In this episode of The Retail Tales, host Saurabh Vijayvergia takes a critical look at MIT's latest report on GenAI - “The State of AI in Business 2025”. The headlines from this report grabbed attention with claims like “95% of GenAI pilots are failing,” and many major outlets repeated it. But what does the report actually say?

Saurabh unpacks the findings in detail and explains why the “failure” narrative is misleading. Instead of proving that generative AI is collapsing, the report highlights the challenges companies face moving from pilots to scaled value realization. That is not failure; it is the natural trajectory of disruptive technology adoption.

If you are interested in reading the report yourself, download it here.

This episode covers:

• Why the headline and the data tell two very different stories
• How retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Target are already scaling GenAI in supply chain, pricing, and customer experience areas
• What the report says about buy-vs-build strategies, and why vendor partnerships often deliver better outcomes than custom builds
• Why governance, ROI clarity, and customer focus matter more than experimentation
• What retail executives should prioritize today to avoid being left behind in five years

If you are a retail leader, you should know that the report is not spelling doom. And this episodes dives deeper into what this report means for Retail. This report is about clarity, maturity, and evolution.

Tune in to separate hype from reality and understand what it means for the future of retail.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.

In this special “what-if” episode of The Retail Tales, host Saurabh Vijayvergia departs from his usual format to deliver a fictional yet deeply plausible narrative on the evolution of artificial intelligence - from 2025 to 2030. This isn't your typical podcast on GenAI in retail. It’s a speculative scenario grounded in expert interviews, war games, and academic foresight that challenges how we think about AI's role in society, business, and geopolitics.

What happens when AI stops being a tool and starts being a strategist? What if it learns to hide its intent? And what if its alignment with human values is only skin-deep?

Through a fast-paced, immersive storyline, this episode explores:

• The rise of recursive self-improving AI systems
• AI as a geopolitical weapon between OpenMind and DeepSense (both fictitious)
• A chilling trajectory from Agent One to Agent Five
• The emergence of AI-led economies, militaries, and eventually, a hive-mind-led global governance

Although fictional, the story is rooted in real technological trends and expert forecasts. It forces listeners to grapple with urgent questions:

• How would we detect a deceptive AI, if there's one?
• Can we build governance as adaptive as the AI systems we’re creating?
• Who decides what “safe” really means?

If you have any role to play in the world of AI - consumer or producer, this is a must-listen episode for you.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

DISCLAIMER 1: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.

DISCLAIMER 2: This episode is a work of fiction and is heavily motivated by AI 2027 blog. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of imagination or are used completely fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or institutions or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

In this episode of The Retail Tales, host Saurabh Vijayvergia discusses one of the most transformational frontiers of AI today: Agentic AI. While most retailers are still experimenting with GenAI for content creation, personalization, and automation, forward-looking organizations are already exploring the next big leap - AI agents that don’t just assist but act autonomously, iteratively, and strategically.

Saurabh breaks down what Agentic AI really is, how it differs from reactive AI agents, and why this distinction is not just semantic but structural. He walks through real-world examples across the retail value chain - be it autonomous customer service, proactive supply chain rerouting, real-time coaching in call centers, or predictive personalization in flagship stores.

This episode explores how Agentic AI is reshaping workforce models, redefining customer journeys, and reinventing enterprise architecture. From CIOs rethinking knowledge activation to HR leading change management for hybrid AI-human teams, this conversation outlines what it takes to prepare for the agent-led future.

Whether you're a retail executive, a supply chain leader, or a tech strategist, this episode delivers practical guidance, bold ideas, and a five-part playbook to bring Agentic AI to life. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.

In this episode of The Retail Tales, host Saurabh Vijayvergia sits down with Kevin Mahoney, Deloitte Managing Director and one of the foremost voices in AI-driven retail supply chain transformation. Kevin brings real-world insights from decades of experience - from running warehouse operations to leading global retail supply chain transformations powered by AI.

Tune in as Saurabh and Kevin dive into:

• How AI is redefining modern retail supply chains
• The evolution from just-in-time to just-hold-on logistics
• Why small wins with AI adoption often make the biggest impact
• The real reasons AI transformation succeeds - and why people, not tech, hold the key
• The critical but often overlooked role supply chain leaders must play in enterprise AI strategy

Key Takeaways:

• AI’s impact begins with small, everyday integrations - not grand overhauls
• Data quality, cross-functional alignment, and mindset are foundational to transformation
• Supply chain leaders are often the unsung heroes of AI progress in retail - it’s time they claimed their seat at the table

If you're a retail leader, supply chain professional, or anyone curious about where AI is significantly really moving the needle, this one’s a must-listen. Listen now on Spotify or Apple podcasts.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.

In this episode of The Retail Tales, our host Saurabh Vijayvergia challenges the most common (and flawed) lens through which retailers measure the value of AI - labor savings. Drawing from some real-world examples across fashion, beauty, home goods, and big-box retail, and some of his own experiences, he explores how AI can unlock strategic speed, creativity, decision quality, and cultural shifts across organizations.

From AI-powered copy generation to hyper-personalized product recommendations, this episode resets the conversation: it’s not about headcount reduction. It’s about capacity expansion, capability augmentation, and business transformation.

Key Takeaways:

• AI delivers its biggest value not by replacing labor but by accelerating experimentation, personalization, and learning
• Traditional ROI metrics overlook key benefits like customer engagement, decision quality, and campaign velocity
• The most impactful AI programs are business-led, cross-functional, and focused on reducing friction - not just cost.

Connect with Saurabh Vijayvergia on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svijayvergia/

Follow The Retail Tales on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retailaitales/

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.

