Omni Talk Retail

In this episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne analyze Walmart’s bold move to grow its gas station footprint, aiming to add 40–45 new locations this year as part of a five-year expansion plan (00:03). They discuss how Walmart is using fuel as a strategic lever to increase Walmart Plus membership value (01:00) and compare this tactic to Costco’s successful model (02:00). Anne shares her personal experience with Walmart Plus fuel limitations (03:10), while Chris breaks down the massive opportunity in front of Walmart, with only 415 fuel sites currently serving over 4,600 stores (04:20). Plus, they touch on recent leadership changes that indicate Walmart’s full steam ahead approach (04:45).For the full episode, head to: https://youtu.be/YZOCyd_MPhw#walmart #retailstrategy #walmartplus #gasstations #customerloyalty #retailnewsThis 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, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed:Walmart’s gas station expansion strategy (Source)Quorso’s intelligent store management platform rollout with Circle K Europe (Source)Target’s new floral owned brand (Source)Trove’s acquisition of reverse.supply (Source)And closed with a look at why Walmart’s 40 store beauty bar test could herald even more sales growth in Walmart’s future (Source)There’s all that, plus pasta shapes, Papal naming, and the latest spectator sport, sperm racing.Music by hooksounds.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

This week’s lightning round, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, is packed with laughs and unexpected questions. Chris and Anne start by debating what the official Omni Talk uniform would be, inspired by Starbucks’ new black-on-green dress code (0:01).Then they reminisce about epic faceplants, including Anne’s “Great Fall of Lisbon” (1:17), and react to Jewel suing Kroger over her removal from the Wellness Festival (2:09). Chris unveils his Chris-apalooza music lineup—Elvis, the Beatles, and the Jackson 5 (2:37)—while Anne keeps things grounded with crosswalk tech that talks like Lil Jon (3:25). It’s retail banter with a side of absurd.For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/US96EqI2Bnk#RetailPodcast #lightninground #retailhumor #jewel #kroger #jeffbezos #jackson5 #starbucks #retailnews #blueoriginThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail Fast Five discussion, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne explore Hy-Vee’s decision to shutter most in-store bars and eliminate full-service dining in favor of counter-only service (0:02). Chris critiques the overuse of “experiential retail” as a vague, unscalable buzzword (1:00), calling Hy-Vee’s move a necessary correction in an era where operational simplicity and consistency matter more than novelty.He shares a personal anecdote from his days at Gap about the hidden complexity of over-segmentation in retail (2:59) and warns about the challenges of managing stores with differing formats. Anne supports the shift as a logical step for maximizing floor space and profitability, citing successful models like Aldi and Sprouts that keep formats tightly controlled (4:50). The episode closes with a spirited debate on whether experiential retail ever really worked—and if retailers should let go of the fantasy altogether (7:40).For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/US96EqI2Bnk#hyvee #retailstrategy #groceryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne dig into DoorDash’s latest AI feature rollout for restaurant partners (0:02). The tools include an AI-powered camera for high-quality food photos, an item description generator, and instant visual enhancements to improve online menus (0:08).Anne shares how these tools will help small, independent restaurants like La Bodega Taco Shop compete with larger chains (1:04), while Chris highlights the risk of all AI descriptions sounding the same (3:13). They both agree photography is the most impactful feature—it's what drives clicks and cravings (4:00). The discussion wraps with some food fun and a reminder that good burritos matter more than buzzwords (5:28).For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/US96EqI2Bnk#doordash #restauranttech #fooddelivery #smallbusinesssupport #foodphotographyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this Omni Talk Retail Fast Five episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne dive into Sam’s Club’s bold plan to open 15 clubs annually and remodel all 600 existing locations in the U.S. (0:02). Backed by strong performance and growing online sales, Sam’s Club hopes to double its membership over the next 8–10 years, according to CEO Chris Nicholas (0:21).Chris lays out three reasons he’s bullish: impressive comp sales growth (0:56), rising app adoption like Scan & Go (1:24), and soaring popularity among Gen Z and millennials (2:04). Anne agrees with the momentum but flags a continued awareness gap compared to Costco and emphasizes the importance of tapping Walmart Plus to attract new members (3:04). The episode wraps with a discussion of retail media advantages and the potential to unify Walmart and Sam’s Club memberships under one banner (4:59).