Omni Talk Retail

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, Chad Lusk, Partner and Managing Director at A&M Consumer and Retail Group, joins Omni Talk to break down their latest consumer sentiment survey results that every retailer needs to understand.From cautious spending increases to the explosive rise of private label brands, Chad reveals why consumers are trading down, what's driving the shift to lower-price stores, and how retailers can navigate the complex landscape of value-conscious shoppers.You can also read A&MCRG's Consumer Sentiment Survey for Fall 2025 by heading here: alvarezandmarsal-crg.com/insight/cons…y-fall-2025/🔑 Topics covered:Why consumers plan to spend more (but it's not optimism)The trade-down trend: cheaper brands and lower-price storesHow private label is closing the quality gap with national brandsWhat holiday spending will look like this yearWhy the middle tier is getting squeezed🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail insights!#consumertrends #retailstrategy #privatelabel #consumersentiment #omnitalk #retailinsights #holidayretail #retailpodcast #consumerdata #retaileconomics*Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Chad Lusk, Managing Director at the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, shares insights from a recent consumer sentiment survey. He highlights cautious spending trends influenced by higher-income households and the rise of private label products. The conversation also touches on Walmart's leadership transition to John Furner and Google's new conversational shopping features, which include a unique capability to call stores. Additionally, Lusk discusses how consumers are adjusting their budgets this holiday season.

Holiday shopping takes a twist as Kelly would trade personal data for Ulta discounts to manage her gifting chaos. Waqas shares his favorite Andy Garcia film while grappling with a holiday budget hit from a broken dishwasher. The discussion heats up over the potential disappearance of beloved Italian pasta, with hosts passionately advocating for rigatoni and pappardelle over basic spaghetti. It's a blend of personal anecdotes and foodie debates sprinkled with humor!

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#DollarGeneral #AILeadership #RetailTransformation #ChiefAIOfficer #RetailStrategyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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#Target #CustomerService #RetailOperations #StoreManagement #RetailCultureThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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#BathAndBodyWorks #ExperientialMarketing #HolidayMarketing #FragranceRetail #RetailInnovationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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#Amazon #Perplexity #AgenticAI #RetailLawsuit #ShoppingAgents #RetailTechThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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#AIcommerce #GenerativeAI #RetailTech #AdobeAnalytics #ChatGPT #ShoppingTrendsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Ethan Chernofsky, CMO at Placer.ai and expert in location analytics, dives into how changing consumer preferences are reshaping retail. He highlights why stores are seeing more foot traffic but less time spent inside. Ethan discusses the success of brands like Sprouts and Barnes & Noble that focus on identity over convenience. He reveals surprising suburban opportunities and predicts a significant shift in holiday shopping patterns for 2025. This insightful conversation is packed with real-world retail data and strategies.

Waqas Khan, Managing Director at A&M Consumer and Retail Group, and Kelly Carey, Director at the same firm, dive into the exciting shifts in retail technology. They discuss how AI-driven traffic is outperforming traditional channels, with Adobe data revealing a 16% conversion boost. Amazon's lawsuit against Perplexity highlights the battle for product search supremacy, while Bath & Body Works’ scent marketing strategy captivates consumers. Finally, they critique Target's new 10-4 service policy and ponder the future of Chief AI Officer positions.