Retail Fast Five

Amazon vs. Meta’s Muse, Kroger’s New Dress Code & Lowe’s Takes Flight | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Quorso, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, Chris Walton is trying something he’s never done before: going solo. Coming to you from a hotel room in Nashville after a whirlwind stretch of conference travel, Chris takes on all five headlines himself, with Producer Ella stepping in to put him on the spot with the questions from the A&M Consumer and Retail Group. And this week, there’s a pretty clear theme running through the show: who gets to control the customer, whether it’s an AI agent, a delivery platform, a retailer, or even a company-issued shirt. Chris digs into five of the biggest stories in retail this week, including: • Amazon blocking Meta’s new Muse AI shopping agent from Amazon.com, raising the question of who ultimately holds the power in agentic commerce: the AI super app or the e-commerce marketplace. (Source) • Tapestry making Coach and Kate Spade products purchasable through Google’s Gemini app and AI Mode, bringing the battle over who owns the customer and checkout moment into focus. (Source) • Kroger rolling out a new dress code for nearly 400,000 store associates, as Chris weighs whether a more recognizable workforce can help improve the in-store experience. (Source) • Amazon letting retailers offer Prime delivery directly on their own websites, prompting the question: gift to mid-sized retailers or Trojan horse? (Source) • Lowe’s teaming up with DoorDash and Wing to offer 20-minute drone delivery on more than 100 home improvement essentials. (Source) Then Producer Ella takes over the lightning round, putting Chris on the spot about the greatest retail employee uniform of all time, one night in Nashville vs. Vegas, the one thing he wants delivered to his backyard by drone, and whether camera-free AI smart glasses might finally convince him to buy in. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot. Music by hooksounds.

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Lightning Round: Prestige TV, The Dictionary, Retail And Pop Culture | Fast Five Shorts

This week we come to you live from Las Vegas at Groceryshop 2026. Omni Talk contributor and the host of GrocerTalk, Ben Miller, joins me for this week's Fast Five, recorded right from the trade show floor in the Vusion podcast studio, built specifically for us by our friends there. In this week's lightning round, Chris Walton puts Ben Miller on the hot seat with questions ranging from which retailer deserves its own television drama to which words he would add to or remove from the dictionary. Watch the full Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by The A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Quorso, Ocampo Capital, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, here: https://youtu.be/6RQVw_X_fqs

Meta Lab Nearly Doubles Its Stores | Fast Five Shorts

This week we come to you live from Las Vegas at Groceryshop 2026. Omni Talk contributor and the host of GrocerTalk, Ben Miller, joins me for this week's Fast Five, recorded right from the trade show floor in the Vusion podcast studio, built specifically for us by our friends there. Meta Lab is nearly doubling its retail footprint with six new locations, alongside a plan to open 50 shop-in-shops at Best Buy by the end of the year. Is the future bright for smart glasses? Watch the full Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by The A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Quorso, Ocampo Capital, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, here: https://youtu.be/6RQVw_X_fqs

Toys R Us Is Back: 120 New Stores This Holiday | Fast Five Shorts

This week we come to you live from Las Vegas at Groceryshop 2026. Omni Talk contributor and the host of GrocerTalk, Ben Miller, joins me for this week's Fast Five, recorded right from the trade show floor in the Vusion podcast studio, built specifically for us by our friends there. Toys R Us is opening 120 new standalone stores this holiday season, bringing its total footprint to 160 locations. The new stores will also feature Creator Studios, cafes, and candy shops. Do you think we will see more or fewer Toys R Us stores in 2027? Watch the full Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by The A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Quorso, Ocampo Capital, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, here: https://youtu.be/6RQVw_X_fqs

Harps’ First AI Leader Comes From Meat & Seafood | Fast Five Shorts

This week we come to you live from Las Vegas at Groceryshop 2026. Omni Talk contributor and the host of GrocerTalk, Ben Miller, joins me for this week's Fast Five, recorded right from the trade show floor in the Vusion podcast studio, built specifically for us by our friends there. Harps Food Stores just named its first-ever Director of AI Strategy and Innovation, promoting a homegrown meat and seafood category manager into the role. Is promoting from within the right way for a regional grocer to move forward on AI? Watch the full Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by The A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Quorso, Ocampo Capital, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, here: https://youtu.be/6RQVw_X_fqs

Costco Goes On-demand: Adds DoorDash + Uber Eats Nationwide | Fast Five Shorts

This week we come to you live from Las Vegas at Groceryshop 2026. Omni Talk contributor and the host of GrocerTalk, Ben Miller, joins me for this week's Fast Five, recorded right from the trade show floor in the Vusion podcast studio, built specifically for us by our friends there. Costco is now available nationwide on both DoorDash and Uber Eats, giving members another way to get same-day delivery from nearly all of its U.S. warehouses. Is Costco smartly meeting members where they are, or handing delivery apps more of its best customers? Watch the full Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by The A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Quorso, Ocampo Capital, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, here: https://youtu.be/6RQVw_X_fqs

Walmart+ Fuels Up: 17,000+ Gas Stations Now Covered | Fast Five Shorts

This week we come to you live from Las Vegas at Groceryshop 2026. Omni Talk contributor and the host of GrocerTalk, Ben Miller, joins me for this week's Fast Five, recorded right from the trade show floor in the Vusion podcast studio, built specifically for us by our friends there. Walmart+ just added CITGO to its Gas Savings benefit, growing the program from 13,000 to more than 17,000 participating stations nationwide while keeping the annual membership price at $98. Is fuel becoming the stickiest perk in retail membership? Watch the full Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by The A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Quorso, Ocampo Capital, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, here: https://youtu.be/6RQVw_X_fqs

Walmart+ Fuels Up, Costco Goes On-Demand & Toys R Is Back (Again) | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Quorso, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, Chris Walton is joined by Omni Talk contributor and GrocerTalk host Ben Miller for another round of Fast Five fun, recorded live from the Vusion podcast studio at Groceryshop 2026 in Las Vegas. This week, Walmart fills up, Costco delivers, Harps gets AI, Toys R Us gets bigger, and Meta gets its glasses on. Chris and Ben dig into five of the biggest stories in retail this week, including: • Walmart+ adding CITGO to its Gas Savings benefit, expanding the program from 13,000 to more than 17,000 participating stations nationwide and giving members 10 cents off per gallon. (Source) • Costco expanding its delivery reach by joining both DoorDash and Uber Eats nationwide, giving members another way to get same-day and scheduled orders from nearly all of its U.S. warehouses. (Source) • Harps Food Stores naming longtime employee and former meat and seafood category manager Will McDoniel as its first director of AI strategy and innovation. (Source) • Toys R Us opening 120 new stand-alone stores this holiday season, bringing its stand-alone footprint to 160 locations and adding features like Creator Studios, cafes and candy shops. (Source) • Meta Lab, the store concept behind Meta’s AI glasses, nearly doubling its retail footprint with six new locations while expanding its Best Buy shop-in-shop presence. (Source) The episode wraps with a lightning round covering which retailer deserves its own prestige TV drama, what words should be added or removed from the dictionary, and plenty more retail and pop culture fun. Plus, everyone’s favorite A&Mer, Chad Lusk, joins Chris for 5 Insightful Minutes. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot. Music by hooksounds.

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Lightning Round: Sports Authority, AI Coffee & Airport Etiquette | Fast Five Shorts

It’s lightning round time, and Chris Walton and guest host Josh Hahn tackle some of life's most pressing questions, from choosing whether Sports Authority or Meijer prepared Josh better for recruiting, to the exact AI superpower Chris wishes he had for his morning routine. Plus, they debate the best QSR to add to Walmart's restaurant tab and establish a non-negotiable rule for airport etiquette. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/089y7s8PKCE

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Kroger Trims Its Sales Outlook | Fast Five Shorts

Kroger has trimmed its full-year same-store sales outlook even as digital e-commerce and retail media continue to see strong double-digit growth. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn discuss the state of traditional grocery and what shrinking sales forecasts mean when digital layers are the primary bright spots. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/089y7s8PKCE

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SKIMS Taps DoorDash for On-Demand Delivery | Fast Five Shorts

SKIMS has teamed up with DoorDash for its first-ever on-demand delivery partnership, making thousands of styles available from select U.S. stores in under an hour. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn discuss whether instant delivery helps or hurts a brand whose entire appeal has been built around exclusivity and hype. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/089y7s8PKCE

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Amazon Turns Prime Video Into a Storefront | Fast Five Shorts

Amazon has significantly expanded its Prime Video shopping features, growing its "Shop the Show" tool from 1,300 titles to more than 8,000 while adding new visual search capabilities. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn discuss whether shoppable TV is finally reaching scale or if it risks ruining the core entertainment experience. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/089y7s8PKCE

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Is Macy's Turnaround for Real? | Fast Five Shorts

