Episodes

261
April 19, 2025

Why In The World Would Ulta Pause Its Target Expansion?

In this episode of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand,Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga break down Ulta's surprising decision to pause its shop-in-shop rollout with Target. Despite Target touting strong beauty performance, Ulta CEO Kecia Steelman—an operations leader and former Target exec—has decided to hold at 610 locations, raising questions about store traffic, brand alignment, and future in...
260
April 17, 2025

Walmart’s Trend-to-Product AI, Sam’s Club’s Expansion & Ulta’s Pregnant Pause At Target | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed: Ulta Beauty’s decision to pause its Target shop-in-shop expansion (Source) Walmart’s new Trend-to-Product AI tool to speed up product development (Source) Sam’s Club’s expansion plans (Source) DoorDash’s AI enhancements to help its quick-service restaurant partners (Source) And closed with a look at what Hy-...
259
April 16, 2025

What A True Omnichannel Returns Process Looks Like With TGW’s Stipe Galic | Ask An Expert

In this episode of Omni Talk’s Ask an Expert series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga talk with Stipe Galic, VP of Business Development & Marketing at TGW, to demystify the complexities of returns in today’s omnichannel retail world. From cost savings to faster reshelving, Stipe walks us through how automation, flexible software, and a unified DC setup are transforming how retailers like Urban Outfitters manage inventory and returns. Key Moments: 1:05 – Stipe’s journey from mechanical engineer t...
258
April 12, 2025

Lightning Round | Burritos, "Best Of" White Lotus Awards, and Tariff Product Hoarding

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, ClearDemand, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: A Lightning Round of Burritos, "Best Of" White Lotus Awards, and Tariff Product Hoarding For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/xZ2R3c0ZxsU This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
257
April 12, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | Pro Or Con: Amazon AI Shopping Agents?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, ClearDemand, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: The Pros & Cons of Amazon AI Shopping Agents For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/xZ2R3c0ZxsU This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
256
April 12, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | San Diego Bans Digital-Only Coupons

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, ClearDemand, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: San Diego Banning Digital-Only Coupons For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/xZ2R3c0ZxsU This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
255
April 12, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | Instacart Debuts New “Will Call” Delivery Service

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, ClearDemand, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Instacart Debuting A New “Will Call” Delivery Service For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/xZ2R3c0ZxsU This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
254
April 12, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | Is Old Navy’s 1,200 Store Radar RFID Rollout Too Aggressive?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, ClearDemand, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: If Old Navy’s 1,200 Store Radar RFID Rollout Is Too Aggressive? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/xZ2R3c0ZxsU This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
253
April 12, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | Buy Or Sell: Best Buy Storefronts?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios, ClearDemand, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss Whether they're buying or selling Best Buy Creator Storefronts For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/xZ2R3c0ZxsU This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
252
April 10, 2025

How Agentic AI Will Transform Retail Forever With David Dorf Of AWS | 5 Insightful Minutes

David Dorf, Head of Retail Industry Solutions at AWS, joins Omni Talk to break down how Agentic AI—the next evolution beyond generative AI—is poised to reshape the retail industry. From recommendations and virtual analysts to autonomous shopping assistants, David shares real-world retail examples already in use today. Plus, he explains why the next frontier may be agent-optimized websites and what that means for advertising, loyalty, and even SEO. 💡 Key Moments: 0:21 – What is Agentic AI? How ...
253
April 9, 2025

Old Navy Hits The Radar, San Diego Bans Digital-Only Coupons & Amazon Debuts AI Agents | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed: Best Buy storefronts and where influencer commerce will go next (Source) Instacart’s introduction of “Will Call” Delivery (Source) Old Navy rolling out Radar’s RFID solution to 1,200 stores (Source) San Diego banning digital-only grocery store coupons (Source) And closed with a look at just how game-changing...
251
March 29, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | A Love Is Blind Lightning Round

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: A Love Is Blind Lightning Round For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
250
March 29, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | Buy Or Sell: Target’s “Brown Box Delivery” Pilot?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Whether They're Buying Or Selling: Target’s “Brown Box Delivery” Pilot For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
249
March 29, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | Edible Arrangements To Sell . . . Edibles

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Edible Arrangements Making a Shift To Sell . . . Edibles For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
248
March 29, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | Klarna & Doordash Bring BNPL To Meal Delivery

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Klarna & Doordash Bringing BNPL To Meal Delivery For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
247
March 29, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | Amazon Haul 50% Off During Big Spring Sale

