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Omni Talk Retail

Omni Talk Retailomnitalk.blog
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.

Episodes

Is Alexa+ Just Another Overhyped AI Assistant?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: 🚀 Amazon has launched Alexa Plus, its next-generation AI-powered assistant—but is it truly revolutionary or just another Alexa upgrade? 🤔 In this week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we discuss its new features, generative AI improvements, and whether it fina...

Mar 07, 20257 min

Walmart Unlimited: The Future of Shopping or a Soon-To-Be Failed Experiment?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: 🎮 Walmart just launched Walmart Unlimited, a shoppable video game experience designed to merge immersive gaming and e-commerce. But is this the future of shopping or just another metaverse experiment destined to fail? In this week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capita...

Mar 07, 20255 min

Is Target & Warby Parker's Partnership A Bigger Gamble Than It Appears?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Target teaming up with Warby Parker to bring in-store eyewear services to select locations—but is this a brilliant retail move or a risky bet? 🤔 In this week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we break down how this partnership benefits both brands, potential ope...

Mar 07, 20258 min

Furniture.com Is A Really Audacious Retail Concept

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: 🛋️ Furniture.com is shaking up the industry by integrating real-time inventory, search data, and in-store browsing into one seamless furniture shopping platform. Could this be the next big thing in home furnishings, or will giants like Wayfair and Walmart respond with their own versions? In this week's episode, sponsored...

Mar 07, 20256 min

Airport Theory, Stuffed Crust Wars & Retail Throwbacks – This Week in Consumer Trends!

🚀 In this week's Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we break down the viral Airport Theory TikTok trend (would you show up 15 minutes before your flight?!), the Domino’s stuffed crust debate, and the return of nostalgic retail brands like Limited Too! Plus, which pancakes reign supreme? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/rTReEPz6yR8

Mar 07, 20255 min

Publix Sued for Overcharging Customers – Pricing Error or Deception?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: 🛒 Publix is facing a class-action lawsuit over allegations of overcharging customers on weighted food items. Did a simple pricing error cause this, or is there a bigger problem with grocery store transparency? In this week's episode, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, we br...

Mar 07, 20254 min

Alexa+, Publix & Why There’s More Than Meets The Eye To Target And Warby’s New Deal | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne discussed: - All the wrinkles surrounding Target and Warby Parker’s new partnership - The launch of Alexa+ - The deceptive pricing lawsuit against Publix - Furniture.com’s unique take on omnichannel commerce - And closed with an examination of Walmart Unlimited, Walmart’s new video game shopping experience There’s all that, plus “airport theory...

Mar 04, 202544 min

Fast Five Shorts | Adidas To Offer Buy With Prime Via Its App & Website

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Adidas Offering Buy With Prime Via Its App & Website For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | Buy Or Sell: Walmart’s New AI Tool For Merchants, Aka Wally?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: If They're Buying Or Selling: Walmart’s New Ai Tool For Merchants, Aka Wally? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 202510 min

Fast Five Shorts | Joann To Close All Its Stores

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Joann Closing All Its Stores For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20256 min

Fast Five Shorts | Sprouts To Launch First-ever Loyalty Program

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Sprouts Launching Its First-ever Loyalty Program For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | An LA Raiders Latch Hook Lightning Round

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: An LA Raiders Latch Hook Lightning Round For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/mJ9TENRdNnE

Feb 27, 20255 min

Good-Bye Joann, Hello Adidas Buy With Prime & Welcome Walmart To ‘Wally’ World | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, Anne remoted in from eTail West, Chris was back home in Minneapolis, and together they discussed: - Adidas offering Amazon Buy with Prime via its website and app - Joann no longer being in the fabric of our lives - Sprouts launching its first-ever loyalty program - Kroger and Schnucks enhancing their quick delivery offerings via Instacart - And closed with a ...

Feb 25, 202545 min

Build Profit & Boost Loyalty? Learn Why Both Are Possible With AI Powered Pricing | Ask An Expert

How can AI-driven pricing optimization boost retail profits and customer loyalty? 🚀 Chris Walton & Anne Mezzenga sit down with Matt Pavich, Senior Director of Strategy & Innovation at Revionics, to discuss how AI-powered pricing is shaping the future of retail and what retailers must do to stay competitive. 📌 Key Moments: ⏩ 00:00 – Intro ⏩ 02:00 – Why pricing optimization is the biggest lever in retail ⏩ 07:15 – The evolving complexity of pricing in retail today ⏩ 12:45 – AI-powered price opti...

Feb 20, 202537 min

Fast Five Shorts | Does The World Need Amazon’s New Beauty Store In Italy?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: Whether The World Needs Amazon’s New Beauty Store In Italy? For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 20258 min

Fast Five Shorts | How Long Before Retailers Start To Emulate Dick’s Varsity Team Program?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: How Long It'll Take Before Retailers Start To Emulate Dick’s Varsity Team Influencer Program? For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 202511 min

Fast Five Shorts | "The Price Of Wishes Has Increased With Inflation" Lightning Round

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: How "The Price Of Wishes Has Increased With Inflation" In The Latest Lightning Round For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 20254 min

Fast Five Shorts | Pros And Cons Of Amazon Featuring Products From Other Websites Within Its App

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: The Pros And Cons Of Amazon Featuring Products From Other Websites Within Its App For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 20256 min

Fast Five Shorts | Buy Or Sell: Wayfair Muse?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: If They're Buying Or Selling: Wayfair Muse For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 20257 min

Fast Five Shorts | Pro Or Con: The Growth Of Digital Screens In Stores?

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, along with special guest hosts from the A&M Consumer & Retail group David Brown and Lisa Collier discuss: Pro Or Con: The Growth Of Digital Screens In Stores? For the full episode head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLcP12oeI

Feb 20, 202510 min

Amazon’s Italian Beauty Store, Wayfair’s Muse & Dick’s Enviable Influencer Program | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, A&M’s David Brown and Lisa Collier joined Chris and Anne to discuss: - Amazon’s new beauty store in Italy - Scheels adding 460 and $11 million worth of digital screens into its stores - Dick’s new varsity influencer program - Wayfair’s new AI-powered shopping tool, Muse - And closed with a look at why in the world Amazon would test letting consumers purchase ...

Feb 18, 202555 min

Fast Five Shorts | Aldi To Sell Back Stores It Had Acquired From Southeastern Grocers

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: Aldi Selling Back Stores It Had Acquired From Southeastern Grocers For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/2w2T7EP2Liw

Feb 14, 20258 min

Fast Five Shorts | EG America To Deploy Quorso Tech Across 1,500 Stores

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: EG America Deploying Quorso Tech Across 1,500 Stores For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/2w2T7EP2Liw

Feb 13, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | GapVintage: What’s The Verdict?

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: GapVintage: What’s The Verdict? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/2w2T7EP2Liw

Feb 13, 202510 min

Fast Five Shorts | A Lovely-Scented Lightning Round

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: A Lovely-Scented Lightning Round For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/2w2T7EP2Liw

Feb 13, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | Is Save A Lot A Retailer To Watch?

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: If Save A Lot Is A Retailer To Watch? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/2w2T7EP2Liw

Feb 13, 20255 min

Fast Five Shorts | Pro Or Con: Instacart Piloting CPG Brand Tasks For Its Workers

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: Pro Or Con: Instacart Piloting CPG Brand Tasks For Its Workers For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/2w2T7EP2Liw

Feb 13, 20254 min

Trybe: The Ultimate Conference for Women in Business—What You Need to Know!

Trybe is redefining women’s leadership conferences, bringing together top executives, founders, and industry leaders across retail, tech, and consumer industries. In this episode, Anne Mezzenga chats with Krystina Gustafson, Trybe's Chief Content Officer, about what makes this event different, who should attend, and why it’s a great opportunity for career growth and networking. Plus, hear about some of the powerhouse speakers, key themes, and special insights into professional and personal devel...

Feb 11, 202522 min

Retail Investing Trends & The Future of Consumer Brands | VC Insights with Claire Cherry

In this episode, we dive into the latest trends in retail investing with Claire Cherry, Partner at Era VC. Claire shares her journey from science to venture capital and provides a deep dive into how consumer brands can thrive in today's competitive landscape. 🔹 [1:09] Claire Cherry’s background and journey into venture capital 🔹 [2:28] What Era VC looks for in early-stage consumer brands 🔹 [4:09] Key investment areas: longevity, functional food, and wellness 🔹 [6:07] The rise of food as medi...

Feb 11, 202533 min