Podcasts about retail group

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

Bath & Body Works is bringing Fresh Balsam to Grand Central Terminal, movie theaters, and interactive mall kiosks in what beauty expert Kelly Carey calls "my favorite marketing campaign of the year." But is piping fragrance into public spaces genius brand awareness or an invasive marketing tactic? Kelly breaks down why this campaign is perfectly timed to recapture awareness in a booming fragrance market, while the panel debates the opt-in vs. opt-out question when scent is thrust upon consumers. From middle school Cherry Blossom memories to concerns about sensory overload in movie theaters, this discussion covers the full spectrum of experiential marketing. Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/j0UulTYE5_8 #BathAndBodyWorks #ExperientialMarketing #HolidayMarketing #FragranceRetail #RetailInnovation

Amazon is suing Perplexity AI over its Comet shopping agent, claiming it "covertly accesses Amazon customer accounts" and interferes with the curated shopping experience Amazon built over decades. But is this defensive move from the e-commerce giant actually a sign of things to come? Waqas Khan from A&M breaks down the technology protocols at stake, why this feels like a classic incumbent vs. disruptor battle, and how advertising revenue is driving Amazon's aggressive response. Chris argues this is Amazon playing the role of the 1990s brick-and-mortar retailer fighting e-commerce, while the panel debates whether this lawsuit is a negotiation tactic or the first salvo in a long legal war over agentic commerce. Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/j0UulTYE5_8 #Amazon #Perplexity #AgenticAI #RetailLawsuit #ShoppingAgents #RetailTech

Dollar General has appointed Travis Nixon as SVP of Artificial Intelligence, tasking him with using AI to optimize supply chain, store operations, and merchandising. But how long before every retailer has a Chief AI Officer—and is this even the right approach? Waqas Khan delivers a masterclass on why standalone AI roles may follow the same fate as Chief Digital Officers, most of whom lasted less than two years before the role dissolved. The panel discusses why Dollar General's SVP approach (rather than C-suite) may be smarter, which executive should oversee AI transformation, and why AI needs to be embedded across all functions rather than siloed. Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/j0UulTYE5_8 #DollarGeneral #AILeadership #RetailTransformation #ChiefAIOfficer #RetailStrategy

The lightning round gets personal as Kelly reveals she'd trade her data to Ulta for holiday discounts (with three sisters and multiple gift exchanges, who can blame her?), Waqas picks "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead" as his favorite Andy Garcia film, and the panel mourns the potential disappearance of Italian pasta from US shelves. Plus: middle-aged men are the biggest holiday spenders, Waqas's dishwasher crisis becomes his holiday budget, and we learn about Korean vs. German appliances, the superiority of rigatoni and pappardelle, and why ChatGPT has become Ella's "best friend." Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/j0UulTYE5_8 #HolidayShopping #RetailTrends #LightningRound #ConsumerBehavior #RetailPodcast

Adobe's October data reveals a game-changing milestone: generative AI traffic is now converting 16% BETTER than traditional sources—a complete 180 from three months ago when AI traffic converted 9% WORSE. This episode breaks down what Kelly Carey and Waqas Khan from the A&M Consumer and Retail Group think retailers need to know about this inflection point. With AI traffic up 1,200% year-over-year and shoppers spending 44% longer on sites when arriving from AI sources, the experts discuss why this shift makes sense, how consumers are using tools like ChatGPT to cut through digital clutter, and what retailers should be doing RIGHT NOW to prepare for an agentic omnichannel future. Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/j0UulTYE5_8

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.

Amazon is shaking up Whole Foods with a controversial transformation that has retail experts divided. From robot-powered "ShopBots" in the back room fetching Tide Pods and Pepsi, to a massive 3,800 square foot Amazon Grocery kiosk replacing the coffee shop in Chicago's flagship location, Amazon is testing whether Whole Foods shoppers want mainstream brands alongside their organic kale. Chris and Anne debate whether this move will destroy Whole Foods' brand identity or unlock new value for Amazon's delivery business. Is this the future of grocery, or a mistake that will alienate Whole Foods' core customers? Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/7d-eJ-WAhfw #amazon #wholefoods #groceryrobots #retailtech #amazongrocery #grocerydelivery #retailinnovation #shopbots #organicgrocery #mainstreambrands

In a surprising move, GrubHub (owned by Mark Lore's Wonder super app) is partnering with Instacart to enable grocery delivery directly through the GrubHub platform. But this partnership raises major strategic questions: Why would Instacart help a potential future competitor? Chris breaks down the "Greeks bearing gifts" dynamics at play and questions whether this is Mark Lore's chess move toward building the ultimate meal-time super app. Is Instacart making a strategic mistake, or is there a bigger play happening behind the scenes? Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/7d-eJ-WAhfw #grubhub #instacart #marklore #wonder #deliverypartnership #grocerydelivery #whitelabel #thirdpartydelivery #retailstrategy #mealplanning

Kroger is making history as the first retailer to integrate restaurant delivery directly into their grocery app through an expanded partnership with Uber Eats. Now customers can order their weekly groceries AND dinner from local restaurants in one seamless experience, with special benefits for Kroger Boost members. Chris and Anne discuss why this integration is brilliant for the subscription wars and predict when Walmart will respond with a similar Door Dash partnership. Is this the future of grocery shopping? Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/7d-eJ-WAhfw #kroger #ubereats #grocerydelivery #restaurantdelivery #krogerboost #subscriptionservices #omnichannel #retailinnovation #fooddelivery #seamlessshopping

Starbucks just revealed that delivery has become a $1 billion annual business, growing 30% year-over-year—and it's changing everything about how we think about coffee shops. With 40% of delivery orders including food, this massive revenue stream raises critical questions about Brian Nichol's turnaround strategy. Should Starbucks double down on automation and dark cafes, or invest in improving the in-store experience? Chris and Anne debate the future of Starbucks as delivery continues to explode. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/7d-eJ-WAhfw #starbucks #coffeedelivery #brianniccol #starbucksstrategy #deliveryservices #ghostkitchens #coffeeshop #retailstrategy #automation #mobilepickup

The Lightning Round gets wild this week! From a soccer coach using Chat GPT to devise winning defensive strategies, to Jonathan Bailey's Sexiest Man Alive title, to John Lewis offering hand massages for loyalty members, and Carly Rae Jepsen's baby naming dilemma... Chris and Anne tackle the most entertaining retail and culture moments. Plus, hear their personal Chat GPT success stories and debate whether hand massages at a department store would actually drive traffic. It's retail meets pop culture in the best way possible! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/7d-eJ-WAhfw #chatgpt #AIcoaching #jonathanbailey #sexiestmanalive #johnlewis #loyaltyprograms #carlyraejepsen #retailculture #customerexperience #lightninground

Mondelēz (maker of Oreo and Chips Ahoy) is investing over $40 million in a custom generative AI tool to slash marketing costs by 30-50% and create TV-ready ads for the 2027 Super Bowl. But is building proprietary AI technology the right move, or should CPG brands partner with specialized providers? Chris and Anne debate whether this massive investment will pay off or become a costly sunk cost trap as AI technology rapidly evolves. Anne shares insights from cutting-edge AI advertising demos that are already creating human-likenesses in commercials. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/7d-eJ-WAhfw #mondelez #generativeAI #aimarketing #cpginnovation #accenture #marketingautomation #oreo #advertisingtechnology #aicommercials #retailtech

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris and Anne discussed: Amazon's push to add mainstream brands like Pepsi and Doritos to Whole Foods through ShopBots and Amazon Grocery kiosks (Source: Wall Street Journal) Starbucks crossing the $1 billion milestone in annual delivery sales with 30% quarterly growth (Source: CNBC) Mondelez investing $40 million in a generative AI tool to slash marketing costs by 30-50% (Source: Reuters) Kroger expanding its Uber Eats partnership to integrate restaurant delivery directly into the Kroger app across 2,600+ stores (Source: Chain Store Age) Grubhub partnering with Instacart to offer grocery delivery through its platform nationwide (Source: Supermarket News) And this month, Chris and Anne handed out the OmniStar Award in partnership with Quorso to Justin Weinstein, EVP and Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Giant Eagle, for leading the 95-year-old retailer's bold $100 million "Because It Matters" brand positioning. There's all that, plus a debate on whether AI-generated ads are the future, why ordering dinner through your grocery app makes perfect sense, and whether hand massages would get Chris into John Lewis for holiday shopping. Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #WholeFoods #StarbucksDelivery #RetailTech #GenerativeAI #KrogerUberEats #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #Mondelez #GrubhubInstacart #RetailInnovation #CoffeeDelivery

Amazon unveils AI-powered smart glasses designed to help delivery drivers scan packages, navigate, and capture proof of delivery hands-free. Anne sees potential to reduce device overload for field workers, while Chris worries about long-term health implications and potential lawsuits. Is this the future of last-mile delivery or a Hot Shots-style disaster waiting to happen? Learn about the AR overlay technology, current trials, and what questions retailers should be asking. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Walmart and Avery Dennison achieve what was long considered impossible: RFID sensors that work in high-moisture, cold environments for meat, deli, and bakery departments. Chris and Anne explain why this breakthrough represents a domino effect for the smart store of the future, how it tackles food waste and spoilage, and why it will transform online grocery fulfillment. Plus, learn about the FSMA legislation driving this innovation forward. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chris and Anne tackle the week's quirkiest retail stories: Netflix bringing Stranger Things' finale to theaters, Target's Weirdly Hot Santa returns for year two, Lululemon's NFL licensing sparks more debate, and Red Bull drops a $50 advent calendar. Fast takes, sharp opinions, and laughs from retail's most entertaining podcast duo. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Lululemon announces its first-ever licensing deal, partnering with all 32 NFL teams to release officially branded apparel. Anne sees opportunity in solving the women's fan gear problem, while Chris warns it cheapens the brand and signals an identity crisis. Who's right? Plus, debate whether this should have been a college athletics play instead, and whether you'll ever see Viking yoga pants in a Lululemon store near you. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Amazon eliminates 14,000 corporate roles while Target cuts 1,800 positions in what marks one of the darkest days in recent retail history. Chris and Anne share personal insights from their own experiences, discuss the cultural implications of these moves, and offer advice for affected workers. Is this the beginning of an industry-wide trend driven by AI automation? Plus, learn why Target's CEO messaging raises serious questions about accountability and cultural recovery. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

DoorDash launches a game-changing emergency food response program, offering free delivery for food banks and waiving fees for 300,000 SNAP recipient orders amid the government shutdown crisis. Anne and Chris break down why this move demonstrates the power of third-party logistics platforms, signals improving retailer partnerships, and builds customer loyalty that will last for years. Learn how reactive merchandising and doing good creates a competitive advantage. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris and Anne discussed: Amazon and Target's major layoffs affecting thousands of corporate employees (Source) DoorDash launching an Emergency Food Response program for SNAP recipients (Source) Walmart and Avery Dennison partnering to track fresh food with breakthrough RFID technology (Source) Lululemon venturing into its first licensing deal with the NFL (Source) Amazon unveiling smart glasses for its delivery drivers (Source) And AWS's Daniele Stroppa also dropped by to help us hand out this month's Retail Tech Startup of the Month award. There's all that, plus Stranger Things movie theater premieres, Target's weirdly hot Santa returning for year two, and whether Red Bull really gives you wings. Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #AmazonLayoffs #TargetLayoffs #DoorDash #WalmartRFID #LululemonNFL #AmazonAIGlasses #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailTech #RetailInnovation

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

New research reveals Gen Z will transform Britain's high streets into social, tech-driven hubs by 2050! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. According to American Express research, 65% of Gen Z says each trip should deliver something they can't get online, while 79% want future retail destinations to blend shopping with dining, drinking, and leisure. Three-quarters believe retailers should use AI for immersive in-store experiences. Lisa Collier, fresh from London, shares her perspective on whether this evolution is realistic, drawing parallels to how malls served Boomers. We discuss the importance of experiential touchpoints, planning organizations, and ensuring the technology actually works. Is this clickbait or genuine strategy? Our panel weighs in.

