Lightning Round: Apple Upgrades, Classic Cars, AI Concerns & Stargazing | Fast Five Shorts

In this week’s Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Firework, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris and Anne discussed:Amazon calling it quits on its Amazon Style fashion store conceptGoogle’s launch of discount searchShein’s $90 billion IPO valuationIKEA pulling back its 5% loyalty discountAnd DoorDash piloting a new warning to customers about bad service should they forgo tippingThere’s all that, plus Tomorrow's Jordan Berke gives us 5 Insightful Minutes on Singles Day, the right starting price point for human artifacts, Silent Doritos, and what we think Jeff Bezos most likely would buy himself as a housewarming gift.Music by hooksounds.com

8 Nov 202341min

In this week’s Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Firework, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris and Anne discussed:The recent pharmacy walkouts at CVS and WalgreensH&M enabling customers to design their own clothes with AISchnucks taking local produce mobile merchandising to an unparalleled levelThe implications of Instagram and Facebook offering ad-free subscriptions in EuropeTommy Bahama opening its own coastal theme resort in, ironically, Palm Springs, of all placesThere’s all that, plus magicians claiming they can make the moon disappear, crying fowl over pheasant hunting, and our favorite Chandler Bing memory.Music by hooksounds.com

1 Nov 202339min

In this week’s Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Firework, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle, A&M’s David Schneidman and Truett Horne joined Chris and Anne to discuss:Walmart’s new corporate AI guidelinesAmazon’s new AI for product imageryHomeGoods calling it quits on e-commerceKroger’s sustainable media pushAnd the rebirth of BuyBuy BabyThere’s all that, plus Mom’s favorite Tinder date, Bush Beans, and whether David is full on original recipe or extra crispy.P.S. Be sure to register for Manifest by Friday, October 27th! Just head here: partner.manife.st/OmniTalkMusic by hooksounds.com

26 Okt 202340min

In this week’s Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Firework, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris and Anne discussed:Hy-Vee breathing life into microfulfillment once again by way of its recently announced implementation with TakeoffThe aforementioned AR beauty experience within Walmart’s appNetflix’s new store plansShipt’s support of a legal framework that allows gig workers to receive benefits while retaining their independent contractor statusAnd closed with a look at why Amazon Fresh being named the first-ever zero carbon grocery store says so much about the right way to think about smart store designThere’s all that, plus our favorite ghosts, “Billionaire Bunker,” and Avalara's George Trantas stopped by to give us 5 Insightful Minutes on e-commerce tax compliance.You can read Avalara's recently published white paper on the 10 common mistakes people make with e-commerce tax compliance and how to avoid them by clicking here: Ecommerce and Tax Compliance: 10 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemMusic by hooksounds.com

18 Okt 202349min

In this week’s Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Firework, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris and Anne:Lauded Stop & Shop for its new coupon kiosk in-store to help the “digital hesitant”Went down the very cool rabbit hole of exploring the Ozempic craze and what makes its potential impact on retail different from other trends that have come before itPraised Scheels for answering the “why” – as in why come to a physical store – with its new 250,000 square foot store in PhoenixBought hook, line, and sinker into the idea that Bloomingdale’s could in fact be Macy’s “growth vehicle”And closed with a look at why purpose matters for store employees through the lens of Ulta’s efforts to inspire joy within its team membersThere’s all that, plus Crocs cowboy boots, AI celebrities, and why Chris ain’t no hollaback guy.To register for Manifest, head here: www.manifestvegas.com/omnitalkMusic by hooksounds.com

11 Okt 202339min

In this week’s Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Firework, Avalara, TGW, and Sezzle, Chris and Anne:Discussed why the Peloton and Lululemon partnership feels like vanilla ice creamLooked at the “shrinking” list of reasons behind Walmart removing self-checkout from three New Mexico storesHighlighted Gelson’s new store concept as the potential convenience store of the futureQuestioned everything there is to question about Macy’s small store strategyAnd closed with a look at why Cooler Screens lawsuit against Walgreens could signal that the in-store retail media craze is way overhypedThere’s all that, plus ravioli-shaped moons, frozen caveman lawyers, and Anne’s worst wedgie of all-time.To register for Manifest, head here: www.manifestvegas.com/omnitalkMusic by hooksounds.com

4 Okt 202335min

In this week’s Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Firework, SPS Commerce, and Sezzle, A&M’s John Clear and Kelly Carey made their maiden podcast voyage with Chris and Anne as they debated:Whether the FTC has a legitimate case against AmazonHow scared Walmart and Target should be of Kroger’s new Marketplace store conceptThe value of Nike getting into resale with the launch of refurbished.nike.comIf Best Buy Drops is merchandising genius or just a copycat gimmickAnd closed with a look at whether Albertsons new Flash delivery program heralds a new era in retailing in which consumers will be asked to pay for the value added services they craveThere’s all that, plus Irish college courses on influencing, Tom Cruise in Far And Away, and the one sitcom location we most wish was turned into a tourist location.To register for Manifest, head here: www.manifestvegas.com/omnitalkMusic by hooksounds.com

28 Sep 202346min

In this week’s Omni Talk Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Firework, SPS Commerce, and Sezzle, Chris and Anne discuss:Which innovation we like better – Walmart late night delivery or delivery from Walmart via text?All the possible reasons why Kroger would pause its automated microfulfillment expansion plansIKEA’s recent declaration that its customers miss the seventh circle of hell maze-like design of its storesThe operational efficiency gains Couche-Tard is seeing from Mashgin’s computer vision platformAnd closed with a look at the launch of TikTok Shop and what it could mean for retailers and brands within the social commerce landscapeThere's all that, plus AI generated Coke, Kendra Scott jewelry, and whether a bean is also an orb.To register for Groceryshop, head here: www.groceryshop.com/omnitalkMusic by hooksounds.com

14 Sep 202338min