Omni Talk Retail

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 in the Vusion podcast studio, Mark Propes from Vusion and Art Miller from Qualcomm reveal how their partnership is enabling "detect and connect" capabilities that transform physical retail into personalized experiences, and why retailers still testing need to operationalize now before the gap becomes permanent. From edge computing that processes 4K video locally instead of streaming to the cloud, to closed-loop attribution tracking customer intent in real-time physical space, Mark and Art break down the multimodal signal taxonomy (RFID, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, vision) powering connected stores. They share insights on why scanning barcodes continuously creates data-poor environments, how agentic AI creates new doorways into physical stores, and the precision needed for sub-30 minute delivery promises. If you've wondered what detect and connect actually means beyond buzzwords, this conversation delivers the technical foundation and business applications. 🔑 Topics covered: -Detect and connect: the foundation of connected stores explained -Edge computing vs. cloud: why streaming 4K video to cloud makes no sense -Distributed compute: processing where decisions need to be made -Multimodal signal taxonomy: RFID, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, vision working together -Closed-loop attribution in physical retail for the first time -SKU-level visibility with CVAI cameras attached to shelf edge -Real-time customer intent tracking and personalized engagement -"Physical online experience" - tracking dwell time like web pages -Agentic AI as new doorway into physical stores -Operationalize vs. test: the permanent gap warning returns -Sub-30 minute delivery precision requirements -Soft payment implementation without dedicated card readers -Standards-based implementations for reliability and scalability 🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights! #connectedstore #edgecomputing #vusion #qualcomm #retailtech #omnitalk #detectandconnect #retailinnovation #edgeai #physicalretail #retailtechnology #retailpodcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Neelima Sharma, SVP of Ecommerce and Omnichannel Product & Technology, and Joe Cano, SVP of Digital at Lowe’s, join Omni Talk Retail live from NRF 2026 to unpack how the retailer is personalizing the home improvement journey across digital and physical channels.Recorded live from Vusion's Podcast Studio at NRF 2026, this conversation explores how Lowe’s “digital twins” partner across technology and strategy to meet customers wherever their shopping journey begins.This interview covers:• How Lowe’s personalizes ecommerce for both Pro and DIY customers• Why 80% of Lowe’s in-store sales start online• The role of AI in search, discovery, and conversational commerce with Milo• How Lowe’s uses customer context, home data, and intent to curate experiences• The expanded Google partnership and Lowe’s new business agent• Why endless scrolling is giving way to curated, problem-solving journeys• Connecting digital discovery to in-store execution at scale• Measuring personalization through conversion, LTV, and long-term engagementWith nearly two decades of combined leadership at Lowe’s, Sharma and Cano share how AI, omnichannel thinking, and deep cross-team collaboration are shaping the future of personalized retail — and why trust, context, and execution matter more than ever.Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, or stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello.#NRF2026 #Lowes #OmnichannelRetail #RetailAI #Personalization #Ecommerce #RetailTechnology #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion podcast studio, Josh Friedman, SVP of Digital and E-Commerce at Ulta Beauty, reveals how the company's invite-only marketplace strategy is delivering results that exceed expectations, and why they're already graduating digital sellers into brick-and-mortar stores. From the "digital mezzanine" concept that extends beyond traditional beauty categories to in-store returns for all marketplace items, Josh breaks down how Ulta maintains brand authenticity while exploring wellness, grooming, and beauty tech. He shares insights on launching before holiday peak freeze, why 99% of marketplace brands are actively selling, return rates well below expectations, and the strategic test-and-learn approach that's moving successful marketplace sellers into physical stores. If you've wondered how to launch a marketplace that protects brand integrity while driving growth, this conversation delivers the blueprint.🔑 Topics covered: -The "digital mezzanine" strategy: expanding beyond the physical store floor -Why Ulta chose invite-only vs. open marketplace model -150 brands strong in adjacent categories (wellness, grooming, beauty tech) -Protecting authenticity: no diversion, no distributors, only invited brands -Launching before holiday peak freeze: planning and execution -In-store returns for all marketplace items across every location -99% of marketplace brands actively selling and moving inventory -Return rates well below expectations -Test-and-learn approach: graduating marketplace sellers to brick-and-mortar -Balancing speed vs. standards in marketplace expansion 🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail insights! #ultabeauty #marketplace #retailstrategy #ecommerce #omnitalk #beautyretail #retailinnovation #digitalmezzanine #marketplacestrategy #omnichannel #retailpodcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 in the Vusion podcast studio, Greg Cathey, SVP of Digital Fulfillment Transformation at Walmart, reveals how customer demand is driving the company's massive drone delivery expansion to 270+ stores coast-to-coast and why everyone, not just one demographic, is using the service. From dynamic delivery windows (25-45 minutes instead of static promises) to surprising use cases like fur baby treats and birthday party surprise-and-delight moments, Greg breaks down how Walmart is using AI for routing in sub-4,000 population Texas towns and intelligent substitutions. He shares insights on environmental benefits of taking vehicles off Atlanta roads, why mayors are requesting the technology for their cities, and how proximity remains Walmart's superpower serving 90% of the US population within 10 miles. If you've wondered what purposeful drone delivery looks like at scale, this conversation delivers the real-world data. 🔑 Topics covered: -270+ stores getting drone delivery: Dallas to Miami to LA (coast-to-coast program) -Wing partnership expansion announced with Google/Alphabet-Customer demand driving expansion: "When is it coming to my neighborhood?" -Dynamic delivery windows: 25-45 minutes vs. static 1-hour promises -Use cases: forgotten items, childcare essentials, pet treats, birthday surprise & delight -All demographics using drones (not just one cohort) -Environmental benefits: removing vehicles from congested metro roads -AI-powered routing reaching sub-4,000 population -Texas towns with sub-30 minute delivery -AI substitutions when items unavailable 95% of country covered with 3-hour or less delivery -Proximity superpower: stores within 10 miles of 90% of US population -Rising customer expectations across ALL demographics (everyone is time-starved) 🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail insights! #walmart #dronedelivery #retailfulfillment #walmartplus #omnitalk #retailtech #wingdelivery #lastmile #retailinnovation #airetail #dronetech #retailpodcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 in the Vusion Podcast studio, Angie Brown, Chief Information Officer at Home Depot, reveals how 27 years with one company positions her to witness retail's transformation from mobile to e-commerce to AI and why waiting on agentic commerce is not an option. From announcing an expanded Google partnership with Gemini rollout to piloting Magic Apron agents in physical stores, Angie breaks down how AI is solving problems Home Depot couldn't tackle before. She shares insights on accelerating software development cycles, why five-year plans no longer work, delivery routing intelligence that accounts for gates and narrow roads, and the strategic bet on learning agentic commerce across multiple partner platforms simultaneously. If you've wondered what purposeful AI deployment looks like at retail scale, this is your roadmap from one of home improvement's top technology leaders. 🔑 Topics covered: -27-year journey at Home Depot: from entry-level developer to CIO -Why "five-year plans don't work anymore" in retail technology -Google partnership expansion: Gemini, Magic Apron, delivery routing intelligence -AI's impact on software development: ideation to implementation speed gains -Magic Apron evolution: from website tool to in-store pilot agent-Agentic commerce strategy: learning on Home Depot properties AND discovery platforms -Call center AI extending to store-level phone experiences -Delivery routing using AI to predict gates, narrow roads, and success likelihood -Pro customer focus: digital project lists powered by generative AI -Why this is "not a time to sit back and wait" on agentic commerce 🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights! #homedepot #retailai #agenticcommerce #googlegemini #retailtech #omnitalk #retailinnovation #magicapron #retailleadership #airetail #procustomer #retailpodcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail episode recorded live from NRF in the Vusion podcast studio, Mark Propes, Chief Business Development Officer at Vusion, and Julian Mills, CEO of Quorso, break down what the connected store actually means beyond the buzzwords and why 2026 is the year retailers risk creating a permanent gap if they don't operationalize this technology. From digitizing the shelf as a data platform to intelligent task management that tells associates exactly what to do at 9 AM Monday morning, Mark and Julian reveal how the connected store eliminates wasted labor spent finding problems. They share insights on exception-based work, the Circle K global rollout across 14 countries and thousands of stores, and why retailers need to stop misallocating labor on tasks nobody knows add value. If you've wondered how connected store technology actually works in practice, this conversation delivers the blueprint. 🔑 Topics covered: -What "connected store" really means: the shelf as a data platform -Live spatial and static data replacing the retail "black box" -Task Delight, Stock Delight, Pick Delight technologies with light-based guidance -How Quorso triages signals to prioritize the five things associates should do now -Circle K announcement: 14 countries, 12,000 stores going live with intelligent management -Why retailers misallocate labor to problem-finding instead of problem-solving -Exception-based work vs. walking around checking planograms five times -The permanent gap risk for retailers who only experiment vs. operationalize -New connected store report collaboration (Vusion, Quorso, Relex, Microsoft) 🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights! #connectedstore #retailtech #vusion #quorso #taskmanagement #retailinnovation #omnitalk #circlek #retailautomation #smartstores #retailoperations #retailpodcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, Vipul Chawla, CEO of Singapore's FairPrice Group, reveals how their "Store of Tomorrow" has eliminated four critical friction points and delivered jaw-dropping results. From smart shopping trolleys that auto-generate your list to Vision AI that learns unusual patterns without programming, Vipul breaks down how omnichannel retail innovation drives an 70-80% increase in basket size and 82% self-checkout adoption. He shares insights on frictionless experiences, AI-powered store management tools, endless aisle integration, and why even senior customers are embracing these technologies. If you've ever wondered what purposeful retail innovation looks like at scale, this interview is for you! 🔑 Topics covered: - The four customer friction points killing grocery basket size Smart shopping trolleys with personalized navigation and recommendations- How electronic shelf labels guide customers to products and offers Vision AI that detected shoplifting without being programmed for it 70-80% basket size increase and 82% self-checkout adoption rates -Grocer Genie: AI-powered store management on smartphones - Endless aisle strategy connecting physical stores to digital inventory -Why 31% of labor hours at cashiering can be redeployed elsewhere Scaling innovation across nine retail banners in 2026 🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights! #retailinnovation #smartstores #retailai #grocerytech #omnitalk #singaporeretail #visionai #frictionlessretail #retailtech #fairpricegroup #storeoftomorrow #retailpodcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation, joins us live from NRF's Big Show from the Vusion podcast studio to break down what's really happening in retail right now. From consumer resilience to affordability pressures, Matt reveals the dual forces shaping 2025's surprisingly strong performance and what that means for 2026. He shares exclusive insights on holiday season results, policy challenges retailers navigated, and why AI is becoming the ultimate force multiplier for businesses of all sizes. Plus, Matt drops a bold prediction about transformation, partnerships, and alliances coming in 2026 that nobody's talking about yet. 🔑 Topics covered: - Consumer resilience vs. affordability: the retail paradox of 2025- Exclusive preview of December CNBC NRF retail monitor results - How retailers navigated tariffs, tax reform, and policy uncertainty - Why AI technology is the great equalizer for small and large retailers - Matt's bold 2026 prediction about retail transformations and partnerships - The power of events like NRF Big Show for industry learning and connection 🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail insights! #nrf #retailindustry #matthewshay #retailtech #consumertrends #omnitalk #retailai #nrfbigshow #retailinnovation #retailleadership #retailpodcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, features Chris and Anne closing out the show with rapid-fire takes on the lighter (and weirder) side of retail and culture. The conversation jumps from LEGO’s smart brick ambitions to the rise of toxic mom groups online, plus the internet’s obsession with five-gallon popcorn buckets.Chris and Anne also weigh in on whether the Stranger Things finale deserves a do-over because no Lightning Round is complete without a strong pop culture opinion. ⏩ Watch the full episode here.#LightningRound #RetailFastFive #OmniTalk #RetailCulture #PopCulture #ConsumerTrends #StrangerThings #LEGOThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, dives into Schnucks’ reported 100% success rate stopping gift card fraud using Digimarc technology. Chris and Anne explain why gift card fraud is exploding, why this solution actually works, and what other retailers can learn from Schnucks’ approach. ⏩ Watch the full episode here.#GiftCardFraud #RetailSecurity #Digimarc #Schnucks #RetailTech #FraudPrevention #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy