Hello Omni Talk Fans!
In today’s Retail Daily Minute:
- OpenAI integrates ChatGPTÂ with major food delivery players including Instacart, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Target, giving 800 million users seamless access to grocery and restaurant ordering.
- Levi Strauss posts strong Q3 results with 7% sales growth and announces plans to potentially double its U.S. store count from nearly 460 locations.
- Walmart launches Shortboxed, a digital marketplace featuring over 75,000 comic books from thousands of sellers, escalating competition with eBay in the collectibles space.
Plus, my much more analytical than usual Wrambling about e-groceries and a quote from a film in which comic books play a central role in the plot line.
👇 Listen now
Today’s Top Headlines
1. ChatGPT Partners with Uber, Instacart, and DoorDash for Delivery Integration
OpenAI announced partnerships with 11 companies including Uber, Instacart, Target, and DoorDash to integrate their services into ChatGPT. Rolling out later this year, the integrations will enable ChatGPT’s 800 million users to order food delivery, groceries, and rides through conversational AI, transforming how consumers access delivery services. (Read More)
2. Levi’s Plans to Double US Store Count Amid 7% Sales Growth
Levi Strauss Q3 net sales rose 7% to $1.5 billion, driven by strong performance across brands and regions. CEO Michelle Gass announced plans to potentially double US store count from nearly 460 stores. Despite gross margin expansion, the company faces headwinds from tariffs and rising expenses, projecting a conservative Q4 outlook. (Read More)
3. Walmart Launches Shortboxed Comic Marketplace to Challenge eBay
Walmart has launched Shortboxed, a comic book marketplace featuring over 75,000 books from thousands of sellers. The platform, available on Walmart Marketplace, intensifies competition with eBay in the collectibles space and complements Walmart’s growing focus on trading cards and memorabilia, which have seen 200% year-over-year growth. (Read More)
4. Sam’s Club Extends Sunday Shopping Hours to 8 p.m. Following Member Feedback
Sam’s Club extended Sunday hours starting October 12 due to overwhelming member feedback. Stores now operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays, up from the previous 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule. Most locations have adopted this simplified daily schedule, with Plus members retaining early shopping access from 8 a.m. (Read More)
5. Instacart Becomes First Retail Media Network with End-to-End TikTok Integration
Instacart is partnering with TikTok to integrate its retail media network data directly into TikTok’s Ads Manager, marking the first end-to-end integration of its kind. CPG advertisers can use Instacart’s purchase and grocery data for targeting, measurement, and enhanced shoppable ad formats, helping brands reach high-intent consumers with minimal friction. (Read More)
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Be careful out there,
— Chris, Anne, and the entire Omni Talk team
Omni Talk® is the retail blog for retailers, written by retailers. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga founded Omni Talk® in 2017 and have quickly turned it into one of the fastest growing blogs in retail.