Omni Talk Retail

Daniele Stroppa, Worldwide Technical Lead for AWS Partners in Retail at Amazon Web Services, discusses the groundbreaking capabilities of Writer, October's Retail Tech Startup of the Month. He highlights how Writer’s full-stack generative AI platform automates processes and generates tailored content for retailers. Daniele explains the distinctiveness of their proprietary models compared to general-purpose ones and emphasizes the importance of specialization for quicker and safer implementation in retail operations.

The discussion dives into Amazon and Target's significant layoffs impacting thousands, alongside DoorDash's new support initiative for SNAP recipients. Walmart's innovative use of RFID technology to enhance fresh food tracking takes center stage, while Lululemon's first licensing deal with the NFL sparks debate. Excitingly, Amazon introduces AI smart glasses for delivery drivers, balancing efficiency with health considerations. The hosts also touch on pop culture moments, like the Stranger Things premiere and the return of a quirky holiday character.

Matt Goynes, co-founder and co-CEO of Grocery Dealz, dives into how this Texas startup is transforming grocery shopping with their innovative price comparison app. He discusses the growing need for price transparency amid inflation and how AI technology enables seamless product matching across retailers. Matt also reveals strategies for engaging retailers and brands in their marketplace and outlines future plans for expansion. Tune in for insights on how consumers can save money and why some retailers are embracing this shift in pricing!

In this week's Lightning Round, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga are joined by Alvarez & Marsal's Lisa Collier and Manola Soler to tackle Apple's iPhone 17 surge (Lisa's learned to wait out the upgrades!), debate Mr. Bean's comedy versus his impeccable taste in classic Jaguars, worry about OpenAI's Sora creating AI models instead of cat videos, and reveal Manola's meteor shower stargazing plans. Plus birthday shoutouts to the fly himself, Jeff Goldblum! Quick hits, hot takes, and laughs to close out the show!🔔 Subscribe for delivery and retail tech insights!For the full episode head here#LightningRound #iPhone17 #Apple #MrBean #RowanAtkinson #JaguarEType #OpenAI #Sora #MeteorShower #RetailPodcast #JeffGoldblum #TechTrends #ClassicCars #AIVideoThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

DoorDash is piloting autonomous deliveries with Waymo in Metro Phoenix—but will consumers actually embrace robot deliveries? Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.Lisa Collier is skeptical: "If I'm paying for delivery, I want it handed to me." Manola Soler shares hilarious experiences with delivery robots in Jersey City that couldn't navigate stairs and blocked sidewalks. The panel debates whether this works better in suburban vs. urban environments, the logistics of restaurant employees running orders to vehicles, and whether lower delivery fees would make consumers accept the trade-off.Chris Walton points out this might succeed in suburban America first, where last-mile costs are higher and homes have driveways—not apartment buildings with elevators.🔔 Subscribe for delivery and retail tech insights!For the full episode head here#doorDash #waymo #autonomousdelivery #selfdriving #retailtech #lastmiledelivery #phoenix #deliveryinnovationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Wayfair's luxury brand Perigold opens a massive 30,000-square-foot, two-level store in West Palm Beach! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.The new location features 150+ luxury home brands, a dedicated sleep center, and expanded kitchen appliances—with many products available to take home or ship within a week (remarkable for furniture!). But is this Restoration Hardware-esque flagship profitable?Manola Soler initially questions the four-wall economics before coming around on the brand-building exercise and quick-turn inventory model. We debate whether Wayfair should have showcased a mix of Perigold's luxury offerings with more accessible Wayfair products—creating a high-low concept no one else in furniture can match. Plus, Lisa emphasizes why planning is the central nervous system that makes these physical experiences work.🔔 Subscribe for retail strategy!For the full episode head here#wayfair #perigold #luxuryretail #furniture #westpalmbeach #retailstrategy #omnichannelThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

New research reveals Gen Z will transform Britain's high streets into social, tech-driven hubs by 2050! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.According to American Express research, 65% of Gen Z says each trip should deliver something they can't get online, while 79% want future retail destinations to blend shopping with dining, drinking, and leisure. Three-quarters believe retailers should use AI for immersive in-store experiences.Lisa Collier, fresh from London, shares her perspective on whether this evolution is realistic, drawing parallels to how malls served Boomers. We discuss the importance of experiential touchpoints, planning organizations, and ensuring the technology actually works. Is this clickbait or genuine strategy? Our panel weighs in.🔔 Subscribe for retail trends!For the full episode head here#genz #retailtrends #highstreet #experientialretail #AIretail #futureofretail #brickandmortarThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Ulta Beauty officially launches its marketplace powered by Mirakl! Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.The beauty retailer is taking a curated, invitation-only approach to third-party sellers, integrating marketplace listings with unified search, shopping carts, and checkout. Customers can earn Ulta Beauty rewards points on marketplace purchases but can't redeem them on marketplace items... a interesting twist that sparked debate among our panel.Manola Soler shares her expertise on what Ulta needs to get right, balancing breadth of assortment with curation, and how to scale faster without sacrificing brand integrity. We also discuss the challenges of the loyalty program integration and why beauty marketplaces require a different approach than mass retail.🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail analysis!For the full episode head here#ultabeauty #mirakl #marketplace #beautyretail #ecommerce #retailstrategy #loyaltyprogramsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Lisa Collier, a retail and AI adoption expert at Alvarez & Marsal, and Manola Soler, a retail practitioner, dive into Walmart's game-changing partnership with OpenAI to facilitate shopping on ChatGPT. They discuss how this move allows customers to buy a wide range of products directly through the platform, while fresh food remains excluded to maintain Walmart's grocery edge. The duo analyzes the implications for big-box retailers, the benefits for beauty and fashion categories, and the competitive threat to Amazon as data sharing becomes a pivotal battleground.

Marybeth Hays, a former Walmart merchant executive and esteemed board advisor, dives into the transformation of retail merchandising. She discusses the shift to unified online and in-store responsibilities, allowing merchants to become true category experts. Real-time data is changing the game, and new technologies like RFID and AI-driven shelf intelligence are helping retailers better understand customer behavior. Marybeth also shares a fascinating Blue Moon beer story to highlight unexpected product pairings, while addressing the historical tension between merchants and operators.