Podcast
The Retail Tales: Retail AI Podcast
Hosted by Saurabh Vijayvergia · EN
The Retail Tales (TRT) exclusively focuses on exploring the possibilities at the intersection of Retail and AI. It covers wide array of topics on that intersection - including enterprise value and governance of AI for retailers, ethical and responsible application of AI to solve retail signature issues, opportunities and threats for AI in retail, and many more. The podcast is hosted by Saurabh Vijayvergia, who is an industry expert with 17+ years of experience in driving top-line growth, margin optimization, and business model transformation for retailers, using AI-first mindset.
11episodes
Episodes
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S2E12: Computer Vision for Margin Optimizaton | Feat. Joe White
Apr 2000:38:47Tap to summarizeWhat if the cameras already inside retail stores, warehouses, and corporate offices could tell retailers what's going wrong — right now, not tomorrow? That's the core question, our host, Saurabh explores in this episode with Joe White, CEO of Everseen, one of the world's leading vision AI companies working with some of the largest global retailers.Joe brings over 30 years of enterprise technology leadership and he pulls no punches on the real state of retail operations. You'll walk away understanding why most retail video data has historically been "unstructured, unanalyzed, and under-utilised," what it actually takes to deploy vision AI across a 2,000-store estate, and why the standard for success isn't perfection — it's directional accuracy.Joe makes the case that every wave of retail technology has been solving the same problem: closing the gap between how a retail operation should run and how it actually runs in reality. Vision AI, he argues, is the most powerful tool yet for doing exactly that.This one is for retail technology leaders, loss prevention executives, operations directors, and anyone who wants to understand where vision AI is genuinely delivering value today — and where the hard questions still remain.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Retail Environments01:38 From Retrospective to Real-Time Visual Data Analysis03:06 Joe's Journey into Vision AI and Retail Leadership06:23 Milestones in the Evolution of Computer Vision13:06 Key Inflection Points Transforming Vision AI in Retail16:24 Retail Challenges Addressed by Vision AI20:38 Common Skepticisms & Misconceptions about Vision AI24:11 Proven ROI and Impact of Vision AI Solutions24:58 Future Trends: Autonomous Stores and Multimodal AI31:19 Advice for Retail Leaders Embarking on AI Journeys36:35 Key Takeaways and Final ThoughtsFor more such content, go to www.retailtales.ai or listen to it on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | iHeartRadio.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.
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The AI Use Case Treadmill Is Real
Mar 1600:18:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Saurabh opens with a story about an that will feel familiar to many retail leaders — a senior executive who is exhausted. Not from the meeting, but from the AI use case treadmill. Two years. Dozens of pilots. A growing backlog. And a P&L that barely moved!That conversation became the lens for this episode's central argument: retailers are asking the wrong question about AI.The AI Use Case ProblemMost organizations approach AI the same way they've approached every tech wave — identify a pain point in an existing process and ask "can AI help here?" It feels logical, but it has a fundamental flaw: it assumes the underlying process is worth optimizing. When you bolt AI onto a workflow designed for manual execution, you make a flawed thing slightly better. The ROI fragments. Nothing feels transformational.The Better QuestionInstead of "how can AI help with this process?" — ask: If I were designing this function from scratch today, knowing that AI can plan, reason, act, and learn autonomously — what would I actually build?That single reframe changes EVERYTHING.Listen now on your favorite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | iHeartRadioConnect with The Retail TalesWebsite: www.retailtales.aiLinkedIn: @retailaitalesInstagram: @the.retail.talesX: @theretailtalesDISCLAIMER: 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.
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S2E10: Future of Retail - Insights from CES and NRF 2026
Jan 2000:42:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Retail Tales, host Saurabh reflects on his experiences at two major industry events of 2026, Consumer Electronic Show (#CES) and National Retail Federation (#NRF). He emphasizes that CES showcases the future of technology, presenting it as a signal of where the industry is headed, while NRF focuses on the practical implications of these technologies in real-world retail operations. Saurabh discusses the shift from AI as a mere capability to AI as an integral infrastructure, stressing the importance of orchestration over mere connectivity in retail systems. He also notes the emergence of agentic systems that can autonomously manage complex tasks, thereby redefining the roles of human workers in retail organizations. As the conversation progresses, Saurabh focuses on the concept of agentic commerce, which represents a significant evolution in how commerce operates, moving from human-driven processes to intelligent agents acting on behalf of consumers. He highlights the importance of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) introduced by Google, which aims to standardize communication between merchants and agents, facilitating a new era of agent-driven commerce. The episode concludes with key takeaways for retail leaders, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach to AI adoption, the importance of organizational structures, and the critical role of leadership alignment in navigating the future of retail. Key Takeaways:AI is moving from a capability to an infrastructureOrchestration is the future of retail systems, not just connectivityAgentic systems will redefine human roles in retail organizationsRetail leaders must focus on how to adopt AI, not if they shouldUCP will standardize agent-driven commerce Chapters:00:00 | Introduction and New Year Reflections01:51 | CES: The Future of Technology in Retail22:45 | NRF: Real-World Applications and Challenges39:08 | Key Takeaways and Future Directions for Retail Leaders Listen now on your favorite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | iHeartRadio 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.
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S2E09: Inside Walmart’s AI Journey - From Pilots to Scale | Feat. Aaron Berg
Dec 1500:38:28Tap to summarizeScaling AI in retail is not about experimentation anymore. It is about execution.In this episode of The Retail Tales, host Saurabh sits down with Aaron Berg, Vice President of Digital Transformation at Walmart, for a candid conversation on what it truly takes to move AI from pilots to enterprise-scale impact inside one of the world’s most complex retail organizations.Drawing from Aaron’s journey across finance, corporate development, operations, and digital transformation, the discussion goes deep into how Walmart approaches AI as a long-term capability rather than a series of disconnected experiments. Together, they explore:How AI moved from experimentation to strategic priority at WalmartWhy many retail AI initiatives stall in “pilot purgatory” and never scaleThe often-overlooked hidden costs of AI across data, governance, adoption, and change managementWhere AI is creating the most meaningful impact across the retail value chainHow leaders should think about build vs buy decisions for AI capabilitiesThe balance between ambition, responsibility, and human judgment in AI adoptionThe episode concludes with a fast-paced Lightning Round, offering Aaron’s unfiltered perspectives on AI myths, unpopular opinions, capital allocation, and what success in retail AI should look like.This conversation is essential listening for retail leaders, technology executives, and AI practitioners who are serious about moving beyond pilots and building AI that scales.Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in thispodcast 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 toreplace 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.
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S2E08: Holiday Season 2025 - AI Meets the Value-Seeking Consumer | Feat. Brian McCarthy
Nov 1000:35:10Tap to summarizeHoliday 2025 is here — and consumers are rewriting the rules. In this episode of The Retail Tales, our host Saurabh Vijayvergia is joined by Brian McCarthy, Partner at Deloitte Consulting and co-author of Deloitte’s 2025 Holiday Retail Survey, to unpack the data behind this season’s trends.They explore how AI and value-seeking consumers are reshaping holiday shopping — from cautious optimism and redefined “value” to Gen Z’s digital-first mindset and the emotional power of omnichannel experiences. Brian also shares his perspective on customer empathy, simplification, and what retail leaders should prioritize as they prepare for 2026.Whether you’re a retail executive, technologist, or strategist, this conversation offers data-driven insights on how to blend AI, empathy, and execution for an evolving shopper landscape.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.
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S2E07: The Fallacy of AI Quick Wins
Oct 2100:31:19Tap to summarizeIn this unpopular opinion episode of The Retail Tales, host Saurabh Vijayvergia takes on one of retail’s most overused mantras — “start small, show quick wins.”Through a powerful retail story and a pragmatic framework, Saurabh explains why the obsession with quick wins often distracts organizations from their true goal: building scalable, ROI-driven AI capability that compounds over time. He argues that it’s not speed that defines success — it’s direction.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:Define a bold AI North Star that anchors every initiative in business value.Use the RAD Scorecard (Retail AI Decision Scorecard) — a 5-factor framework for making confident, ROI-backed AI investment decisions.Replace scattered pilots with a connected roadmap that compounds strategic advantage.Because quick wins may prove a point — but bold North Stars move the enterprise forward.If you are a retail leader starting on your AI journey or stuck in "pilot purgatory", this episode is a must listen for you.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.
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S2E06: Decoding MIT Report and GenAI Divide
Aug 2500:31:56Tap to summarizeIn 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 storiesHow retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Target are already scaling GenAI in supply chain, pricing, and customer experience areasWhat the report says about buy-vs-build strategies, and why vendor partnerships often deliver better outcomes than custom buildsWhy governance, ROI clarity, and customer focus matter more than experimentationWhat 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.
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S2E05: The Tipping Point and the Journey Ahead
Jul 2100:39:42Tap to summarizeIn 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 systemsAI as a geopolitical weapon between OpenMind and DeepSense (both fictitious)A chilling trajectory from Agent One to Agent FiveThe emergence of AI-led economies, militaries, and eventually, a hive-mind-led global governanceAlthough 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.
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S2E04: The Curious Case of Agentic AI in Retail
Jun 23, 202500:31:11Tap to summarizeIn 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.
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S2E03: From Chaos to Control - Rewiring Retail Supply Chain with AI | Feat. Kevin Mahoney
May 27, 202500:38:15Tap to summarizeIn 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 chainsThe evolution from just-in-time to just-hold-on logisticsWhy small wins with AI adoption often make the biggest impactThe real reasons AI transformation succeeds - and why people, not tech, hold the keyThe critical but often overlooked role supply chain leaders must play in enterprise AI strategyKey Takeaways:AI’s impact begins with small, everyday integrations - not grand overhaulsData quality, cross-functional alignment, and mindset are foundational to transformationSupply chain leaders are often the unsung heroes of AI progress in retail - it’s time they claimed their seat at the tableIf 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.
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