Omni Talk Retail

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Ocampo Capital and Scratch Event DJs. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Amazon Investing $11 Billion Towards Ai In GeorgiaFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/MHY9wOkZ0LIThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Ocampo Capital and Scratch Event DJs Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Macy’s Announcing Store ClosuresFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/MHY9wOkZ0LIThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

How can retailers and brands harness the power of AI to transform customer experiences? Sara Sullivan, Contentful's Global VP of Solution Engineering, explains how companies like Kraft Heinz, Klarna, and Ruggable are scaling content creation, streamlining workflows, and using LLMs to deliver hyper-personalized messaging at scale. Tune in for insights into workflow automation, team restructuring, and the future of marketing technology.Key Moments:[00:00] Introduction to Sara Sullivan and her background.[02:33] How Contentful empowers brands with scalable personalization.[06:25] The "creative graveyard" problem and how AI addresses it.[14:32] Kraft Heinz’s success with geotargeted content campaigns.[21:10] Ruggable’s use of AI for landing page personalization and efficiency.[25:28] Klarna’s LLM-powered innovations saving $40M in support costs.[30:25] Predictions for the future of AI and retail personalization.#personalization #aiinretail #retailinnovation Music by hooksounds.com*Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this latest episode of our 5 Insightful Minutes Series, Tim Robinson, Corporate Vice President at Blue Yonder, breaks down the findings of their recent consumer returns survey and what they mean for retailers.Key moments from the interview:1:34 - Why treating returns as inventory is critical for retailers.2:36 - How unique and tech-driven returns experiences can differentiate brands.5:40 - The importance of visibility in the returns process for sustainability and customer satisfaction.7:23 - Predictions on tailored return policies using customer and product data.To read Blue Yonder's report in full, head here: https://chat.blueyonder.com/reimagine-returns?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=omnitalk&utm_campaign=jan25&utm_content=timMusic by hooksounds.com#returns #ecommerceinnovation #customerexperience Sponsored ContentThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, and Scratch Event DJs, Chris and Anne discussed:Macy’s shuttering some of its small format stores (Source)Amazon's $11 Billion AI investment in the great state of Georgia (Source)Best Buy launching a new marketplace with Mirakl (Source)Amazon allowing online retailers to use its advertising tools (Source)And closed with a look at the 1 + 1 = 3 partnership between eBay and Facebook’s marketplace (Source)There’s all that, plus Tim Robinson of Blue Yonder also stopped by for Five Insightful Minutes on returns management, and we also had a NYC-style lightning round, replete with long cab ride discussions about horseshoes, bad mice, and Anne’s brief stint as a tiara model.To read Blue Yonder's comprehensive report on returns, head here: https://chat.blueyonder.com/reimagine-returns?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=omnitalk&utm_campaign=jan25&utm_content=timMusic by hooksounds.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Chris and Anne kick off Day 3 of NRF 2025 live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio with Michael Diedrich, VP of Store Productivity at Tractor Supply, discussing how the retailer is redefining store productivity while delivering legendary service. Discover how Tractor Supply leverages tools like Quorso's AI Co-Pilot to enhance customer interactions, streamline operations, and ensure consistent performance across 2,300+ stores.Key Moments:0:10 - Introduction to Michael Diedrich and his 23-year journey at Tractor Supply.2:12 - Measuring productivity and performance across Tractor Supply stores.6:12 - How Quorso is revolutionizing sales missions and team engagement.9:15 - Evolving leadership visits with AI-driven insights.11:28 - Leveraging new technologies for instant product knowledge and legendary service.13:39 - Backend optimization with the “Tractor Way” process.14:55 - Plans for 2025: Relentless focus on productivity and customer engagement.#nrf2025 #tractorsupply #retailtechThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode recorded live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio at NRF 2025, Omni Talk hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Christian Raveaux, Head of Retail Media Connect at the REWE Group. Key Moments0:04 – Introduction to Christian Raveaux and his role at REWE Group.0:30 – Christian shares his background and journey within REWE Group.0:58 – Overview of REWE Group’s operations across Europe.1:26 – Discussion on automated grocery stores in Hamburg and Cologne.1:42 – Insights from the Retail Media Symposium at NRF 2025.2:24 – The importance of in-store retail media for REWE Group’s strategy.3:04 – Deployment of 3,500+ digital signage screens in REWE Group stores.4:41 – The role of loyalty programs in retail media success.5:12 – Activating and optimizing in-store digital content.5:56 – Importance of engaging media agencies for in-store retail media.6:30 – Predictions for retail media evolution in the U.S. and Europe.7:14 – Challenges with GDPR compliance in European retail media.8:18 – Christian's vision for the future of retail media at REWE Group.#NRF2025 #retailmedia #rewe #retailtechThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Omni Talk Retail welcomes Cedric Clark, EVP of Store Operations at Walmart, for a live NRF 2025 interview from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio to discuss Walmart's latest tech innovations. From digital shelf labels to inventory accuracy solutions, Cedric explains how Walmart leverages technology to empower associates, streamline operations, and enhance the shopping experience.Key Moments:0:15 - Cedric Clark’s 22-year journey from Sporting Goods associate to EVP.2:05 - Walmart’s "people-led, tech-powered" approach to retail.3:45 - How digital shelf labels simplify operations and boost productivity.6:00 - The key ingredients for rolling out store-level technologies successfully.8:10 - Addressing inventory accuracy as the next retail frontier.9:20 - Cedric’s vision for Walmart’s leadership in retail and advice for future innovators.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode, Omni Talk speaks with Greg Pulsifer, SVP of E-commerce at Sam's Club, live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio at NRF 2025. Greg dives into Sam's Club's strategies for digital innovation, from AI-driven personalization and omnichannel optimization to its game-changing Scan and Go experience. Learn how Sam's Club uses data insights to connect online and in-club shopping and hear Greg's take on the future of retail technology.Key Moments:0:06 - Introduction to Greg Pulsifer and his role at Sam's Club.0:40 - Greg's career journey in e-commerce, from the 90s to Sam's Club.3:46 - Responsibilities of the Sam's Club e-commerce team.5:22 - Strategy for omnichannel assortments and online-only categories.7:46 - Personalization through data and AI integration in Sam’s Club.10:21 - Real-time data insights and the impact on retail operations.12:47 - Measuring success and optimizing digital member experiences.18:42 - AI’s role in personalization, search, and marketing content.#nrf2025 #ecommerceinnovation #retailtechThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this interview recorded live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio, we speak with Joe Coll, VP of Asset Protection at Macy's, live from NRF 2025. Joe shares his insights on retail theft, Macy's safety-first strategies, and the evolution of asset protection technologies like RFID. Discover how Macy's balances theft mitigation with customer experience and what lies ahead for the industry in 2025.Key Moments:0:12 - Introduction to Joe Coll and his role at Macy's.1:14 - Joe's 27-year journey at Macy's and his current responsibilities.2:40 - Strategies Macy's employs to combat retail theft and ensure safety.6:02 - Exploring loyalty-based theft prevention solutions and their potential.7:28 - The role of RFID technology in theft prevention and law enforcement collaboration.9:18 - Industry perspectives on friction and customer experience in retail security.10:22 - Priorities for Macy's asset protection in 2025.#nrf2025 #retailtech #retailstrategyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy