Omni Talk Retail

In this episode of our 5 Insightful Minutes Series, the Head of Worldwide Retail, Restaurants & Consumer Goods Business Development at AWS, Justin Honaman, joins us to discuss the biggest retail trends of 2025. We explore how AI, Amazon Ads' new Retail Ad Services, and data-driven personalization are shaping the future of shopping. Plus, we dive into unified commerce, composable commerce, and how retailers can better integrate in-store and e-commerce experiences for customers and employees alike.Key Moments:0:02 AWS retail trends for 20250:36 The rise of AI and AWS Nova models1:09 Amazon Ads launches retail ad services1:55 How retailers can maximize business value with AI2:44 The future of retail media networks3:56 What these trends mean for end consumers5:02 The importance of unified commerce and in-store technology#amazon #aws #amazonadvertising #retailtrends #retailnews #retailinnovation Music by hooksounds.comSponsored ContentThis 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, and Scratch Event DJs, Chris and Anne discussed:The appointment of Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel to head up Amazon’s grocery strategy (Source)Whether CPGs will jump at the chance to pay Walmart to test products with Walmart’s actual customers (Source)If Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol could be getting ahead of himself with his plans for ceramic mugs (Source)The veracity of Levi’s claims that its partnership with Google Cloud helped it to jump on the “baggy jeans” trend (Source)And closed by lauding Walmart for increasing its pay scale for regional managers (Source)There’s all that, plus Justin Honaman of AWS stops by for 5 Insightful Minutes to chat about 2025 and Amazon’s new Retail Ad Service, and we’ve got a more hilarious lightning round than usual filled with deep insights into Chris’s travel and house slipper habits.Heading to eTail West? Get the Omni Talk Deal Here: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com//?utm_source=OmniTalk%20Media%20Partner&utm_medium=Media%20Partner&utm_campaign=10701.019-%20OmniTalk%20Media%20Partner&utm_term=&utm_content=&disc=ETAILPARTNER&extTreatId=7608370Music by hooksounds.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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 are joined by co-hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer & Retail Group, Kelly Carey and John Clear. In this clip, the group discusses: A "Gentle Rollercoaster" Lightning RoundFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/s3yeI48E9A0This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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 are joined by co-hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer & Retail Group, Kelly Carey and John Clear. In this clip, the group discusses: Walmart Selling Luxury Goods Via RebagFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/s3yeI48E9A0This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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 are joined by co-hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer & Retail Group, Kelly Carey and John Clear. In this clip, the group discusses: Sephora Redesigning Its Entire North American Store FleetFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/s3yeI48E9A0This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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 are joined by co-hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer & Retail Group, Kelly Carey and John Clear. In this clip, the group discusses: If The American Consumer Needs Smaller Format Burlington Stores?For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/s3yeI48E9A0This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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 are joined by co-hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer & Retail Group, Kelly Carey and John Clear. In this clip, the group discusses: If They're Buying Or Selling: Target Cutting Its Production Lead TimeFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/s3yeI48E9A0This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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 are joined by co-hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer & Retail Group, Kelly Carey and John Clear. In this clip, the group discusses: What Walmart's Symbotic Deal Signals About Its Approach To Delivery?For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/s3yeI48E9A0This 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, and Scratch Event DJs, A&M’s Kelly Carey and John Clear joined Chris and Anne to discuss:Walmart’s new Symbotic relationship, aka its new robot deal (Source)The veracity of Target’s claims that it has cut its production lead times down from 7 months to 8 weeks (Source)Whether the American consumer really needs smaller Burlington stores (Source)Sephora’s plans to redesign its entire North American store fleet (Source)And closed with an examination of Walmart’s marketplace expansion via Rebag to sell the likes of Fendi, Chanel, and more (Source)There’s all that, plus pit diapers, roundabout rules of the road and the HQ amenities we all just can’t live without.Music by hooksounds.com#walmart #target #sephora #retailtrends #retailnewsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In our latest episode of Omni Talk's Investor Perspectives on Retail and the Consumer, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga interview Simeon Siegel, Managing Director at BMO Capital Markets, to discuss the key trends and challenges facing retail and e-commerce as we approach 2025. They dive into topics such as market share, DTC strategy, and the importance of maintaining brand equity.Key Moments:0:48 - Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga introduce Simeon Siegel, Managing Director at BMO Capital Markets.1:30 – Simeon reflects on the joy of working at the intersection of retail operators and investors, balancing qualitative and quantitative analysis.2:54 – Simeon shares his background, including the influence of his grandfather’s shoe store and how he developed a passion for retail analysis.5:38 – A look at Simeon’s day-to-day role, from stock analysis to blending market data with human psychology insights.8:44 – Simeon recaps 2024 trends, highlighting the return to a market share-driven environment and the shift from macroeconomic challenges to company-specific performances.10:07 – Discussion on inflation, deflation, and how retailers should focus on microeconomic trends to identify opportunities.11:38 – Simeon explains how to analyze earnings reports by asking probing questions to separate marketing narratives from business realities.15:50 – The importance of margins over revenue growth and how brands like Under Armour and Victoria’s Secret can turn around by selling less but charging more.19:49 – How to identify "quality of sale" as an early indicator of business health, with examples from Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works.20:50 – Key challenges facing retail C-suites in 2025, with an emphasis on avoiding subjectivity and remaining objective in decision-making.22:56 – Examples of companies successfully avoiding the subjectivity trap, including Under Armour’s pivot to focusing on quality over quantity.24:49 – Simeon highlights brands he’s optimistic about for 2025, including Under Armour and Peloton, and why strategy shifts are critical for their success.27:31 – Insights into TJX as a reliable retail investment and how its business model contrasts with higher-risk brands like Under Armour.29:30 – Quick-fire brand analysis: Gap, Victoria's Secret, American...

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 "Let's Dance" Lightning RoundFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/MHY9wOkZ0LIThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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: Ebay Allowing Sales Via Facebook MarketplaceFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/MHY9wOkZ0LIThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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: Amazon Selling Ad Tech To Other RetailersFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/MHY9wOkZ0LIThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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 They're Pro Or Con: Best Buy’s New MarketplaceFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/MHY9wOkZ0LIThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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: Amazon Investing $11 Billion Towards Ai In GeorgiaFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/MHY9wOkZ0LIThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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: Macy’s Announcing Store ClosuresFor the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/MHY9wOkZ0LIThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

How can retailers and brands harness the power of AI to transform customer experiences? Sara Sullivan, Contentful's Global VP of Solution Engineering, explains how companies like Kraft Heinz, Klarna, and Ruggable are scaling content creation, streamlining workflows, and using LLMs to deliver hyper-personalized messaging at scale. Tune in for insights into workflow automation, team restructuring, and the future of marketing technology.Key Moments:[00:00] Introduction to Sara Sullivan and her background.[02:33] How Contentful empowers brands with scalable personalization.[06:25] The "creative graveyard" problem and how AI addresses it.[14:32] Kraft Heinz’s success with geotargeted content campaigns.[21:10] Ruggable’s use of AI for landing page personalization and efficiency.[25:28] Klarna’s LLM-powered innovations saving $40M in support costs.[30:25] Predictions for the future of AI and retail personalization.#personalization #aiinretail #retailinnovation Music by hooksounds.com*Sponsored Content*This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this latest episode of our 5 Insightful Minutes Series, Tim Robinson, Corporate Vice President at Blue Yonder, breaks down the findings of their recent consumer returns survey and what they mean for retailers.Key moments from the interview:1:34 - Why treating returns as inventory is critical for retailers.2:36 - How unique and tech-driven returns experiences can differentiate brands.5:40 - The importance of visibility in the returns process for sustainability and customer satisfaction.7:23 - Predictions on tailored return policies using customer and product data.To read Blue Yonder's report in full, head here: https://chat.blueyonder.com/reimagine-returns?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=omnitalk&utm_campaign=jan25&utm_content=timMusic by hooksounds.com#returns #ecommerceinnovation #customerexperience Sponsored ContentThis 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, and Scratch Event DJs, Chris and Anne discussed:Macy’s shuttering some of its small format stores (Source)Amazon's $11 Billion AI investment in the great state of Georgia (Source)Best Buy launching a new marketplace with Mirakl (Source)Amazon allowing online retailers to use its advertising tools (Source)And closed with a look at the 1 + 1 = 3 partnership between eBay and Facebook’s marketplace (Source)There’s all that, plus Tim Robinson of Blue Yonder also stopped by for Five Insightful Minutes on returns management, and we also had a NYC-style lightning round, replete with long cab ride discussions about horseshoes, bad mice, and Anne’s brief stint as a tiara model.To read Blue Yonder's comprehensive report on returns, head here: https://chat.blueyonder.com/reimagine-returns?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=omnitalk&utm_campaign=jan25&utm_content=timMusic by hooksounds.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Chris and Anne kick off Day 3 of NRF 2025 live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio with Michael Diedrich, VP of Store Productivity at Tractor Supply, discussing how the retailer is redefining store productivity while delivering legendary service. Discover how Tractor Supply leverages tools like Quorso's AI Co-Pilot to enhance customer interactions, streamline operations, and ensure consistent performance across 2,300+ stores.Key Moments:0:10 - Introduction to Michael Diedrich and his 23-year journey at Tractor Supply.2:12 - Measuring productivity and performance across Tractor Supply stores.6:12 - How Quorso is revolutionizing sales missions and team engagement.9:15 - Evolving leadership visits with AI-driven insights.11:28 - Leveraging new technologies for instant product knowledge and legendary service.13:39 - Backend optimization with the “Tractor Way” process.14:55 - Plans for 2025: Relentless focus on productivity and customer engagement.#nrf2025 #tractorsupply #retailtechThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy