Podcast appearances and mentions of Chris Walton

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

A CEO fired in 100 days. A retail icon's stock down 49%. Membership clubs crushing every metric. Nine predictions. One year of chaos. How well did I call 2025's retail winners and losers?Hosted by Chris Walton, former Target executive and co-host of the Omnii Talk Retail Fast Five Podcast. New episodes of Walton's Weekly Wramblings drop every Friday.Brought to you with the help and support of Mirakl - The catalyst of commerce. Over 450 retailers are opening new revenue streams with marketplaces, dropship, and retail media. Unlock more products, more partners, and more profits without the heavy lifting. Visit Mirakl.com to learn more.Subscribe now and be careful out there - the retail landscape is changing faster than ever.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Saks Global files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with $1.75 billion financing package, as former Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck takes over and reshapes leadership to rebuild vendor relationships.The Credit Card Competition Act gains President Trump's endorsement, as bipartisan legislation seeks to break the Visa-Mastercard duopoly and give merchants routing alternatives for payment processing.Fanatics launches Fanatics Studios with OBB Media, expanding into content creation with Olympic partnerships, celebrity documentaries, and projects across ESPN, WWE, and MLB.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.Be careful out there!

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

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Amazon plans a massive 225,000-square-foot store near Chicago combining groceries and general merchandise, directly challenging Walmart's supercenter dominance.TGI Fridays unveils its "1-2-3 Strategic Vision" targeting $2 billion in revenue and 1,000+ restaurants by 2030, just months after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.J.C. Penney posts a 3.8% sales decline and widening losses, but shows promising signs with improved traffic, loyalty growth, and celebrity partnerships gaining traction.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.Be careful out there!

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, 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 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

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 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 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

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:GameStop kicks off 2026 by closing over 430 stores across 42 states as CEO Ryan Cohen races toward a potential $35 billion stock option payday tied to hitting a $100 billion market cap.Walmart and Wing announce plans to scale drone delivery operations to 270 stores by 2027, reaching over 40 million potential customers in major metros including Los Angeles, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Miami.Aldi celebrates 50 years in the U.S. by unveiling plans to open 180-plus stores across 31 states in 2026, enter Maine and Colorado, and launch a redesigned e-commerce platform at Aldi.us.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.Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Circle K partners with Quorso to deploy intelligent management platform across 7,800+ U.S. stores, consolidating tasks, analytics, and reporting into one system after successful European rollout.Amazon expands its updated Dash Carts to over 25 Whole Foods locations by year-end, featuring lighter design, 40% more capacity, and real-time savings tracking as part of broader grocery integration strategy.Walmart names Shishir Mehrotra, former YouTube CPO/CTO and Superhuman CEO, to its Board of Directors, signaling board-level focus on agentic AI as a transformational strategic priority.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.Be careful out there!