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Amazon Haul Being Priced At 50% Off During Big Spring Sale For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
246
March 29, 2025

Fast Five Shorts | Best Buy Connects Retail Media With Meta

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five recorded live from Shoptalk 2025 in Vegas and sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Infios and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Best Buy Connecting Retail Media With Meta For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/NPi_RSCdcTE This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
245
March 28, 2025

Shoptalk 2025 Key Takeaways Live Podcast

The Shoptalk 2025 Key Takeaways Podcast is here! Recorded live on stage, this fast-paced episode features Omni Talk's Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton with Shoptalk's content team — Marielle Bobo, Ben Miller, HG O’Connell, and the live conference audience — as they spin the wheel to hit the hottest themes of the show. 🎯 Key Moments & Topics: (00:54) Introduction of the “Shoptalk Dream Team” (03:00) Tariffs: Shein’s surprising openness to regulation (05:01) Data: AI, personalization, and retail ...
244
March 28, 2025

Walmart EVP Cedric Clark on Tech, Culture & the Future of Retail | Shoptalk 2025 Interview

In this Shoptalk 2025 special, recorded live from the Shoptalk TV studio, Omni Talk sits down with Cedric Clark, EVP of Stores at Walmart, to unpack the company’s people-led, tech-powered evolution. Cedric dives into Walmart’s commitment to associate experience, innovation in store technology, and why staying connected to the frontline is key to long-term retail success. 🎯 Key Moments: (00:54) Cedric on Shoptalk and innovation trends (1:45) His Walmart journey: From fishing licenses to EVP (...
243
March 27, 2025

Meta Unveils New Omnichannel Ad Platform | JP Chookaszian at Shoptalk 2025

Live from Shoptalk 2025, Meta’s JP Chookaszian joins Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga to unpack one of the show’s biggest announcements—Meta’s new omni-channel ad platform. JP walks us through the macroeconomic shifts driving this innovation, why in-store performance matters more than ever, and how AI and GenAI are shaping Meta’s future tools, from dynamic ad generation to virtual try-on. If you want to know what’s next in retail media, this is the episode to hear. Key Moments: 0:40 – Intro to J...
242
March 27, 2025

How DoorDash is Powering Omnichannel Excellence with AI & Data | Live at Shoptalk 2025

In this Shoptalk 2025 episode, recorded live from the Meta Podcast Studio,, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga chat with Jessica Lachs, Chief Analytics Officer at DoorDash, about her remarkable rise from startup GM to data leader. Jessica unveils DoorDash’s newest partnerships with DSW and Klarna, discusses the role of AI in grocery substitutions and targeted retail media, and explains why data is the foundation of customer-centric innovation. Key Moments: 0:20 – Jessica Lachs joins Omni Talk from...
241
March 27, 2025

How Five Below & Ovative Group Power Omnichannel Commerce | Shoptalk 2025 Insights

In this episode of Omni Talk Retail recorded live from the Meta Podcast Studio at Shoptalk 2025, hosts Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton welcome Five Below’s VP of Digital Marketing, Abhinav Agrawal, and Ovative Group’s SVP of Growth, Jesse Grittner, for a high-energy discussion on how omnichannel strategies are transforming retail. From the collapse of traditional retail boundaries to the rise of AI-driven personalization and measurement, this episode dives deep into what’s driving growth and inno...
241
March 27, 2025

Retail Media As A Reinvestment Tool with Sam's Club VP Harvey Ma | Live at Shoptalk 2025

In this insightful Shoptalk 2025 episode, recorded live from the Meta Podcast Studio, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Harvey Ma, VP and GM of Retail Media at Sam’s Club. Harvey explains how Sam’s Club has taken a radically different approach to retail media—reinvesting every ad dollar back into clubs, staff, and the member experience. He also breaks down how Sam’s in-house technology, like their new search engine and Scan & Go platform, prioritizes relevancy over revenue, creating a...
241
March 27, 2025

Why Retail Media Needs a Rethink | Liz Roche, Albertsons Media Collective @ Shoptalk 2025

🎧 Retail Media, Evolved: Liz Roach on KPIs, Clean Rooms & Commerce at Speed | Shoptalk 2025 Live Albertsons Media Collective's Liz Roche joins Chris and Anne live from the Meta Podcast Studio at ShopTalk 2025 to talk all things retail media—why measurement needs to be reimagined, how to think beyond channel silos, and what teams need to succeed in a data-driven world. From clean rooms to strategic continuity, Liz shares what it takes to win in the next wave of retail media. 📍 Timestamps: (0:0...