

Omni Talk Retail
Omni Talk Retail
Omni Talk Retail provides news, analysis, and commentary on the latest trends and issues in the retail industry. It covers a wide range of topics related to retail, including e-commerce, technology, marketing, and consumer behavior. The podcast regularly features industry experts, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, as well as retail thought leaders who all share their insights and perspectives on the latest developments in retail.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 24, 2025 • 7min
Why Space Planning Could Make or Break Many Grocery Retailers In The Years To Come | 5IM
In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, A&M's consumer and retail experts Chris Creyts and Brandon Pezely join Omni Talk to reveal how grocers can adapt their space planning strategy in today's rapidly changing retail landscape.From the $37 billion growth in fresh food areas to the $27 billion revenue loss in general merchandising, Chris and Brandon break down why advanced space planning isn't just important—it's essential for survival. They share actionable insights on navigating inflation impacts, e-commerce disruption, GLP-1 drug effects on shopping behavior, and the health & wellness trend reshaping grocery stores.🔑 Topics covered:- Why grocers must evaluate space strategy NOW in this inflationary environmentThe $37B fresh food growth vs $27B general merchandise declineCommon mistakes retailers make when overhauling store layoutsBest practices for piloting and scaling space changesBuilding the right organizational structure for space planning successHow to create margin vs shelf space analysis chartsFuture-proofing your space strategy for the next 5-10 yearsAccess A&M space planning report here: https://alvarezandmarsal-crg.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/AM-CRG-Space-and-Assortment-Optimization.pdf🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail insights!#spaceplanning #groceryretail #retailstrategy #omnitalk #retailtech #merchandising #storedesign #retailinnovation #retailpodcast Music by hooksounds.com*Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Jul 23, 2025 • 46min
Walmart Takes Vizio Private Label & Target Gives People A Big Reason To Go To Costco | Fast Five
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:Walmart’s plan to sell Vizio TVs exclusively as a private brand (Source)Tesla’s Supercharger Diner officially opening in Los Angeles (Source)Mall of America expanding car-counting video analytics across its campus (Source)Tesco launching early delivery slots for families during the summer (Source)Target ending its price matching policy starting July 28 (Source)And A&M’s Chris Creyts and Brandon Pezely also dropped by to help us hand out insights on how grocers should be thinking about space allocation for their future success and store development plans in this week’s 5 Insightful Minutes segment.There’s all that, plus Southwest Airlines new seating policy, Midwestern In-N-Out dreams, and a tribute to the dearly departed Malcolm-Jamal Warner.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on FeedspotMusic by hooksounds.com#RetailNews #WalmartVizio #TeslaDiner #RetailTech #TargetPricing #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #MallofAmerica #TescoDelivery #RetailInnovation #PrivateLabel #ConnectedTVThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Jul 19, 2025 • 4min
Lightning Round: Alex Cooper Drama, AI Influencers & Cranky Neighbors | Fast Five Shorts
This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we rapid-fire through the week's quirkiest retail stories.Morrison's limits colleague access to stock rooms to prevent "idling," Call Her Daddy's Alex Cooper gets booed at Wrigley Field, Nextdoor replatforms to cut cranky neighbor posts, and an AI influencer with 150K followers fools everyone at Wimbledon. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!⏩ Topics Covered:📌 00:00 – Morrison's Stock Room Crackdown📌 03:20 – Chad's Panini King Confession📌 05:10 – Alex Cooper's Wrigley Field Disaster📌 07:25 – David's Nextdoor Drama (Using Wife's Account!)📌 10:30 – AI Influencer Tennis Sensation📌 12:45 – When Will AI Models Hit Retail Stores?📌 15:20 – Will Ferrell Birthday CelebrationFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/sgweq_AtMms#lightninground #morrisons #alexcooper #nextdoor #aiinfluencer #retailstories #workplaceproductivity #omnitalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Jul 19, 2025 • 9min
The Implications Of Shopify's Bold Move to Block AI Shopping Bots | Fast Five Shorts
This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we examine Shopify's proactive stance on AI agent regulation.Shopify is drawing boundaries around agentic AI with new language in merchant websites' robots.txt files, stating "scraping, buy from me agents, or any end-to-end flow that completes payment without a final review step is not permitted." The move shows Shopify thinking ahead to protect its ecosystem while directing legitimate integrators to use official APIs.🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!⏩ Topics Covered:📌 00:00 – Headline Details📌 01:50 – Understanding Shopify's robots.txt Changes📌 04:25 – David Brown: Why This Is Great News📌 07:40 – The Bot Problem in Concert Tickets & Restaurants📌 10:15 – Boardroom Attention to Agentic AI📌 13:30 – Chad Lusk on AI Risk Management📌 16:45 – The Talent War for AI Skills📌 19:20 – Chris Walton: Lobbying for Bot Regulation📌 22:10 – Marketplace 2.0 PredictionsFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/sgweq_AtMms#shopify #agenticai #aiagents #botregulation #ecommerce #retailautomation #aiethics #retailtech #omnitalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Jul 19, 2025 • 7min
Why Gen Z is Abandoning Traditional Supermarkets for Walmart & Aldi | Fast Five Shorts
This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we explore the generational shift reshaping grocery retail.Traditional supermarkets are falling out of favor with younger generations, with Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X increasingly turning to discount retailers for groceries. According to new survey data, 22% of Gen Z shoppers made their most recent grocery trip at Aldi, matching Walmart's share. Meanwhile, 28% of baby boomers and 31% of the silent generation still prefer traditional supermarkets.🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!⏩ Topics Covered:📌 00:00 – Headline Details📌 02:10 – The Shocking Survey Numbers📌 05:20 – Chad Lusk: A&M's Consumer Sentiment Data📌 08:15 – Why Young Shoppers Choose Walmart & Aldi📌 11:30 – Private Label Confidence Among Generations📌 14:45 – David Brown on Experience Quality📌 17:20 – Content Creation Strategy for Regional Grocers📌 20:05 – The Future of Traditional SupermarketsFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/sgweq_AtMms#grocerytrends #genz #millennials #walmart #aldi #supermarkets #privatelabel #discountretail #consumerbehavior #omnitalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Jul 19, 2025 • 8min
How 2.7% Inflation Could Ruin Holiday Retail (And What to Do About It) | Fast Five Shorts
This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we examine how tariff-driven inflation threatens the upcoming holiday season.Inflation rose to 2.7% in June, its highest level since February, as President Trump's sweeping tariffs push up costs across furniture, clothing, and large appliances. Core inflation climbed to 2.9% annually, creating massive uncertainty for retailers planning holiday inventory and pricing strategies. With nobody knowing what tariffs will be in place during peak season, retailers face unprecedented challenges.🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!⏩ Topics Covered:📌 00:00 – Headline Introduction📌 01:45 – Breaking Down the 2.7% Inflation Numbers📌 04:30 – David Brown: Playing Chicken with the World📌 07:15 – Holiday Season Impact Predictions📌 10:20 – Chad Lusk on Cost Reduction Strategies📌 13:35 – Pricing Precision vs Blanket Moves📌 16:50 – Inventory Planning Under Uncertainty📌 19:25 – Small Business vs Mass Retailer ChallengesFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/sgweq_AtMms#tariffs #inflation #holidayretail #pricingstrategy #consumerspending #retailmargins #costreduction #inventoryplanning #massretail #omnitalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Jul 19, 2025 • 9min
Starbucks vs Target: The Right Way to Handle Return-to-Office Mandates | Fast Five Shorts
This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we analyze contrasting approaches to return-to-office policies.Both Starbucks and Target issued return-to-office orders this week, but with very different strategies. Starbucks mandates employees work in the office a minimum of four days a week (Monday-Thursday) starting in October, even offering voluntary exit packages for those who refuse. Target takes a softer approach, asking team members to work in person at least three times a week with flexibility on which days, leaving decisions to individual leaders.🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!⏩ Topics Covered:📌 00:00 – Headline Details📌 01:30 – Starbucks' Hard Line: 4 Mandatory Days📌 04:15 – Target's Flexible 3-Day Approach📌 07:20 – A&M's David Brown on Best Practices📌 10:45 – The Importance of Standardized Days📌 13:30 – Corporate Culture Alignment Strategies📌 16:10 – Impact on Productivity & CollaborationFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/sgweq_AtMms#returntooffice #starbucks #target #workplacepolicy #hybridwork #remotework #corporateculture #retailleadership #productivity #omnitalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Jul 19, 2025 • 8min
