GrocerTalk

Omni Talk Retail
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business News

GrocerTalk is brought to you by the Omni Talk Podcast Network and is hosted and edited by Ben Miller, a leading commentator on retail innovation whose experience embraces grocery retailer roles, agency-side insight and consultancy leadership in grocery and CPG, and most recently as VP Original Content globally for Shoptalk and Groceryshop.

  1. 1d ago

    The State of Grocery Technology in 2026 with FMI | 5IM

    In this edition of 5 Insightful Minutes, Jennifer Shawgo, Senior Director of Technology Strategy and Programs at FMI, The Food Industry Association, joins Omni Talk's Chris Walton to discuss findings from FMI's The State of Technology 2026 report and the future of grocery technology. Jennifer explains why the industry is shifting from technology adoption to measurable results. While 71% of food retailers plan to increase technology spending, only 29% have a defined change-management plan, highlighting the importance of aligning people, processes, and technology. She also explores how smaller grocers can compete, why mid-market retailers are seeing success, and where technology is delivering real returns, from AI-powered inventory planning and cybersecurity to data analytics and shrink reduction. Key Topics Covered: What FMI's The State of Technology 2026 report reveals about grocery technology adoptionWhy 71% of food retailers plan to increase technology spendingThe change-management gap and why only 29% have defined plansHow smaller grocers can compete through targeted technology investmentsWhy mid-market and regional grocers are outperforming expectationsWhere AI and machine learning are delivering measurable resultsHow inventory planning, cybersecurity, and data analytics are driving valueWhy 85% of food retailers report at least somewhat successful in-store shrink reduction programs To learn more and explore FMI's research, visit: https://www.fmi.org/ Music by hooksounds.com Sponsored Content

    The State of Grocery Technology in 2026 with FMI | 5IM

  2. 3d ago

    Kroger’s Strategy, Walmart’s Membership Play, and Is Instacart for Sale? US Grocery Ecommerce Hits a Tipping Point | GrocerTalk

    US grocery ecommerce has officially crossed the 20% mark, and this week on GrocerTalk, Ben Miller is joined by Sean Ransenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Empower Insights and former H-E-B Retail Media executive, to discuss what comes next for grocery retail. Sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, Vusion, and Sifter Solutions, this week's episode covers everything from Walmart's new membership strategy and Kroger's growth plans to AI shopping agents, Instacart acquisition speculation, and Buc-ee's continued expansion. Ben and Sean explore whether grocery ecommerce has reached a tipping point, why delivery economics remain a major challenge, and what AI could mean for the future of shopping. They also debate whether Kroger's renewed focus on fundamentals goes far enough, why Walmart's membership bundle makes sense, and whether grocers should welcome AI shopping agents or wait and see. This week, they discuss: 03:45 | US grocery ecommerce hits 20.9%: Online grocery's growing market share, rising order frequency, delivery economics, and the potential for future growth, plus reports of potential Instacart acquisition talks and the wind-down of Caper Cart. (Source)17:05 | Walmart's membership play: Walmart+ and Sam's Club Plus combine in a new $120 annual membership, offering expanded benefits and savings for shoppers. (Source)22:55 | Kroger's Investor Day: Greg Foran's plans for 3% comparable sales growth by 2029, 110 new stores, fresh-focused formats, and a $5 billion investment in stores, operations, and pricing. (Source)34:42 | Walmart welcomes AI shopping agents: New Agent Profiles and an Agent Gateway, third-party AI shopping access, and Walmart's contrasting strategy with Amazon. (Source)44:09 | Buc-ee's eyes Oklahoma: The Texas-born travel center's potential expansion, what makes its unique convenience store concept stand out, and how it has transformed the traditional gas station experience. (Source)49:13 | GrocerTalk Grab & Go: Ahold Delhaize's response to a cyberattack and the critical role of technology teams in keeping grocery operations running. P.S. Check out all our other podcasts from the past week here! Music by hooksounds.com.

    Kroger’s Strategy, Walmart’s Membership Play, and Is Instacart for Sale? US Grocery Ecommerce Hits a Tipping Point | GrocerTalk

  3. Oct 20

    Cyberattack Protection, Shopping Assistants & Retail Media, and Albertsons Questions Everything | GrocerTalk

    It's a packed week on GrocerTalk, and Ben Miller is bringing in not one, but TWO industry experts to tackle some of the biggest questions facing grocery retailers right now. Sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, Vusion, and Sifter Solutions, this week's episode covers everything from cyberattacks on European supermarkets to the future of AI shopping assistants, retail media, and Albertsons' sweeping business review. First, Christian Beckner, Founder & Principal of Commerce Risk Advisory and former NRF cybersecurity executive, joins Ben to discuss the latest attacks on grocery retailers and how they can better protect themselves. Then, EMARKETER VP of Content Suzy Davidkhanian tackles a BIG question: If AI assistants start doing the shopping, what happens to retail media? This week, they discuss: 02:21 | Cybersecurity in grocery: The attacks on French supermarkets, security vulnerabilities, and growing third-party risks.10:24 | Protecting connected stores: Practical steps retailers can take NOW, plus the limitations of cyber insurance.17:49 | AI assistants and retail media: What happens to sponsored search when AI starts shopping for us?30:55 | Hy-Vee's five-minute shopping ambition: Using AI to cut online grocery shopping from 40 minutes to five without losing product discovery. (Source)36:40 | Albertsons' big reset: Ben's take on the company's comprehensive business review, withdrawn guidance, and the need for stronger pricing action. A few things to note from this episode: Hear more about Hy-Vee's AI shopping plans in Ben's full Groceryshop interview with CEO Jeremy Gosch: Watch here.UK & European CPG listeners: Ben is hosting an invite-only dinner in London on November 3 with Nectar360 Managing Director Amir Rasekh. Interested? Reach out to Ben directly! P.S. Check out all our other podcasts from the past week here! Music by hooksounds.com.

    Cyberattack Protection, Shopping Assistants & Retail Media, and Albertsons Questions Everything | GrocerTalk

  4. Oct 15

    Navigating SNAP Waivers & Compliance with Sifter | 5IM

    How will changing SNAP regulations impact grocers and CPG brands, and how can retailers maintain compliance without risking revenue? In this edition of 5 Insightful Minutes, Sifter’s Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Kevin Billings, joins Omni Talk’s Ben Miller to break down the latest developments in state-level SNAP waivers and what they mean for the future of grocery retail. Kevin explains how Sifter’s food intelligence platform is helping retailers and CPGs adapt to complex, evolving state restrictions. From managing restricted product lists to providing in-store scanning tools for shoppers, Kevin highlights how Sifter’s technology protects retailer revenue, enhances shopper personalization, and powers innovative state programs like their recent compliance contract with Arkansas. Key Topics Covered: How Sifter supports grocers with shopper personalization and Food as Medicine strategiesWhat SNAP waivers are and the current status of state-level implementationThe financial impact of SNAP waiver compliance on grocers and CPG brandsHow retailers can protect their SNAP licenses and navigate margin shiftsA deep dive into Sifter’s SNAP waiver compliance partnership with the State of ArkansasHow Sifter’s proprietary food intelligence technology simplifies complex state-by-state guidelinesHow shoppers and retailers alike can use digital tools to identify SNAP-eligible products in real time To learn more about Sifter’s SNAP compliance solutions, visit: https://siftersolutions.com/ Music by hooksounds.com Sponsored Content

    Navigating SNAP Waivers & Compliance with Sifter | 5IM

  5. Oct 13

    Healthy Choices for Shoppers, All Change in UK Health & Beauty, and Autonomous Delivery Robots | GrocerTalk

    Chris Walton is back on GrocerTalk with Ben Miller, and this week, they're shaking things up a little! From a major shakeup in UK health and beauty to the growing push for healthier grocery shopping and the rise of autonomous delivery robots, there's plenty to unpack. Sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, Vusion, and Sifter Solutions, Ben and Chris are taking on three big questions: Who stands to win in UK beauty? How can grocers help shoppers make healthier choices? And are sidewalk robots really the future of delivery? Plus, Kevin Billings of Sifter Solutions joins Ben for Five Insightful Minutes to break down the latest SNAP waivers, what they mean for grocers and CPG brands, and why compliance is becoming increasingly important. This week, they discuss: UK Health & Beauty Gets a Shakeup The Weston family's $8.9 billion acquisition of Boots and whether new ownership can revive the retailer. (Source)Sephora's partnership with Marks & Spencer to bring premium beauty to 100 UK stores, and what the retailers can learn from Sephora's relationship with Kohl's. (Source)The latest M&A headlines, including Sainsbury's walking away from Morrisons merger talks (Source), rumors of a Starbucks and Chipotle deal (Source), and Tesco's reported interest in Majestic Wine. (Source) Helping Shoppers Make Healthier Choices Sifter Solutions' Kevin Billings joins for Five Insightful Minutes to discuss SNAP waivers, compliance challenges, and what changing restrictions mean for grocers and CPG brands. (Source)The Giant Company's new GLP-1 grocery tours and whether nutrition-focused shopping experiences can scale. (Source)The ongoing debate over personalized pricing and electronic shelf labels, including the grocery industry's response to the FTC and how ESLs could help shoppers. (Source) Autonomous Delivery Robots: The Next Big Thing? DoorDash and Deliveroo bringing sidewalk delivery robots to five UK cities and what the expansion means for autonomous last-mile delivery. (Source)Just Eat expanding robot delivery through its partnership with Morrisons and Starship Technologies. (Source)The bigger debate over sidewalk robots versus drones, including Serve Robotics' expansion with Grubhub (Source) and Starship's growing focus on grocery delivery. (Source) Plus, a few more retail developments they're keeping an eye on. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ Music by hooksounds.com.

    Healthy Choices for Shoppers, All Change in UK Health & Beauty, and Autonomous Delivery Robots | GrocerTalk

  6. Oct 8

    When AI Does the Shopping, Who Wins the Loyalty? | 5IM

    What happens to grocery loyalty when AI agents start making shopping decisions for consumers? In this edition of 5 Insightful Minutes, recorded live at Groceryshop 2026, Seb Hill, Chief Marketing Officer at TCC Global, joins Omni Talk's Ben Miller to explore how agentic AI could reshape grocery retailing, challenge traditional loyalty programs, and change what it really means to earn a shopper's loyalty. Drawing on new research from TCC Global, Seb discusses what happens when AI agents begin prioritizing price, convenience, and efficiency over traditional retailer relationships. He and Ben examine whether loyalty programs, personalized offers, and existing metrics can keep up with this shift, why retailers need to look beyond transactions to understand genuine customer loyalty, and how grocery retailers can build stronger shopper relationships in an increasingly AI-driven world. Key Topics Covered: Why agentic AI could be the next major disruption in grocery retailWhat changes when AI agents begin making shopping decisions for consumersHow agentic commerce could challenge traditional grocery retail modelsWhat happens to loyalty programs, retailer apps, and personalized offersWhy traditional loyalty metrics may not reflect genuine shopper loyaltyHow retailers can better measure the strength of customer relationshipsWhy price and convenience may no longer be enough to drive loyaltyHow grocery loyalty needs to evolve in the age of AI agentsWhat TCC Global's latest grocery research reveals about the future of shopper relationships Explore TCC Global's research on agentic AI: https://www.tccglobal.com/insights/agenticai-1 Music by hooksounds.com Sponsored Content

    When AI Does the Shopping, Who Wins the Loyalty? | 5IM

  7. Oct 6

    Costco Keeps on Growing, Kroger’s Loyalty Driver & Morrisons Locks It Up | GrocerTalk

    Chris Walton is back on GrocerTalk this week, joining Ben Miller for a show all about growth, loyalty and the changing grocery shopping experience. Sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, Vusion, and Sifter Solutions, they dig into Costco’s growth machine, Morrisons’ latest Click & Collect experiment, and a Kroger double-header on rewards and 24-hour stores. Plus, TCC Global CMO Seb Hill joins for Five Insightful Minutes on loyalty in the age of agentic commerce. This week, they discuss: • Costco’s latest Q4 results, continued momentum in fresh food, and whether its growth story is showing any signs of slowing. (Source) • Morrisons piloting StrongPoint’s multi-temperature Click & Collect lockers and whether they could ease the operational pressures of grocery ecommerce. (Source) • TCC Global CMO Seb Hill joins Ben from the Groceryshop show floor to unpack new research on how AI agents could reshape grocery loyalty and customer relationships. (Source) • Kroger’s new Rewards World Elite Mastercard and whether connecting payments directly to its rewards program is the right move for loyalty. (Source) • Kroger testing a return to 24-hour stores and whether the potential traffic gains outweigh the operational challenges. (Source) Plus, in GrocerTalk Grab & Go, Chris covers Kroger’s predictive creative scoring and Walmart’s expanding drone delivery program, while Ben digs into Walmart’s Shop to Light rollout and the return of Trader Joe’s mini tote bag mania. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ Music by hooksounds.com.

    Costco Keeps on Growing, Kroger’s Loyalty Driver & Morrisons Locks It Up | GrocerTalk

  8. Sep 29

    “Surveillance Pricing,” AI Hype Rapidly Becoming Reality, and the Realities of Rapid Delivery | GrocerTalk

    In this episode, sponsored by Instacart Enterprise, Portager, Vusion, and Sifter Solutions, Ben Miller is joined by Jordan Berke, Founder & CEO of retail consultancy TOMORROW, for his first time on GrocerTalk. Jordan shares a little about his retail background and the work he’s doing at TOMORROW before he and Ben jump into surveillance pricing, the realities of rapid delivery, AI hype becoming reality, and whether retailers are actually listening to their shoppers. This week, they discuss: • Seattle approving its Fair and Transparent Pricing policy to ban so-called “surveillance pricing,” and Walmart CEO John Furner laying out the principles that will guide Walmart’s use of AI and pricing technology. (Source) (Source) • Tesco store employees raising concerns about the operational impact of its Uber Eats and Deliveroo partnerships, and what grocers need to consider as more ecommerce fulfillment shifts into stores. (Source) • Instacart CEO Chris Rogers’ claim that AI will transform grocery more than any other retail category, what AI shopping agents could mean for the industry, and the growing questions around who ultimately owns the customer relationship. (Source) (Source) • Sam’s Club giving its members a bigger role in shaping what it sells through its Member’s Mark Community, which now includes more than 200,000 shoppers providing feedback on products, merchandising decisions and the broader member experience. (Source) Plus, Jordan joins Ben for GrocerTalk Grab & Go, where they share the grocery stories that have caught their attention this week. Ben digs into Instacart’s latest marketplace partnerships, including Dollar General joining the platform with no price markups, and keeps an eye on the potential sale of Tesco’s Central European operations. A few things worth checking out from this week’s episode: Catch up on Omni Talk’s Groceryshop 2026 coverage, including conversations with some of the biggest names across grocery, retail, technology and CPG. Watch the latest interviews and episodes across the Omni Talk LinkedIn page, podcast channels and YouTube. Episode 007. Welcome to GrocerTalk. P.S. Be sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ Music by hooksounds.com.

    “Surveillance Pricing,” AI Hype Rapidly Becoming Reality, and the Realities of Rapid Delivery | GrocerTalk
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

GrocerTalk is brought to you by the Omni Talk Podcast Network and is hosted and edited by Ben Miller, a leading commentator on retail innovation whose experience embraces grocery retailer roles, agency-side insight and consultancy leadership in grocery and CPG, and most recently as VP Original Content globally for Shoptalk and Groceryshop.

Information

  • Creator
    Omni Talk Retail
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Omni Talk Retail
  • Show Website
    GrocerTalk

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