Omni Talk Retail

Meet Christina Melillo, VP of Merchandising at Buehler's Fresh Foods, who started bagging groceries at 16 and worked her way up over 36 years. Discover how this Northeast Ohio ESOP chain competes with big box stores through local farmer partnerships, Amish auctions, and adapting to major trends like the protein boom driven by GLP-1 medications and preventative health focus.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Christina's 36-year journey from bagger to VP1:00 - Buehler's: 14-store ESOP chain in Northeast Ohio since 19292:46 - Local sourcing advantage: Amish auctions and farmer relationships4:04 - Service differentiation: fresh donuts, meat cases, full-service floral5:17 - Major trends: protein revolution and hydration products5:55 - GLP-1 impact on merchandising and store layouts7:48 - Future opportunities in supplements and healthy living categories8:50 - Staying competitive: knowing customers by name in community storesThanks to Simbe for making our SpartanNash Conference coverage possible!#BuehlersFreshFoods #EmployeeOwned #ESOP #NortheastOhio #MerchandisingStrategy #LocalFarmers #ProteinTrends #GLP1Diet #CommunityGrocery #HealthyLivingThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Meet Marty Reeser, Senior Director of Customer Success at Simbe, who shares his journey from Whole Foods executive to robotics pioneer. Discover how Tally robots are delivering 90% price accuracy improvement and 2% sales increases, plus learn about the change management required to successfully implement retail automation.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Marty's career path from Whole Foods to Simbe robotics1:29 - His Philadelphia inspiration behind retail navigation2:53 - Why 5% sales losses from execution issues are growing4:06 - Short-term vs long-term ROI: $200K+ annual impact per store5:22 - Success metrics: 90% price accuracy and 2% sales increase6:05 - Implementation best practices and change management7:19 - Digitizing data flows and vendor collaboration8:29 - Future of retail automation beyond store operationsThanks to Simbe for making our SpartanNash Conference coverage possible!#RetailRobotics #SimbiTally #GroceryAutomation #RetailTechnology #PriceAccuracy #InventoryManagement #StoreOperations #ChangeManagement #FastCompany #VendorCollaborationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Meet Loren Foss, VP of Strategy at CMI Orchards, who reveals how this Washington state fruit company became the world's first carbon negative fruit producer. Discover their revolutionary 8-acre worm farms and regenerative cattle ranch that sequester enough carbon to offset 60,000 cars annually. Plus learn about exciting new fruit varieties like their upcoming new apple variety.🕒 TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - CMI Orchards: 15% of Washington's apples, pears, and cherries1:30 - Favorite varieties2:17 - Gem pears: solving the pear confusion problem4:19 - Revolutionary regenerative agriculture and carbon sequestration5:45 - World's largest worm farms: 8 acres of carbon capture7:10 - Marketing carbon negative fruit to consumers8:21 - Brand leadership through specialty varieties9:54 - AI technology in fruit sorting and quality control10:38 - Japan-originated variety for color breaksThanks to Simbe for making our SpartanNash Conference coverage possible!#CMIOrchards #CarbonNegativeFruit #RegenerativeAgriculture #WormFarms #SustainableFarming #WashingtonFruit #SugarBeeApple #SklyarRayCherry #FruitTechnology #OrganicFruitThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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