Dave’s guest this week is Scott Benedict, retail strategist, longtime merchant leader, and former Walmart and Sam’s Club executive with 35+ years across brick-and-mortar, eCommerce, and global retail. Today he runs Benedict Enterprises and serves as part of RETHINK Retail’s advisory group, helping brands and retailers navigate the rapidly evolving commerce landscape.

In this episode, Scott and Dave dive into:

• How a “digital-first” assortment strategy is transforming retail
• Why leading retailers now build online → store, not store → online
• The emerging connection between digital retail media and in-store media
• Walmart vs. Amazon’s differing approaches to AI — and why that matters
• What solution selling looks like in an AI future
• Why foundational data and system integration must come before innovation
• The biggest opportunities for brands in 2026 and beyond

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Theme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.com

Producer: Jake Musiker