Online grocery sales surged 29% in November to $12.3 billion. During inflation. During tight budgets.How is that possible?Higher-income households are driving explosive e-grocery growth – placing 3.1 orders per month with frequency climbing for 15 consecutive months. But they're not the endgame. They're the early warning signal.UBS predicts grocery will be the first industry disrupted by agentic AI. The category everyone said would never go online? It's going first. And by the time everyone realizes what's happening, will it be too late to catch up?Hosted by Chris Walton, former Target executive and co-host of the Omnii Talk Retail Fast Five Podcast. New episodes of Walton's Weekly Wramblings drop every Friday.Brought to you with the help and support of Mirakl - The catalyst of commerce. Over 450 retailers are opening new revenue streams with marketplaces, dropship, and retail media. Unlock more products, more partners, and more profits without the heavy lifting. Visit Mirakl.com to learn more.Subscribe now and be careful out there - the retail landscape is changing faster than ever.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Amazon faces growing complaints from independent brands over its "Buy for Me" shopping tool, which allows customers to purchase products from other websites within Amazon's app, often without explicit retailer consent.GameStop proposes an entirely performance-based compensation package for CEO Ryan Cohen that could reach $35 billion if the company hits a $100 billion market cap and $10 billion in cumulative EBITDA.UPS' Happy Returns pilots AI-powered Return Vision software to detect "decoy return" fraud, using computer vision to verify returned products match retailers' original items.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.Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Walmart Connect launches comprehensive AI-powered advertising tools, including the Marty advertising assistant for Sponsored Search campaigns and GenAI creative generators that reduce production time by 80%.Albertsons Media Collective unveils in-store incrementality measurement capabilities using matched-market methodology, with early Mondelēz campaign showing 14% sales lift and setting new industry standards for causal measurement.Amazon must face class-action lawsuit over COVID-19 price gouging allegations, with judge ruling customers had "no meaningful choice" during lockdowns and citing price increases as high as 1,800% on essentials.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.Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Saks Global is negotiating a $1 billion bankruptcy loan after missing $100 million in bond payments, as the luxury retailer faces potential Chapter 11 filing within weeks.Kroger launches its Verified Savings Program, offering 20% produce discounts and half-price Boost memberships to customers enrolled in SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, and other government assistance programs.Amazon expands Alexa Plus to browser access with end-to-end meal planning that lets customers generate weekly menus and instantly add ingredients to Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods carts.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.Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Instacart shuts down its controversial price testing program following Consumer Reports investigation that found 23% price differences between customers, as regulatory pressure and consumer backlash force the platform to prioritize trust over pricing optimization.Sweetgreen completes the sale of Spyce and its Infinite Kitchen automation technology to Wonder for $186 million, monetizing its 2021 acquisition while maintaining operational access through a long-term licensing agreement.The Save Mart Companies rolls out Amazon return kiosks to 200+ stores across four Western states, leveraging brick-and-mortar locations to drive traffic and sales with label-free, box-free returns.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.Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Super Saturday is forecast to draw a record 158.9 million shoppers as weather conditions, according to Planalytics, turn milder and drier across most U.S. markets, providing a crucial tailwind for retailers in the final weekend before Christmas.Giant Food and The Giant Company will shutter all six centralized e-commerce fulfillment centers by Q1 2026, pivoting to store-based fulfillment as Ahold Delhaize joins Kroger in abandoning the micro-fulfillment center model.Elliott Investment Management takes a $1 billion stake in Lululemon and pushes for former Ralph Lauren executive Jane Nielsen to become CEO, as the athleisure brand seeks turnaround leadership following Calvin McDonald's departure announcement.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.Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Schnuck Markets achieves 100% fraud-free results in Digimarc gift card security pilot, with 87% of cashiers reporting faster checkout times.Costco reports 20% faster checkout with scan-and-go technology.General Mills cuts prices on two-thirds of products to boost volumes, sacrificing profitability as net income drops 48% while sales volumes respond positively.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:PayPal applies for a U.S. bank charter to strengthen small business lending and reduce reliance on third-party financial institutions amid a friendlier regulatory environment.Temu launches a new Shopify integration, giving merchants one-click access to its Local Seller Program across 30+ global markets as the platform diversifies beyond direct-from-China shipping.Kroger announces a $391 million Kentucky distribution center as it restructures its supply chain strategy away from Ocado automation toward traditional fulfillment models.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Google eliminates the need for full-body photos, launching selfie-based virtual try-on technology powered by Gemini AI across billions of Shopping Graph listings.Albertsons Media Collective extends retail media beyond owned properties with new "Add-It" technology that lets shoppers add products from offsite ads directly to their digital cart.November online grocery sales surge to $12.3 billion, reversing seasonal patterns and marking 28% year-over-year growth as order frequency hits 15-month highs.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald steps down in January amid slowing North America sales.Amazon develops a new "rush" pickup service for one-hour in-store collection at Whole Foods and other Amazon-owned stores, piloting by Q1 2026 to compete in the booming click-and-collect market.Costco reports strong Q1 results with digital sales jumping 20.5% year-over-year, net income rising to $2 billion, and plans to open 30+ new warehouse clubs annually.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. Be careful out there!

One giant integration announcement. A technology both revolutionary and catastrophically overhyped. An entire industry rushing toward a cliff like lemmings. Are we watching retailers accidentally create the monster that will devour them all? Chris Walton's 2025 superlatives definitely don't disappoint.Brought to you with the help and support of Mirakl - The catalyst of commerce. Over 450 retailers are opening new revenue streams with marketplaces, dropship, and retail media. Unlock more products, more partners, and more profits without the heavy lifting. Visit Mirakl.com to learn more.Hosted by Chris Walton, former Target executive and co-host of the Omnii Talk Retail Fast Five Podcast. New episodes of Walton's Weekly Wramblings drop every Friday.Subscribe now and be careful out there - the retail landscape is changing faster than ever.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Instacart faces scrutiny as Consumer Reports investigation reveals AI-powered pricing experiments charging different customers up to 23% more for identical products across major retailers.Amazon reaches its goal of 2,300 markets for same-day perishables delivery just four months after launch.The Home Depot debuts its Creator portal to connect influencers with brand partnerships and monetization opportunities.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. Be careful out there!

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

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Walmart completes its listing transfer to Nasdaq after decades on the NYSE, signaling strategic alignment with the tech-heavy exchange and positioning for potential Nasdaq 100 inclusion.Kroger announces plans to break ground on 14 new stores in Q4 and increase store builds by 30% in 2026, while closing three automated fulfillment centers and shifting to a hybrid e-commerce model expected to deliver $400M in improved profitability.Abercrombie & Fitch completes chain-wide RFID deployment across all 810 stores this month, implementing Nedap's iD Cloud solution to enhance inventory accuracy, omnichannel fulfillment, and real-time visibility.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Instacart becomes the first grocery partner to launch an app on ChatGPT, offering end-to-end shopping and instant checkout within conversational AI.Walmart pilots shoppable recipe experience with Pinterest, letting users add ingredients directly to cart with real-time pricing and delivery options.Retail job cuts jump nearly 140% year-over-year, with 92,000 cuts announced through November as softening demand and tariff uncertainty take their toll.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Ashley enables customers to shop and buy furniture through Perplexity's AI search engine using PayPal.Kroger cancels its Charlotte CFC plans and closes its Nashville spoke facility, paying Ocado $350 million as it reverses course on its ambitious e-commerce automation project.Walgreens opens its 13th automated micro-fulfillment center in West Jordan, Utah, expanding a network that now supports over 5,000 stores and fulfills 18 million prescriptions monthly.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. Be careful out there!

805% AI traffic growth. Sounds impressive. Until you stop and think about. Are retailers about to hand Big Tech the keys to their kingdom all over again?Brought to you with the help and support of Mirakl - The catalyst of commerce. Over 450 retailers are opening new revenue streams with marketplaces, dropship, and retail media. Unlock more products, more partners, and more profits without the heavy lifting. Visit Mirakl.com to learn more.Hosted by Chris Walton, former Target executive and co-host of the Omnii Talk Retail Fast Five Podcast. New episodes of Walton's Weekly Wramblings drop every Friday.Subscribe now and be careful out there - the retail landscape is changing faster than ever.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Walmart launches drone delivery in metro Atlanta, bringing 30-minute fulfillment to six stores and expanding its aerial delivery footprint to 100 locations nationwide.Albertsons rolls out an OpenAI-powered agentic shopping assistant that can autonomously complete tasks like meal planning, recipe importing, and cart building, aiming to cut shopping time from 46 minutes to just four.Macy's reports 3.2% comps in Q3, its strongest quarterly performance in over three years, driven by improved merchandising and customer service, though net income dropped 60% due to tariff pressures.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. Be careful out there!

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.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Amazon launches Amazon Now in Seattle and Philadelphia, promising 30-minute delivery through proprietary micro-fulfillment centers using Amazon Flex drivers.Walmart reports record Black Friday and Cyber Monday results, delivering 57% more orders with 44% delivered in under three hours.Costco sues the Trump administration for tariff refunds, joining 50 companies as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on presidential trade authority.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Belk launches its new smaller-format Market stores in Wesley Chapel, Florida and Frisco, Texas, offering a curated brand assortment in a more nimble 25,000-30,000 square foot footprint.Amazon and Visa partner to provide developers with tools for creating agentic commerce experiences, joining the race to enable AI-driven autonomous shopping and payments.7-Eleven rolls out real-time mobile alcohol cashback offers via the Swiftly app across 10,500+ stores nationwide, delivering instant PayPal, Venmo, or Visa payouts to shoppers.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Black Friday 2025 shatters records with $11.8 billion in online sales, as AI-driven traffic surges 805% and mobile dominates with 55% of purchases.Walmart pilots "Sponsored Prompt" ads inside Sparky, its AI shopping agent, testing new monetization strategies for conversational commerce.OpenAI debuts shopping research in ChatGPT, offering personalized buyer's guides powered by GPT-5 mini with nearly unlimited holiday usage.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Best Buy raises its full-year sales outlook after strong third-quarter performance driven by computing, gaming, and mobile phone upgrades, with comparable sales up 2.7%.Abercrombie & Fitch tops Q3 estimates as Hollister sales surge 16%, offsetting a 7% comparable sales decline at the namesake brand.Kroger eliminates remote work for 4,800 corporate employees starting January, requiring five-day in-office attendance.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Kohl's appoints Michael Bender as permanent CEO after six months as interim chief, making him the retailer's third CEO in three years following the termination of his predecessor for policy violations.Ross Stores surpasses earnings expectations with 10% sales growth and 7% comparable store sales increase, raising Q4 outlook as value-conscious shoppers respond to expanded brand assortments despite tariff headwinds.Weather forecasts from Planalytics predict colder-than-normal temperatures and precipitation across key markets during Black Friday weekend, potentially driving demand for winter categories while creating travel challenges for holiday shoppers.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. Be careful out there!

