Omni Talk Retail: Shipt's AI Shopping Assistant | Fast Five Shorts

Date: October 9, 2025
Hosts: Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga

Episode Overview

In this episode, the hosts dive into Shipt’s newest technological leap: the "Chat to Cart" feature, powered by Perplexity’s new browser tool, Comet. They analyze the feature’s potential to improve the online grocery shopping experience by using AI for product discovery and cart creation, while also scrutinizing the user experience and market readiness. The conversation is candid, focusing on whether the innovation matches the real needs and tech habits of Shipt’s consumers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is Shipt's "Chat to Cart" with Perplexity Comet? [00:00–00:40]

• Shipt, a grocery delivery service, collaborates with Perplexity’s Comet browser, launching an AI-powered shopping assistant aimed at simplifying cart building and enhancing product discovery.
• The feature promises same-day delivery, trend discovery, and more convenient cart curation using AI.

Quote:
"Everything we create at Shipt is in service of blending human warmth with technological innovation."
— Katie Stratton, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at Shipt (as cited by host), [00:22]

2. Critical Reception: Vision vs. Execution [00:40–02:44]

• Anne Mezzenga expresses skepticism about user adoption, stressing current friction points.
  • The process requires users to download and use a new browser (Comet) outside of the established Shipt ecosystem.
  • Shipt traditionally hasn’t been a “first to market” innovator.
  • Potential benefit for all parties, but timing may be premature for existing Shipt consumers.

Quote:
"I think that I'm buying the idea but I still think there's too much friction from the customer standpoint... they have to download, you know, Comet on their phones... So, to me, I think this is a great idea down the road because I think it benefits everyone... but for right now I really think that it's just going to be too early and too hard for the Shipt consumers to grasp right now."
— Anne Mezzenga, [01:01]

• Concern: Big PR win for Shipt but may lack true impact among shoppers; it might end up being a headline with little substance.

3. The Perils of Premature Innovation [02:44–03:54]

• Chris Walton agrees with Anne, suggesting the launch is driven more by PR ambition than real innovation.
• Both worry that poor adoption could lead to misinterpretation of the concept’s value, possibly resulting in a hasty dismissal by leadership if results disappoint.
• The segment criticizes the rollout’s reliance on users installing a separate app/browser, arguing it should have been integrated directly into the Shipt app for a seamless experience.

Quote:
"Seems like a headline that sounds more innovative than it actually is. And it's because you want the PR from it."
— Chris Walton, [02:44]

Quote:
"You probably should have done it inside the Shipt app to make this easier for them... figure out how to do this in a way that has a better user experience."
— Chris Walton, [03:06]

4. Timing and Execution: Right Idea, Wrong Launch? [03:37–04:07]

• Anne summarizes: It’s the right idea but launched at the wrong time and in the wrong way.
• Both hosts acknowledge the initial excitement fades upon realizing the practical hurdles.
• The confusion around app names (Comet/Capstone) further highlights branding and adoption challenges.

Quote:
"First when I heard about, I was like, ooh, this is cool. And then I read about. I'm like, no, it's not. And so it's like, I know, I know. I want to get on board with something. I just can't."
— Chris Walton, [03:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Anne Mezzenga, on friction:
  "If they have to go out to another application, they have to download, you know, Comet on their phones... I think like this is a great idea down the road... but for right now I really think that it's just going to be too early and too hard for the Shipt consumers to grasp right now." [01:13]

• Chris Walton, on user experience and innovation:
  "You probably should have done it inside the Shipt app to make this easier for them." [03:06]

• Humorous confusion about branding:
  "I keep wanting to call it Capstone. It’s Comet." — Anne Mezzenga, [04:07]

Timestamps by Topic

• 00:00–00:40: Introduction to Shipt's new "Chat to Cart" feature and partnership details.
• 00:40–02:44: Anne's analysis of market readiness, user friction, and strategic choices.
• 02:44–03:37: Chris's agreement, discussion of execution and potential leadership response.
• 03:37–04:24: Reflections on timing, launch execution, and branding confusion.

Takeaways

• Shipt’s Chat to Cart is seen as a forward-thinking idea, but the current implementation may not click with its customer base due to user friction and lack of seamless integration.
• Hosts believe integrating such innovations directly into the core app with a focus on smooth user experience is crucial for success.
• The move may generate buzz in the short term but risks being dismissed before its potential is realized due to early missteps in execution.

Overall Tone:
Engaged, skeptical, industry-savvy, with candid commentary and flashes of humor.