Omni Talk Retail

Ben Miller shares his Oasis reunion experience, thoughts on Arsenal's 15-year-old sensation Max Dowman, and reveals the ultimate Vegas conference hack for Shoptalk and Groceryshop attendees. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

For the full #fastfive episode head here: https://youtu.be/M4FL5AO9AAM

#Oasis #MaxDowman #Soccer #Football #Shoptalk #Groceryshop #Arsenal

Fabletics achieves 95-97% fill rates and 20% sales boosts with comprehensive RFID rollout. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Shoptalk’s Ben Miller joined Chris and Anne to explore why RFID is becoming the GPS moment for apparel retail and why every retailer should be paying attention.

For the full #fastfive episode head here: https://youtu.be/M4FL5AO9AAM

#Fabletics #RFID #RetailTech #GPS #retailinnovation

Walmart Canada deploys Klarna's buy-now-pay-later service across 400+ stores. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Shoptalk’s Ben Miller joined Chris and Anne to debate whether BNPL will become ubiquitous in stores within three years or if credit cards will capture this market instead.

For the full #fastfive episode head here: https://youtu.be/M4FL5AO9AAM

#Walmart #Klarna #BNPL #Canada #Creditcards

Best Buy officially launches its third-party marketplace with 500 vetted sellers. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Shoptalk’s Ben Miller joined Chris and Anne to discuss what Best Buy needs to do right to succeed and how this could create new opportunities for Geek Squad upselling.

For the full #fastfive episode head here: https://youtu.be/M4FL5AO9AAM

#BestBuy #GeekSquad #ThirdParty #marketplace

Hertz Car Sales launches on Amazon Autos, bringing thousands of pre-owned vehicles to the marketplace. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, Shoptalk’s Ben Miller joined Chris and Anne to discuss how this partnership could finally disrupt the car buying experience and what it means for the future of automotive retail.

For the full #fastfive episode head here: https://youtu.be/M4FL5AO9AAM

#retailstrategy #Amazon #Hertz #preownedvehicles

Target names Michael Fiddelke as next CEO in a move that's sparking industry debate. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Shoptalk’s Ben Miller joined Chris and Anne to break down why this internal succession might be the wrong move for the struggling retailer.

Chris argues this could be "The Fiddelke Faux Pas" while Anne offers a contrarian view on why an internal candidate might be Target's only hope.

For the full #fastfive episode head here: https://youtu.be/M4FL5AO9AAM

#Target #CEO #Mi...

AWS’s Daniele Stroppa, Worldwide Technical Lead for AWS partners in retail, joins us to announce August’s retail tech startup of the month: Vody.

Daniele breaks down how Vody makes data ready for AI and AI agents through their intelligent data infrastructure solutions. Unlike typical approaches that tackle product discoverability with chatbots or search improvements, Vody addresses the challenge at its foundation – the data itself. Their sophisticated system transforms messy product catalogs into AI-optimized data using state-of-the-art multimodal large language models specifically fine-tuned for retail.

🔑 Topics covered:

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Shoptalk’s Ben Miller joined Chris and Anne to discuss:

In this exclusive final interview from the Walmart Seller Summit in San Diego, Karthicka Krishnasamy, VP of Omni Growth Experiences and Services at Walmart, reveals why omnichannel is Walmart's true "superpower" and how AI will transform in-store shopping.

From hardware engineer to retail innovator, Karthicka breaks down how omni shoppers spend more, shop more categories, and show higher satisfaction scores than single-channel customers. Discover the tire-to-grocery-to-vaccine shopping journey that's blurring physical-digital lines, plus the Gen AI grocery list feature that will navigate customers aisle-by-aisle through personalized store experiences.

🔑 Topics covered:

- Why omnichannel is...

In this exclusive Omni Talk episode live from the Walmart Seller Summit in San Diego, Joshua Gunn, VP of Retail Sales and Marketing at Dreo, reveals the seller success story that earned him a stage shout-out in front of 2,000 attendees.

From marketplace launch to Walmart stores in just one year, Joshua breaks down how Dreo leveraged WFS, Walmart Connect, and human relationships to scale their fan, heater, and kitchen appliance business. Discover why he calls the Walmart marketplace experience "nothing short of fantastic" and his advice for sellers: "Don't dip your toes—jump in."

🔑 Topics cover...

In this exclusive Omni Talk episode live from the Walmart Seller Summit in San Diego, Manish Joneja, SVP of Walmart US Marketplace and Walmart Fulfillment Services, reveals the "You Win, We Win" philosophy driving Walmart's marketplace dominance.

With 26% e-commerce growth and 13 consecutive quarters of double-digit marketplace growth, Manish breaks down the momentum, opportunity, reach, and humanity that sets Walmart apart. From serving 270 million weekly customers worldwide to building authentic relationships where sellers know their support team by name, discover how Walmart is becoming America's favorite place to shop and sell.

🔑 Topics covered:

- The...

In this exclusive Omni Talk episode live from the Walmart Seller Summit in San Diego, Tracy Poulliot, SVP of Digital Shopping Experience at Walmart US, reveals how AI is transforming retail beyond the traditional digital catalog.

From merging the orange and blue apps into one unified experience to launching Sparky, Walmart's AI shopping assistant, Tracy breaks down how artificial intelligence is finally enabling immersive shopping experiences at scale across hundreds of millions of items. Discover how virtual try-on technology, meal planning solutions, and problem-solving AI are redefining what digital shopping can be.

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...

In this exclusive Omni Talk episode live from the Walmart Seller Summit in San Diego, Mohit Puthuraya, VP of Seller Success, Marketplace, Walmart Fulfillment Services, and E-commerce, reveals how Walmart is prioritizing seller support through technology and human connection.

From AI-powered content enrichment to 15% cheaper fulfillment costs than competitors, Mohit breaks down Walmart's comprehensive approach to seller success. Discover how the platform leverages physical footprints for omnichannel advantages, why human-led support differentiates Walmart from automated competitors, and how new technologies like chatbots and bulk management tools are scaling seller operations.

🔑 Topics covered:

- The...

In this exclusive Omni Talk episode live from the Walmart Seller Summit in San Diego, Michael Mosser, VP of Walmart Marketplace Categories, reveals how Walmart is becoming the go-to destination for everything customers need, want, and love.

From everyday household essentials to luxury Gucci wallets and refurbished Apple products, Michael breaks down Walmart's approach to assortment strategy. Discover how partnerships with Rebag and StockX are bringing premium resale items to Walmart, why sustainability drives marketplace expansion, and how the platform balances first-party and marketplace assortments to serve customers better.

🔑 Topics covered:

- The phi...

In this exclusive Omni Talk episode live from the Walmart Seller Summit in San Diego, Kyle Carlyle, VP of Fulfillment Services at Walmart, reveals how Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) is improving marketplace logistics and seller success.

From bananas to toys across global supply chains, Kyle brings 11 years of Walmart expertise to transform how sellers reach customers. Discover how WFS now powers 44% of Walmart marketplace sales, enables multi-channel fulfillment across competitors like Amazon and Shein, and leverages Walmart's massive scale to help sellers succeed globally.

🔑 Topics covered:

- How WFS is transforming seller success wit...

In this exclusive Omni Talk episode live from the Walmart Seller Summit in San Diego, David Guggina, Chief E-commerce Officer for Walmart US, reveals Walmart's bold vision for omnichannel retail success.

From achieving e-commerce profitability for the first time to delivering orders in just 4 minutes, David breaks down how Walmart is revolutionizing the shopping experience through speed, marketplace integration, and innovative in-store technology. Discover how store mode is transforming mobile shopping, why marketplace displays are bringing online assortment into physical stores, and how Walmart plans to become America's favorite place to shop.

🔑 Topics covered:

...

In this episode, Karl Bracken, CEO and founder of Ocampo Capital, joins Omni Talk to share his journey to become a venture capitalist and reveals what it really takes to close an investment round in today's challenging market.

From his 16-year career at Target to founding his own VC fund, Karl breaks down the brutal realities of fundraising, why consumer brands are struggling to get funding, and how AI is creating a bubble while crowding out other investments. He also shares exclusive details about his portfolio companies that he believes are ones to watch in health, wellness...

Chris and Anne tackle the week's quirkiest retail stories in rapid-fire format! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

From NFL-themed Crocs to Harry Potter donuts and pawn shops becoming back-to-school destinations, discover the unexpected retail trends shaping consumer behavior.

For the full episode head here: youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64

Topics: NFL merchandise, specialty donuts, alternative shopping, fair food trends

#retail #trends #NFL #Crocs #HarryPotter #KrispyKreme #backtoschool

Target and Ulta Beauty are ending their successful shop-in-shop partnership in August 2026, shocking the retail world. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chris delivers harsh criticism of Target's strategy while Anne worries about the retailer's future without one of its biggest traffic drivers. A must-watch analysis of retail's biggest breakup.

For the full episode head here: youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64

Topics: Target Ulta partnership, retail strategy, beauty category, shop-in-shop concepts

#Target #Ulta #beauty #retail #partnership #strategy

IKEA is opening mini showrooms inside select Best Buy stores, focusing on kitchen and laundry products with IKEA designers on-site. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chris and Anne disagree on whether this partnership makes sense - is it smart space utilization or an over-engineered branding exercise?

