Returns are no longer just a cost center - they're a $1 trillion opportunity waiting to be unlocked. In this episode of Omni Talk's Ask An Expert series, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with David Morin, VP of Customer Strategy at Narvar, to reveal how leading retailers are transforming their returns operations from a liability into a competitive advantage.

David shares exclusive data showing over 55% of retailers now charge for returns "at some point in time" - but it's not what you think. Learn how brands are using personalized return policies, leveraging customer data for fraud detection, and creating frictionless experiences that actually increase customer loyalty.

Key topics covered:

• Why charging for returns doesn't hurt conversion (when done right)
• How retailers save 50%+ on shipping costs through smart consolidation
• The shocking reality of returns fraud (52% of consumers admit to it)
• Real-world examples from Urban Outfitters, Sephora, and other major brands
• AI-powered tools that identify high-risk vs. high-value customers
• The chandelier story that perfectly explains returns psychology

Whether you're an e-commerce leader, operations manager, or retail executive, this conversation provides actionable strategies to reduce costs while improving customer experience.

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#RetailReturns #ecommerce #RetailOperations #CustomerExperience #RetailTech

*Sponsored Content*

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, Chris and Anne tackle rapid-fire retail topics in their signature Lightning Round.

From influencer marketing apps to airline policy changes and restaurant relocations, get quick takes on the week's most interesting retail and consumer stories that are shaping industry trends.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/A11X6MXWL9U

#retailnews #lightninground #consumertreads #brandstrategy #retailinsights

Target price matching policy, retail pricing strategy, target vs walmart, competitive pricing retail, target brand perception, retail customer loyalty, pricing policy changes, target strategic decisions, retail price wars, customer value proposition.

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, Chris and Anne debate Target's controversial decision to eliminate price matching.

Analyze whether this move strengthens Target's position or drives customers to competitors like Walmart and Costco. Get expert insights on the real reasons behind this policy change and its impact on Target's already challenged brand perception.

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For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/A11X6MXWL9U

#target #pricematching #retailstrategy #competitivepricing #retailbrand #customerloyalty

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, we explore Tesco's groundbreaking 8-week advance delivery scheduling.

Chris and Anne discuss how this UK innovation could transform grocery shopping in the US, enabling better family planning and operational efficiency. Learn why extended scheduling represents the true definition of omnichannel retail convenience.

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For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/A11X6MXWL9U

#tesco #grocerydelivery #omnichannel #deliveryinnovation #groceryshopping #retailconvenience

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, we examine Mall of America's deployment of AI-powered car counting and video analytics.

Learn how this technology is revolutionizing the mall experience through improved parking operations, enhanced security, and data-driven decision making for hours, events, and staffing. Discover why this investment represents the future of physical retail customer experience.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/A11X6MXWL9U

#mallofamerica #airetail #smartparking #retailtech #customerexperience #mallofthefuture

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, we explore Tesla's ambitious Supercharger diner concept in Los Angeles.

Chris and Anne debate whether this 80-charger location with movie screens and 24/7 dining represents the future of EV charging or just an expensive marketing stunt. Get insights on what this means for the evolution of transportation retail and charging infrastructure.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/A11X6MXWL9U

#tesla #supercharger #evcharging #electricvehicles #innovation #transportation #retailexperience

This week on the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five podcast, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Clear Demand, Chris and Anne analyze Walmart's strategic move to make Vizio TVs exclusive private label products.

Discover why this isn't just about sales but about building a comprehensive media ecosystem that combines content, consumer data, advertising, and commerce. Learn how Walmart is positioning itself against Amazon in the retail media wars and why this could be their biggest competitive advantage yet.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly retail insights!

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/A11X6MXWL9U

#walmart #vizio #retailmedia #connectedtv #privateLabel #retailstrategy #omnichannel

Retail Media Networks are booming—but there’s a catch. As major retailers like Walmart, Target, Albertsons, and Kroger rake in billions from retail media, a growing bottleneck is emerging: campaigns are being sold to brands that can’t get their products on the shelf. The result? Missed sales, empty shelves, and damaged shopper trust.

In the latest Omni Talk Retail Ask An Expert Series, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga welcome Director of Customer Success, Joy Spiotta, and Senior Product Marketing Manager, Jenya Lawson, of SPS Commerce to dive into performance-based media access—where supply chain readiness determines who gets premium ad placement, not just who’s willing to pay the most.

• 0:00 – Introduction to retail media bottleneck crisis
• 2:30 – Meet the experts: Joy Spiotta and Jenya Lawson from SPS Commerce
• 5:00 – What SPS Commerce does: Connecting retail supply chains
• 6:15 – The core problem: Ads running for out-of-stock products
• 8:45 – Why communication breaks down between media and supply chain teams
• 12:00 – Planning challenges and historical data limitations
• 14:50 – Real-world example: Sex and the City pearl necklace viral moment
• 16:30 – Store vs. digital inventory coordination challenges
• 19:00 – Automation and technological solutions for inventory management
• 21:30 – Measuring retail media ROI and transparency issues
• 24:00 – Actionable steps retailers and brands can take today
• 27:30 – Collaboration strategies and contingency planning
• 29:00 – Contact information and wrap-up

P.S. To see our full lineup of past Ask An Expert conversations, head here.

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#retailmedia #supplychain #inventorymanagement #retailtechnology #ecommerce #retailanalytics #merchandising #retailoperations #digitaladvertising

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, A&M's consumer and retail experts Chris Creyts and Brandon Pezely join Omni Talk to reveal how grocers can adapt their space planning strategy in today's rapidly changing retail landscape.

From the $37 billion growth in fresh food areas to the $27 billion revenue loss in general merchandising, Chris and Brandon break down why advanced space planning isn't just important—it's essential for survival. They share actionable insights on navigating inflation impacts, e-commerce disruption, GLP-1 drug effects on shopping behavior, and the health & wellness trend reshaping grocery stores.

🔑 Topics covered:

- Why grocers must evaluate space strategy NOW in this inflationary environment

• The $37B fresh food growth vs $27B general merchandise decline
• Common mistakes retailers make when overhauling store layouts
• Best practices for piloting and scaling space changes
• Building the right organizational structure for space planning success
• How to create margin vs shelf space analysis charts
• Future-proofing your space strategy for the next 5-10 years

Access A&M space planning report here: https://alvarezandmarsal-crg.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/AM-CRG-Space-and-Assortment-Optimization.pdf

🎧 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more retail insights!

#spaceplanning #groceryretail #retailstrategy #omnitalk #retailtech #merchandising #storedesign #retailinnovation #retailpodcast

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*Sponsored Content*

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand:

• Walmart’s plan to sell Vizio TVs exclusively as a private brand (Source)
• Tesla’s Supercharger Diner officially opening in Los Angeles (Source)
• Mall of America expanding car-counting video analytics across its campus (Source)
• Tesco launching early delivery slots for families during the summer (Source)
• Target ending its price matching policy starting July 28 (Source)

And A&M’s Chris Creyts and Brandon Pezely also dropped by to help us hand out insights on how grocers should be thinking about space allocation for their future success and store development plans in this week’s 5 Insightful Minutes segment.

There’s all that, plus Southwest Airlines new seating policy, Midwestern In-N-Out dreams, and a tribute to the dearly departed Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Feedspot

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#RetailNews #WalmartVizio #TeslaDiner #RetailTech #TargetPricing #RetailPodcast #OmniTalk #MallofAmerica #TescoDelivery #RetailInnovation #PrivateLabel #ConnectedTV