Change moves fast in Bentonville, and this conversation puts you right at the center of it. We connect the dots from Walmart’s early tech shifts—scanning, EDI, and Retail Link—to the next turning point: practical AI that speeds real work, from writing and workflows to design iteration that cuts weeks off development. Along the way, we unpack how tariffs and sourcing strategies are reshaping price points, merchandising, and the mix on the shelf.

We sit down with veteran operator and consultant John Reeves and 5G Consulting CEO Brett Dye to explore what selling to Walmart and Sam’s Club really requires today. The insights cut through hype and get tactical: why store newness still sparks discovery, how e‑commerce should amplify—not replace—core merchandising, and where AI already delivers value in supplier teams. Brett shares the story behind 5G—built on deep Walmart DNA and focused on replenishment, e‑commerce, and sales execution—plus grounded advice for entrepreneurs preparing to pitch: know your core customer, nail the financials, and be retail‑ready down to the UPC.

Expect a frank look at tariffs’ ripple effects, from upper‑tier price lifts to looming pressure on opening price points. We examine diversification beyond China, the realities of nearshoring, and what it would take for U.S. manufacturing to make a meaningful comeback. Throughout, one theme holds: listening, speed, and adaptability win. With Walmart investing in AI training for associates, supplier fluency will become table stakes—just as Retail Link mastery did a generation ago.

If you care about retail strategy, Walmart supplier success, AI in merchandising and design, and smart sourcing under uncertainty, this one’s a must‑listen. Subscribe, share with your team, and drop a review with the biggest change you’re making after listening.