For the full episode head here: youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64

Topics: IKEA Best Buy partnership, retail partnerships, home goods, appliances

#IKEA #BestBuy #partnership #retail #homegoods #appliances

Warby Parker is ending its iconic Home Try-On program by year-end, citing that most customers now live within 30 minutes of a store. Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chris and Anne analyze what this cost-cutting move signals about Warby's growth challenges and whether the Target partnership can fill the gap.

For the full episode head here: youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64

Topics: Warby Parker strategy, home try-on program, eyewear retail, store expansion

#WarbyParker #eyewear #retail #directtoconsumer #strategy

Starbucks is shutting down 80-90 mobile-only pickup stores because they lack "warmth and human connection." Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

CEO Brian Niccol's surprising strategy shift prioritizes coffee house "vibes" over efficiency. Chris and Anne debate whether this move makes sense or signals deeper operational challenges at the coffee giant.

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64

Topics: Starbucks strategy, mobile pickup stores, customer experience, retail formats

#Starbucks #mobile #pickup #retail #customerexperience #coffeehouse

Amazon launches same-day delivery for perishable foods across 1,000+ US cities - but is it a real threat to Walmart and Instacart? Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.

Chris and Anne break down why this might not be the grocery game-changer everyone expects. From infrastructure challenges to consumer trust issues, discover why Amazon's fresh food expansion faces serious headwinds in the competitive grocery delivery space.

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/wKzV_5mqg64

Topics: Amazon Fresh expansion, grocery delivery competition, Prime membership value...

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, Ben Miller, VP of Original Content and Strategy for Shoptalk and Groceryshop, joins Omni Talk to preview the upcoming Shoptalk Fall and Groceryshop events.

From AI deep dives to tariff implications, Ben breaks down the main themes emerging for Shoptalk Fall (September 17-19 in Chicago), plus reveals the brand-new "Test Kitchen" format launching at Groceryshop (September 28-October 1). Discover what's driving retail innovation, efficiency gains in grocery, and why retail media sits at the center of every retailer-brand conversation.

🔑 Topics covered:

- The two dominant themes at Shoptalk Fall

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:

The fun finale! In this Lightning Round from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne rapid-fire through the week's quirkiest stories.

From Aldi's "Summerween" products and chicken wing preferences to party attendance data and celebrity gossip, discover the lighter side of retail trends and consumer behavior. Plus, find out which host prefers drumsticks vs. flats and who they think "leveled up" in the Katy Perry-Justin Trudeau dinner drama!

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For the...

Strategic partnerships are reshaping retail! In this segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne explore Macy's new partnership with Abercrombie Kids for back-to-school season.

With 3x the distribution for Abercrombie and a traffic driver for Macy's, this partnership could signal a new trend of department stores becoming "mini malls." Discover why both hosts love this strategic move and what it could mean for the future of retail.

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For...

She's back! In this segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne dive into Ty Haney's dramatic return to Outdoor Voices with a "confident, bold, and sexy" rebrand.

From wiping Instagram clean to positioning the brand as the "uniform for doing things," is this founder comeback genuine innovation or just marketing spectacle? Plus, learn when it's the right time to bring back a founder and when it's time to move on.

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The home goods giant is back! In this segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne analyze Bed Bath & Beyond's return to Brick x Mortar retail, complete with their iconic coupons.

But is nostalgia enough to succeed in today's crowded home furnishing market? Hear why Chris is "selling hard" on this comeback and Anne's take on whether there's still room for middle-tier home goods retailers.

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For the full epi...

Fashion meets artificial intelligence in the most controversial way possible! This segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, explores the backlash Vogue faced for featuring AI-generated models in a Guess advertisement.

Chris and Anne debate whether critics need to "take a chill pill" or if high fashion magazines should draw the line at artificial beauty. Discover the complex ethics of AI in fashion and what it means for brand authenticity in the digital age.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly ret...

Walmart is revolutionizing retail AI with their new "super agent" strategy! In this segment from the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Infios, Clear Demand, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne dive deep into how Walmart is consolidating dozens of AI agents into four specialized "super agents" for customers, employees, engineers, and suppliers.

Discover why this consolidation strategy could be the future of retail AI and how Walmart's CEO-level commitment sets them apart from competitors. Plus, hear Chris's take on whether four agents is too many or...

Meet Molly LaForest, whose father named a grape company after her when she was 12, and who's now disrupting the produce industry with Molly Pop - a brand creating 100% natural cold-pressed juices. Discover how they're pushing cross-merchandising in grocery stores by pairing specialty grapes with matching juices, and why their beet-cucumber blend is the fan favorite that's changing how grocery stores think about produce branding.

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - From 12-year-old namesake to Molly Pop founder

1:15 - What is Molly Pop: candy grapes and bold flavors

1:45 - How do you make grapes taste like str...

Meet Christina Melillo, VP of Merchandising at Buehler's Fresh Foods, who started bagging groceries at 16 and worked her way up over 36 years. Discover how this Northeast Ohio ESOP chain competes with big box stores through local farmer partnerships, Amish auctions, and adapting to major trends like the protein boom driven by GLP-1 medications and preventative health focus.

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Christina's 36-year journey from bag boy to VP

1:00 - Buehler's: 14-store ESOP chain in Northeast Ohio since 1929

2:46 - Local sourcing advantage: Amish auctions and farmer relationships

4:04 - Service differentiation: fresh don...

Meet Marty Reeser, Senior Director of Customer Success at Simbe, who shares his journey from Whole Foods executive to robotics pioneer. Discover how Tally robots are delivering 90% price accuracy improvement and 2% sales increases, plus learn about the change management required to successfully implement retail automation.

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Marty's career path from Whole Foods to Simbe robotics

1:29 - His Philadelphia inspiration behind retail navigation

2:53 - Why 5% sales losses from execution issues are growing

4:06 - Short-term vs long-term ROI: $200K+ annual impact per store

5:22 - Success metrics: 90% price accuracy and...

Meet Loren Foss, VP of Strategy at CMI Orchards, who reveals how this Washington state fruit company became the world's first carbon negative fruit producer. Discover their revolutionary 8-acre worm farms and regenerative cattle ranch that sequester enough carbon to offset 60,000 cars annually. Plus learn about exciting new fruit varieties like their upcoming new apple variety.

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - CMI Orchards: 15% of Washington's apples, pears, and cherries

1:30 - Favorite varieties

2:17 - Gem pears: solving the pear confusion problem

4:19 - Revolutionary regenerative agriculture and carbon sequestration

5:45 - World's largest wor...

Meet Amy Davis, VP of Industry Relations at Kellanova, who reveals how the snack giant is responding to major consumer trends from GLP-1 medications to Gen Z's spicy flavor obsession. Discover why they renamed "stuffed" Eggo products to "protein pancakes," how Hot Ones Pringles target younger consumers, and the innovative breakfast charcuterie boards that are redefining snack occasions.

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Amy's role connecting Kellanova with industry trends

2:07 - Consumer trends: Gen Z spice obsession and portability

3:12 - GLP-1 impact driving protein innovation across food industry

4:32 - Working with independent gro...

Meet Josh Kuhbander, VP of Neighborhood Fresh, an employee-owned (ESOP) grocery chain in northern Indiana that made a bold move by eliminating print ads in 2024. Discover how they're achieving an impressive 86% loyalty program participation rate through customer service, meat cutters, baggers, and strategic digital engagement while competing against big box retailers.

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Josh's grocery industry background and family connections

1:26 - What makes Neighborhood Fresh unique: employee ownership

2:03 - Bold move: eliminating print ads in 2024

2:56 - Competing against big retailers through service and loyalty

4:18 - "Control the con...

Join us for an exclusive interview with Amy McClellan, newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer at SpartanNash, as she shares her journey from part-time cashier to Fortune 500 executive. Discover how SpartanNash is putting shoppers at the center of every commercial decision, leveraging technology partnerships with Simbe and serving diverse customers from independent grocers to military commissaries.

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Amy's new Chief Commercial Officer role at SpartanNash

2:00 - Strategic direction: putting shoppers at the center

3:28 - "Delivering ingredients for a better life" across diverse customers

4:46 - Innovation through product, service, and con...

Join us for an exclusive interview with Caitlin Allen, SVP of Market at Simbe, as she reveals how retail inefficiencies are costing grocers up to 5.5% of sales annually. Discover how Simbe's inventory robots and computer vision technology are helping independent grocers compete with e-commerce giants.

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Women in retail panel insights

1:57 - Caitlin's background and Simbi introduction

3:27 - How Simbe's inventory robots digitize shelves

4:47 - New Coresight Research report on retail inefficiencies

5:59 - Fresh food challenges and upcoming announcements

7:23 - New products: fixed sensors and...

Meet Ben and Kerri Dishman, founders of Fresh Foods, who turned a $1 abandoned grocery store opportunity into a thriving 10-location chain across three states. Discover how they're serving rural communities, investing in technology like electronic shelf labels, and creating a family-friendly workplace culture that keeps employees and customers loyal.

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - How Ben and Kerri met and the grocery store dream

2:07 - The $1 store opportunity in Gering, Nebraska

4:30 - What sets Fresh Foods apart from big box competitors

6:28 - Building customer loyalty through community involvement

8:16 - Business cha...