Heritage Grocers COO: Regional Grocery Consolidation, Fresh Theater & From-Scratch Tortillas

Neil Stern, CEO of Good Food Holdings, returns to share why smart stores must solve operational problems first, how to change 50 years of consumer behavior, and why premium grocers can't compete on Wheat Thins in an agentic AI world.In this exclusive interview recorded live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio at Groceryshop 2025, Neil shares:✅ "As local as possible, global when necessary"— and why it is the opposite of Lidl's strategy✅ Why most retailers don't actually know what's on their shelves✅ Smart carts must overcome 50 years of behavior change (like reusable bags)✅ Real-time budget tracking reduces stress and increases basket size✅ Operating "10 on difficulty" stores with coffee bars, sushi, barbecue stations✅ Why retail tech consolidation is necessary and inevitable✅ Macro challenges: consumers more cautious, units down, 3% internal inflation✅ Agentic AI threat: differentiation beats price competition on commoditiesLeading five premium West Coast banners (Metropolitan Market, New Seasons Market, New Leaf Community Markets, Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres), Neil brings a pragmatic consultant's eye to retail operations. With five years as CEO, he's learned that smart store ROI comes first from internal efficiency—understanding shelf inventory, connecting to supply chain and category management—before delivering fancy customer experiences.The agentic AI insight: "If the world is about who can sell Wheat Thins the cheapest, we lose. If agentic is going to search the net and find who's cheapest, we're not going to win that game. I want to sell proprietary food service products that we do well—then I may win the agentic game."Subscribe for more smart store and retail strategy insights!#GoodFoodHoldings #SmartStores #SmartCarts #AgenticAI #RetailDifferentiation #PremiumGrocery #GroceryshopThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Mustafa Bartin, CEO of Migros Turkey, shares his journey from launching online grocery in 1997 as a 23-year-old engineer to leading an $8.5 billion grocer preparing to launch digital-only banking.In this exclusive interview recorded live from the VusionGroup Studio at Groceryshop 2025, Mustafa shares:✅ Launching online grocery in 1997—possibly Europe's first brick-and-mortar to do so✅ Why scan-and-go failed culturally but self-service checkout thrives (even for 60-70 year olds)✅ Turkish shopping behavior: smaller baskets, much higher frequency than US✅ Managing 3,700 stores with 20%+ online business across multiple banners✅ The "reverse takeover" where digital leadership took over retail management✅ Launching digital-only banking vertical within 6 months✅ ESL and self-service checkout rollout for cost optimization✅ Competing against 40,000+ discount stores and pure-play online competitors✅ Why Turkish consumers need "two free hands" for shoppingMustafa's unconventional path led to a rare "reverse takeover" where the online team took management control. With experience spanning nearly three decades in digital grocery, he offers unique insights into cultural differences in retail technology adoption and what works (and doesn't work) across markets.Discover why Turkey's grocery market—dominated by discount stores—creates unique competitive dynamics, and how Migros maintains 20%+ online penetration while preparing to become a financial services provider.Subscribe for more global grocery and retail innovation insights!#MigrosTurkey #OnlineGrocery #FinTech #SelfCheckout #OmniChannel #InternationalRetail #GroceryShopThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Lauren Steinberg, EVP and Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw, reveals how Canada's largest grocer is using multi-agent AI architecture, conversational search, and strategic retail media to dominate digital grocery with just 10 people on the AI team.In this exclusive interview recorded live from the VusionGroup Studio at Groceryshop 2025, Lauren shares:✅ Multi-agent AI combining LLMs with merchandise agents for personalization✅ 45% of online grocery add-to-carts happen through search✅ 10x expansion: from 1,000 to 10,000+ in-store screens with end-caps and in-aisle✅ Syncing in-store audio and digital screens for unified messaging✅ The Venn diagram: e-commerce needs retail media, retail media needs loyalty✅ Building commerce on OpenAI platforms with composable infrastructure✅ How a lean team of 10 (mostly co-ops) drives AI innovation✅ 2,400 stores across Canada with 45% online grocery market share✅ Managing 17 grocery banners under one digital strategyFrom a family legacy in grocery retail (her great-grandmother founded Steinberg's) to leading digital innovation at Loblaw, Lauren brings a unique perspective on building flexible, composable technology infrastructure that enables rapid experimentation. Discover how Loblaw uses LLMs to analyze behavioral and transactional data to create rich customer profiles, then runs those through merchandise agents to personalize product recommendations while respecting dietary preferences and lifestyle choices.Learn why search "keeps Lauren up at night and wakes her up in the morning" and how Loblaw is preparing for answer engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity to change grocery shopping forever.Subscribe for more AI and retail innovation insights!#Loblaw #AgenticAI #ConversationalSearch #RetailMedia #GroceryTech #AIPersonalization #GroceryshopThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Liz Roche, VP of Media and Measurement at Albertsons Media Collective, reveals how the retail media giant is expanding into full-funnel activation and using rigorous measurement to prove business outcomes that matter.In this exclusive interview, recorded live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio at Groceryshop 2025, Liz shares:✅ Three-channel strategy with CPG spend matching: influencers, in-store screens, on-site ads✅ Over 2,200 stores across 13 of top 15 DMAs reaching 47 million loyal shoppers✅ Moving from vanity metrics to KPIs tied to category growth and brand LTV✅ Using matched market and synthetic control methodologies for sales lift✅ Multi-cell testing to find channel combination arbitrage (1+1=3)✅ In-house measurement capabilities: attribution, marketing science, research analytics✅ Digital out-of-home and last-mile opportunities in grocery✅ Screens in high-dwell areas: deli, meat counter, pharmacyWith experience spanning Meta, LinkedIn, publishing, and agencies before joining Albertsons nearly a year ago, Liz brings a unique perspective on retail media measurement. Discover how Albertsons leverages scale and divisional structure to run sophisticated experiments isolating variables and proving incremental sales lift.Learn why Albertsons believes "when our clients are winning, we're winning" and how that philosophy drives their focus on moving units, not just metrics.Subscribe for more retail media and measurement insights!#RetailMedia #Albertsons #MarketingMeasurement #InfluencerMarketing #SalesLift #GroceryshopThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Prabash Coswatte,, COO of Heritage Grocers Group, reveals the operational secrets behind running four regional grocery banners and why consolidation is the future for mid-tier retailers.In this exclusive interview recorded live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio at Groceryshop 2025, Prabash shares:✅ Operating Cardenas, Los Altos, Tony's, and El Rancho as distinct regional banners✅ The "groceraunt" concept—stores as part grocery, part restaurant, full theater✅ Making tortillas from corn kernel to masa to chips in a single day in-store✅ Weekly sales recap emails that drive fierce store-level competition✅ Fresh item management technology delivering shrink savings AND sales lifts✅ Pricing agility strategies in uncertain economic times✅ Why regional grocery consolidation is inevitable and necessary✅ Balancing technology investment with customer-first operationsFrom his 18-year retail journey starting at 99 Cents Only Stores to becoming COO overseeing operations, manufacturing, and logistics at a $3 billion regional grocer, Prabash brings hard-won insights into what it takes to compete against giants like Walmart and Kroger. Discover how Heritage maintains what makes each banner special while achieving back-office efficiency, and why fresh-forward merchandising with full butcher shops and in-store kitchens creates the differentiation regional grocers need.Subscribe for more grocery and retail insights from industry leaders!#HeritageGrocers #RegionalGrocery #GroceryOperations #RetailConsolidation #FreshRetail #GroceryshopThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Justin Weinstein, EVP and Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Giant Eagle, reveals the 95-year-old family-owned grocer's massive $100 million "Because It Matters" investment strategy and new brand positioning.In this exclusive interview recorded live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio at Groceryshop 2025, Justin shares:✅ The $100M investment split across everyday value, quality/service, and modern stores✅ How GLP-1 medications are reshaping grocery merchandising and protein assortment✅ The LEAP retail media network (Loyalty, Experiences, Audiences, Partnerships)✅ Customer-back versus monetization-back approach to retail media✅ Training investment in butchers, bakers, cheesemongers, and cake decorators✅ Regional grocery strategy for price-conscious consumers✅ Being there for life's moments that matter—from graduations to ThanksgivingFrom his seven-plus years at Giant Eagle spanning digital, loyalty, personalization, and customer experience roles, Justin brings unique insights into how regional grocers can compete in today's challenging environment. Discover how Giant Eagle is reinvesting in physical stores while adapting to health trends like GLP-1s that are driving massive shifts in protein demand.Learn how Giant Eagle is connecting merchandising, marketing, retail media, and e-commerce into one unified commercial strategy focused on what matters most to customers.Subscribe for more grocery and retail insights from industry leaders!#gianteagle #GroceryRetail #RetailMedia #CustomerExperience #RegionalGrocery #GLP1 #GroceryshopThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Joel Rampoldt, CEO of Lidl US, makes his first appearance on Omni Talk to reveal how the European discount grocery powerhouse is approaching the American market with fresh-forward products and unbeatable value.In this exclusive interview recorded live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio at GroceryShop 2025, Joel shares:✅ Lidl's unique position as part of the Schwarz Group (4th largest retailer in the world)✅ Why they lead with fresh produce, bakery, and protein—not cans and boxes✅ Their 190-store footprint strategy across the East Coast✅ The 13,000 square foot curated format that gets customers in and out quickly✅ Electronic shelf label innovation saving 22 hours per store per week✅ Building multi-billion dollar private brands Americans can trust✅ The "my kids will eat it test" for private brand successFrom a surprise dinner invitation to becoming CEO, Joel shares his journey and vision for bringing European discount grocery excellence to the US. Discover how Lidl differentiates on quality and price with items like their famous 49-cent imported French croissants, specialty European chocolates, and authentic Italian cheeses—all while maintaining "best quality, best price."Learn how Lidl balances being "as global as possible, as local as necessary" in the competitive US grocery market.Subscribe for more grocery and retail insights from industry CEOs!#LidlUS #DiscountGrocery #PrivateBrand #GroceryInnovation #RetailTechnology #GroceryshopThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Harvey Ma, VP and GM of Retail Media at Sam's Club MAP, reveals how the company is pioneering the retail experience network (RXN) - moving beyond traditional retail media to create measurable, memorable experiences for members.In this exclusive interview recorded live from the VusionGroup Studio at Groceryshop 2025, Harvey shares:✅ Why Sam's Club MAP transformed from a retail media network to a retail experience network✅ The NASCAR race car strategy that drove member acquisition in Nashville✅ How their new app platform enables dynamic retail media experiences✅ The role of AI and agentic technology in retail media's future✅ Innovative measurement strategies for experiential marketing✅ The balance between Scan and Go technology and personal cashier interactionsWith 15 years in retail media, Harvey brings unparalleled insights into measurement innovation, experiential marketing, and the future of AI in retail. From interactive in-store experiences to agent-to-agent transactions, discover how Sam's Club MAP is setting new standards for member engagement.Subscribe for more retail tech insights from industry leaders!#RetailMedia #SamsClub #RetailInnovation #AI #GroceryShop #ExperientialMarketing #RetailTechnologyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, A&M’s Joanna Rangarajan and Mohit Mohal joined Chris and Anne to discuss Nike x Skims partnership implications, Jaden Smith's appointment as Christian Louboutin's first men's creative director, AI search queries in daily life, and more! Our panel analyzes which brand benefits more from the Nike-Skims collab, the generational shift in luxury creative leadership, and shares personal AI search experiences. Plus, Star Wars movie plans and weekend cooking adventures!For the full Fast Five episode head here#NikexSkims #ChristianLouboutin #JadenSmith #AI #ecommerce #retailfulfillment This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and Quorso, A&M’s Joanna Rangarajan and Mohit Mohal joined Chris and Anne to discuss Kroger's decision to bring back paper coupons alongside their digital offerings. Our experts debate whether this move represents smart customer listening or a step backward, exploring the psychology of tangible deals and how this serves different customer segments. With 40% of consumers preferring paper coupons for their tangible feel, we analyze this surprising retail strategy!For the full Fast Five episode head here#Kroger #ecommerce #retailfulfillment #Coupons #GroceryThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy