Omni Talk Retail

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026, Mike Wier, Vice President of Store Brands at CVS, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to discuss how CVS is rethinking private brands as a core growth engine across health, wellness, and everyday convenience.Mike explains what it means to run store brands like a “mini CEO,” overseeing product development, sourcing, branding, and growth across a 9,000-store footprint. With most CVS customers shopping quick, mission-driven trips, the conversation focuses on how simplicity, clarity, and trust at the shelf are shaping CVS’s private brand strategy.Looking ahead, Mike outlines his vision for CVS private brands evolving beyond the store, becoming trusted consumer brands that extend outside of CVS’s four walls and operate more like modern CPG companies.Key Topics Covered:What it means to lead private brands as a “mini CEO” inside CVSWhy CVS simplified dozens of brands into a focused brand portfolioHow short, mission-driven trips shape private brand strategyRepositioning the CVS brand for health, wellness, and trustPackaging simplification and shelf clarity as competitive advantagesCompeting with national brands in wellness and everyday essentialsWhy CVS private brands may expand beyond CVS storesHow private brands are becoming long-term growth platformsThank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s NRF 2026 coverage, and thank you to our listeners for following along throughout the show.#NRF2026 #CVS #PrivateBrands #StoreBrands #RetailStrategy #HealthAndWellness #RetailBranding #RetailInnovation #OmniTalkRetailThis 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 at the Vusion booth, Aimee Bayer Thomas, Chief Retail Officer at Ulta Beauty, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to explain why physical stores remain the foundation of Ulta’s omnichannel strategy and how experiences are becoming a powerful growth driver in beauty retail.Overseeing more than 1,500 stores and 60,000 associates, Aimee shares how Ulta Beauty is scaling experiential retail through services, technology, and one of the industry’s most ambitious event strategies. From salons and beauty services to birthday parties, brand-led activations, and Ulta Beauty World, she explains how Ulta executed more than 80,000 in-store events and why guests increasingly come in pairs and groups to discover, play, and connect.Key Topics covered:What the Chief Retail Officer role covers at Ulta Beauty Why Ulta believes stores are still central to omnichannel retail How beauty services like salons, brows, and piercings create differentiation The strategy behind executing 80,000 plus in-store events Scaling experiential retail without creating noise or inconsistency How Ulta partners with brands to deliver high-touch experiences The role of technology and the Ulta app in discovery and store engagement Why guests shop beauty experiences in pairs and groups Birthday parties, celebrity events, and Ulta Beauty World as loyalty drivers Balancing centralized event governance with local store executionStay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello.#NRF2026 #UltaBeauty #ExperientialRetail #OmnichannelRetail #RetailLeadership #StoreExperience #RetailInnovation #BeautyRetail #CustomerExperience #OmniTalkThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this OmniTalk Retail episode, recorded live from NRF 2026 at the Vusion podcast studio, Ankur Mittal, Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director of Lowe’s India, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to explain why Lowe’s is commercializing its internal retail technology and what that means for the future of point of sale and omnichannel retail.Ankur shares how Lowe’s India supports more than 5,000 associates across core corporate and technology functions, and why the company decided to launch a SaaS offshoot to bring its internally built POS platform to market. From hardware-agnostic design and AI-driven capabilities to modular, plug-and-play architecture, this conversation breaks down how modern POS systems are evolving into the backbone of omnichannel retail.The discussion also explores why mid-sized retailers are responding strongly to flexible, software-first POS solutions, how long POS change cycles have held retailers back, and why true omnichannel requires shared item, pricing, promotion, and inventory data across every channel.Key Topics covered:Why Lowe’s decided to commercialize its internally built retail softwarePoint of sale as the heart of omnichannel retailHardware-agnostic POS and why it matters for retailersAI-driven capabilities including shrink identificationModular commerce architecture and plug-and-play systemsHow mid-sized retailers can modernize POS without big-bang upgradesPOS stability, speed, and operational reliabilityWhat true omnichannel really means beyond BOPISLowe’s roadmap for POS, commerce engines, and enterprise platforms in 2026Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello.#NRF2026 #OmniTalkRetail #RetailTechnology #RetailInnovation #PointOfSale #OmnichannelRetailThis 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 New York, Emily Erusha-Hilleque, SVP of Private Brands at Macy’s and an OmniStar of 2025, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to discuss how private brands are becoming a core growth driver for modern retailers.Emily shares how Macy’s is evolving its private brand portfolio to meet the needs of a multi generational, value conscious customer while delivering inspiration, quality, and relevance at scale. From filling white space across the brand matrix to launching new brands and elevating existing ones, this conversation explores what it takes to build private brands customers truly buy into.The discussion also covers how Macy’s is using collaborations and experiential retail to create cultural moments, including the recent Inc. partnership with Christian Siriano, as well as how AI is supporting storytelling, personalization, and basket growth across Macy’s private brand ecosystem.Key Topics covered:• Why private brands are central to Macy’s long term growth strategy• How Macy’s serves a multi generational and value conscious customer• The role of private brands in driving loyalty and lifetime value• How private brands fill white space across Macy’s brand portfolio• Collaborations as a growth engine for private brands• The Inc. partnership with Christian Siriano and experiential retail moments• Making fashion and design more accessible through private brands• How AI supports brand storytelling, personalization, and selective selling• Raising basket size and customer engagement with private brands• What to expect from Macy’s private brand strategy in 2026Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026.