Episodes

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-l...

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 found...

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 O...

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 ex...

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 -...

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 spi...

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: em...

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 d...

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...

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 Fre...

Join us at the SpartanNash Conference as we interview Doug Highland, GM of Leevers Foods, about their approach to retail technology and workforce development. From electronic shelf labels to digital advertising, discover how this third-generation North Dakota grocer is modernizing while maintaining their community focus. 🕒 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Doug's retail background and career journey 1:08 - About Leevers Foods: 9 stores across North Dakota & Minnesota 2:05 - Progressive Grocer recognition f...

Meet Sean Gerard, Regional Sales Manager for Clemens Food Group, who turned his food marketing degree from Western Michigan University into a career selling every pork product imaginable. Discover how this sixth-generation, vertically coordinated family business approaches food safety, follows restaurant trends like carnitas, and positions pork as a versatile, value-driven protein in today's market. 🕒 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Sean's intentional path: food marketing degree at Western Michigan 1:53 -...

Meet Erin Storm, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at SpartanNash, as she shares insights from her transition from 18 years at Kellogg/Kellanova to leading marketing for 200+ grocery stores and more. Discover how SpartanNash approaches banner differentiation, building retail media networks, and adapting to emerging food trends like GLP-1 driven demand. 🕒 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Erin's CPG background at Kellogg/Kellanova 1:39 - Transition from CPG to grocery retail 2:43 - Marketing challenges across...

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’s overhaul of its AI agent strategy, consolidating dozens of agents into four “super agents” for different user groups (Source) Vogue magazine’s AI model backlash after featuring an AI-generated model in a Guess advertisement (Source) Bed Bath & Beyond’s brick-and-mortar return on August 8th in Nashville, complete ...

Returns are no longer just a cost center - they're a $1 trillion opportunity waiting to be unlocked. In this episode of Omni Talk's Ask An Expert series, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with David Morin, VP of Customer Strategy at Narvar, to reveal how leading retailers are transforming their returns operations from a liability into a competitive advantage. David shares exclusive data showing over 55% of retailers now charge for returns "at some point in time" - but it's not what ...

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, Chris and Anne tackle rapid-fire retail topics in their signature Lightning Round. From influencer marketing apps to airline policy changes and restaurant relocations, get quick takes on the week's most interesting retail and consumer stories that are shaping industry trends. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights! For the full episode h...

Target price matching policy, retail pricing strategy, target vs walmart, competitive pricing retail, target brand perception, retail customer loyalty, pricing policy changes, target strategic decisions, retail price wars, customer value proposition. This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, Chris and Anne debate Target's controversial decision to eliminate price matching. Analyz...

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, we explore Tesco's groundbreaking 8-week advance delivery scheduling. Chris and Anne discuss how this UK innovation could transform grocery shopping in the US, enabling better family planning and operational efficiency. Learn why extended scheduling represents the true definition of omnichannel retail convenience. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly r...

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, we examine Mall of America's deployment of AI-powered car counting and video analytics. Learn how this technology is revolutionizing the mall experience through improved parking operations, enhanced security, and data-driven decision making for hours, events, and staffing. Discover why this investment represents the future of physical reta...

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, we explore Tesla's ambitious Supercharger diner concept in Los Angeles. Chris and Anne debate whether this 80-charger location with movie screens and 24/7 dining represents the future of EV charging or just an expensive marketing stunt. Get insights on what this means for the evolution of transportation retail and charging infrastructure. ...

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, Chris and Anne analyze Walmart's strategic move to make Vizio TVs exclusive private label products. Discover why this isn't just about sales but about building a comprehensive media ecosystem that combines content, consumer data, advertising, and commerce. Learn how Walmart is positioning itself against Amazon in the retail media wars and ...

Retail Media Networks are booming—but there’s a catch. As major retailers like Walmart, Target, Albertsons, and Kroger rake in billions from retail media, a growing bottleneck is emerging: campaigns are being sold to brands that can’t get their products on the shelf. The result? Missed sales, empty shelves, and damaged shopper trust. In the latest Omni Talk Retail Ask An Expert Series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga welcome Director of Customer Success, Joy Spiotta, and Senior Product Marketing...

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, A&M's consumer and retail experts Chris Creyts and Brandon Pezely join Omni Talk to reveal how grocers can adapt their space planning strategy in today's rapidly changing retail landscape. From the $37 billion growth in fresh food areas to the $27 billion revenue loss in general merchandising, Chris and Brandon break down why advanced space planning isn't just important—it's essential for survival. They share actionable insights on navigating inflation imp...

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: Walmart’s plan to sell Vizio TVs exclusively as a private brand (Source) Tesla’s Supercharger Diner officially opening in Los Angeles (Source) Mall of America expanding car-counting video analytics across its campus (Source) Tesco launching early delivery slots for families during the summer (Source) Target ending its price matching policy starti...