In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Ocampo Capital and Scratch Event DJs Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: GapVintage: What’s The Verdict?

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/2w2T7EP2Liw

In the latest edition of Omni Talk’s Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Simbe, Ocampo Capital and Scratch Event DJs Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga discuss: Aldi Selling Back Stores It Had Acquired From Southeastern Grocers

For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/2w2T7EP2Liw

In this latest 5 Insightful Minutes episode, Caitlin Allen, SVP of Market at Simbe, breaks down the key misconceptions retail executives have about automation, why data quality is critical, and how top retailers are scaling AI-driven solutions.

Learn the difference between good and bad computer vision AI, how autonomous robots are driving efficiency, and why collaboration between HQ and store teams is essential for successful tech rollouts.

Plus, hear real-life "Aha" moments from retailers who have discovered hidden inventory and optimized operations through AI-powered insights.

Key Moments:

🔹 (0:18) – Common misconceptions about retail automation

🔹 (0:44) – The three key priorities: data quality, scalability, and store coverage

🔹 (2:22) – How to distinguish good vs. bad computer vision AI

🔹 (4:26) – Bridging the gap between HQ and store operations

🔹 (5:49) – Eye-opening insights: Retailers discovering hidden inventory

🔹 (6:13) – AI’s role in e-commerce accuracy, automated reordering, and merchandising

Music by hooksounds.com

#retailtrends #retailtech #robotics #retailinnovation

Sponsored Content

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five news roundup, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, and Scratch Event DJs, Chris and Anne discussed:

• The many angles to Aldi’s decision to sell back some of the stores it previously purchased from Southeastern Grocers (Source)
• How bullish they both are on Gap’s new vintage clothing play (Source)
• Why EG America’s new partnership with Quorso heralds a new age of store management technology (Source)
• If Save A Lot should be on everyone’s retailer to watch lists (Source)
• And closed with an examination of Instacart’s decision to pilot CPG brand tasks for its workers (Source)

There’s all that, plus Simbe's Caitlin Allen stopped by for 5 Insightful Minutes on how to deploy AI and automation successfully at scale, and also Chunk Light Tuna, Ozempic blindness, and how big of a creeper Chris would have been if he had asked his flight attendant what perfume she was wearing on his flight to Vegas this week.

To register for CommerceNext, head here, and don't forget to use our 10% off Promo Code for General Attendee Tickets: OMNITALK

Music by hooksounds.com

Join Nate Shutes, VP of Global Fulfillment & Logistics at Blue Dot, as he explores predictive supply chains, AI-driven scheduling, and the challenges of furniture logistics. Learn how Blu Dot is leveraging AI, warehouse automation, and workforce strategies to optimize e-commerce fulfillment and improve last-mile delivery efficiency.

⏳ Important Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Welcome & introduction from Manifest 2025
• 0:47 - Meet Nate Shutes, VP of Global Fulfillment & Logistics at Blu Dot
• 1:15 - Overview of Blu Dot’s omni-channel furniture business
• 2:00 - Nate’s background in logistics & supply chain management
• 3:00 - Key takeaways from Nate’s panel on predictive supply chains
• 4:10 - What is a predictive supply chain & why does it matter?
• 5:30 - How AI & automation are shaping logistics strategy
• 7:00 - Investing in people vs. automation in big & bulky logistics
• 9:20 - How Blu Dot manages last-mile delivery challenges
• 10:40 - AI-powered scheduling and its impact on customer experience
• 12:00 - Future of home furnishings logistics & retail fulfillment
• 13:30 - Closing thoughts on technology, supply chain talent & AI innovation

Special thanks to our sponsors TGW Logistics for making our Manifest coverage possible. To learn more about TGW head here: www.tgw-group.com.

#manifest2025 #supplychain #homefurnishings #bludot #retailtrends

At Manifest 2025, we talk with Justin Liu, U.S. Country Manager for Alibaba.com, about how AI and automation are transforming the B2B sourcing experience. With new AI-powered communication tools, supplier verification, and automated comparison reports, Alibaba.com is streamlining supply chain operations for U.S. buyers and sellers. Learn how businesses can optimize sourcing, mitigate risks, and expand globally using Alibaba’s latest innovations.

⏳ Important Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Welcome & introduction from Manifest 2025
• 0:47 - Meet Justin Liu, U.S. Country Manager for Alibaba.com
• 1:30 - What Alibaba.com does for B2B buyers & sellers
• 3:00 - How Alibaba.com helps U.S. businesses source globally
• 4:20 - The biggest supply chain challenges for buyers
• 5:30 - New AI-powered sourcing & supplier communication tools
• 7:00 - How Alibaba.com is helping businesses mitigate supply chain risks
• 8:45 - Key insights from Justin’s Manifest 2025 panel discussion
• 10:10 - The biggest misconception about Alibaba.com for U.S. buyers
• 11:30 - The future of B2B e-commerce & AI-driven trade
• 13:00 - Why AI in trust-building & supplier management is critical
• 14:10 - Closing thoughts & how to connect with Alibaba.com

Special thanks to our sponsors TGW Logistics for making our Manifest coverage possible. To learn more about TGW head here: www.tgw-group.com.

