Omni Talk

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five live from the World Retail Congress in Paris, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Wiliot, TGW-Logistics and Sezzle Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: What’s So Special About Walmart Canada’s Store Of The Future For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/CtdgYyYnafs

In this exclusive 5 Insightful Minutes interview, Chad Lusk, Managing Director at the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, shares eye-opening insights from their latest consumer sentiment survey. Discover how the economic downturn is impacting consumer spending trends, particularly among high-income households, and learn how retailers can adapt their strategies in marketing, inventory management, and pricing. Key takeaways: - Discretionary spending shifts and the prioritization of experiential purchases - The growing importance of personalization technology, virtual try-on, and VR in retail - The rise of social media shopping and secondhand market growth Stay ahead of the curve and position your retail business for success in the face of changing consumer behaviors. Watch now to gain critical insights that will help you navigate the challenges ahead. You can also read the latest Consumer Sentiment Survey in full by heading here: https://alvarezandmarsal-crg.com/insight/consumer-sentiment-survey-spring-24/ *Spo

In this exclusive and candid interview with Omni Talk, Dilip Kumar, Amazon's VP of AWS Applications, sets the record straight on the future of the company's groundbreaking Just Walk Out technology and its Amazon Dash Carts. Kumar discusses the decision to pull Just Walk Out from Amazon Fresh stores, explaining how Dash Carts are the foundational platform for larger format grocery stores. He also dives into the role of computer vision, sensor fusion, and retail analytics in shaping the future of checkout-free shopping and retail automation, while dispelling many of the rumors out there surrounding manual workers in India driving Amazon's Dash Cart and Just Walk Out technology. Music by hooksounds.com

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Wiliot, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris and Anne discussed: - Walmart Canada's big store of the future reveal (Source: Canadian Grocer) - Gopuff's debut of "Powered by Gopuff" (Source: Chain Store Age) - A NYC Chicken restaurant that has replaced its cashiers with Zoom (Source: 404 Media) - Aldi retrofitting a store to become checkout-free with Grabango (Source: Chain Store Age) - Their perspectives on the Amazon Just Walk Out vs. Dash Cart debate (Source: GeekWire) - And A&M's Chad Lusk stopped by for 5 Insightful Minutes on the state of U.S. consumer sentiment (Source: A&M CRG) There’s all that, plus Oreos vs. Softbatch cookies, whether Chris would like to drive a cab more in NYC or Paris, and if Anne agrees with Chicagoans who despise putting ketchup on their hot dogs. P.S. We are also gearing up for CommerceNext out in NYC in June. Scaled retailers and brands can register for FREE with code “FASTFIVE

In this exclusive interview from the VusionGroup studio at the World Retail Congress in Paris, Fahed Ghanim, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle, sits down with Omni Talk's Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga to discuss the company's success in bringing fashion brands to the Middle East. With a portfolio of over 29 shopping malls, Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle is a major player in the region's retail landscape. Discover how Fahed and his team: - Identify and bring relevant, exciting brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister to the Middle East - Create localized products that resonate with consumers in the region - Embrace experiential retail concepts with brands like Lego and Lululemon - Build authentic partnerships and engage communities beyond transactions - Navigate the challenges of concept stores and sustainable retail practices - Achieve omnichannel success and profitability in just five years Fahed also shares his insights on the importance of finding the right partner when expanding into new markets and

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Wiliot, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: A lightning round of questions around Eclipse Soundtracks, JCP Splurges, and More! For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/6L4-pympUzo

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Wiliot, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: If Home Depot Just Spent A Boatload To Acquire SRS For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/6L4-pympUzo

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Wiliot, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: If Costco Hit A Home Run With Ozempic? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/6L4-pympUzo

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Wiliot, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: What Kroger Shutting Down Its Spoke Facilities Says About E-grocery? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/6L4-pympUzo

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Wiliot, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Why Target Wouldn't Want Its Partnership With TruScan To Get Out For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/6L4-pympUzo

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Wiliot, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Why Amazon Is Pulling Just Walk Out From Amazon Fresh & Whole Foods? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/6L4-pympUzo

It used to be that the only place consumers could go to experience a product -- i.e. to touch it, get a sense of its quality, how it might fit, feel, etc., was in stores, but with the rise of video commerce, this is all changing. Now consumers can go from TikTok to a brand’s website and have a live video chat about any product in the brand’s catalog, ask any question they’d like, and gain confidence in their purchase. Brands using video commerce are seeing longer engagement time with customers and, as a result, larger basket sizes. But how do you begin your brand’s video commerce journey? Well, we brought in an expert to help you figure it all out. In our latest Ask An Expert Podcast Series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga are joined by Firework’s Billy Cladek to discuss: - Setting up the right infrastructure for your video commerce strategy - Developing video content with a purpose - Choosing the right partners for video content creation from micro/macro influencers to your own employees - Setting up the r

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Wiliot, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris and Anne discussed: - The real reasons why Amazon would pull its Just Walk Out Technology out of its Fresh grocery stores and Whole Foods store (Source: Payments Dive) - Target installing cameras above its self-checkout machines (Source: Bloomberg) - Kroger closing its three e-commerce facilities (Source: Grocery Dive) - Costco offering Ozempic to some of its members (Source: CNN) - And closed with a look at Home Depot’s recent acquisition of SRS (Source: Reuters) There’s all that, plus this month’s OmniStar, gig driver nightmares, and all the new ways to screw up a burrito. P.S. We are also gearing up for CommerceNext out in NYC in June. Scaled retailers and brands can register for FREE with code “FASTFIVE” in the referral field. Secure your spot now — head to https://commercenext.com/conference?utm_source=OMNITALK&utm_medium=social and don’t forget to use code “F

In a stroke of retail conference genius, RetailSpaces asked Omni Talk Retail’s Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton to sit down with two retail industry leaders, David Carey, VP of Design, Construction & Maintenance at Schnucks, and Dan Gavin, VP of National Real Estate at Aldi, to record a live podcast from the conference stage about how these two well-respected retailers drive growth and foster innovation while navigating the challenges of store design, construction, and expansion. Carey shares insights on Schnucks’ approach to implementing cutting-edge retail technology, such as smart carts and electronic shelf labels, and how the company manages to maintain a fast pace of innovation that puts Schnucks, not just on par, but ahead of the industry. Gavin delves into Aldi’s ambitious growth plans, including their recent acquisition of Southeastern Grocers as well as their ambitious new store expansion expansion plans. He compares the processes involved in acquisitions and new builds, touching on lease negotiation

In this exclusive interview from recorded live on Shoptalk TV, and brought to you with the help and support of Meta, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga of Omni Talk Retail sit down with Chris Rupp, Chief Customer Officer at Victoria’s Secret, to discuss the brand’s digital transformation and innovative strategies for enhancing the customer experience. With an impressive background spanning roles at Amazon, Microsoft, and Albertsons, Rupp shares insights on Victoria’s Secret’s journey to leverage technology and data to better serve its diverse customer base. Discover how the company is utilizing RFID, fitting room technology like Crave, and a revamped loyalty program to create more seamless omnichannel experiences. Rupp dives into the success of Victoria’s Secret’s home try-on program, the launch of the new Body by Victoria collection, and the brand’s focus on comfort and evolving consumer preferences. She also discusses the importance of customer segmentation, using generational and psychographic data to person

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Wiliot, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Benjamin Lowden and Abhinav Chandra discussed: What Amazon's New Same-Day RX Delivery Means For Walgreens, CVS, And Others For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/17eGHgSsPSA

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Wiliot, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Benjamin Lowden and Abhinav Chandra discussed: Which Retailers Would Benefit From Shein’s New “Supply Chain As A Service?” For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/17eGHgSsPSA

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Wiliot, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Benjamin Lowden and Abhinav Chandra discussed: What It Means For Nike As They Go Back To The Well On Wholesaling For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/17eGHgSsPSA

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Wiliot, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Benjamin Lowden and Abhinav Chandra discussed: If Walmart Is Adding Self-Checkout Perks To The Growing List Of Walmart + Benefits? For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/17eGHgSsPSA

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Avalara, Wiliot, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris Walton, Anne Mezzenga, and guest hosts from the Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group Benjamin Lowden and Abhinav Chandra discussed: How Scared Google And Amazon Should Be About Tiktok Search Commissions For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/17eGHgSsPSA