Omni Talk Retail

Dollar General has appointed Travis Nixon as SVP of Artificial Intelligence, tasking him with using AI to optimize supply chain, store operations, and merchandising. But how long before every retailer has a Chief AI Officer—and is this even the right approach?Waqas Khan delivers a masterclass on why standalone AI roles may follow the same fate as Chief Digital Officers, most of whom lasted less than two years before the role dissolved. The panel discusses why Dollar General's SVP approach (rather than C-suite) may be smarter, which executive should oversee AI transformation, and why AI needs to be embedded across all functions rather than siloed.Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.For the full episode head here#DollarGeneral #AILeadership #RetailTransformation #ChiefAIOfficer #RetailStrategyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Target's new "10-4" policy requires employees to smile and wave at customers within 10 feet, and personally greet them within 4 feet. Is this explicit instruction necessary for today's workforce, or a forced, performative approach that signals deeper cultural problems?Former Target store manager Chris Walton shares insider perspective on why this policy reveals how far store culture has declined, while Anne argues that explicit direction is needed for first-time workers entering the retail job market. Kelly calls it "firmly over and out," while Waqas warns it could give employees an excuse to avoid customers entirely.Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.For the full episode head here#Target #CustomerService #RetailOperations #StoreManagement #RetailCultureThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Bath & Body Works is bringing Fresh Balsam to Grand Central Terminal, movie theaters, and interactive mall kiosks in what beauty expert Kelly Carey calls "my favorite marketing campaign of the year." But is piping fragrance into public spaces genius brand awareness or an invasive marketing tactic?Kelly breaks down why this campaign is perfectly timed to recapture awareness in a booming fragrance market, while the panel debates the opt-in vs. opt-out question when scent is thrust upon consumers. From middle school Cherry Blossom memories to concerns about sensory overload in movie theaters, this discussion covers the full spectrum of experiential marketing.Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.For the full episode head here#BathAndBodyWorks #ExperientialMarketing #HolidayMarketing #FragranceRetail #RetailInnovationThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Amazon is suing Perplexity AI over its Comet shopping agent, claiming it "covertly accesses Amazon customer accounts" and interferes with the curated shopping experience Amazon built over decades. But is this defensive move from the e-commerce giant actually a sign of things to come?Waqas Khan from A&M breaks down the technology protocols at stake, why this feels like a classic incumbent vs. disruptor battle, and how advertising revenue is driving Amazon's aggressive response. Chris argues this is Amazon playing the role of the 1990s brick-and-mortar retailer fighting e-commerce, while the panel debates whether this lawsuit is a negotiation tactic or the first salvo in a long legal war over agentic commerce.Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.For the full episode head here#Amazon #Perplexity #AgenticAI #RetailLawsuit #ShoppingAgents #RetailTechThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Adobe's October data reveals a game-changing milestone: generative AI traffic is now converting 16% BETTER than traditional sources—a complete 180 from three months ago when AI traffic converted 9% WORSE. This episode breaks down what Kelly Carey and Waqas Khan from the A&M Consumer and Retail Group think retailers need to know about this inflection point. With AI traffic up 1,200% year-over-year and shoppers spending 44% longer on sites when arriving from AI sources, the experts discuss why this shift makes sense, how consumers are using tools like ChatGPT to cut through digital clutter, and what retailers should be doing RIGHT NOW to prepare for an agentic omnichannel future.Sponsored A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.For the full episode head here#AIcommerce #GenerativeAI #RetailTech #AdobeAnalytics #ChatGPT #ShoppingTrendsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Ethan Chernofsky, CMO at Placer.ai and expert in location analytics, dives into how changing consumer preferences are reshaping retail. He highlights why stores are seeing more foot traffic but less time spent inside. Ethan discusses the success of brands like Sprouts and Barnes & Noble that focus on identity over convenience. He reveals surprising suburban opportunities and predicts a significant shift in holiday shopping patterns for 2025. This insightful conversation is packed with real-world retail data and strategies.

Waqas Khan, Managing Director at A&M Consumer and Retail Group, and Kelly Carey, Director at the same firm, dive into the exciting shifts in retail technology. They discuss how AI-driven traffic is outperforming traditional channels, with Adobe data revealing a 16% conversion boost. Amazon's lawsuit against Perplexity highlights the battle for product search supremacy, while Bath & Body Works’ scent marketing strategy captivates consumers. Finally, they critique Target's new 10-4 service policy and ponder the future of Chief AI Officer positions.

In this Retail Technology Spotlight episode, Nick Matthews, VP of Solutions and Architecture at Wiliot, joins Omni Talk to reveal how Walmart is deploying Bluetooth-enabled IoT technology across all 4,600 U.S. stores and 40 distribution centers.From wireless energy-harvesting tags to real-time pallet tracking, Nick breaks down how Wiliot's ambient IoT technology is reducing food waste by tens of millions of pounds, improving inventory accuracy, and improvingg store operations without requiring associates to change their workflow. If you've ever wondered how retailers are solving the "where is my product?" problem at scale (who hasn't?), then this episode is for you.🔑 Topics covered:How Wiliot's BLE pixels work and differ from RFID technologyWalmart's nationwide deployment strategy and infrastructure requirementsReal-time alerts that prevent inventory discrepancies and cold chain breaksFood waste reduction projections for 2026The concept of "Physical AI" and its retail applicationsROI benefits from inventory accuracy to FSMA compliance🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail tech insights!#retailtech #walmart #IoT #supplychain #inventorymanagement #retailinnovation #foodwaste #omnitalk #bluetoothtechnology #physicalAI #retailpodcastMusic by hooksounds.com*Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The Lightning Round gets wild this week! From a soccer coach using Chat GPT to devise winning defensive strategies, to Jonathan Bailey's Sexiest Man Alive title, to John Lewis offering hand massages for loyalty members, and Carly Rae Jepsen's baby naming dilemma... Chris and Anne tackle the most entertaining retail and culture moments.Plus, hear their personal Chat GPT success stories and debate whether hand massages at a department store would actually drive traffic. It's retail meets pop culture in the best way possible!Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.For the full episode head here#chatgpt #AIcoaching #jonathanbailey #sexiestmanalive #johnlewis #loyaltyprograms #carlyraejepsen #retailculture #customerexperience #lightningroundThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In a surprising move, GrubHub (owned by Mark Lore's Wonder super app) is partnering with Instacart to enable grocery delivery directly through the GrubHub platform. But this partnership raises major strategic questions: Why would Instacart help a potential future competitor?Chris breaks down the "Greeks bearing gifts" dynamics at play and questions whether this is Mark Lore's chess move toward building the ultimate meal-time super app. Is Instacart making a strategic mistake, or is there a bigger play happening behind the scenes?Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.For the full episode head here#grubhub #instacart #marklore #wonder #deliverypartnership #grocerydelivery #whitelabel #thirdpartydelivery #retailstrategy #mealplanningThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy