Serious and Sometimes Comic Musings on the Future of Retail
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David Dorf from AWS cuts through the AI noise to reveal what’s actually worth your attention in 2026. From domain-specific models replacing frontier fantasies to shopping agents starting with your grocery delivery. If you’re tired of hype and want to know where retail AI is really heading, this conversation delivers the clarity you need.
Walmart discovered millions of businesses were already shopping their stores—so they built an entire B2B platform to serve them better. Ashley Hubka, SVP of Walmart Business, reveals the business-specific tools and omnichannel capabilities that are transforming how organizations purchase everything from coffee cups to marketing materials.
Consumers say they’ll spend more in the next six months, but don’t mistake this for optimism—it’s inflation expectations driving the numbers while shoppers trade down to cheaper brands and lower-price stores. Chad Lusk from A&M Consumer and Retail Group breaks down the consumer sentiment data that’s reshaping retail strategy and reveals why private label brands are permanently changing shopping behavior.
The “agentic wars” have begun and they’re moving faster than anyone predicted, with Amazon, Google, and OpenAI all launching shopping agents that could transform how customers discover and buy products. AWS retail expert David Dorf reveals the three critical strategies retailers must implement now to survive the biggest disruption since e-commerce emerged in the 1990s.
Retail is experiencing its “iPhone moment” as intelligent systems replace overwhelming task management with personalized, data-driven work prioritization that actually moves the needle. Quorso CEO Julian Mills reveals the four types of wasteful tasks killing store productivity and how smart retailers are finally focusing associates on what matters most: serving customers.
Get an exclusive preview of Shoptalk Fall and Groceryshop 2025 events with Ben Miller. Discover the key themes, speakers, and new formats shaping retail’s biggest conferences this fall.
Grocery stores are experiencing a massive $37 billion revenue shift from general merchandise to fresh foods, fundamentally changing how retailers must think about their space strategy. A&M’s retail experts reveal the critical mistakes most grocers make and share the proven framework for successfully redesigning stores in today’s rapidly evolving market.
Retail tech expert Troy Siwek of gStore by GreyOrange reveals why most smart store pilots fail as mere tech showcases, and shares his proven 60-90 day framework for deploying RFID, computer vision, and orchestration systems that actually change store associate behavior. Discover the critical technology stack that’s helping retailers save labor, reduce BOPIS misses, and focus associates on what truly drives sales and customer engagement.
Lowe’s is entering the next phase of digital transformation with its new third-party marketplace. In this interview, Michael McCluskey, VP of Marketplace at Lowe’s, shares the company’s vision to become the go-to platform for everything home — from home décor and tools to pro customer bulk orders. Learn how Lowe’s is building an endless aisle, supporting sellers, and expanding its online assortment to tap into a trillion-dollar market.
Infios’ Eugene Amigud explains how to cut through the noise around AI in supply chain operations, emphasizing purpose-built, modular tech that delivers fast results. He also reveals why the next big breakthrough will be agentic AI that drives real-time, autonomous execution.
🧠 New insights from the A&M Consumer and Retail Group reveal critical shifts in consumer behavior, including increased private label purchases, declining brand loyalty, and the surprising role of subscription and loyalty programs.
Join Omni Talk’s Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga as they unpack what the latest retail sentiment survey tells us about discretionary spending, price sensitivity, and why retailers must rethink their strategies for 2025.
Radar CEO Spencer Hewett discusses the phased rollout of his RFID platform at Old Navy and American Eagle, and shares why he believes handheld scanners are becoming obsolete. With 13 billion daily tag reads, is Radar paving the way for a future of real-time inventory visibility and autonomous checkout?
Justin Swagler of AWS makes the case that physical retail is not only alive but entering a technological renaissance driven by edge computing and AI. He outlines how agentic stores—powered by connected data, computer vision, and automated workflows—will reshape customer experiences and operational efficiency for the next generation of retailers.
Infios SVP Omar Akilah outlines how modular, AI-driven order management systems can help retailers make faster, smarter fulfillment decisions. He explains how predictive tools and AI agents are streamlining inventory visibility, order routing, and customer support for modern omnichannel success.
Julian Mills, CEO of Quorso, discusses how intelligent store management is transforming retail by surfacing problems and prioritizing actions directly to store teams. He outlines how Quorso boosts sales, reduces shrink, saves managers’ time, and helps retailers like Circle K and Walmart Mexico operate more efficiently.
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. Know More →
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