#samsclub #walmart #costco #retailstrategy #scanandgo #retailtech #MembershipGrowth #retailnewsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode of Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne dive into Walmart’s latest AI-powered innovation: the Trend-to-Product tool (0:03). The duo explains how the tool uses generative AI to produce trend-driven mood boards, shorten design timelines by up to 18 weeks (1:10), and assist Walmart in appealing to newer, more affluent shoppers through trendier fashion options (2:44).Anne shares her experience working on similar product development teams at Target and emphasizes how this tool eliminates the tedious manual design process (1:26). Chris voices caution around AI fatigue and the importance of maintaining focus on big-picture strategies in stores versus chasing shiny objects online (3:36).The episode closes with thoughtful reminders about managing open-to-buy limits and making smarter decisions amid the flood of trend data (6:30).For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/US96EqI2Bnk#walmart #retailinnovation #aiinfashion #generativeai #retailtech #walmartfashion #merchandisingThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, brought to you by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand,Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga break down Ulta's surprising decision to pause its shop-in-shop rollout with Target. Despite Target touting strong beauty performance, Ulta CEO Kecia Steelman—an operations leader and former Target exec—has decided to hold at 610 locations, raising questions about store traffic, brand alignment, and future investments. Chris compares Target to a ‘Mike Dexter’ moment in retail (3:00), while Anne explores how cultural sentiment and operational caution may be driving this pause (4:50).📌 Key Moments:(0:00) Ulta pauses shop-in-shop expansion at Target(1:18) Target’s beauty sales vs. Ulta’s decision(2:00) Placer.ai data and Target foot traffic(3:00) Chris compares Target to “Mike Dexter”(4:50) Anne discusses Kecia Steelman’s operational mindset(7:00) Target’s unusual pullback on a major partnership(8:00) Implications for Target’s brand and comp salesFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/US96EqI2Bnk#ultabeauty #target #retailnews #retailstrategyThis 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, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed:Ulta Beauty’s decision to pause its Target shop-in-shop expansion (Source)Walmart’s new Trend-to-Product AI tool to speed up product development (Source)Sam’s Club’s expansion plans (Source)DoorDash’s AI enhancements to help its quick-service restaurant partners (Source)And closed with a look at what Hy-Vee’s decision to close its bars and to end its full-service dining offering means for the “experiential” retail trend (Source)There’s all that, plus faceplants, crosswalk hacks, and Anne also asks Chris to design his very own Omni Talk uniform.Music by hooksounds.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode of Omni Talk’s Ask an Expert series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga talk with Stipe Galic, VP of Business Development & Marketing at TGW, to demystify the complexities of returns in today’s omnichannel retail world. From cost savings to faster reshelving, Stipe walks us through how automation, flexible software, and a unified DC setup are transforming how retailers like Urban Outfitters manage inventory and returns.Key Moments:1:05 – Stipe’s journey from mechanical engineer to automation leader at TGW4:59 – Why returns are such a thorn in omnichannel fulfillment7:00 – Real-time processing of returns with mixed-SKU totes10:00 – How software decides between single-SKU and return stock14:36 – Case study: High-end fashion retailer consolidating DC operations19:56 – Cutting return costs nearly in half through automation22:00 – “Bridge vs. Ferry” analogy on warehouse responsiveness24:35 – Seamless integration over cutting-edge tech: the new mindset#RetailReturns #OmnichannelFulfillment #WarehouseAutomation #TGW #ReverseLogistics #FashionRetail #RetailTech #UrbanOutfitters #SupplyChainInnovation #RetailAutomationMusic by hooksounds.comSponsored ContentThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy