Podcast Summary: Omni Talk Retail

Episode: Your Ultimate Preview Of What To Expect At Shoptalk Fall & Groceryshop 2025 With Ben Miller

Date: August 20, 2025
Guest: Ben Miller, VP of Original Content & Strategy for Shop Talk and Grocery Shop

Episode Overview

This episode offers an in-depth preview of the upcoming Shop Talk Fall and Grocery Shop 2025 events. Host Omni Talk Retail engages Ben Miller to discuss the hottest topics, new formats, headline speakers, and major changes for each summit. The conversation centers on what attendees can expect in terms of themes, networking opportunities, industry challenges, and tactical insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Main Themes at Shop Talk Fall (00:30)

• Dominant Topics: Tariffs and AI
  • “There’s two themes that are emerging above all others and that’s tariffs and AI.” – Ben Miller (00:30)
  • Extensive coverage promised with deep-dive sessions on both AI use cases and the practical implications of tariffs.
• Leadership & Agility in Turbulent Times
  • New two-day full track with senior speakers focused on leadership and business agility.
  • “It’s new for this show and that’s going to be really, really interesting.” – Ben Miller (00:40)
• Additional Tracks
  • Sessions on merchandising, loyalty, and brand building will round out the content.
  • “Lots and lots to cover, including the deep dive on tariff and AI.” – Ben Miller (01:10)

2. Grocery Shop 2025 Focus (01:19)

• Global & Sector-Specific Focus
  • Unlike Shop Talk, Grocery Shop centers on global grocery and CPG (consumer packaged goods) markets.
• Priority Topics: Efficiency & Technology
  • “At the moment it’s about efficiency … but the pressure is there to make even more efficiency gains and technology is the only route to do that.” – Ben Miller (01:37)
• Retail Media
  • Sits at the intersection of retailer-brand conversations.
  • Discussions will cover what “good” retail media looks like and maximizing ROI.
• Consumer Health Trends
  • Evaluating consumer attitudes on GLP-1 drugs and the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, including governmental interventions.

3. The Role of AI in Grocery (02:23)

• Not Ignored—Just More Targeted
  • “Absolutely. Far from it. So how we're tackling that at Grocery Shop this year … we’re launching something brand new.” – Ben Miller (02:23)
• Launch of the Test Kitchen
  • Practical, interactive sessions focusing on detailed tech use cases.
  • Topics: SEO strategies in an AI-driven world, AI tools for forecasting and inventory, and non-AI subjects like measurement of retail media.
  • Focus on granular, practitioner-led learning.

4. Headline Speakers & Retailers (03:17)

• Shop Talk Fall:
  • Senior executives from Home Depot, Amazon, Walmart and Sam’s Club, Cars, AliExpress, Wayfair.
• Grocery Shop:
  • Retailers: Whole Foods, Sam’s Club, Kroger, HEB, Ahold Delhaize.
  • CPGs: Mars Wrigley, Unilever, Danone, Nestle, Coca-Cola, with keynote CEOs from Sprouts and Lidl.
  • Over 250 speakers across categories.

5. Format Innovations & Big Changes (04:00)

• Shop Talk Fall
  • Now in Chicago, September 17–19 (Wed-Fri).
  • Brand new “Shop Walk” program: Guided retail store visits throughout Chicago, held Wednesday morning.
  • “That means the Thursday and Friday are going to be two really full days … Friday is probably the busiest and fullest day of them all.” – Ben Miller (04:20)
• Grocery Shop
  • September 28 – October 1 (Sun-Wed).
  • Keynotes and “Test Kitchen” debut on Sunday. Numerous events and parties on Sunday night.
  • Emphasis on attendees staying through Wednesday due to content volume.

6. Ticketing & Discounts (05:02)

• Tickets Available on Website
  • Limited time to book at current prices; rates rise as availability drops.
• Hosted Program
  • Free tickets with travel support for qualifying retailers and brands—deadlines: Aug 25 (Shop Talk Fall) and Sept 5 (Grocery Shop).
• Omni Talk Listener Discount
  • “We are sharing 20% discount links to all Omni Talk listeners … they’ll be in the show notes for this episode.” – Ben Miller (05:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Theme Selection:
  “There’s two themes that are emerging above all others and that’s tariffs and AI.”
  — Ben Miller (00:30)

• On Sector Efficiency:
  “It’s an incredibly efficient industry as it is … but the pressure is there to make even more efficiency gains and technology is the only route to do that.”
  — Ben Miller (01:37)

• On AI’s Role in Grocery:
  “Absolutely. Far from it … we’re launching something brand new. So we’re launching something that we call the Test Kitchen.”
  — Ben Miller (02:23)

• Event Logistics:
  “When you’re booking your travel, please don’t book an early flight on the Friday because there’ll be an awful lot going on throughout that Friday.”
  — Ben Miller (04:31)

• About Speaker Lineup:
  “I could go on. We’ve got over 250 fantastic speakers.”
  — Ben Miller (03:47)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:30 | Shop Talk Fall preview: Top themes of tariffs and AI | | 01:19 | Grocery Shop: Efficiency, tech, and retail media priorities | | 02:23 | Grocery-focused AI content and debut of the Test Kitchen interactive sessions | | 03:17 | Big-name speakers and major companies at both events | | 04:00 | Major changes: “Shop Walk” in Chicago and updated show structure | | 05:02 | Ticketing info, hosted program deadlines, and exclusive Omni Talk listener discounts |

Conclusion

This episode acts as a practical, content-rich roadmap for both Shop Talk Fall and Grocery Shop 2025. Ben Miller highlights the emerging industry challenges and opportunities—AI, tariffs, tech, and efficiency—while announcing exciting innovations in event structure and educational opportunities. Attendees can look forward to high-impact speakers, interactive formats, and valuable networking, with details for special ticketing access provided.

Listeners are encouraged to check the show notes for exclusive discount links and tune in next week for more from Ben Miller.