Ulta Beauty officially launches its marketplace powered by Mirakl! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. The beauty retailer is taking a curated, invitation-only approach to third-party sellers, integrating marketplace listings with unified search, shopping carts, and checkout. Customers can earn Ulta Beauty rewards points on marketplace purchases but can't redeem them on marketplace items... a interesting twist that sparked debate among our panel. Manola Soler shares her expertise on what Ulta needs to get right, balancing breadth of assortment with curation, and how to scale faster without sacrificing brand integrity. We also discuss the challenges of the loyalty program integration and why beauty marketplaces require a different approach than mass retail.

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

Wayfair's luxury brand Perigold opens a massive 30,000-square-foot, two-level store in West Palm Beach! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. The new location features 150+ luxury home brands, a dedicated sleep center, and expanded kitchen appliances—with many products available to take home or ship within a week (remarkable for furniture!). But is this Restoration Hardware-esque flagship profitable? Manola Soler initially questions the four-wall economics before coming around on the brand-building exercise and quick-turn inventory model. We debate whether Wayfair should have showcased a mix of Perigold's luxury offerings with more accessible Wayfair products—creating a high-low concept no one else in furniture can match. Plus, Lisa emphasizes why planning is the central nervous system that makes these physical experiences work.

DoorDash is piloting autonomous deliveries with Waymo in Metro Phoenix—but will consumers actually embrace robot deliveries? Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso. Lisa Collier is skeptical: "If I'm paying for delivery, I want it handed to me." Manola Soler shares hilarious experiences with delivery robots in Jersey City that couldn't navigate stairs and blocked sidewalks. The panel debates whether this works better in suburban vs. urban environments, the logistics of restaurant employees running orders to vehicles, and whether lower delivery fees would make consumers accept the trade-off. Chris Walton points out this might succeed in suburban America first, where last-mile costs are higher and homes have driveways—not apartment buildings with elevators.

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

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed: Walmart opening an auto-care center of the future Kroger using DashMart's for online delivery Walmart partnering with Wiliot to improve inventory tracking The big 3 third-party grocery and food delivery marketplaces – DoorDash, Instacart, and Uber Eats – teaming up with ChatGPT Amazon's new in-office prescription kiosks at One Medical locations And Nick Matthews, Wiliot's Vice President of Solutions and Architecture, will be joining the show soon to provide more details about Walmart's massive Bluetooth sensor rollout. There's all that, plus The Body Shop's return, The Running Man sequel, JP Morgan's $3 billion office tower, and whether Chris dreams of having his own executive washroom. 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 Apple Podcasts and on Feedspot Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #WalmartAI #ChatGPTCommerce #RetailTech #GroceryDelivery #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #AmazonPharmacy #KrogerDelivery #RetailInnovation #Wiliot #BluetoothTracking

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, examines Amazon's launch of a new private label grocery brand with over 1,000 items priced under $5. Chris and Anne debate whether this move represents a strategic reset or reveals how lost Amazon's grocery strategy has become. Is the "Amazon Grocery" brand name compelling enough to attract budget-conscious shoppers, or should they have leveraged the existing 365 brand from Whole Foods? Tune in for critical analysis on Amazon's latest attempt to crack the grocery code. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/4U1e0ftlJfM Amazon private label strategy, budget grocery brands, Amazon Fresh vs Whole Foods, grocery retail competition, value shopping #amazon #amazongrocery #privatelabel #groceryretail #budgetshopping #amazonfresh #retailstrategy #valuebrand #groceryshopping #retailnews

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, examines Shipt's new chat-to-cart feature powered by Perplexity's Comet browser. While Chris and Anne appreciate the innovation, they question the execution. Requiring customers to download a separate browser creates too much friction for mainstream adoption. Anne and Chris agree it's the right idea at the wrong time... a PR headline that sounds more innovative than it actually is. Will Shipt's AI gamble pay off, or is it too early for consumers to embrace? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/4U1e0ftlJfM #shipt #perplexityai #aishoppingassistant #chattocart #grocerydelivery #retailtech #aiinretail #shoppinginnovation #grocerytech #retailinnovation

This lightning round segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, covers the quirkiest retail and consumer trends of the week. Chris proposes adding Fanatics sports gear to baby registries (Target, are you listening?), debates the merits of "zip coding" in dating, absolutely refuses to try Frank's RedHot gummy bears, and reveals his preference for yellow potato salad. Anne shares her take on each topic, from her single-parent dating radius to why she'd never eat mayo-based salads at summer barbecues. It's retail insights meets rapid-fire fun! For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/4U1e0ftlJfM #retailtrends #consumertrends #babyregistry #datingtrends #foodtrends #lightninground #retailpodcast #consumerinsights #retailnews #funretail

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, tackles Bed Bath & Beyond's announcement of a nationwide franchise system. Chris doesn't hold back, calling this "the single dumbest idea" in the show's eight-year history. Anne tries to find potential benefits for independent retailers but struggles to justify the investment. With the company just emerging from bankruptcy and no clear competitive advantage, is this franchise opportunity a trap for unsuspecting entrepreneurs? Buyer beware! For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/4U1e0ftlJfM #bedbathandbeyond #retailfranchise #homegoods #franchiseopportunity #retailnews #homefurnishings #retailstrategy #businesswarning #retailfailure

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, covers Shein's first permanent move into physical retail with shop-in-shops across French department stores. Chris rates this move a 6.5 out of 10, praising Shein's ability to test demand in physical locations while leveraging their fast-fashion manufacturing prowess. Anne sees additional benefits: attracting aspirational shoppers to luxury department stores, gathering in-person shopping data, and potentially addressing sustainability concerns through in-store returns and recycling. Is this the blueprint for digital-first brands entering physical retail? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/4U1e0ftlJfM #shein #fastfashion #physicalretail #shopinshop #omnichannel #fashionretail #retailexpansion #departmentstores #retailstrategy #fashioninnovation

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores PayPal's groundbreaking move to offer 5% cash back on Buy Now Pay Later purchases. Anne shares surprising data from Groceryshop revealing that consumers are using BNPL for everyday essentials like fresh groceries, not just big-ticket items. Chris reflects on his 2017 prediction that BNPL would become ubiquitous... and why this cash back offer is one of the most compelling deals in retail today. Is this the future of consumer payments? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/4U1e0ftlJfM #paypal #buynowpaylater #bnpl #cashback #retailpayments #consumerfinance #holidayshopping #paymentinnovation #retailtech #shoppingtrends

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris and Anne discussed: Amazon launching a “price-conscious” grocery brand with most products under $5 (Source) PayPal tying 5% cash back to BNPL purchases (Source) Bed Bath & Beyond's plans to launch a nationwide franchise system (Source) Shipt's new chat to cart feature with Perplexity (Source) Shein making its first permanent move into physical retail (Source) And this month's OmniStar award, in partnership with Quorso, goes to Prabash Coswatte, Chief Operating Officer at Heritage Grocers, for the true omnichannel approach he's bringing to running a grocery chain across four distinct banners! There's all that, plus why Chris calls Bed Bath's franchise plan “the single dumbest idea in the history of this show,” whether Anne would eat Frank's Red Hot gummy bears, and the surprising stat about BNPL usage for fresh grocery products. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #AmazonGrocery #PayPalBNPL #BedBathBeyond #ShiptAI #SheinStores #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailTech #RetailInnovation #Franchising #ChatToCart

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, covers Sprouts Farmers Market's announcement to open 20 in-store Klatch Coffee cafes across Southern California. Anne explains why this move is perfectly aligned with Sprouts' destination shopping experience... customers who visit Sprouts are in a different mindset, taking time to discover new products and consult with specialized staff. Adding locally-sourced, independent brand coffee creates an elevated experience similar to getting champagne at a department store. Chris highlights that Sprouts has massive "dry powder" for growth: they're only in 24 states, just launched their loyalty program, operate an optimized smaller store format, and now add coffee shops as another traffic driver. When shoppers linger with coffee, basket sizes increase... making this a savvy operations play.

