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Chris Walton

About Chris Walton

Chris Walton is a leading expert and influencer in omnichannel retailing. He is the CEO and Founder of Omni Talk and Third Haus, a retail technology lab in Minneapolis. He is a regular keynote speaker, a senior contributor for Forbes, and he also sits on the Advisory Board for Delivery Solutions and Xenia Retail. Previously, Chris worked for Target, where he was the Vice President of the retailer’s Store of the Future project and also the Vice President of Merchandising for Home Furnishings on Target.com. Chris began his career at Gap, Inc. and holds a BA in Economics and History from Stanford University, and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Wayfair May Just Be Getting Started

By Chris Walton   |   August 10, 2020

Talk about a change in fortune. A scant five months ago Wayfair was trading at a 52-week low of $21.70. Then, following its August earnings release, in which it posted its first quarterly profit since its 2014 IPO, Wayfair’s stock price soared to as much as an astounding $316.50 per share. If you are keeping score at home, that means that an investment of $10,000 back in March, right when the pandemic hit, would now be worth roughly $150,000. Holy Hanna -- that’s one hell of a return in five months! Now, say what you will about the …

Wayfair May Just Be Getting StartedRead More

Sex, China and Covid-19

By Chris Walton   |   June 28, 2020

Sex, China, and Covid-19. What sounds like an afternoon White House press briefing actually holds the key to understanding why virtual reality (aka VR) is one of the most overblown topics in retail right now. Social media has been a flutter with the usual geek speak on the topic since the outbreak began, and Retail Dive, just last month, also highlighted how the coronavirus pandemic could lead to higher VR adoption and a stronger consumer desire for things like “virtual try-ons” and “virtual malls.” But everyone needs to slow their roll just …

Sex, China and Covid-19Read More

Will Retail Become Like the Airline Industry?

By Chris Walton   |   May 31, 2020

A few weeks ago, Walmart debuted its new Express delivery program, whereby Walmart customers can pay an extra $10 fee to have their purchases delivered right to their doors in two hours or less. While questionable on many levels, the move, putting all objections aside, signifies something profound -- namely, that the “experience” of retail is becoming less and less important with each passing Covid day. Similar to the airline industry, attitudes are shifting. What matters now is not experience but getting people what they need in the cheapest …

Will Retail Become Like the Airline Industry?Read More

Chris Walton - Retail Love - The Robin Report

Retail Love in The Time of Coronavirus

By Chris Walton   |   March 25, 2020

Coronavirus coverage is everywhere. One cannot turn on the TV, scroll through social media, or shout at his or her neighbor from more than six feet away without hearing or seeing something about it. But, as important as the coverage is, it shouldn't be all consuming. Amid all the craziness, all the kids interrupting work-from-home conference calls and all the figuring out where to store the toilet paper, now is also the time for happy thoughts. It is important to remember that the retail industry was on an important upward trajectory just …

Retail Love in The Time of CoronavirusRead More

McKinsey Launches a Flashy New Store

By Chris Walton   |   November 12, 2019

Late in September, McKinsey & Company, the famed consulting firm that every year hires left-brained Ivy League MBAs off campuses like a drug addiction, went from consultancy to full-fledged retailer. With much fanfare and national press, McKinsey debuted its Modern Retail Collective at Mall of America. The Collective brings together trending brands, new technologies and even new forms of payment. But in the end, the whole thing just leaves us feeling dazed, confused (and yet wanting more). Everybody's First Time The experience of losing …

McKinsey Launches a Flashy New StoreRead More

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Revealed at Groceryshop 2019

By Chris Walton   |   September 23, 2019

Groceryshop 2019 took place in Las Vegas last week, bringing together the most curious of the curious in retail, CPG and tech for four days of keynote speeches, moderated panels, technology exhibitions, and pots and pots of convention grade coffee. It did not disappoint. "Groceryshop is the best aggregation of players within the industry. It is a place where you can talk to anybody about anything," said Steven Reinemund, VP of eCommerce for The Hain Celestial Group. The convention hall was frenetic, bustling with energy. One could walk …

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Revealed at Groceryshop 2019Read More

A Secret Shop of STORY at Macy’s Reveals Some Ugly Truths

By Chris Walton   |   July 16, 2019

The retail industry often falls in love with its own sound bites. Sexy acquisitions, beautiful in-store PR photos and even charismatic retail personalities are as frequent in the headlines as gnats at a summer barbeque. Yet, the industry gravitates towards them week after week despite the cluttered notice-me landscape in the rare chance that they may offer hope in the face of what is a rapidly advancing and unknown retail future. Macy's acquisition of STORY this past year is one such example. STORY was supposed to be the shining beacon on …

A Secret Shop of STORY at Macy’s Reveals Some Ugly TruthsRead More

Ocado: Tom Hanks or C. Thomas Howell?

By Chris Walton   |   May 5, 2019

Recently the Wall Street Journal reported that Kroger has struggled to come to grips with the impending online grocery upheaval. While Kroger has tried many new things - from testing digital shelving to embarking on autonomous vehicle delivery, one Kroger investment stands out from the others - Ocado, the UK-based online grocery retailer that specializes in direct-to-consumer automated fulfillment. The belle of the ball at Shoptalk 2018, Ocado burst onto the scene, bringing with it hopes of unbridled potential for the U.S. market. But, now, …

Ocado: Tom Hanks or C. Thomas Howell?Read More

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Copyright © 2023 · Robin Lewis, Inc. All rights reserved. Copying or reproducing, by any means whatsoever, of The Robin Report, or any distribution hereof, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Robin Lewis, Inc. is strictly prohibited. The Robin Report is published for senior executives in the retail, fashion, beauty, consumer products and related industries. The opinions expressed herein are not, and should not be construed as investment or other advice. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice.