In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at Retail Technology Show 2026 in London from the Vusion podcast studio, Chris Walton caught up with George Sullivan, CEO & Founder of The Sole Supplier, to unpack why culture still sits at the center of sneaker and streetwear commerce.

George shares how a personal obsession with sneakers turned into one of the UK’s leading platforms for discovering and buying footwear, and why staying true to the culture has been critical to scaling the business. From working with global brands like Nike and Adidas to turning down opportunities that don’t resonate with their audience, authenticity remains the foundation.

The conversation dives into how The Sole Supplier is evolving into a social commerce platform, blending content, community, and commerce into one personalized experience. George also breaks down how AI is impacting the space, where it adds value, and why human inspiration will always be at the core of fashion.

Key Topics Covered:

• How The Sole Supplier grew from sneaker aggregation to cultural platform

• Why authenticity and editorial independence drive long-term success

• The shift toward social commerce and community-led discovery

• How personalization is shaping the next phase of the app experience

• Where AI fits into fashion, content, and performance marketing

• Why human inspiration still matters more than automation in style

• The risks of overusing AI-generated content in brand building

• How rising ad costs are forcing brands to rethink creative strategy

• Why niche communities are the future of social and commerce

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from Retail Technology Show 2026! That's a wrap.

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #SneakerCulture #Streetwear #SocialCommerce #RetailInnovation #CustomerExperience #AIinRetail #FutureOfRetail

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at Retail Technology Show 2026 in London from the Vusion podcast studio, Chris Walton speaks with Richard Lim, CEO and Founder of Retail Economics, about the accelerating pace of change reshaping retail.

Richard shares how today’s macroeconomic environment, from inflation pressures to global energy shifts, is forcing retailers to rethink how they operate and respond to rapidly evolving consumer behavior. At the same time, AI is fundamentally changing how people discover, research, and increasingly purchase products.

He outlines a three-stage framework for how AI is transforming retail, from off-site discovery through platforms like ChatGPT, to on-site AI assistants, to the rise of agentic browsers that can act on behalf of consumers. Across all of it, one theme stands out: discoverability is the next battleground.

The conversation also dives into how different categories will be impacted at different speeds, why high-consideration purchases are especially vulnerable to AI disruption, and how retailers need to rethink search, data, and digital presence for an AI-driven future.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why the pace of change in retail is accelerating faster than ever

• How macroeconomic pressures are shaping consumer behavior

• The three stages of AI adoption in retail

• Why discoverability is becoming the new SEO

• How AI is changing product search, discovery, and decision-making

• Which retail categories will be disrupted first and why

• The growing role of agentic AI in automating purchases

• Why behavioral economics should guide retail strategy

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from Retail Technology Show 2026!

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #RetailEconomics #RichardLim #AIinRetail #RetailStrategy #ConsumerBehavior #RetailInnovation #Ecommerce

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at Retail Technology Show 2026 in London from the Vusion podcast studio, Chris Walton speaks with Marisa Poster, Co-Founder of PerfectTed, about how a deeply personal founder story turned into a fast-scaling global consumer brand.

Marisa shares how her own experience with anxiety and ADHD shaped the creation of PerfectTed, and why leaning into that story became a turning point for the brand. What started as a personal solution evolved into a clear positioning strategy built on authenticity, empathy, and connection.

The conversation also explores how PerfectTed scaled without heavy advertising, instead focusing on physical availability and retail distribution, now reaching nearly 40,000 stores across 50+ countries. Marisa explains why shelf presence became their primary growth engine and how retail partnerships helped accelerate awareness globally.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion is the importance of relationships over transactions, and how long-term brand building depends on trust, consistency, and emotional connection with consumers.

Key Topics Covered:

• How a personal health journey shaped the PerfectTed brand

• Why founder storytelling drives consumer trust and brand loyalty

• Scaling through retail distribution instead of paid advertising

• The importance of physical availability in global growth

• Why relationships matter more than transactions in modern retail

• Building a brand across 50+ countries and thousands of stores

• Balancing authenticity with commercial scale

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from Retail Technology Show 2026!

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #PerfectTed #MarisaPoster #ChrisWalton #RetailStrategy #ConsumerBrands #FounderStory #BrandBuilding #RetailInnovation #Entrepreneurship #CustomerExperience #GlobalBrands

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at the Retail Technology Show 2026 in London, Chris Walton speaks with Simone Oloman, Co-Founder and CEO of NIFT, about how instant delivery is reshaping retail expectations.