Why Kraft Heinz's $20 Billion Breakup Could Save the Food Giant | Fast Five Shorts
This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we dive into the biggest CPG story of the year.Kraft Heinz is preparing to break itself up a decade after the infamous merger orchestrated by Warren Buffett and Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital Partners. The company plans to spin off a large chunk of its grocery business, including many Kraft products, into a new entity valued as much as $20 billion. This would leave a separate company housing faster-growing offerings like Heinz ketchup, Grey Poupon mustard, and hot sauces that align better with consumer preferences.🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!⏩ Topics Covered:📌 00:00 – Headline Details📌 02:15 – The Failed 3G Capital Strategy📌 05:30 – Chad Lusk on Value Creation Through Divestiture📌 08:45 – David Brown on Resource Allocation Challenges📌 12:20 – International Buyer Considerations & Regulations📌 15:40 – Expert Analysis: Will the Breakup Work?For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/sgweq_AtMms#kraftheinz #CPGbreakup #warrenbuffett #3gcapital #foodindustry #mergersacquisitions #brandportfolio #valuecreation #retailnews #omnitalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Jul 18, 2025 • 44min
Retail’s Mid-Year Report Card With Ethan Chernofsky Of Placer.ai | Ask An Expert
Placer.ai’s Chief Marketing Officer Ethan Chernofsky delivers his highly anticipated retail grades for the first half of 2024! Discover which retailers are crushing it (Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts) and which ones need improvement (Target, Lululemon). This data-driven analysis uses real foot traffic and location analytics to reveal surprising retail trends, from the movie theater comeback to department store resurgences. Essential insights for retail professionals, investors, and anyone interested in consumer behavior and retail performance trends.0:00 – Introduction: Omni Talk hosts welcome Placer AI’s newly promoted CMO Ethan Chernowski for summer retail grades1:50 – What is Placer.ai: Location data company tracking tens of millions of devices to analyze retail foot traffic3:25 – “A’s As Expected”: Top performers including Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, TJX/Marshalls – retailers with clear reason for being8:30 – “Holding Onto Newfound Momentum”: Chili’s remarkable turnaround through menu simplification and value focus, plus department store recovery (Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s)17:10 – “Blockbuster Mindset”: Movie theaters showing improvement when big films release, but need year-round merchandising strategy25:00 – “Shaky But Promising”: Hobby Lobby benefiting from Jo-Ann closures, Home Depot tariff impact, Ulta recovery, and B-class mall resurgence33:00 – “Needs Improvement”: Lululemon facing saturation challenges, Target’s operational issues beyond DEI controversy, Dave & Busters pricing problems40:00 – Key takeaway: Success comes from knowing your “reason for being” and focusing on retail fundamentals over flashy technologyMusic by hooksounds.com#retailanalytics #retailtrends #walmart #target #lululemon #consumerbehavior #retailstrategy #omnitalk #locationdataSponsored ContentThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Jul 17, 2025 • 6min
July Retail Tech Startup Of The Month | Bria AI's Visual AI Platform
AWS's Daniele Stroppa, Worldwide Technical Lead for AWS partners in retail, joins us to announce July's retail tech startup of the month: Bria AI.Daniele breaks down why Bria AI is revolutionizing content creation for brands with their visual generative AI platform. Unlike typical text-to-image generators, Bria focuses on commercial value, seamless integration, and fully compliant content creation using properly licensed data. From maintaining brand integrity with "tailor generation" to creating thousands of product images in minutes instead of weeks, Bria AI is solving real enterprise challenges with practical solutions that integrate into existing workflows.🔑 Topics covered:Why Bria AI stands out from other visual AI platformsThe three key pillars: commercial value, ease of integration, and complianceReal-world applications from product detail pages to social media campaignsLong-term implications of AI image generation for retail🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights and to be the first, each month, to find out who wins retail tech startup of the month!#retailtech #generativeai #visualai #contentcreation #omnitalk #retailinnovation #briaai #retailpodcast #aws #ecommerceMusic by hooksounds.com*Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy