Episodes

546
March 14, 2026

Costco Takes A Stand On Tariffs | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Costco’s pledge to return any tariff refunds directly to members. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn debate whether this move reflects Costco’s long standing value promise or a strategic messaging play during a complicated economic moment. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #RetailNews #Costco #RetailEconomics #RetailStrategy #RetailIndustry #OmniTalk #...
546
March 14, 2026

Walmart Is Digitizing 4,600 Store Shelves | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Walmart’s plan to expand digital shelf labels across all 4,600 U.S. stores. Chris Walton and Jenn Hahn discuss what this massive technology rollout means for pricing accuracy, store operations, and the future of in store retail technology. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #RetailNews #Walmart #DigitalShelfLabels #RetailTech #RetailInnovation #...
546
March 11, 2026

Retail Daily Minute | Amazon Wins Ruling Against Perplexity's Shopping Bots, Expands Shop Direct & De Minimis Lawsuit Gets Green Light

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Duvo and Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses: A federal court temporarily blocked Perplexity AI's Comet browser agent from making purchases on Amazon, putting agentic commerce on a collision course with Amazon's $68.6 billion advertising business. Amazon opened its Shop Direct program to third-party product feeds from Feedonomics, Salsify, and CEDCommerce, taking a major step toward becoming a univ...
546
March 11, 2026

Walmart Goes All-In On DSLs, Costco Makes A Tariff Pledge & Kroger Anoints An AI Chief | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and guest host Jenn Hahn of J Recruiting Services discussed: Walmart expanding its digital shelf label technology to all 4,600 of its US stores, completing what is likely the single largest ESL rollout in retail history (Source) Costco CEO Ron Vachris is publicly pledging to return any tariff refunds directly to members through lower prices (Source) Kroger creatin...
546
March 10, 2026

Retail Daily Minute | Kroger's New CEO 5-Point Plan, Retail Rules ChatGPT Ads & Fabletics Bets on Denim

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Duvo and Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses: Kroger's new permanent CEO Greg Foran outlines his five growth priorities. Retail and grocery brands are already dominating ChatGPT's early ad ecosystem, with Sensor Tower tracking more than 100 individual brand promotions in OpenAI's first four weeks of advertising. Fabletics launches its first-ever denim collection, signaling a broader athleisure slo...
546
March 9, 2026

Retail Daily Minute | Costco's $470M Personalization Payoff, Albertsons' Stock Up Sale & Kroger's Customer Appreciation Week

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Duvo and Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses: Costco's Q2 2026 earnings reveal that AI-powered personalized product recommendation carousels drove more than $470 million in e-commerce sales in a single quarter, as digitally-enabled comparable sales surged 22.6%. Albertsons launches a month-long Stock Up Sale running March 6 through April 2 across nearly all its banners, offering hot prices, expande...
546
March 9, 2026

Confessions Of Supply Chain Executives | The Agentic AI Wake Up Call

In this episode of Confessions of Supply Chain Executives, host Chris Walton sits down with Omar Akilah, SVP of Product at Infios, and Aadil Kazmi, Head of AI Product Development at Infios, to tackle one of the biggest questions facing retail leaders today: Are retailers actually ready for agentic AI? While AI dominated the conversation at NRF, the reality inside many retail organizations is far more complicated. Many companies are still struggling with fragmented systems, unclear strategies, a...
546
March 7, 2026

Lightning Round: Big Arch Backlash, Scrubs Reboot, DST Debate & Fonda Sandwich | Fast Five Shorts

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid fire takes on McDonald’s Big Arch taste test backlash, the surprising Scrubs reboot generation gap, the never-ending daylight saving time debate, and Jane Fonda’s viral breakfast burrito “sandwich” comment. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan prove once again that retail, culture,...
546
March 7, 2026

IKEA Welcomes Decathlon Into Its Stores | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into IKEA testing a store-in-store concept with sporting goods retailer Decathlon. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan discuss what this collaboration could mean for the future of retail partnerships, experiential stores, and how retailers rethink physical space. ⏩ Watch the full episode here. #IKEA #Decathlon #RetailPartnersh...
546
March 7, 2026

Walgreens’ New Hybrid Pharmacist Model Explained | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Walgreens’ pilot of a new hybrid pharmacist role. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan discuss whether this approach could ease pharmacist burnout, improve store operations, and help Walgreens adapt to the evolving healthcare retail landscape. ⏩ Watch the full episode here. #Walgreens #PharmacyRetail #RetailOperations #OmniT...
546
March 7, 2026

Schlotzsky's Is Betting On A New Store Model | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Schlotzsky's new brand strategy and redesigned store model. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan break down whether the beloved sandwich chain can modernize its concept, attract new customers, and compete in an increasingly crowded quick service restaurant market. ⏩ Watch the full episode here. #RestaurantIndustry #QSR #Reta...
546
March 7, 2026

Is AI About To Shrink Corporate Workforces? | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into Jack Dorsey’s claim that AI could dramatically shrink corporate workforces. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan debate what this means for the future of work, whether companies will truly replace employees with AI, and how organizations may need to rethink talent strategy in an AI-driven world. ⏩ Watch the full episode he...
546
March 7, 2026

Target Takes On Artificial Dyes In Major Grocery Reset | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into Target removing artificial dyes from cereals across its aisles. Chris Walton and guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan discuss whether this move reflects growing consumer demand for cleaner ingredients or if it signals a broader power shift where retailers begin dictating product standards to brands. ⏩ Watch the full episode here. #Target #...
546
March 4, 2026

Target Bans Dyes, AI Takes 4,000 Jobs At Block & IKEA Opens Its Doors To Sporting Goods | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and special guests Cassie Ryding and Joanna Rangarajan from the A&M Consumer and Retail Group discussed: Target announcing it will only carry cereals made without certified synthetic colors by the end of May (Source) Block’s Jack Dorsey cutting nearly 4,000 jobs — 40% of its workforce — and replacing that capacity with AI (Source) Schlotzky’s Deli...
546
March 2, 2026

Confessions Of Supply Chain Executives | What Has To Be True For E-Groceries To Be Profitable?