Macy’s has posted its fifth consecutive quarter of comparable-sales growth, beating Wall Street estimates and raising its full-year guidance as CEO Tony Spring's turnaround strategy takes hold. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn discuss whether it's finally time to plant the victory flag at Macy's, or if there is still too much heavy lifting left to do on the core brand. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/089y7s8PKCE

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Walmart Adds Papa Johns to Express Delivery | Fast Five Shorts

Walmart has added Papa Johns to Walmart Express Delivery, making it the first national restaurant brand fulfilled entirely from locations outside of Walmart stores. Chris Walton and guest host Josh Hahn discuss whether Walmart’s latest move is a clever way to bring customers into the app more often, or if they are solving a need that consumers never actually asked for. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/089y7s8PKCE

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A Macy's Comeback, A Kroger Reset & Better Pizza, Better Delivery At Walmart | Fast Five

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Quorso, Veloq, and R&S Logistics, Chris Walton is joined by J Recruiting’s Josh Hahn for another round of Fast Five fun, recorded from Chris’s very tiny Paris hotel room across the street from NRF Europe. This week’s episode can best be summed up as . . . better ingredients, better pizza, better delivery via Walmart. Chris and Josh dig into five of the biggest stories in retail this week, including: • Walmart adding Papa Johns to Walmart Express Delivery and whether Walmart is quietly building a challenger to DoorDash and Uber Eats. (Source) • Macy’s posting its fifth straight quarter of comparable-sales growth and raising guidance as CEO Tony Spring’s turnaround begins to take hold. (Source) • Amazon expanding “Shop the Show” from 1,300 titles to more than 8,000 and whether shoppable TV is finally reaching scale. (Source) • SKIMS partnering with DoorDash for on-demand delivery and whether instant delivery fits a brand built around exclusivity and hype. (Source) • Kroger cutting its full-year sales outlook even as ecommerce and retail media continue to grow, raising questions about the future of traditional grocery. (Source) The episode wraps with a lightning round covering Josh’s 20 years between Sports Authority and Meijer, the daily chore Chris wishes AI would handle for him, which QSR Josh would like to see added to Walmart’s restaurant tab, and Chris’s two non-negotiable rules for airport etiquette. Plus, this month’s OmniStar is Meredith Klausner, SVP of Retail & Services at Best Buy, recognized for the impact she continues to make across the retail industry. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot. Music by hooksounds.

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Lightning Round: Super Bowl Picks, Genie vs. Samantha & Adam Sandler | Fast Five Shorts

It’s lightning round time, and Chris Walton and Shelley Huff are making some very important decisions, from their Super Bowl picks to choosing between Genie and Samantha and naming the Adam Sandler movie they’d keep forever. Plus, one very specific wish involving a dog that may or may not be possible. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

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What Should Be on Sprouts’ New CEO Nick Konat’s Agenda? | Fast Five Shorts

Sprouts has named Nick Konat as its next CEO, with the leadership transition set to take effect in January 2027. Chris Walton and Shelley Huff discuss what Konat should focus on as he takes the reins, from staying disciplined on the retailer’s existing strategy to executing the roadmap already in motion. The big question: Does Sprouts need a new strategy, or simply a new leader to execute the one it already has? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

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Sephora’s Making Monthly Drops on TikTok Shop | Fast Five Shorts

Sephora is testing monthly exclusive product drops on TikTok Shop, giving the beauty retailer another way to create demand and build community around new products. Chris Walton and Shelley Huff discuss how TikTok Shop differs from Amazon, and why the platform may be more valuable for creating demand than simply capturing it. The big question: Can TikTok Shop turn product drops into a repeatable retail habit? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

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Costco Quietly Kills Costco Next Marketplace | Fast Five Shorts

Costco has quietly shut down Costco Next, its member-only online marketplace that connected shoppers with products from outside brands. Chris Walton and Shelley Huff discuss why Costco’s club model may not translate neatly to a marketplace business, and what the move says about where Costco wants to focus its digital strategy. The big question: Does Costco really need a marketplace when its core model is already working? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

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Does Ulta Need to Get the Flock Out of Here? | Fast Five Shorts

Ulta is facing backlash over its use of Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader technology, raising bigger questions about transparency, communication, and how retailers handle technology that can impact their customers. Chris Walton and Shelley Huff discuss whether the bigger problem is the technology itself or the way Ulta communicated its use of it. The big question: When retailers use controversial technology, how much transparency do customers deserve? ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/x4hGqvRTilY

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