--- title: What Does Post-Pandemic Success In Retail Look Like With Greg Buzek description: Greg Buzek, founder and co-CEO of Omni Talk, President of IHL Group talks on how retailers can prepare for the post-pandemic retail landscape. image: https://www.hotwax.co/hubfs/podcast-cover-greg-buzek-post-pandemic-retail.jpg --- [![HotWax Commerce](https://www.hotwax.co/hs-fs/hubfs/hotwax-logo.png?width=200&height=63&name=hotwax-logo.png)](https://www.hotwax.co/) [![HotWax Commerce](https://www.hotwax.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Common%20assets/Logos/HotWax/HWCLogoDarkMode.png?width=200&height=63&name=HWCLogoDarkMode.png)](https://www.hotwax.co/) ☰ - Product - Overview - [Order Management System](https://www.hotwax.co/product/omnichannel-order-management-system/) - [Store Inventory Management](https://www.hotwax.co/solution/store-inventory-management) - [Omnichannel Suite](https://www.hotwax.co/product/omnichannel-order-management-system-for-shopify/) - [OMS Architecture](https://www.hotwax.co/product/technology/oms-architecture) - [MCP Server](https://www.hotwax.co/product/technology/mcp-server) - [AI Powered Order Routing](https://www.hotwax.co/product/technology/ai-powered-order-routing) - [FAQs](https://www.hotwax.co/frequently-asked-questions) - [Product Updates](https://www.hotwax.co/product-updates) - [Knowledge Base](https://www.hotwax.co/hotwax-commerce-documentation) - Integrations - [Shopify](https://www.hotwax.co/shopify-order-management-integration) - [NetSuite](https://www.hotwax.co/hotwax-netsuite-integration) - [All Integrations](https://www.hotwax.co/all-integrations/) - Use Cases - By Business Benefits - [Prevent Overselling](https://www.hotwax.co/use-cases/prevent-overselling) - [Unified Inventory](https://www.hotwax.co/solution/unified-inventory/) - [Order Routing](https://www.hotwax.co/solution/configurable-order-routing) - [Ship From Store](https://www.hotwax.co/solution/ship-from-store-software) - [Buy Online Pick-Up In Store](https://www.hotwax.co/solution/buy-online-pick-up-in-store-bopis-software/) - [Pre-Orders](https://www.hotwax.co/solution/pre-orders/) - [Inventory Transfers](https://www.hotwax.co/inventory-transfers) - [Cycle Counts](https://www.hotwax.co/cycle-count) - [Return In Store](https://www.hotwax.co/solution/buy-online-return-in-store-boris-software) - [Retail Sales Audit](https://www.hotwax.co/product/omnichannel-retail-sales-audit-oresa/) - By Business Model - [Footwear](https://www.hotwax.co/industries/footwear) - [Jewelry](https://www.hotwax.co/industries/jewelry) - [Fashion & Apparel](https://www.hotwax.co/industries/apparel-and-fashion) - [Beauty](https://www.hotwax.co/industries/beauty-and-personal-care) - [Travel](https://www.hotwax.co/industries/travel-and-bags) - Resources - [Blog](https://www.hotwax.co/blog) - [Podcast](https://www.hotwax.co/podcast) - [Whitepaper](https://www.hotwax.co/whitepaper) - [Luxury Order Management](https://www.hotwax.co/order-management-system-for-luxury-brands) - [Comparing Order Management Capabilities B/W Shopify and HotWax](https://www.hotwax.co/comparing-order-management-capabilities-between-shopify-and-hotwax) - [How To Do By Online Pick-Up In Store Right](https://www.hotwax.co/how-to-do-buy-online-pick-up-in-store-right) - [Solution Briefs](https://www.hotwax.co/solution-briefs) - [Demo Videos](https://www.hotwax.co/demo-videos/) - [Sample BI Reports](https://www.hotwax.co/business-intelligence-bi-reports) - Company - [Our Story](https://www.hotwax.co/about-us/our-story/) - [Team](https://www.hotwax.co/about-us/) - [Partners](https://www.hotwax.co/become-a-partner) - [Customers](https://www.hotwax.co/customers) - [Pressroom](https://www.hotwax.co/hotwax-commerce-pressroom) - [Social Impact](https://www.hotwax.co/social-impact-hotwax-commerce) - [Events](https://www.hotwax.co/events-and-conferences) - [Security](https://www.hotwax.co/privacy-and-security) [Book a demo](https://cta-na2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/click?encryptedPayload=AVxigLISXXGkcOtRysPKfjcriLyodY4rudkc50veKlKDe8q2B1%2FRWGeLxDhbY%2BkohRU8XspED5h92umpu7OkRZM1bllkBJKAFAlbNGEnCRAQX7O752HQT17G9v%2FBCweH%2FXvHlZ5%2FUC0MRPtKYCn5XoGb8TpxbLxvKbLalLOZcHeqoaHicFtr15mZOUkn2Y06IxHVsa5b0g%3D%3D&portalId=6357099) # What Does Post-Pandemic Success In Retail Look Like With Greg Buzek ![Episode date](https://www.hotwax.co/hubfs/Hotwax-2021/Podcast-List/Calander_icon.svg) July 20, 2021   ### Summary Our special guest, Greg Buzek, joins us to discuss how retailers can prepare for the post-pandemic retail landscape. What were the major factors that influenced retail success in the pandemic? What sorts of tools and technologies should retailers continue to invest in after the pandemic has completely waned? How can the little guy keep up? - We ask these questions and more of our special guest, Greg Buzek, founder and co-CEO of Omni Talk, Founder and President of IHL Group, and one of the Founders of the Retail Orphan Initiative. - Greg’s professional background provides him with a unique view into the retail industry, one that focuses on the data and technology needed in order to provide the best experience possible for the consumer. - He is also one of the founders of the Retail Orphan Initiative, a wonderful charitable organization that you can get involved in at retailROI.com. ## Conversation Rundown **\[ 5:08-7:38 \] What was the key to success in the pandemic?