In this episode of Confessions of Supply Chain Executives, host Chris Walton sits down with Richard McKenzie, CEO at Veloq, to tackle one of retail’s most persistent questions: When does online grocery finally become profitable? For years, grocers have chased digital growth, but profitability has remained elusive. High picking costs, last mile complexity, thin margins, and legacy infrastructure continue to weigh down performance. Richard breaks down where the real friction points are, why many ...
546
Feb. 28, 2026

Lightning Round: Girl Scout Records, Survivor 50, Miracle on Ice & Nerd Nostalgia | Fast Five Shorts

This Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid fire takes on Girl Scout cookie records, Survivor reaching season 50, Team USA hockey celebrations, and a little nerd nostalgia. Chris and Anne prove once again that retail and pop culture always collide. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #LightningRound #RetailFastFive #OmniTalk #PopCulture This po...
546
Feb. 28, 2026

Burger King’s President Answers the Phone | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into Burger King President Tom Curtis personally taking customer calls and texts. Chris and Anne discuss whether this represents meaningful executive engagement or a smart short term marketing play. ⏩ Watch the full episode here. #BurgerKing #RetailMarketing #CustomerExperience #OmniTalk This podcast uses the following third-party services for analy...
546
Feb. 28, 2026

Gap Inc. Debuts Encore To Unify The Four Brands | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, explores Gap Inc’s launch of Encore, a unified loyalty program across Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. Chris and Anne debate whether loyalty consolidation can drive cross shopping and growth for the portfolio. ⏩ Watch the full episode here. #GapInc #RetailLoyalty #OldNavy #Athleta #OmniTalk This podcast uses the following third-party services ...
546
Feb. 28, 2026

Walmart Gives Suppliers Eyes On Every Shelf | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Walmart’s launch of Scintilla In Store, giving suppliers real time store level data. Chris and Anne explain why this move could redefine supplier collaboration and unlock faster store execution at scale. ⏩ Watch the full episode here. #Walmart #RetailData #RetailAI #SupplyChain #OmniTalk This podcast uses the following third-party services for an...
546
Feb. 28, 2026

Kohl's Bets On The Deal Bar To Win Back Shoppers | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Kohl’s rollout of its new Deal Bar to all 1100 plus stores. Chris and Anne debate whether this value forward merchandising move can meaningfully impact performance or if it is simply table stakes in today’s retail environment. ⏩ Watch the full episode here. #Kohls #RetailTurnaround #StoreStrategy #RetailNews #OmniTalk This podcast uses the fol...
546
Feb. 28, 2026

Smart Stores Get Real as Carrefour Teams with Vusion | Fast Five Shorts

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at Carrefour’s major partnership to digitize stores across France as part of its 2030 strategy. Chris and Anne discuss whether smart stores are finally becoming reality and what US retailers should be doing to keep pace. ⏩ Watch the full episode here. #Carrefour #SmartStores #RetailTech #RetailInnovation #OmniTalk This podcast uses the following thi...
546
Feb. 25, 2026

David’s Bridal Is Turning 300 Wedding Tasks Into One Click | eTail West 2026

Omni Talk Retail is live from eTail West 2026 with coverage powered by NetElixir. In this interview, Anne Mezzenga speaks with Kelly Cook, CEO of Davids Bridal, fresh off the stage to discuss the company’s bold “Aisle to Algorithm” strategy and what she calls the bridal tech revolution. David’s Bridal is expanding beyond a $4B bridal TAM into the broader $70B wedding ecosystem, building what Kelly describes as an AI and asset light approach to retail and media within the wedding industry. Key...
546
Feb. 25, 2026

Solving Furniture Decision Fatigue Through AI and Retail Partnerships at Furniture.com | eTail West 2026

Omni Talk Retail is live from eTail West 2026 with continued coverage powered by NetElixir. In this interview, recorded on site at eTail West, Anne Mezzenga speaks with Alex Seaman, Senior Vice President of Furniture.com, about the company’s recent relaunch and its vision for the future of furniture shopping. Furniture.com is building a unified, AI driven platform designed to simplify one of retail’s most complex and considered purchases. By partnering with trusted national furniture retailers...
546
Feb. 25, 2026

BK PR Stunts, Kohl’s Deal Bars & Why You Should Learn How To Say ‘Smart Store’ In French | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and Anne were live from eTail West in Palm Springs as they discussed: Carrefour signing a sweeping strategic partnership with Vusion to digitize all of its hypermarkets and supermarkets in France by 2030 (Source) Kohl’s rolling out its new Deal Bar concept to all 1,100+ stores nationwide (Source) Walmart launching Scintilla In-Store, a new real-ti...