Omni Talk Retail

Meet Amy Davis, VP of Industry Relations at Kellanova, who reveals how the snack giant is responding to major consumer trends from GLP-1 medications to Gen Z's spicy flavor obsession. Discover why they renamed "stuffed" Eggo products to "protein pancakes," how Hot Ones Pringles target younger consumers, and the innovative breakfast charcuterie boards that are redefining snack occasions.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Amy's role connecting Kellanova with industry trends2:07 - Consumer trends: Gen Z spice obsession and portability3:12 - GLP-1 impact driving protein innovation across food industry4:32 - Working with independent grocers through listening5:33 - Storytelling strategy: package callouts and product renaming6:47 - The power of listening: retailer feedback drives changes7:12 - Creating fun food occasions: breakfast charcuterie boards8:14 - Innovation with purpose: intentional product developmentThanks to Simbe for making our Spartan Nash Conference coverage possible!#Kellanova #CheezIts #HotOnesPringles #GLP1Trends #ProteinInnovation #GenZSnacking #SpicyFlavors #EggoProtein #FoodIndustry #SnackTrendsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Meet Josh Kuhbander, VP of Neighborhood Fresh, an employee-owned (ESOP) grocery chain in northern Indiana that made a bold move by eliminating print ads in 2024. Discover how they're achieving an impressive 86% loyalty program participation rate through customer service, meat cutters, baggers, and strategic digital engagement while competing against big box retailers.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Josh's grocery industry background and family connections1:26 - What makes Neighborhood Fresh unique: employee ownership2:03 - Bold move: eliminating print ads in 20242:56 - Competing against big retailers through service and loyalty4:18 - "Control the controllables" philosophy during challenges5:49 - E-commerce considerations and pandemic lessons6:26 - Why timing matters for digital transformationThanks to Simbe for making our SpartanNash Conference coverage possible!#EmployeeOwned #ESOP #NeighborhoodFresh #IndependentGrocer #LoyaltyPrograms #DigitalMarketing #CustomerService #GroceryInnovation #SmallTownGrocery #RetailStrategyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Join us for an exclusive interview with Amy McClellan, newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer at SpartanNash, as she shares her journey from part-time cashier to Fortune 500 executive. Discover how SpartanNash is putting shoppers at the center of every commercial decision, leveraging technology partnerships with Simbe and serving diverse customers from independent grocers to military commissaries.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Amy's new Chief Commercial Officer role at SpartanNash2:00 - Strategic direction: putting shoppers at the center3:28 - "Delivering ingredients for a better life" across diverse customers4:46 - Innovation through product, service, and convenience5:55 - Technology partnerships: Simbe robots, AI ordering, pricing solutions7:04 - From part-time cashier to Fortune 500 executive8:28 - The community service mission of retailThanks to Simbe for making our SpartanNash Conference coverage possible!#SpartanNash #ChiefCommercialOfficer #WholesaleGrocery #IndependentGrocers #RetailStrategy #ShopperInsights #RetailTechnology #Fortune500 #GroceryIndustry #RetailLeadershipThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Join us for an exclusive interview with Caitlin Allen, SVP of Market at Simbe, as she reveals how retail inefficiencies are costing grocers up to 5.5% of sales annually. Discover how Simbe's inventory robots and computer vision technology are helping independent grocers compete with e-commerce giants.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Women in retail panel insights1:57 - Caitlin's background and Simbi introduction3:27 - How Simbe's inventory robots digitize shelves4:47 - New Coresight Research report on retail inefficiencies5:59 - Fresh food challenges and upcoming announcements7:23 - New products: fixed sensors and RFID capabilities8:17 - Defining "polite bulldozing" leadership style#RetailTechnology #SimbiRobotics #InventoryManagement #RetailAutomation #WomenInRetail #GroceryTechnology #RetailInnovation #PhysicalAI #ComputerVision #IndependentGrocersThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Meet Ben and Kerri Dishman, founders of Fresh Foods, who turned a $1 abandoned grocery store opportunity into a thriving 10-location chain across three states. Discover how they're serving rural communities, investing in technology like electronic shelf labels, and creating a family-friendly workplace culture that keeps employees and customers loyal.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - How Ben and Kerri met and the grocery store dream2:07 - The $1 store opportunity in Gering, Nebraska4:30 - What sets Fresh Foods apart from big box competitors6:28 - Building customer loyalty through community involvement8:16 - Business changes since 2012: employees, technology, COVID impact9:32 - Hiring strategies: investing in high school workers11:32 - Technology investments: ESLs and operational efficiencyThanks to Simbe for making our Spartan Nash Conference coverage possible!#IndependentGrocer #RuralRetail #FreshFoods #CommunityGrocery #FamilyBusiness #ElectronicShelfLabels #GroceryEntrepreneurship #SmallTownBusiness #RetailTechnology #EmployeeRetentionThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Join us at the SpartanNash Conference as we interview Doug Highland, GM of Leevers Foods, about their approach to retail technology and workforce development. From electronic shelf labels to digital advertising, discover how this third-generation North Dakota grocer is modernizing while maintaining their community focus.