In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Ownit AI, Avalara, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, A&M’s Lakshman Lakshmanan and Chris Creyts, joined Chris and Anne to discuss: - The wide-ranging significance of Walmart offering same-day prescription delivery and making it free for Walmart+ members - Amazon’s new “Amazon Grocery” store in Chicago and how it fits into Amazon’s growing ever more confusing grocery strategy - If U.S. consumers real...
Oct 22, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Grabango has officially shut down, marking a significant moment for the future of fixed-position camera-based automated checkout systems. The podcast discusses the implications of this closure, particularly in light of the fact that Grabango's technology, which was aimed at offering a checkout-free shopping experience, struggled to gain traction despite its innovative approach. Speakers analyze how the perceived value of simply walking out of a store without checking out may not be enough for co...
Oct 19, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Fast Five Short we discuss Google Shopping has announced significant changes aimed at enhancing the online shopping experience through the integration of AI and more personalized features. The new updates include AI-generated briefs that help consumers make informed decisions when searching for products, like winter jackets suitable for specific climates. Additionally, the platform will offer dynamic filters for better product selection and a personalized deals page that simplifies deal ...
Oct 19, 2024•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Fast Five Short we discuss how Amazon is taking a significant step in enhancing the grocery shopping experience for Prime members by allowing them to combine purchases from Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods into a single cart for convenient delivery. This new feature, currently being piloted in Phoenix, offers customers the ability to shop for essentials and have their orders delivered together, tapping into the same-day delivery model that many consumers have come to expect. The...
Oct 19, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thanks to the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital for making this episode possible For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/T_30gGTzlZ4
Oct 19, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Fast Five Short we discuss in our Lightning round how Walmart's recent hiring of a full-time meteorologist sparks a nostalgic conversation about childhood dreams and career aspirations. As the hosts explore their early ambitions, one reveals a love for meteorology rooted in a childhood fear of storms combined with a passion for retail. This lighthearted exchange transitions into a spirited debate about the best fried chicken restaurants, with Popeyes emerging as the clear favorite for on...
Oct 19, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Fast Five Short we discuss how JD Sports has recently launched a new pre-owned shoe shopping platform called Rejd, aiming to provide consumers with significant discounts on gently used footwear. This initiative positions JD Sports uniquely in the aftermarket space as one of the few retail-owned platforms, rather than being brand-led. While the concept has potential, concerns arise about profitability, as similar resale platforms have struggled to maintain sustainable business models. The...
Oct 19, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this exclusive podcast episode from Omni Talk, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga join Shoptalk’s Joe Laszlo, Ben Miller and Alexa Tietjen, for a game show-style recap of all the key takeaways from Shoptalk Fall 2024 in front of the live conference audience, replete with tuxedos, buzzers, and amazing puns! Key topics covered include: - The overall the state of the retail industry right now - The rise of “Unified Commerce” - How retailers are continuing to optimize their product assortments - The ...
Oct 17, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Fast Five Short we discuss Kroger's recent partnership with Disney marks a significant shift in the retail subscription landscape, as it now offers Disney's streaming options as part of its annual membership plans. This includes complimentary subscriptions to Disney Basic with ads, Hulu with ads, or ESPN Plus for both new and existing members. The discussion explores the competitive implications of this move, particularly for major players like Amazon and Walmart, and highlights how thes...
Oct 14, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Fast Five Short we discuss how Google has introduced exciting new shoppable visual search features in Google Lens just in time for the holiday shopping season. The update allows users to easily identify products in photos and access comprehensive information, including pricing, deals, and reviews, all from one platform. With the new "circle to search" feature, consumers can seamlessly transition from browsing social media or watching videos to shopping with just a few taps. The hosts dis...
Oct 14, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Fast Five Short We discuss why Whole Foods has decided not to implement Amazon's Just Walk Out technology in its daily shops, signaling potential challenges for the future of this technology in grocery retail. Christina Minardi, Whole Foods' executive vice president, described the system as cumbersome and inflexible, particularly in a retail environment that requires frequent changes. This raises questions about the viability of Just Walk Out as a competitive advantage, especially when m...
Oct 14, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Fast Five Short we discuss how Instacart has introduced new features for its smart shopping carts, including gamification, location-based coupons, and aisle-aware advertising. These enhancements aim to transform grocery shopping into a more engaging experience, encouraging consumers to embrace smart carts. The discussion delves into whether gamification can effectively motivate shoppers to adopt these new technologies and make their grocery trips more enjoyable. As the hosts share insigh...
Oct 14, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Fast Five Short, we discuss how Sam's Club is revolutionizing the shopping experience by opening a new store in Grapevine, Texas, that eliminates traditional checkout lines. Instead, customers will utilize a smartphone app called Scan and Go to scan items as they shop, culminating in a streamlined exit through a computer vision-based archway. This innovative approach allows for the display of unique online-only products, like a twelve-foot Christmas tree and a five-carat lab-grown diamon...
Oct 14, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Ownit AI, Avalara, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, Chris and Anne took to the Windy City to discuss: - Grabango calling it quits and what it means for the future of Just Walk Out-like tech - Exciting new AI updates from Google Shopping - Amazon’s decision to unify its e-commerce efforts across Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods - JD Sports new reJD resale effort - And closed with a look at ...
Oct 14, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this debut episode of Omni Talk Retail's new podcast series, highlighting investor perspectives on retail and consumer trends, Chris and Anne interview Karl Bracken, Founder and CEO of Ocampo Capital. Karl shares insights into the venture capital landscape for retail and consumer goods startups, touching on leadership, differentiated IP, and the importance of omnichannel strategies. He also highlights key challenges in today’s market, including the over-reliance on AI trends. Key moments incl...
Oct 13, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this exclusive podcast episode from Omni Talk, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga join Groceryshop's Ben Miller and Rocquan Lucas for a rapid fire recap of all the key takeaways from Groceryshop 2024 in front of the live conference audience. Key topics covered include: The overall the state of the Grocery industry right now - What’s next for the evolution of the physical grocery store - The importance of adjacent revenue streams - The best AI use case or case study heard at the conference - The t...
Oct 09, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mette_lykke_toogood by Omni Talk Retail
Oct 08, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Ownit AI, Avalara, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, was recorded live in front of an audience at Groceryshop. Chris and Anne discussed: - Sam’s Club’s bold new store concept - Instacart adding gamification to its Caper smart cart - An Amazon and Whole Foods executive reportedly calling Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology “cumbersome” - Google adding new visual search shopping features in time for the ho...
Oct 07, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga and guest host Joe Laszlo of Shoptalk discuss: Walmart Gaining Share From $200K+ Income Earners For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/XlWTHMPWRDU Walmart's online grocery growth in the first half of 2024 has been significantly influenced by affluent households, with those earning over $200,000 now representing ...
Oct 04, 2024•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga and guest host Joe Laszlo of Shoptalk discuss: If Costco & Sam’s Are The Choice Of A New Generation? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/XlWTHMPWRDU Costco and Sam's Club are successfully attracting younger generations, with a significant increase in memberships among Millennials and Gen Z. Recent statistics ...
Oct 04, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga and guest host Joe Laszlo of Shoptalk discuss: Giant Eagle Investing In Cutting Driver Wait Times For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/XlWTHMPWRDU Giant Eagle's partnership with Flyby marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of grocery delivery services, as the two companies collaborate to enhance last-mile log...
Oct 04, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga and guest host Joe Laszlo of Shoptalk discuss: Doordash Releasing A New Suite Of Business Solutions For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/XlWTHMPWRDU
Oct 04, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga and guest host Joe Laszlo of Shoptalk discuss: Meta's RayBans: Runway Ready or Runaway Lightning Round For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/XlWTHMPWRDU Meta's Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled new AR glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban, retailing at $299, sparking a lively discussion among the hosts about their p...
Oct 04, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga and guest host Joe Laszlo of Shoptalk discuss: Klarna’s Bold Move: Bringing BNPL In-Store For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/XlWTHMPWRDU The partnership between Klarna and Adyen represents a revolutionary step for retail, merging the convenience of buy now, pay later (BNPL) services with the traditional shop...
Oct 04, 2024•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Ownit AI, Avalara, Mirakl, and Ocampo Capital, Shoptalk’s Joe Laszlo joined Chris and Anne to discuss: - The high income demographic tailwind behind Walmart’s back - If Costco and Sam’s Club are the shopping choice of a new generation - DoorDash's suite of new business solutions - Giant Eagle’s partnership with Flybuy to cut delivery driver wait times - And closed with a debate about just how ...
Oct 01, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this Insightful 5 Minute podcast episode, Marco Valentini, Managing Director at the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, breaks down why private label brands are essential for retailers and how they can capitalize on this growing trend. From product innovation to leadership alignment, Marco shares key strategies for fostering successful private brands that resonate with consumers and boost market share. Key Moments: [0:08] - Introduction to Marco Valentini and the topic of building private brand st...
Sep 30, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Get ready for the holiday rush with this special Omni Talk Retail Spotlight episode! Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Natalija Pavic, the Senior Product Marketing Manager at Salesforce Commerce Cloud and host of the Commerce Cloud Innovations podcast, and Melissa Dallmeyer, the Global Leader of Enterprise & Mid-market Partnerships at Avalara, to discuss how retailers can best prepare for the busy holiday season. From the benefits of composable and headless commerce to the critical im...
Sep 30, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga discuss: A Res "ZA" me Lighting Round For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/18lMxsBIt7o
Sep 28, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga discuss: Walmart And Sam’s Club Merging Their Supply Chains For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/18lMxsBIt7o
Sep 28, 2024•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Mirakl, Ownit AI, and Ocampo Capital Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga discuss: There’s An (Amazon AI-Generated) Ad For That For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/18lMxsBIt7o
Sep 28, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