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, examines Amazon's decision to close all 19 Fresh grocery stores in the UK. Chris argues this confirms that grocery is incredibly hard to disrupt and that Amazon can't win on freshness, price, or experience without the necessary scale. He predicts Amazon Fresh in the US is "dead on arrival" and questions whether Amazon is making similar mistakes with Whole Foods by moving away from the "Whole Paycheck" premium positioning. Anne agrees that competitors like Sprouts, Lidl, and Aldi are beating Amazon at their own game with better distribution, fresher products, and lower prices. However, both hosts wonder if Amazon's pivot to online grocery could eventually win in a future where automated fulfillment becomes cheaper than in-store operations.

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, analyzes early data from Costco's executive membership early access hours. Since implementing the extra hour of shopping from 9-10am, Placer AI data shows visits are shifting earlier, trips are becoming more efficient (30-45 minutes vs 45-60 minutes), and congestion during peak hours has decreased. Anne argues this transforms Costco from a once-a-week stock-up trip into a quick daily errand destination for millennials and young families, while Chris calls it a masterclass in operations management. With no additional staff required and executive members willing to pay for the perk, is this one of the smartest retail moves of 2025? Could this become the airport lounge problem where everyone upgrades? Chris and Anne break down the implications.

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores OpenAI's game-changing announcement: ChatGPT Instant Checkout. Users can now purchase items directly from Etsy sellers and over 1 million Shopify merchants without ever leaving ChatGPT. Chris and Anne debate whether retailers should embrace or block bot traffic, discuss the implications for traditional e-commerce funnels, and explore what "GEO optimization" means in an agentic AI world. With Etsy stock jumping 16% and Shopify up 6%, this feature could reshape how consumers discover and buy products forever. Is this the Google of 2025? Will retailers prepare for agentic shopping experiences or get left behind? Tune in for expert analysis on the biggest e-commerce shift in years.

This lightning round segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, covers the fun and quirky stories of the week! Topics include: • Mountain Dew's new "Dirty" cream soda targeting Gen Z and the dirty soda trend • Vegas transportation debate: Taxi or Uber? (Chris and Anne weigh in from Grocery Shop) • Chinese public toilets requiring QR code scans and ad viewing for toilet paper access • Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's divorce after 19 years... who hits the dating pool first? Plus birthday shoutouts to Brie Larson, Beck Bennett, and the legendary Julie Andrews turning 90!

This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, explores DoorDash's launch of "Going Out"... adding restaurant reservations and in-store rewards to its app. Chris declares DoorDash the one app he couldn't live without and says these features make it even stickier. Users can now book tables, earn DoorDash credits for reservations, and redeem exclusive in-store offers... all without leaving the app. Anne argues this is as close to a full-service super app as America will get, though she warns the experience needs to be seamless (no manual codes or barcodes like the Groupon days). Both hosts see huge potential for restaurants to drive traffic and for DoorDash to cement itself as the go-to utility for all commerce experiences, from delivery to dining out.

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris and Anne discussed: OpenAI's announcement of ChatGPT Instant Checkout with Etsy (Source) Early data showing Costco's extended hours for Executive Members may be a home run (Source) Amazon's decision to close all Fresh stores in the UK (Source) Sprouts Farmers Market opening 20 in-store coffee shops in California (Source) DoorDash launching ‘Going Out' with restaurant reservations and in-store rewards (Source) And AWS's Daniele Stroppa also dropped by to help us hand out September's Retail Tech Startup of the Month. There's all that, plus dirty soda, Vegas transportation preferences, and whether Chris would spare a square in a Chinese public toilet. Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #OpenAI #ChatGPT #CostcoExecutive #AmazonFresh #SproutsCoffee #DoorDashReservations #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailTech #GroceryInnovation #InstantCheckout

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, A&M's Joanna Rangarajan and Mohit Mohal joined Chris and Anne to explore Google's major move to integrate Gemini AI into Chrome for all users. Our retail experts discuss how retailers should prepare for generative engine optimization (GEO), the shift from traditional SEO, and strategies for succeeding across multiple AI platforms. Learn why diversification is key and how this chess move positions Google against ChatGPT and other AI search engines! #AI #GEO #SEO #ecommerce #retailfulfillment #gemini #Google #AIintegration

