There has been a lot written about the future of retail, whether it's in an apocalypse, whether it's dying, or whether it's in a dip. People wonder if shrinking malls are a harbinger of things to come, and if Main Street and Anchor Stores will be subsumed by online e-commerce giants with same-day shipping. I've seen more than one headline talking about the'changing shape of retail.' The truth is, shopping hasn't changed. The traditional model of retail has changed. There will always be a demand for shopping centers.

Top executives from Target, Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Alibaba and many other innovators shared their views on the future of commerce at the second annual Shoptalk, which drew more than 5,000 attendees. Simplification, the elimination of friction, the magic of mobile devices and the evolution of shopping were recurring themes through the first several days of Shoptalk. "Our members absolutely love Scan'n Go," Iannone said, explaining how it allows members to avoid the checkout line and simply show their mobile receipt as they exit the building. "It has helped drive frequency and sales and has been a really helpful innovation for us." As is the case at Sam's Club, Target Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell shared a retail world view that envisions the seamless integration of physical and digital.