Hello Omni Talk Fans! Ben Miller outdid himself this time. Ben went out and secured an exclusive interview with Instacart CCO Ryan Hamburger on what’s next for Instacart following the DoorDash acquisition.
You can give it a listen here or by clicking down below.
In today’s Retail Daily Minute:
- Amazon lets shoppers text Alexa for Shopping, turning a text thread into an AI agent that can search, compare and buy on their behalf.
- Under Armour cuts another 25% of SKUs, pushes full-price product into outlets and licenses its youth business as revenue falls 7%.
- Walgreens opens its 15th robotic micro-fulfillment center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, now supporting roughly 5,500 stores.
Plus, Chris Niesen’s latest episode of his Making Space Podcast, and a quote from a film in which the main character could have used better armor.
👇 Listen now
Today’s Top Headlines
1. Amazon Introduces Alexa Text-to-Shop for Convenient Shopping
Amazon introducing text-based shopping with Alexa for Shopping, letting select U.S. customers find products, compare prices, build carts, place orders and track deliveries via texts. The AI assistant also handles grocery lists, deal alerts and personalized recommendations, with a wider rollout planned in coming weeks. (Read More)
2. Under Armour Reports Q2 Sales Decline Amid Business Overhaul
Under Armour plans to add more full-price merchandise to outlet stores as it seeks to strengthen its premium positioning. Following a 7% revenue decline to $1.2 billion in Q2, the brand will further reduce SKUs, revamp stores and license its youth sports business to Centric Brands by fall 2027 to cut costs and boost focus. (Read More)
3. Walgreens Expands Robotic Pharmacy Fulfillment Across the U.S.
Walgreens has opened a 68,000-square-foot robotic fulfillment center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serving nearly 650 stores. Its 15 automated facilities now support over 5,500 U.S. locations and process roughly 18 million prescriptions monthly, reducing routine dispensing tasks so pharmacists can focus more on patient care. (Read More)
4. USDA Finalizes WIC Online Grocery Ordering and Payment Rules
USDA has finalized a rule allowing WIC participants to order groceries fully online and complete internet-based transactions, expanding access to healthy foods. The changes modernize electronic benefit transfers, support new retail technologies and update food delivery rules. The regulation takes effect December 7, 2026. (Read More)
5. Amazon and Uber Eats Offer Free Delivery to US Prime Members
Amazon has partnered with Uber Eats to offer U.S. Prime members $0 delivery fees on restaurant orders of $25 or more through its website and shopping app. Members can access thousands of restaurants without a separate Uber Eats account and receive $20 off each of their first two eligible orders through November 18. (Read More)
What Next for Instacart with Chief Commercial Officer Ryan Hamburger
Making Space – Real Time: Deal Days Go Quiet in Store & Trader Joe’s Wins Without a Single Deal
Be careful out there,
— 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.