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Doug's retail background and career journey1:08 - About Leevers Foods: 9 stores across North Dakota & Minnesota2:05 - Progressive Grocer recognition for 20253:13 - Workforce challenges and retention strategies4:24 - Why attend SpartanNash Conference5:44 - Keeping up with retail technology in rural markets6:57 - Future tech initiatives: ESLs and digital advertising7:54 - Employee and customer response to new technologyThanks to Simbe for making our SpartanNash Conference coverage possible!#RetailTechnology #ElectronicShelfLabels #IndependentGrocer #GroceryInnovation #RetailConference #SpartanNash #DigitalTransformation #RuralRetail #GroceryTech #RetailManagementThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Meet Sean Gerard, Regional Sales Manager for Clemens Food Group, who turned his food marketing degree from Western Michigan University into a career selling every pork product imaginable. Discover how this sixth-generation, vertically coordinated family business approaches food safety, follows restaurant trends like carnitas, and positions pork as a versatile, value-driven protein in today's market.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Sean's intentional path: food marketing degree at Western Michigan1:53 - Career journey from Spartan Stores intern to Clemens Food Group2:48 - Clemens Food Group: 130 years of vertically coordinated pork production4:01 - How role-playing in college prepared him for pork sales4:55 - Day in the life: fast-paced, data-driven pork industry6:38 - Customer differentiation strategies across retailers and distributors7:33 - Positioning pork as versatile and value-driven protein8:15 - Following food service trends: carnitas roast innovation9:19 - Food safety philosophy: "Never compromise on food safety"Thanks to Simbe for making our Spartan Nash Conference coverage possible!#FoodMarketing #ClemensFood #PorkIndustry #RegionalSales #FoodSafety #WesternMichigan #ProteinSales #FoodServiceTrends #FamilyBusiness #VerticalIntegrationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Meet Erin Storm, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at SpartanNash, as she shares insights from her transition from 18 years at Kellogg/Kellanova to leading marketing for 200+ grocery stores and more. Discover how SpartanNash approaches banner differentiation, building retail media networks, and adapting to emerging food trends like GLP-1 driven demand.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Erin's CPG background at Kellogg/Kellanova1:39 - Transition from CPG to grocery retail2:43 - Marketing challenges across 200 disparate stores4:49 - Banner bucketing strategy for community grocers6:19 - Data and loyalty program integration7:09 - Retail media network development8:12 - Current food and grocery shopping trends9:20 - GLP-1 impact on protein and health foods10:28 - Future trends: Food as medicine vs. nostalgic favoritesThanks to Simbe for making our SpartanNash Conference coverage possible!#RetailMarketing #SpartanNash #CPGMarketing #RetailMedia #GroceryTrends #BrandManagement #EcommerceStrategy #FoodTrends #RetailConference #GroceryMarketingThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed:Walmart’s overhaul of its AI agent strategy, consolidating dozens of agents into four “super agents” for different user groups (Source)Vogue magazine’s AI model backlash after featuring an AI-generated model in a Guess advertisement (Source)Bed Bath & Beyond’s brick-and-mortar return on August 8th in Nashville, complete with legacy coupon acceptance (Source)Ty Haney’s comeback at Outdoor Voices with a “confident, bold and sexy” relaunch strategy (Source)Macy’s partnership with Abercrombie Kids for back-to-school merchandising (Source)There’s all that, plus Buffalo wings, which Halloween candy they would most like to see in stores year-round, and who leveled up more – Katy Perry or Justin Trudeau?P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on FeedspotMusic by hooksounds.com#RetailNews #WalmartAI #VogueAI #BedBathBeyond #OutdoorVoices #AbercrombieMacys #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailTech #AIAgents #RetailInnovationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Returns are no longer just a cost center - they're a $1 trillion opportunity waiting to be unlocked. In this episode of Omni Talk's Ask An Expert series, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with David Morin, VP of Customer Strategy at Narvar, to reveal how leading retailers are transforming their returns operations from a liability into a competitive advantage.David shares exclusive data showing over 55% of retailers now charge for returns "at some point in time" - but it's not what you think. Learn how brands are using personalized return policies, leveraging customer data for fraud detection, and creating frictionless experiences that actually increase customer loyalty.Key topics covered:Why charging for returns doesn't hurt conversion (when done right)How retailers save 50%+ on shipping costs through smart consolidationThe shocking reality of returns fraud (52% of consumers admit to it)Real-world examples from Urban Outfitters, Sephora, and other major brandsAI-powered tools that identify high-risk vs. high-value customersThe chandelier story that perfectly explains returns psychologyWhether you're an e-commerce leader, operations manager, or retail executive, this conversation provides actionable strategies to reduce costs while improving customer experience.Music by hooksounds.com#RetailReturns #ecommerce #RetailOperations #CustomerExperience #RetailTech*Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy