 - Inside the modular automation system designed for Southern Glazer's 00:19:57 - Why warehouse software is the "brain" behind automation 00:24:13 - Why software alignment needs to happen before the hardware goes in 00:25:18 - How standardization makes new facility rollouts easier over time 00:27:54 - The biggest watch-outs when designing and launching an automated facility 00:33:53 - Why "hypercare" and employee buy-in are critical to a successful go-live 00:35:35 - The results Southern Glazer's is already seeing from its new network 00:37:18 - How continuous partnership helps supply chain teams prepare for what's next Want to learn more about Southern Glazer's automation journey? Check out these additional resources: https://www.dematic.com/en-us/insights/case-studies/southern-glazer https://www.mmh.com/article/system_report_perfecting_the_automation_mix_at_southern_glazers Over 8 years and nearly 200 episodes, the Retail Technology Spotlight Series has featured some of the biggest names and boldest thinkers in retail. Explore the full archive here: https://omnitalk.blog/category/spotlight-series-podcast/ Sponsored Content

Target is launching Target Beauty Studio with more than 1,600 products from 90 brands, including more than two-thirds that are brand new to Target. But can this new beauty destination successfully fill the space left behind by Ulta? Chris Walton, Ben Miller, Michael Prendergast, and Ken Davidson debate whether Target's future in beauty depends on finding the next big brands, creating the right assortment, or proving that its merchandising team can still deliver. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/NXUUmuwrX2Q

Stripe believes the traditional online checkout page is on its way out as AI agents and agentic commerce begin to reshape how consumers shop. Michael Prendergast, Ken Davidson, Ben Miller, and Chris Walton discuss what happens when the purchasing process becomes increasingly machine-led, from eliminating friction and clicks to completely rethinking promotions, pricing, and how retailers compete for transactions. The big question: Are retailers ready for a world where machines may increasingly shop for consumers? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/NXUUmuwrX2Q

Walmart is expanding its restaurant delivery ambitions beyond the Subway locations inside its stores, and the Fast Five crew thinks this could become much more than just a grocery delivery add-on. Ken Davidson sees it primarily as a logical bolt-on, while Michael Prendergast, Ben Miller, and Chris Walton argue Walmart's massive store footprint, delivery density, and potential drone capabilities could eventually make it a much bigger threat to DoorDash and Uber Eats. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/NXUUmuwrX2Q

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, ZenlineAI, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Anthropic launches a blueprint for building AI shopping agents on Claude, touting big cart-size and conversion gains from early retail partners.Sephora debuts a TikTok Shop storefront with exclusive monthly product drops starting September 19th.Sprouts Farmers Market names Nick Konat, a Petco and Target merchandising veteran, as its next CEO.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Quorso, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, Chris Walton was joined by Michael Prendergast and Ken Davidson of the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, along with Ben Miller, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of GrocerTalk, to discuss: • Walmart's plans to expand restaurant delivery beyond its own Subway locations and whether its massive store footprint could make it a real competitor to DoorDash and Uber Eats: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/beyond-store-next-step-walmart-restaurant-delivery-greg-cathey-ndkmc/ • Target's new Beauty Studio, launching in more than 600 stores, and whether its strategy of bringing new brands into the mix can successfully fill the void left by Ulta: https://www.modernretail.co/operations/new-brands-flock-to-targets-post-ulta-beauty-section/ • Sur La Table's new peer-to-peer resale marketplace and whether resale is a smart way to reach younger, price-sensitive shoppers or simply a distraction: https://www.retaildive.com/news/sur-la-table-launches-peer-to-peer-resale-marketplace/828800/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202026-08-27%20Retail%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:88598%5D&utm_term=Retail%20Dive • Stripe's prediction that the traditional online checkout page is dying as agentic AI makes it possible for shoppers, and eventually AI agents, to buy directly from product pages: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1413191-stripe-predicts-the-end-of-the-online-checkout-page • Amazon's reported push toward fully automated delivery stations and whether full automation of the last mile is becoming inevitable: https://www.geekwire.com/2026/amazon-eyes-fully-automated-delivery-stations-to-bring-robotics-to-the-last-mile/ We can't forget a bonus 5 Insightful Minutes with Rocquan Lucas, previewing what's ahead at Groceryshop and the conversations shaping one of retail's biggest upcoming events. Plus, Chris, Michael, Ken, and Ben reveal their favorite types of pie, share their thoughts on the return of Cole Trickle in a Days of Thunder sequel, and answer the question: What would your significant-other-inspired tattoo say? P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot. Music by hooksounds.com

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, ZenlineAI, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:The FTC and 22 states sue Amazon, alleging it secretly inflated ad auction prices for advertisers over seven-plus years.YouTube adds Amazon as an affiliate partner in YouTube Shopping, letting creators tag Amazon products in videos.Home Depot expands its Magic Apron AI assistant with localized store knowledge across all 2,000+ U.S. locations.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, ZenlineAI, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Urban Outfitters Inc. posts record Q2 sales as Nuuly subscriptions surge, with nearly half of Nuuly's inventory coming from its own sister brands.Anthropologie brings Nike to its shelves for the first time as its sneaker-buying customers jump 30%.Batteries Plus rolls out a trio of AI tools across its franchise and store network.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

In this Retail Technology Spotlight series, Chris Walton sits down with Antons Sapriko, Founder and CEO of Scandiweb, to explore just how far AI has already gone in running the operational layers behind retail and what happens when employees shift from doing the work to supervising the systems doing it for them. Antons breaks down the evolution from AI assistance to what Scandiweb calls "supervised automation," where AI increasingly handles everything from personalization and pricing logic to purchase order reconciliation, software development, and the modernization of legacy systems. The conversation also explores Scandiweb's OperaLayer, an operational layer designed to sit across disconnected systems and give retailers the real-time visibility and decision-making capabilities their existing technology was never built to provide. But perhaps the biggest question is what this transformation means for the people inside retail organizations. As repetitive work becomes automated, Anton argues that the future may belong to a new generation of AI-savvy generalists who can identify the problems worth solving, supervise intelligent systems, and rethink workflows that have simply become accepted as "the way things have always been done." From replacing spreadsheets and connecting decades-old ERP systems to building AI models that can replicate a leader's decision-making process, this episode explores what it really takes to become an AI-native organization and why the path to autonomous retail may be much more practical and incremental than most people think. Key Topics Covered: 00:01:36 - How AI is already taking over parts of retail operations 00:06:09 - The shift from AI assistance to supervised automation 00:10:35 - Where retailers are seeing the biggest AI opportunities today 00:13:07 - How AI can modernize legacy systems without a complete rip-and-replace 00:17:35 - Inside Scandiweb's OperaLayer and connecting disconnected systems 00:21:52 - What happens to employees when AI takes over repetitive work 00:24:24 - Why the next generation of retail leaders may need to become generalists again 00:26:52 - How successful retailers identify the right workflows to automate 00:33:33 - How close are we really to autonomous retail? 00:36:29 - How retailers learn to trust AI with real operational decisions Over 8 years and nearly 200 episodes, the Retail Technology Spotlight Series has featured some of the biggest names and boldest thinkers in retail. Explore the full archive here: https://omnitalk.blog/category/spotlight-series-podcast/ Sponsored Content

Target is showing signs of improvement, but is the retailer actually turning the corner? Chris Walton is joined by Joe Laszlo, Head of Content & Insights, U.S. at Shoptalk, to debate Target's latest results, including stronger sales, grocery growth, improved store traffic, and a raised outlook. But after a difficult stretch, the bigger question remains: is this a genuine turnaround or simply a bounce off weak comparisons? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/Di1g7tZTEmI

California Pizza Kitchen wants to put its pizzas in a lot more places, with plans to expand its automated kiosk business to 1,000 locations. Chris Walton and Joe Laszlo, Head of Content & Insights, U.S. at Shoptalk, discuss whether automated food kiosks could open up an entirely new growth channel for restaurant brands and what happens when the restaurant experience becomes less about the restaurant itself. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/Di1g7tZTEmI

Ann Taylor is making a major push to reinvent its brand through Substack, storytelling, and a new fall fashion blitz. Chris Walton and Joe Laszlo, Head of Content & Insights, U.S. at Shoptalk, discuss whether the strategy can help Ann Taylor reconnect with modern consumers and what other legacy retail brands can learn from moving beyond traditional advertising to build deeper relationships with their audiences. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/Di1g7tZTEmI

Home Depot is taking same-day delivery nationwide with a new promise to get orders to customers in as little as three hours. Chris Walton and Joe Laszlo, Head of Content & Insights, U.S. at Shoptalk, discuss what the move says about the growing expectations around delivery speed and whether faster fulfillment can become a meaningful competitive advantage in home improvement retail. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/Di1g7tZTEmI

Chris Walton puts Joe Laszlo, Head of Content & Insights, U.S. at Shoptalk, in the Fast Five lightning round, covering everything from the great pineapple-on-pizza debate and their favorite retail commercials of all time to the most extravagant purchases they can justify on a time-per-dollar basis. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/Di1g7tZTEmI

J.C. Penney is taking aim at the off-price retail market, but Chris Walton and Joe Laszlo aren't convinced the strategy is necessarily the right move. Joe Laszlo, Head of Content & Insights, U.S. at Shoptalk, joins Chris to debate whether J.C. Penney can successfully compete with off-price retailers or whether the company risks losing focus on what it should actually be doing to win back customers. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/Di1g7tZTEmI

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, ZenlineAI, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Gap Inc. beats on earnings but Old Navy posts its first negative comp quarter since 2023, and gets a new CEO in Michael Francis, effective November 2nd.Walmart expands restaurant delivery beyond in-store Subway locations, touting strong crossover with its Express Delivery membership growth.Planalytics forecasts a regionally split Labor Day weekend, with heat driving demand in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic and cooler, wetter conditions out West.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Kohl's Q2 sales inch closer to stable, but its Sephora shop-in-shop falls for a second straight quarter, raising questions about the durability of its turnaround.Target unveils Target Beauty Studio, a 600+ store beauty overhaul featuring 90 brands, two-thirds of them new to the retailer.Costco's custom cakes and party platters land on Instacart for nationwide delivery for the first time, deepening the retailers' 2017 partnership.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Quorso, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, Chris Walton was joined by Joe Laszlo, Head of Content & Insights, U.S., Shoptalk, to discuss: • Target's latest results, including stronger sales, rising traffic, grocery growth, and a raised full-year outlook, and whether the retailer is truly turning the corner or still lacks the differentiated strategy needed to sustain its momentum: https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/target-raises-fiscal-year-forecast-again-as-turnaround-gains-traction-with-consumers-b3548cfd • Home Depot's nationwide rollout of three-hour delivery, and whether the retailer is smartly getting ahead of consumers' growing expectations for ultra-fast delivery, particularly when something breaks and needs to be fixed fast: https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/home-depot-rolls-out-express-delivery-in-3-hours-or-less-across-us/828175/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202026-08-20%20Supply%20Chain%20Dive%20%5Bissue:88350%5D&utm_term=Supply%20Chain%20Dive • J.C. Penney's new “Retail Regret to Retail Redemption” campaign, which takes direct aim at off-price retailers like TJX, Ross, and Burlington, and whether picking a fight with the competition is a bold move or could actually send shoppers straight to the rivals JCPenney is attacking: https://www.retaildive.com/news/jc-penney-takes-aim-off-price-stores/828001/ • California Pizza Kitchen's plan to deploy up to 1,000 automated pizza kiosks, and whether shrinking restaurant footprints combined with faster, more convenient formats could give the nostalgic pizza brand a new path to growth: https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/california-pizza-kitchen-automated-kiosks/828423/ • Ann Taylor's brand comeback, including its first major integrated marketing campaign in nearly a decade, its Substack newsletter, and a New York Fashion Week activation, and whether the heritage brand can successfully reconnect with younger shoppers without losing what made it distinctive in the first place: https://www.retaildive.com/news/ann-taylor-stages-a-brand-comeback-with-substack-fall-fashion-blitz/828475/ • What's ahead at Groceryshop and Shoptalk Fall, as Joe previews the upcoming events and the conversations shaping the future of retail. Groceryshop takes place September 22–24 in Las Vegas, followed by Shoptalk Fall September 29–October 1 in Nashville. Plus, Chris and Joe debate pineapple on pizza, share their most recent home repair disasters, uncover the bizarre story behind the infamous 1975 Sears catalog “page 602”, and reveal their favorite museums in this week's Lightning Round. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/retail_podcasts/ Music by hooksounds.com

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Plus-size clothing options are quietly shrinking at chains like H&M, Aritzia, Mango, and Zara, and the GLP-1 boom is the likely driver, even as retailers avoid saying so.Amazon is reportedly developing "fully automated" delivery stations under an internal initiative called Project Tetromino, though the company disputes the reported details.Instacart adds Petsense by Tractor Supply as its exclusive same-day delivery partner, bringing pet supplies to the app in as fast as an hour.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Walmart launches Scenario, a new under-$25 women's fashion brand taking over shelf space from Time and Tru, as the retailer leans on fashion to offset its weakest comp sales growth in six years.Ann Taylor debuts "This Is Ann," its first major marketing campaign since 2017, as parent company KnitWell Group looks to reconnect the heritage brand with career-minded shoppers.Stripe's president predicts the traditional checkout page is dying as agentic commerce tools roll out across ChatGPT and Gemini.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Walmart reverses years of resistance and will finally accept Apple Pay and Google Pay at Walmart and Sam's Club stores starting August 24th.Ross Stores posts a blowout Q2, with comps up 10% and earnings up 68%, while rival TJX's Marmaxx division managed just 1% comp growth.Home Depot rolls out three-hour express delivery nationwide, using more than 2,000 stores as fulfillment hubs for a flat $7–$10 fee.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

Best Buy's incoming CEO says the retailer's path to growth starts with smaller-format stores that can reach markets its traditional big-box locations cannot. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn debate whether smaller stores can improve productivity and expand Best Buy's footprint or whether the math makes meaningful long-term growth too difficult. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/VL3Q373gkfY

Kroger has named Nate Faust, a former Walmart and Jet.com executive, as its first chief e-commerce officer, creating a new leadership role focused exclusively on its digital business. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn debate whether the move signals a smart investment in Kroger's e-commerce growth or an organizational step backward from the industry's broader push toward omnichannel retail. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/VL3Q373gkfY

Ahold Delhaize USA is expanding its Savings Station discount kiosks to every Giant Food location, giving shoppers a physical way to access digital coupons, personalized offers, and loyalty rewards in-store. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn discuss whether kiosks can still bridge the gap between physical grocery shopping and digital personalization in 2026. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/VL3Q373gkfY

TikTok Shop is reportedly testing a paid Shop Plus membership that could offer free shipping, discounts, and coupons as the platform looks to keep shoppers from leaving for Amazon. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn discuss whether TikTok's rapid growth and social-first shopping experience could make Shop Plus a genuine threat to Amazon's ecosystem. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/VL3Q373gkfY

Amazon says more than 350 million shoppers have used Alexa for shopping over the past year, with active users nearly doubling and customer interactions increasing fivefold. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn discuss whether Amazon is best positioned to move AI shopping beyond discovery and recommendations into actual purchasing and transactions. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/VL3Q373gkfY

Chris Walton puts Jenn Hahn in the Fast Five lightning round, covering everything from Stella Lefty and back-to-school shopping to Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies, fantasy football picks, and plenty more retail-free fun. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/VL3Q373gkfY

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Target raises its fiscal-year outlook for the second time this year, with comp sales up 3.8% on traffic gains, though part of the earnings boost comes from a one-time tariff refund.Amazon plans to expand Prime Air drone delivery to nearly 500 cities and towns by year's end, a sixfold jump as it races Walmart and DoorDash for last-mile speed.Online grocery sales rose 21.5% year-over-year in July even as in-store grocery sales declined, per new Brick Meets Click survey data.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

In this week's OmniTalk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Quorso, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, Chris Walton was joined by Jenn Hahn of J Recruiting Services to discuss: • Kroger's appointment of Nate Faust as its first-ever Chief E-Commerce Officer, and whether creating a dedicated e-commerce leadership role signals Kroger is doubling down on digital or falling behind the industry's move toward omnichannel: https://www.grocerydive.com/news/kroger-names-executive-vice-president-chief-ecommerce-officer-csuite-appointment/827610/ • Best Buy's plan to grow through smaller-format stores, and whether shrinking the footprint can actually create meaningful growth or simply spread the retailer too thin. Plus, Chris and Jenn debate the strategy head-on: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/01/best-buy-ceo-jason-bonfig-smaller-stores.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202026-08-03%20Retail%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:87701%5D&utm_term=Retail%20Dive • Ahold Delhaize's expansion of its Saving Station discount kiosks to Giant Food, and whether physical kiosks can still bridge the gap between traditional grocery shoppers and the industry's increasingly digital loyalty experience: https://chainstoreage.com/news-briefs/2026-08-13?article=ahold-delhaize-usa-expands-discount-kiosks-giant-food • Amazon customers' growing use of Alexa for shopping, and whether Amazon is finally positioned to move agentic AI shopping beyond discovery and recommendations into actual purchasing and transactions: https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-alexa-for-shopping-agentic-ai-adoption/826806/ • TikTok's reported testing of a paid Shop Plus membership, and whether TikTok is quietly building its own version of Amazon Prime to keep shoppers from leaving the platform to complete their purchases: https://www.ecomcrew.com/tiktok-is-testing-a-paid-membership-called-shop-plus-to-rival-amazon-prime/ Plus, Jenn also announces this month's OmniStar Award winner, Ralph Woodward. We're also joined by Arber Sejdiji of Zenline AI for five insightful minutes to hear his perspective on how AI is reshaping the retail experience. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/retail_podcasts/ Music by hooksounds.com