In this inaugural episode of Confessions of a Supply Chain Executive, host Chris Walton teams up with Richard Stewart (EVP of Product & Industry Strategy) and Eugene Amigud (Chief Innovation Officer) from Infios to conduct a forensic deep dive into retail's most persistent challenge: out-of-stocks. Despite billions spent on technology, the average retailer still faces an 8-10% out-of-stock rate. But here's the truth most won't admit: the problem isn't getting better. It's just getting different. This episode walks through every breakdown point in the supply chain, from forecasting failures to the infamous backroom problem, and delivers a practical framework to diagnose what's really happening inside your operations.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Walmart raises its full-year sales and earnings forecast for the second consecutive quarter, driven by 27% e-commerce growth and customer gains across all income segments.Gap's comparable sales surge 5% in Q3 after its viral "Milkshake" denim campaign with Katseye, with the namesake brand posting 7% growth—the strongest performance since 2017—though Athleta continues to struggle with an 11% decline.Bath & Body Works announces it will launch on Amazon early next year to capture $60-80 million in gray market sales and regain control of its brand.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. Be careful out there!

A $13.7 billion acquisition. Years of stagnant growth. Robots now fetching Pepsi while shopping organic produce. Are we watching Amazon destroy a once proud brand?Brought to you with the help and support of Mirakl - The catalyst of commerce. Over 450 retailers are opening new revenue streams with marketplaces, dropship, and retail media. Unlock more products, more partners, and more profits without the heavy lifting. Visit Mirakl.com to learn more.Hosted by Chris Walton, former Target executive and co-host of the Omnii Talk Retail Fast Five Podcast. New episodes of Walton's Weekly Wramblings drop every Friday.Subscribe now and be careful out there - the retail landscape is changing faster than ever.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Target posts third consecutive quarter of declining sales and cuts full-year profit guidance, but announces a new ChatGPT shopping integration launching next week.Levi's partners with Microsoft to deploy an AI "super-agent" framework across IT, HR, and operations starting in 2026 as part of its journey to become a $10 billion retailer.TJX Companies raises full-year outlook after comparable sales climb 5%, continuing to win over budget-conscious shoppers at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods ahead of the holiday season.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Kroger shuts down three automated fulfillment centers to improve e-commerce profitability by $400M, pivoting to in-store fulfillment and expanded third-party partnerships with Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber.Home Depot misses earnings for the third straight quarter and lowers its full-year outlook, as homeowners delay major projects amid high mortgage rates and a weaker housing market.Foot Locker reverses its planned headquarters relocation to St. Petersburg, Florida, following its acquisition by Dick's Sporting Goods and a strategic reevaluation.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. Be careful out there!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Facebook Marketplace integrates eBay and Poshmark listings, transforming into a discovery engine with AI-powered features and collaborative buying tools.H&M opens its second U.S. Pre Loved shop-in-shop in Los Angeles, partnering with Wasteland to offer curated vintage finds and expanding its circular retail model.Target and Starbucks launch the Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate, the first-ever exclusive holiday beverage available only at Target's in-store Starbucks cafés, with early access for Circle 360 members.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. Be careful out there!

Target's new "10-4" policy requires employees to smile and wave at customers within 10 feet, and personally greet them within 4 feet. Is this explicit instruction necessary for today's workforce, or a forced, performative approach that signals deeper cultural problems? Former Target store manager Chris Walton shares insider perspective on why this policy reveals how far store culture has declined, while Anne argues that explicit direction is needed for first-time workers entering the retail job market. Kelly calls it "firmly over and out," while Waqas warns it could give employees an excuse to avoid customers entirely. Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/j0UulTYE5_8 #Target #CustomerService #RetailOperations #StoreManagement #RetailCulture

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