** At the beginning, retail success in the pandemic was all about the kind of inventory you carried. We all remember the toilet paper drought. But after that phase waned, it was all about inventory visibility and omnichannel capabilities. Retailers that had already invested in omnichannel tech to enable BOPIS, BORIS, and so forth came out on top. Forward-thinking retailers that already understood the importance of frictionless check-outs gained another advantage. **\[ 13:03-14:27 \] The importance of retail visibility in a pandemic** Inventory visibility has always been important. But during this pandemic, it could make the difference between growth and bankruptcy. Given the number of mobile orders that needed to be fulfilled, retailers needed to know what was available and in what quantities in order to reliably fulfill from store. That seems obvious enough, but very few retailers enjoy the inventory transparency they need. **\[ 24:56-26:33 \] Supply and demand challenges of the pandemic** This pandemic has been so challenging, particularly for specialty retailers. At the beginning, supply far outstripped demand. Retailers were forced to close their doors and shift online, even though many were not prepared for it. As certainty slowly returned to the market, people were ready to spend again. Today, with a majority of restrictions eased, people are returning to stores. Yet now retailers face supply and labor shortages. But what is the solution here? **\[ 29:18-31:59 \] The balance between privacy and customer service** There is such an importance balance to be struck between privacy and customer service. It's critical to leverage data to enhance the shopping experience. But knowing everything about your customer before they've shared it with you is scary. That's why you need to be selective about the information you select and the way in which you market. Collect key pieces of intent data but make sure your customers know what they're getting into online. Personalization is only a plus when it makes the experience more seamless and comfortable. ## Meet the Experts Greg Buzek is a founder and co-CEO of Omni Talk, Founder, and President of IHL Group, and one of the Founders of the Retail Orphan Initiative. He is also one of the founders of the Retail Orphan Initiative, a wonderful charitable organization that you can get involved in at retailROI.com. Greg’s professional background provides him with a unique view into the retail industry, one that focuses on the data and technology needed in order to provide the best experience possible for the consumer. ## Retail Tips & Tweetables Retailers investing in multi-channel fulfillment methods during the pandemic were able to catch more sales as compared to those who didn’t. Locally based specialized shops can leverage personalization in a better way, as compared to malls, to enrich the customer experience. ## Listen Now: [![Apple Podcasts](https://www.hotwax.co/hubfs/Hotwax-2021/Podcast-List/Podcasts%20(1).svg) Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/what-does-post-pandemic-success-in-retail-look-like/id1546669275?i=1000529436610) [![Google Podcasts](https://www.hotwax.co/hubfs/Hotwax-2021/Podcast-List/google-podcasts%20(1).svg) Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xNDY4NzExLnJzcw/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC04ODkxODQz?sa=X&ved=0CAQQkfYCahcKEwjgnqGr6_TxAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg) [![Spotify](https://www.hotwax.co/hubfs/Hotwax-2021/Podcast-List/Spotify_logo.svg) Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/7x6QN5I5CQsq2H87aWBVdW) [![YouTube](https://www.hotwax.co/hubfs/Hotwax-2021/Podcast-List/YouTube%20(1).svg) Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBWEu54FExQ&list=PLtfKjEZGfU0MyOC4nAqVHKq-NR4RFzreO&index=33) ## Share This - 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[Omnichannel Retail Sales Audit](https://www.hotwax.co/product/omnichannel-retail-sales-audit-oresa/) © 2026 HotWax Commerce ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Anil Patel", "url" : "https://www.hotwax.co/podcast/author/anil-patel" }, "dateModified" : "2025-04-02T09:45:12.417Z", "datePublished" : "2021-07-19T18:44:00.000Z", "headline" : "What Does Post-Pandemic Success In Retail Look Like With Greg Buzek", "image" : [ "https://www.hotwax.co/hubfs/podcast-cover-greg-buzek-post-pandemic-retail.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.hotwax.co/podcast/what-does-post-pandemic-success-in-retail-look-like-with-greg-buzek", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.hotwax.co/hubfs/hotwax-logo.png" }, "name" : "HotWax Commerce" } } ```