At Manifest 2025, Birger Beusching, Head of Supply Chain for Philips North America, shares insights on supply chain transformation, AI-powered decision-making, and enhancing supply chain visibility. Learn how Philips is optimizing operations, improving planning efficiency, and leveraging AI for data-driven supply chain management.

⏳ Important Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Welcome & introduction from Manifest 2025
• 0:47 - Meet Birger Beusching, Head of Supply Chain at Philips
• 1:30 - Overview of Philips' Personal Health division & supply chain challenges
• 3:00 - Key takeaways from Birger’s panel discussion on transformation & change management
• 4:20 - Why supply chain cohesion with commercial teams is critical
• 6:30 - How Philips is optimizing its North American supply chain strategy
• 8:00 - The impact of AI & automation in supply chain decision-making
• 9:40 - Lessons learned from pandemic-driven supply chain disruptions
• 11:30 - The future of data-driven decision-making in supply chain operations
• 13:10 - Retail partnerships & collaborative forecasting strategies
• 14:30 - How end-to-end visibility & automation improve logistics efficiency
• 16:00 - Closing thoughts & the next steps for Philips' supply chain transformation

Special thanks to our sponsors TGW Logistics for making our Manifest coverage possible. To learn more about TGW head here: www.tgw-group.com.

#manifest2025 #philips #supplychain #retailtrends

At Manifest 2025, we talk with Wesley Williams, VP of Supply Chain at Daily Harvest, about the biggest supply chain challenges and strategies for 2025. Instead of chasing the latest AI trends, Daily Harvest is doubling down on fundamentals like ERP, transportation management, and materials resource planning (MRP). Learn how supply chain leaders are making the most of their existing technology while preparing for long-term innovation and scalability.

⏳ Important Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Welcome & introduction from Manifest 2025
• 0:47 - Meet Wesley Williams, VP of Supply Chain at Daily Harvest
• 1:30 - How Daily Harvest manages end-to-end supply chain operations
• 3:02 - Key takeaways from Wesley’s panel discussion at Manifest
• 4:20 - The importance of supply chain as a strategic initiative
• 6:00 - Daily Harvest’s philosophy on partnerships & collaboration
• 7:27 - Best audience question: What would an ideal supply chain look like?
• 8:45 - Why critical thinking is more important than new technology
• 10:22 - What supply chain technologies Daily Harvest is actually investing in
• 11:30 - Focusing on ERP, MRP, and transportation management systems
• 12:45 - Making existing supply chain infrastructure more efficient
• 14:00 - Why Daily Harvest is prioritizing optimization over new investments
• 15:35 - Closing thoughts & how to connect with Wesley Williams

Special thanks to our sponsors TGW Logistics for making our Manifest coverage possible. To learn more about TGW head here: www.tgw-group.com.

#manifest2025 #supplychain #retailtrends #dtc

The Future of Logistics & Supply Chain Automation is here! Live from Manifest 2025, we talk with Blake Neal, TGW Logistics Head of Business Development, about the biggest industry trends, including AI-driven warehouse solutions, supply chain efficiency, and automation in logistics. Whether you’re in retail, grocery, or apparel, this episode covers the most important innovations shaping the future of logistics.

⏳ Important Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction & welcome to Manifest 2025

0:33 - Shoutout to sponsor TGW Logistics

1:08 - Meet Blake Neal & his background in automation

2:00 - From airport baggage handling to warehouse automation

3:35 - What TGW Logistics does & its supply chain solutions

5:10 - Why AI & automation are critical for logistics

6:58 - How retailers are upgrading warehouses without downtime

8:45 - The role of AI in trucking & logistics efficiency

10:25 - Key supply chain priorities for 2025 & beyond

12:00 - How to connect with TGW Logistics for automation solutions

To learn more about TGW Logistics, head here: www.tgw-group.com

What’s happening with retail automation in 2025? Investment in supply chain technology appears to be flattening out as retailers shift focus from large new projects to optimizing existing infrastructure.

Anne and Chris sit down with Kim Baudry from Dematic to explore what this means for AI in logistics, warehouse automation, and the future of retail distribution.

⏳ Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Introduction & welcome to Kim Baudry
• 1:03 – The current state of automation investment in retail
• 3:00 – Why supply chain automation is slowing down in 2025
• 5:45 – How economic uncertainty & interest rates impact investment
• 7:33 – Where retailers are focusing automation budgets now
• 10:05 – The role of AI & machine learning in warehouse optimization
• 12:50 – How digital twins help simulate supply chain changes
• 15:17 – Retailers “sweating their assets” & maximizing existing infrastructure
• 18:00 – The impact of tariffs & global trade shifts on supply chain strategies
• 22:05 – The future of supply chain efficiency & retail distribution
• 25:30 – Final thoughts

#supplychain #warehouseautomation #retailtrends #retailinnovation

Music by hooksounds.com

Sponsored Content