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Home Depot beat Wall Street estimates and reaffirmed its full-year guidance.Foot Locker and Nike opened The Crenshaw Rec, a first-of-its-kind community-hub retail concept in South LA.DoorDash added Barnes & Noble, Carter's, and Kohl's to its platform ahead of back-to-school season.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

Welcome to GrocerTalk! In this launch episode, sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, and Vusion, Ben Miller is joined by Omni Talk President & CEO Chris Walton to unpack the news stories from global grocery this week that we believe are worth paying attention to. This week, they discuss: • Couche-Tard's US$8.7bn bid for Żabka, and what it signals about the future of convenience retail: https://www.reuters.com/business/alimentation-couche-tard-buy-polish-retailer-zabka-87-billion-2026-07-31/ • Kroger combining grocery and prescription deliveries, with Instacart, and what's next for Kroger's ecommerce strategy: https://progressivegrocer.com/kroger-bundles-grocery-and-prescription-delivery • Schnucks' new AI shopping assistant, and whether conversational commerce is becoming table stakes: https://www.grocerydive.com/news/schnucks-new-digital-tools-shoppers-artificial-intelligence/827758/ • Just Eat's AI Voice Assistant, and what grocers can learn from how foodservice companies are adopting AI voice tools: https://newsroom.justeattakeaway.com/en-WW/269108-just-eat-takeaway-com-launches-ai-voice-assistant-across-europe-to-make-discovering-your-next-order-as-easy-as-having-a-conversation/ • Amazon's agreement with AutoStore, and what it tells us about grocery fulfillment automation: https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2026/8/13/autostore-announces-deal-with-amazon-to-supply-automation-technology-products-and-solutions Plus, GrocerTalk Grab & Go brings more stories to the table, including Walmart's move into store-based micro-fulfillment, C&S's Winn-Dixie ambitions, Ahold Delhaize's savings kiosks, and Waitrose's new AI assistant for store associates. GrocerTalk is a new weekly podcast from the Omni Talk Podcast Network covering the trends, innovations and technologies shaping global grocery. Episode 001. Welcome to GrocerTalk. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ Music by hooksounds.com.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:J.C. Penney launches a "Retail Rejuvenation" campaign taking direct aim at off-price retailers like TJX, Ross, and Burlington.Walmart+ adds free photo prints, fee-free Money Center transactions, and tire repair/road hazard perks to its membership.Buc-ee's eyes its first Iowa location, pursuing a 20-acre site in Urbandale near Des Moines.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by R&S Logistics, Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:A New York City bill backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani would force Amazon to directly employ thousands of contract delivery couriers, threatening its low-cost delivery model.Walmart begins installing Symbotic's first SymMicro fulfillment system inside a live store, advancing its back-of-store automation push.Primark opens its 46th U.S. store — and first in Minnesota — at Mall of America on September 3rd.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

Gap Inc. is expanding its creator affiliate program to employees across Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta, allowing staff to earn commissions by becoming brand influencers. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn discuss why employees may be a brand's most authentic creators, how retailers can scale employee-generated content, and whether this could become the future of retail marketing. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/_GsTHL9DBYA

Albertsons is restructuring its business through its new ACI Edge initiative while lowering its financial outlook for the year. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn discuss whether centralizing merchandising and operations is the right move, why regional grocers face mounting competitive pressure, and what Albertsons must do to remain relevant in today's grocery landscape. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/_GsTHL9DBYA

U.S. grocery unit sales declined for the fifth consecutive month, raising new questions about the long-term health of the grocery industry. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn discuss what's driving the slowdown, from inflation and SNAP changes to GLP-1 medications, online grocery, and shifting consumer shopping habits. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/_GsTHL9DBYA

Hy-Vee has rolled out 30-minute pickup and delivery across all of its stores with its new "Get It Faster" service. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn debate whether ultra-fast grocery fulfillment is still a competitive advantage or simply the new baseline as Walmart, Amazon, and other retailers continue raising customer expectations. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/_GsTHL9DBYA

David's Bridal has launched a new outlet shop-in-shop concept, combining discounted dresses with its traditional bridal shopping experience. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn debate whether luxury and value can successfully coexist under one roof, why bridal retail is different from traditional apparel, and how thoughtful merchandising could make this concept a winner. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/_GsTHL9DBYA

Chris Walton puts Josh Hahn in the Fast Five lightning round, covering everything from National Tequila Day and Shark Week to John Cena's hair transplants, America's best fast-food fries, and plenty more retail-free fun. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/_GsTHL9DBYA