#NRF2026 #PrivateBrands #RetailStrategy #RetailInnovation #RetailAI #CustomerExperience #Macys #OmniTalkThis 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 at the Vusion booth, David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to break down how physical AI, smart carts, and connected store platforms are reshaping retail operations and customer relationships in 2026.As retailer boards demand real AI strategies, Instacart is positioning connected stores as a long-term competitive advantage. David explains how solutions like Caper smart carts, Store View, digital shelves, and agentic analytics work together to deliver personalization, basket lift, and operational efficiency at scale. From edge-based AI running inside stores to unifying online and in-store journeys, this conversation explores why retailers must own physical data to avoid disintermediation by hyperscalers.Key Topics covered:What a Chief Connected Stores Officer actually oversees at InstacartWhy AI strategy is now a board-level mandate for retailersThe difference between cloud AI and physical AI in storesHow Caper smart carts use edge computing and real-time dataDouble-digit basket lift and measurable retailer value from connected storesWhy checkout automation is really about reducing work, not skipping linesHow personalization, coupons, and gamification drive customer engagementUsing sensor fusion and shelf data to improve in-stocks and executionAvoiding technology sprawl with integrated connected store platformsGlobal expansion plans for Instacart’s enterprise retail technologyThe future of unified online and in-store shopping experiencesStay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello.#NRF2026 #Instacart #ConnectedStores #PhysicalAI #RetailAI #SmartCarts #OmnichannelRetail #RetailTechnology #RetailInnovation #OmniTalkThis 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 at the Vusion booth, Julie Barber, EVP and Chief Merchant at Sam’s Club, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to explain how merchandising, data, and agentic AI are reshaping assortment strategy, fresh food execution, and member value in 2026.With more than 20 years at Walmart Inc. and deep experience across grocery, health, general merchandise, and services, Julie shares how Sam’s Club is balancing intentional, value-driven shopping with surprise and delight experiences that keep members engaged. From Scan & Go insights and real-time inventory visibility to agentic AI-powered assortment decisions, this conversation breaks down how modern merchants blend art and science at scale.Key Topics covered:What surprised Sam’s Club merchants about member behavior in 2025Why intentional shopping and surprise and delight coexistHow Scan & Go data is changing assortment and adjacency decisionsUsing connected store signals to improve inventory accuracyThe role of scrubbers, real-time data, and floor executionHow Sam’s Club approaches fresh food, protein trends, and home meal solutionsMember’s Mark and the removal of artificial colors and ingredientsApplying agentic AI to assortment planning and localizationHow AI speeds decisions from weeks to minutesTurning AI-driven efficiency into better in-stocks, lower costs, and member valueStay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by the Vusion booth #4921 to say hello.#NRF2026 #SamsClub #Merchandising #RetailAI #AgenticAI #ConnectedStore #RetailInnovation #MembersMark #OmniTalk #RetailLeadershipThis 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 at Vusion’s booth, Todd Garner, Chief Product Officer at Sam’s Club, joins Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to share how Scan & Go has become a defining pillar of the Sam’s Club member experience and what’s coming next as agentic AI reshapes shopping.With Scan & Go now approaching 40% member adoption and nearing its 10-year anniversary, Sam’s Club is using its limited SKU, membership-based model to reduce friction, shorten the distance between intent and purchase, and unlock new personalized, agent-driven experiences. Todd explains why mobile-first shopping, curated assortments, and AI-powered insights give Sam’s Club a unique advantage and how all of it ladders back to engagement, renewal, and loyalty.Key Topics covered:Scan & Go nearing 40% adoption and what’s driving member usageWhy membership engagement and renewal matter more than individual feature metricsHow Scan & Go fits into a broader frictionless shopping ecosystemWhy limited SKUs make agentic shopping more powerful, not lessUsing mobile-first experiences to shorten intent-to-purchaseThe role of AI in merchandising, discovery, and personalized insightsHow Sam’s Club thinks about product, associate tools, and member experience togetherWhat Todd is most excited to deliver next as Scan & Go approaches its 10-year milestoneStay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by Vusion booth #4921 to say hello.#NRF2026 #SamsClub #ScanAndGo #RetailAI #AgenticAI #MembershipRetail #RetailTechnology #OmniTalk #RetailInnovationThis 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 at Vusion's booth, Jim Norred, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Vusion, and Gina Ayala Claxton, CVP of U.S. Retail & Consumer Goods at Microsoft, join Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to explain why connected stores are quickly becoming a P&L priority for retailers in 2026.As margin pressure, labor constraints, and ecommerce fulfillment demands intensify, retailers are being forced to connect store infrastructure, data, and AI to drive faster, more accurate decisions. From Bluetooth-enabled connectivity and real-time shelf availability to agentic AI, data readiness, and governance at scale, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to modernize stores without creating costly “science projects.”Key Topics covered:Why ecommerce picking accuracy is accelerating connected store adoptionOperational vs. marketing-led drivers of connected store investmentsThe anatomy of a connected store: BLE, data, and AIWhy Bluetooth is emerging as the heartbeat of in-store connectivityAgentic AI, observability, and speeding decisions from signal to executionPlatform vs. point solutions and how retailers avoid technology sprawlGovernance, security, and scaling AI across thousands of storesHow retailers are prioritizing initiatives with measurable P&L impactTurning connected store investments into loyalty, efficiency, and ROIStay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from NRF 2026, and stop by Vusion booth #4921 to say hello.#NRF2026 #ConnectedStore #RetailTechnology #RetailAI #OmnichannelRetail #StoreOperations #VusionGroup #Microsoft #RetailInnovation #OmniTalkThis 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, 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