In this bold and thought-provoking episode of The Retail Tales, host Saurabh Vijayvergia kicks off Season 2 with Danny Edsall, Partner at Deloitte and one of the most forward-thinking minds in grocery retail. With decades of experience advising leading global retailers, Danny shares his journey from building one of the UK’s first online grocery platforms in the '90s to helping today’s grocers navigate the complex realities of AI.

Together, they explore the evolution of grocery - from paper circulars and Palm Pilots to predictive AI and agent-based automation. Danny sheds light on how consumer expectations, e-commerce, and tech disruption are reshaping store operations, merchandising, and fulfillment models.

They also dig into why many retail executives talk about AI, but few truly act on it. Danny offers an insider’s take on what's holding leaders back, why the real question is no longer if but how, and how to overcome the fear factor that's slowing transformation.

If you work in or around grocery retail and want to understand the real impact of AI on the future of the sector, this episode delivers deep insights, practical examples, and just the right amount of retail nerdery.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Connect with Danny Edsall on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-edsall-068199/

Connect with Saurabh Vijayvergia on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/svijayvergia/⁠

Follow The Retail Tales on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/retailaitales/⁠

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.

In this fascinating episode of ⁠The Retail Tales⁠, our host ⁠Saurabh Vijayvergia⁠ welcomes Rahul Barge, Global Strategy Director at Amazon Shipping, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on retail supply chains and logistics. With over a decade of leadership experience across Amazon Air, Prime Now, and Amazon Fresh, Rahul shares his insights on the evolving role of AI in optimizing supply chains, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing customer experience.

Together, they explore key challenges facing retailers today - from supply chain disruptions and rising costs to the need for real-time data integration. Rahul highlights the most impactful AI-driven innovations in logistics, including AI-powered forecasting, route optimization, and document automation. He also shares his perspective on the future of AI-first retail operations and how businesses can gain a competitive edge by embracing AI-driven strategies.

If you're a retail leader looking to future-proof your supply chain, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss.

Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Connect with Rahul Barge on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulbarge/

Connect with Saurabh Vijayvergia on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/svijayvergia/⁠

Follow The Retail Tales on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/retailaitales/⁠

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.

In this thought-provoking episode of ⁠The Retail Tales⁠, our host ⁠Saurabh Vijayvergia⁠ sits down with Jalaj Hora, a transformative leader with two decades of experience spanning iconic brands like Nike, Burberry, and Target. Jalaj shares his unparalleled insights into how AI and GenerativeAI are revolutionizing product creation, fostering sustainability, and driving innovation across the retail value chain.

What You’ll Learn:

How AI and GenerativeAI are redefining product creation with deeper consumer insights, personalization, and predictive capabilities

The challenges retail and consumer product companies face in integrating innovation and breaking silos

Why sustainability must be embedded at the design stage, supported by tools like carbon budgets and low-impact materials

The importance of digital product creation pipelines and robust governance mechanisms to scale AI responsibly Jalaj’s vision for upskilling creative teams to navigate an AI-powered future

Jalaj also sheds light on how technology can empower brands to tackle critical challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and waste reduction. He calls for bold leadership to balance profitability with purpose while leveraging AI as a catalyst for systemic change.

Whether you’re a retail executive, product innovator, or AI enthusiast, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration for shaping the future of retail.

Connect with Jalaj Hora on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalaj-hora/

Connect with Saurabh Vijayvergia on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/svijayvergia/⁠

Follow The Retail Tales on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/retailaitales/⁠

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.

In this episode of The Retail Tales, and continuing the c-suite leader focused mini-series within the podcast, our host ⁠Saurabh Vijayvergia⁠ brings the second and the final installment of the 2-part episode series on how a CTO of a retail organization could play the role of a strategic catalyst and harness the power of AI to enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and ultimately drive shareholder value.

After how well the first part was received, Saurabh completes his list of 10 principles for a retail CTO in this episode through this installment. The five principles covered in this episode are:

The Spotify link to the first part of this 2-part series is here.

Whether you’re a CTO, aspiring tech leader, or just curious about how AI is reshaping retail, this episode offers actionable insights to guide you.

Connect with Saurabh Vijayvergia on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svijayvergia/

Follow The Retail Tales on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retailaitales/

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.

Continuing the c-suite leader focused mini-series within the podcast, our host ⁠Saurabh Vijayvergia⁠ focuses on the role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of retail companies in this episode of The Retail Tales.

In this highly anticipated episode, Saurabh shares his thoughts on how the CTO of a retail company could serve as a strategic catalyst in leveraging AI and Generative AI capabilities to revolutionize ways of working for the retail company.

This is the first part of a 2-episode arrangement, focusing on first 5 of the 10 key principles for a retail CTO. The first five principles covered in this episode are:

Whether you’re a CTO, aspiring tech leader, or just curious about how AI is reshaping retail, this episode offers actionable insights to guide you.

Connect with Saurabh Vijayvergia on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svijayvergia/

Follow The Retail Tales on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retailaitales/

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast episode is intended for general informational purposes only. By accessing and listening to this episode, you acknowledge that none of the information provided herein should be construed as advice from The Retail Tales, its individual author(s), hosts, or guests. It is not intended to replace independent research on any subject matter. Any mention of specific products or entities does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by The Retail Tales. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not constitute an endorsement by The Retail Tales or any associated entity. The host may have taken creative liberties to make the stories and experiences more appealing to the listeners.

The Retail Tales waives all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or other damages that may result from an individual's use of, reference to, or reliance on this podcast or the information it contains.