Hello Omni Talk Fans! Can you believe we are already at the halfway point of the summer?
In today’s Retail Daily Minute:
- Amazon Shipping is aggressively undercutting FedEx and UPS on pricing, waiving residential and weekend surcharges to win shippers away from the legacy carriers as delivery rates climb industry-wide.
- Taco Bell has scaled its Omilia-powered voice AI drive-thru ordering system to nearly 900 U.S. restaurants across 38 states, reporting faster transactions, higher employee retention, and stronger customer satisfaction.
- Brookshire Brothers has deployed Cognira’s PromoAI to centralize how the Texas grocer plans, executes, and measures promotions amid growing pressure to deliver value on food costs.
Plus, my favorite clip from last week’s Fast Five Podcast with Ben Miller and a quote from a film in which Taco Bell is the only surviving dining franchise in the year 2032.
👇 Listen now
Today’s Top Headlines
1. Amazon Shipping Undercuts FedEx, UPS on Pricing to Grow Fast
Amazon Shipping is aggressively undercutting FedEx, UPS, and even the Postal Service on pricing to fuel rapid volume growth after opening to all businesses. Experts report savings up to $6 per package and 33%+ annually for some clients, driven by surcharge waivers, simpler pricing, and no residential or weekend delivery fees. (Read More)
2. Taco Bell Expands Voice AI Ordering into 890+ U.S. Drive-Thrus
Taco Bell is expanding Omilia’s voice AI to more than 890 U.S. drive-thru locations across 38 states. The tech handles slang, humor, mid-order changes and real-time menu updates. Taco Bell reports on-par or faster transaction times, higher employee retention, and improved customer satisfaction versus non-AI restaurants. (Read More)
3. Brookshire Brothers Deploys New Cognira AI Promotions Engine
Texas-based Brookshire Brothers has deployed Cognira’s PromoAI to centralize promotion planning, forecasting, and performance analytics. The move comes as grocers ramp up price cuts and loyalty updates amid ongoing food affordability concerns. Other Cognira clients include Weis Markets, Schnuck Markets, Cub Foods, and Rite Aid. (Read More)
4. Wayfair Expands Physical Stores Despite Weak Furniture Sales
Wayfair is expanding physical stores despite weak furniture sales, with new locations planned for Denver, Cincinnati, Yonkers, Fort Lauderdale, and Princeton. Suppliers own showroom inventory, easing financial risk. CFO Kate Gulliver calls it a bet that in-person demand will rebound as the home category is inherently cyclical. (Read More)
5. J.C. Penney Reports Weaker Q1 Sales Amid Tariff Cost Pressures
J.C. Penney’s Q1 net sales fell 4.6% year over year to $1.25 billion, with net loss narrowing nearly 6% to $65 million despite tariff pressures. Analysts note the retailer failed to capitalize on strong industry-wide spending. Bright spots included activewear, jewelry, beauty, and expected tariff refunds in fiscal 2026. (Read More)
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— Chris and the entire Omni Talk team
Omni Talk® is the retail blog for retailers, written by retailers. Chris Walton founded Omni Talk® in 2017 and have quickly turned it into one of the fastest growing blogs in retail.