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, A&M's Joanna Rangarajan and Mohit Mohal joined Chris and Anne to discuss: Walmart's nationwide refrigerated prescription delivery – The retail giant becomes the first to deliver refrigerated and reconstituted prescriptions alongside groceries in one order, including insulin, GLP-1s, and pediatric medications (Source) Amazon launching online Winn Dixie grocery delivery in Florida – Amazon now offers the full Winn Dixie assortment with over 16,000 items for delivery in Jacksonville and Orlando areas (Source) Google adding Gemini to Chrome for all users – Google rolls out AI capabilities to Chrome browsers on Mac, Windows, and mobile devices as it pushes to bolster AI search capabilities (Source) Sephora launching My Sephora Storefront – The beauty retailer debuts a new affiliate platform giving influencers customizable digital storefronts and commission opportunities (Source) Kroger bringing back paper coupons – The grocery chain reintroduces physical coupon flyers alongside digital deals, featuring a single barcode for easy scanning at checkout (Source) And AWS's David Dorff also dropped by for 5 Insightful Minutes on how retailers should prepare for AI-powered shopping agents. There's all that, plus discussions on Nike's Skims collaboration and Jaden Smith's appointment as Christian Louboutin's creative director. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #WalmartRX #AmazonGrocery #GoogleGemini #RetailTech #SephoraInfluencers #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #AgenticAI #RetailInnovation #KrogerCoupons #RetailTrends

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, A&M's Joanna Rangarajan and Mohit Mohal joined Chris and Anne to discuss Nike x Skims partnership implications, Jaden Smith's appointment as Christian Louboutin's first men's creative director, AI search queries in daily life, and more! Our panel analyzes which brand benefits more from the Nike-Skims collab, the generational shift in luxury creative leadership, and shares personal AI search experiences. Plus, Star Wars movie plans and weekend cooking adventures! #NikexSkims #ChristianLouboutin #JadenSmith #AI #ecommerce #retailfulfillment

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, A&M's Joanna Rangarajan and Mohit Mohal joined Chris and Anne to discuss Kroger's decision to bring back paper coupons alongside their digital offerings. Our experts debate whether this move represents smart customer listening or a step backward, exploring the psychology of tangible deals and how this serves different customer segments. With 40% of consumers preferring paper coupons for their tangible feel, we analyze this surprising retail strategy! #Kroger #ecommerce #retailfulfillment #Coupons #Grocery

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, A&M's Joanna Rangarajan and Mohit Mohal joined Chris and Anne to analyze Sephora's launch of My Sephora Storefront, giving influencers customizable digital storefronts. With 70-75% of beauty purchases influenced by social media, we explore how this platform eliminates friction for creators and followers while positioning Sephora for AI-powered discovery. Our panel discusses the benefits for all parties and whether this move is transformational or evolutionary! #Sephora #ecommerce #retailfulfillment #MySephoraStorefront #Creator #influencers

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, A&M's Joanna Rangarajan and Mohit Mohal joined Chris and Anne to analyze Walmart's groundbreaking move to deliver refrigerated and reconstituted prescriptions nationwide. From GLP-1s to insulin and pediatric medications, discover why our experts scored this move between 8-11 out of 10 for significance. We explore the convenience factor, competitive implications for CVS and Walgreens, and how this positions Walmart in the massive healthcare market. Tune in for expert insights on retail's healthcare evolution! #ecommerce #retailfulfillment #Walmart #rx #pharmacy

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, A&M's Joanna Rangarajan and Mohit Mohal joined Chris and Anne to debate Amazon's partnership with Winn Dixie for grocery delivery in Florida. Our panel explores whether regional grocers should partner with their biggest competitive threat, the strategic implications for both companies, and how this fits into Amazon's broader grocery expansion. From market reach to brand control, we analyze all angles of this controversial partnership! #Amazon #Grocery #WinnDixie #ecommerce #retailfulfillment