Target Goes Factory-Direct, Walmart Goes Dark & Starbucks Revamps Its Hiring Process

Chris and Anne tackle the week's quirkiest retail stories: Netflix bringing Stranger Things' finale to theaters, Target's Weirdly Hot Santa returns for year two, Lululemon's NFL licensing sparks more debate, and Red Bull drops a $50 advent calendar. Fast takes, sharp opinions, and laughs from retail's most entertaining podcast duo.Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.🔔 Follow for weekly lightning rounds!For the full episode head here#strangerthings #targetholiday #redbull #retailmarketing #holidaycampaigns #lightninground #omnitalk

3 Nov 4min

Amazon unveils AI-powered smart glasses designed to help delivery drivers scan packages, navigate, and capture proof of delivery hands-free. Anne sees potential to reduce device overload for field workers, while Chris worries about long-term health implications and potential lawsuits. Is this the future of last-mile delivery or a Hot Shots-style disaster waiting to happen? Learn about the AR overlay technology, current trials, and what questions retailers should be asking.Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.🔔 Follow for delivery innovation insights!For the full episode head here #amazonglasses #deliverytech #AIwearables #lastmile #drivertech #augmentedreality #logisticsinnovation #amazonlogistics

3 Nov 4min

Lululemon announces its first-ever licensing deal, partnering with all 32 NFL teams to release officially branded apparel. Anne sees opportunity in solving the women's fan gear problem, while Chris warns it cheapens the brand and signals an identity crisis. Who's right? Plus, debate whether this should have been a college athletics play instead, and whether you'll ever see Viking yoga pants in a Lululemon store near you.Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.🔔 Follow for heated retail strategy debates!For the full episode head here#lululemon #NFL #sportslicensing #athleisure #brandstrategy #fanapparel #retailpartnerships #sportsfashion

3 Nov 5min

Walmart and Avery Dennison achieve what was long considered impossible: RFID sensors that work in high-moisture, cold environments for meat, deli, and bakery departments. Chris and Anne explain why this breakthrough represents a domino effect for the smart store of the future, how it tackles food waste and spoilage, and why it will transform online grocery fulfillment. Plus, learn about the FSMA legislation driving this innovation forward.Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.🔔 Follow for cutting-edge retail technology insights!For the full episode head here#walmartRFID #averydennison #freshfood #grocerytech #smartstore #inventorymanagement #foodwaste #supplychain

3 Nov 5min

DoorDash launches a game-changing emergency food response program, offering free delivery for food banks and waiving fees for 300,000 SNAP recipient orders amid the government shutdown crisis. Anne and Chris break down why this move demonstrates the power of third-party logistics platforms, signals improving retailer partnerships, and builds customer loyalty that will last for years. Learn how reactive merchandising and doing good creates a competitive advantage.Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.🔔 Follow for insights on retail social responsibility!For the full episode head here#doordash #SNAPbenefits #foodinsecurity #grocerydelivery #retailgivingback #emergencyresponse #socialimpact

3 Nov 4min

Amazon eliminates 14,000 corporate roles while Target cuts 1,800 positions in what marks one of the darkest days in recent retail history. Chris and Anne share personal insights from their own experiences, discuss the cultural implications of these moves, and offer advice for affected workers. Is this the beginning of an industry-wide trend driven by AI automation? Plus, learn why Target's CEO messaging raises serious questions about accountability and cultural recovery.Sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso.🔔 Follow for more retail workforce insights and career advice!For the full episode head here#amazonlayoffs #targetlayoffs #retailjobs #corporatelayoffs #retailcareer #workforcereduction #AIautomation #retailculture

3 Nov 6min

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, Chris and Anne discussed:Amazon and Target’s major layoffs affecting thousands of corporate employees (Source)DoorDash launching an Emergency Food Response program for SNAP recipients (Source)Walmart and Avery Dennison partnering to track fresh food with breakthrough RFID technology (Source)Lululemon venturing into its first licensing deal with the NFL (Source)Amazon unveiling smart glasses for its delivery drivers (Source)And AWS’s Daniele Stroppa also dropped by to help us hand out this month’s Retail Tech Startup of the Month award.There’s all that, plus Stranger Things movie theater premieres, Target’s weirdly hot Santa returning for year two, and whether Red Bull really gives you wings.Music by hooksounds.com#RetailNews #AmazonLayoffs #TargetLayoffs #DoorDash #WalmartRFID #LululemonNFL #AmazonAIGlasses #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #RetailTech #RetailInnovation

29 Okt 42min

In this week's Lightning Round, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga are joined by Alvarez & Marsal's Lisa Collier and Manola Soler to tackle Apple's iPhone 17 surge (Lisa's learned to wait out the upgrades!), debate Mr. Bean's comedy versus his impeccable taste in classic Jaguars, worry about OpenAI's Sora creating AI models instead of cat videos, and reveal Manola's meteor shower stargazing plans. Plus birthday shoutouts to the fly himself, Jeff Goldblum! Quick hits, hot takes, and laughs to close out the show!🔔 Subscribe for delivery and retail tech insights!For the full episode head here#LightningRound #iPhone17 #Apple #MrBean #RowanAtkinson #JaguarEType #OpenAI #Sora #MeteorShower #RetailPodcast #JeffGoldblum #TechTrends #ClassicCars #AIVideo

27 Okt 2min