Simone breaks down the idea behind “Need It For Tonight,” a platform turning stores into hyper-local fulfillment centers with 90-minute and same-day delivery. She explains why speed is no longer just a differentiator, but quickly becoming table stakes, and how NIFT is building both a curated marketplace and a B2B solution to power delivery directly at checkout.

The conversation also explores how convenience, curation, and real-time tracking are changing customer behavior, why delivery has become one of retail’s biggest friction points, and how AI is being used across both personalization and logistics to scale the model.

Key Topics Covered:

• The rise of instant delivery in retail

• Turning stores into local fulfillment hubs

• Marketplace vs B2B delivery models

• Why delivery is a major driver of customer satisfaction

• The role of curation in a high-speed shopping experience

• How AI supports personalization and logistics

• Why same-day delivery may soon be table stakes

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from the Retail Technology Show floor 2026. So much great content to unpack! Thanks for Tuning in.

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #RetailInnovation #LastMileDelivery #Ecommerce #CustomerExperience #AIinRetail #RetailStrategy #Vusion

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at the Retail Technology Show 2026 in London, Chris Walton speaks with Nikki Baird, VP of Strategy & Product at Aptos, about what is actually shaping the future of retail.

Nikki explains why every meaningful technology decision must start with the consumer, and how understanding shifts in behavior is what ultimately drives operations, strategy, and innovation.

The conversation dives into AI, where Nikki offers a grounded perspective on where the industry stands today. While adoption is accelerating, most use cases remain surface level. The real opportunity lies in fixing foundational challenges like product data, inventory visibility, and pricing, and pairing that with true operational change.

They also explore how point of sale is evolving beyond transactions into flexible, mobile-first platforms that empower store associates and reshape how stores operate.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why consumer behavior should drive all technology decisions

• The gap between AI hype and real-world application

• Fixing retail fundamentals to unlock AI’s full potential

• The evolution of point of sale and mobile-first retail

• Why tech investment is not the same as transformation

• How solving integration could accelerate retail innovation

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from Retail Technology Show 2026. More to come, stay tuned!

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #RetailStrategy #AIinRetail #RetailInnovation #CustomerExperience #RetailTechnology #Vusion

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at Retail Technology Show 2026 in London, Chris Walton is honored to talk with Archie Norman, Chairman of Marks & Spencer, about what it really takes to lead a successful business turnaround in today’s retail environment.

Archie shares why struggling organizations often create internal narratives that mask reality, and explains how transformation begins by confronting the “unvarnished truth.” He outlines the importance of listening to frontline employees, rebuilding trust across the organization, and creating a culture where honesty unlocks energy for change.

Drawing on decades of leadership experience, he also breaks down why urgency and patience must coexist in any turnaround, and how empowering teams at every level drives long-term progress.

The conversation also explores the evolving role of AI in retail, not as an immediate profit driver, but as a force that is reshaping how leaders access information, make decisions, and increase transparency across their organizations.

• Why failing businesses develop narratives that hide the truth

• The role of frontline insight in driving real transformation

• Why culture change requires both urgency and time

• The importance of leadership honesty and decisive action

• How to build an engaged and effective board

• Why AI is transforming knowledge access and decision-making

• The growing impact of transparency across organizations

• Why strong data foundations are critical for AI success

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from Retail Technology Show 2026!

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #RetailLeadership #BusinessTransformation #AIinRetail #RetailStrategy #CorporateGovernance #Vusion

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at Retail Technology Show 2026 in London from the Vusion podcast studio, Chris Walton sits down with Maria Hollins, CEO of Ann Summers, to discuss what it takes to lead a bold brand in a highly restricted digital landscape.

Maria shares her unconventional journey to the CEO role and explains how Ann Summers found itself losing clarity by softening its identity. She walks through the decision to return to the brand’s roots, why “going vanilla” hurt performance, and how leaning back into what the brand stands for reignited customer connection.

The conversation also dives into the unique challenges Ann Summers faces as an adult retailer, from being blocked in search to limitations on advertising across major platforms, and how the company is adapting through influencer strategies, AI experimentation, and a test-and-learn approach to growth.

Maria also outlines her perspective on international expansion, including early moves into the Middle East and a digital-first strategy for entering new markets like the EU and U.S., as well as the importance of moving quickly and making bold decisions as a leader.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why Ann Summers lost clarity by softening its brand identity

• The impact of platform restrictions on search, discovery, and advertising

• How influencer strategies help overcome visibility challenges

• Where AI is being tested across marketing and product content

• Why returning to bold brand positioning improved performance

• A digital-first approach to international expansion and market entry

• The challenges of scaling globally in today’s regulatory environment

• Why speed and decisiveness are critical leadership traits

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from Retail Technology Show 2026. More to come. Stay with us!

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #RetailStrategy #CustomerExperience

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at Retail Technology Show 2026 in London, Chris Walton speaks with Kate Hardcastle, also known as the Customer Whisperer, about what truly drives consumer behavior in today’s retail landscape.

Kate shares why shopping is fundamentally emotional, not rational, and explains how brands often misread customers by relying too heavily on data without understanding the human context behind it. Drawing from her work across industries, she introduces the idea that consumers hold multiple, sometimes conflicting values at once, and why that complexity is essential for retailers to embrace rather than simplify.

The conversation also explores how AI can enhance, not replace, the human side of retail by freeing up time for more meaningful interactions, and why emotional intelligence remains one of the most important competitive advantages for brands.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why consumers make emotional, not purely logical decisions

• Understanding conflicting customer behaviors and expectations

• The “hierarchy” of modern shopping mindsets

• Why data alone cannot fully explain customer behavior

• How AI can enable stronger human connection in retail

• The importance of emotional intelligence in brand building

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from Retail Technology Show 2026! More to come, stay tuned!

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #CustomerExperience #RetailStrategy #ConsumerBehavior #AIinRetail #EmotionalIntelligence #Vusion

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at Retail Technology Show 2026 in London from the Vusion podcast studio, Chris Walton speaks with Meriel Neighbour, Director of Technology Delivery and Transformation at River Island, about what it really takes to execute large-scale transformation in retail today.

Meriel shares her unique career journey from hospitality into retail technology, and how that foundation shaped her deeply customer-centric approach to transformation. She explains why retail has shifted from technology-led initiatives to business- and product-led strategies, with customer experience now at the center of every decision.

The conversation explores how River Island is replatforming its ecommerce experience, why data quality is becoming critical for AI-driven discovery, and how emerging technologies like voice and AI agents could reshape how customers shop across channels.

Meriel also outlines the importance of integrations, real-time data, and seamless systems in enabling modern retail experiences, while calling out one of the industry’s biggest unresolved challenges: returns.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why transformation must be driven by business strategy, not technology alone

• How River Island is replatforming ecommerce for the future

• The role of data in powering AI, search, and product discovery

• Why voice commerce and AI agents could reshape shopping behavior

• The importance of integrations and real-time information

• How customer expectations are evolving across channels

• Why returns remain one of retail’s biggest unsolved problems

• The opportunity for personalization, loyalty, and dynamic pricing

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from Retail Technology Show 2026!

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #RiverIsland #RetailTransformation #Ecommerce #AIinRetail #CustomerExperience #RetailInnovation #Vusion

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, recorded live at Retail Technology Show 2026 in London from the Vusion podcast studio, Chris Walton caught up with Giles Smith, retail technology consultant and advisor, to unpack how retailers should actually be thinking about AI right now.

Drawing on experience across brands like Burberry, Selfridges, and Unilever, Giles shares a grounded perspective on why AI is less about chasing the latest innovation and more about accelerating what teams can already do.

He explains why many organizations are overcomplicating their AI strategies, how governance is becoming the next major challenge, and why retailers should focus on real business problems instead of jumping on every new capability.

The conversation also explores the balance between building and buying technology, where AI experimentation actually makes sense, and why the most important differentiator in retail will still come down to people.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why AI is best understood as a productivity unlock, not a strategy

• The danger of running too many disconnected AI projects

• How governance and accountability will shape the next phase of AI adoption

• When retailers should build vs. buy technology in an AI-driven world

• Where experimentation makes sense and where it does not

• Why many “problems” AI tries to solve are not actually problems

• How AI is changing decision-making inside organizations

• The growing influence of CFOs in tech investment decisions

• Why human connection remains the most important differentiator in retail

Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from Retail Technology Show 2026!

#RTS2026 #RetailTechnologyShow #OmniTalkRetail #AIinRetail #RetailStrategy #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #RetailInnovation #FutureOfRetail #Vusion