Hello Omni Talk Fans! CES is this week, so expect the retail media announcements to be hot and heavy all week long.
In today’s Retail Daily Minute:
- Walmart Connect launches comprehensive AI-powered advertising tools, including the Marty advertising assistant for Sponsored Search campaigns and GenAI creative generators that reduce production time by 80%.
- Albertsons Media Collective unveils in-store incrementality measurement capabilities using matched-market methodology, with early Mondelēz campaign showing 14% sales lift and setting new industry standards for causal measurement.
- Amazon must face class-action lawsuit over COVID-19 price gouging allegations, with judge ruling customers had “no meaningful choice” during lockdowns and citing price increases as high as 1,800% on essentials.
Plus, a quote from a film about connection.
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Today’s Top Headlines
1. Walmart Connect Rolls Out AI-Powered Retail Media Solutions
Walmart Connect is building AI-powered retail media to make advertising smarter and more effective. They’re leveraging AI for agentic shopping experiences through Sparky agent, GenAI-powered performance insights, automated creative generation, and launched Marty advertising assistant helping brands run smarter campaigns through conversational chat guidance.(Read More)
2. Albertsons Media Collective Unveils In-Store Incrementality Measurement
Albertsons Media Collective launched in-store incrementality measurement comparing test stores exposed to ads against control stores to determine true sales lift. Using matched-market methodology with 60 variables, the solution addresses retail industry challenges in measuring in-store media impact. MondelÄ“z’s test campaign achieved 14% sales lift. (Read More)
3. Amazon Faces Pandemic Price Gouging Lawsuit After Dismissal Rejected
Amazon faces a class-action lawsuit alleging COVID-19 price gouging after a judge rejected its dismissal bid. Consumers claim Amazon allowed sellers to charge unlawful prices and inflated its own inventory. Prices surged dramatically—up to 1,800% on face masks. The judge ruled consumers had no meaningful alternative. (Read More)
4. Saks Global Seeks $1 Billion Loan Amid Bankruptcy
Saks Global Enterprises seeks up to $1 billion loan ahead of potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in coming weeks. The luxury retailer missed a $100+ million interest payment and is negotiating forbearance with creditors. Bondholders are discussing a debtor-in-possession loan exceeding $750 million to sustain operations. (Read More)
5. Kroger Launches Verified Savings Program with 20% Discount
Kroger launches its Verified Savings Program offering 20% off fruits and vegetables and half-price Boost memberships to government assistance recipients including SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid participants. Customers verify eligibility through SheerID online. The initiative aims at expanding food access and eliminating barriers to food security. (Read More)
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— 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.