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Your Guide to Groceryshop 2023: How To Navigate Five Themes in Grocery Retail

Introduction

Coresight Research is a research partner of Groceryshop 2023, which will take place during September 19–21, 2023, in Las Vegas, US. Groceryshop is an annual conference that helps businesses navigate the evolving grocery landscape, exploring the latest business models, advanced technologies and shifting consumer behaviors.

This report offers a guide to notable sessions for attendees across five major themes identified by the Groceryshop team: unified shopping experience, game-changing efficiency and future-proofing, new growth opportunities, win-win relationships and organizational evolution. We also highlight the “Shark Reef” Startup Pitch competition (which will take place on the first day of Groceryshop). All times in this report are PT (local time of the event).

To ensure you don’t miss out on critical insights, we will provide regular coverage of Groceryshop 2023 on coresight.com.

Closing the event, leaders of the Groceryshop Content Team will host the “Groceryshop Key Takeaways” session in Track 4 at 3.00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21. Coresight Research will publish a wrap-up of everything you need to know from Groceryshop 2023 after the event.

  • Dive into the US grocery retail market with our Market Navigator, which explores growth, inflation, competition, trends and strategies.

Guide to Groceryshop 2023: Coresight Research Insights

Notable Sessions Across Five Major Themes

1. Unified Shopping Experience

A consumer-centric retail strategy takes full advantage of physical stores and consumer data to create engaging experiences. With the infinite choices available to today’s shoppers, good shopping experiences are a differentiator. Brands and retailers must remain consistent in their efforts to create memorable experiences for their customers both online and in physical stores, weaving hospitality into all consumer touchpoints.

In building omnichannel experiences for consumers, retail companies must ensure data integration, inventory visibility, seamless checkout, a user-friendly website and mobile app, social commerce integration, flexible fulfillment options, analytics and employee training.

Below, we present notable sessions relevant to this theme.

Time Session Track Speakers/Panelists
Tuesday, September 19
3.15 p.m. –3.55 p.m. Case Studies: Tactics for Unifying Online and In-Store Grocery 1. Creating Outstanding Shopping Experiences Steve Henig, Chief Customer Officer, Wakefern Food Corp

Tammy Ackerman, VP, Retail E-Commerce, Treasury Wine Estates

Manish Sharma, VP and GM Omni-commerce, The Kellogg Company

Ben Miller, Director of Original Content, Groceryshop (Emcee)

Wednesday, September 20
4.00 p.m. –4.40 p.m. Strategies for Omnichannel Fulfillment and Delivery 2. Optimizing the Grocery Supply Chain Jennifer McKeehan, SVP, End to End Delivery, Walmart US, Walmart

Fuad Hannon, VP, New Business Verticals, DoorDash

Mustafa Bartin, CEO, Migros Turkey Retail

John Carroll, President of Digital Commerce & Advanced Analytics, Acosta Group (Interviewer)

4.50 p.m.–5.30 p.m. Breakthrough Physical Retail Experiences for Omnichannel Shoppers 1. Meeting Ever-Changing Consumer Needs Dave Steck, VP, IT Infrastructure & Application Development, Schnuck Markets

Jody Wasbro, SVP, Strategy & Experience Design, WD Partners

Ben Miller, Director of Original Content, Groceryshop (Presenter & Interviewer)

Thursday, September 21
9.35 a.m.–10.15 a.m. Track Keynote: Serving the On-the-Go Consumer 3. The Convergence of Grocery, Convenience and QSR Cara Keating, Chief Customer Officer, Frito-Lay North America, PepsiCo

Shefali Kapadia, Managing Editor, CPG Specialist, Financial Times (Interviewer)

Related Coresight Research reports:

2. Game-Changing Efficiency and Future-Proofing

The adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI and automation will redefine grocery operations by improving efficiency, enabling data-driven decision-making, elevating customer experiences and transforming supply chain management.

Coresight Research estimates that global retail revenues generated because of AI technologies will grow to $38.6 billion in 2030, representing a CAGR of 23.9% from 2023. In the same time frame, the global generative AI software market (service providers’ estimated revenue) will grow at a CAGR of 90.3%, to $74.8 billion, we estimate. The Coresight Research CORE framework for generative AI in retail serves as a navigation tool for retail companies exploring the use cases of generative AI in the industry. However, challenges such as data privacy, bias, hallucinations and a lack of customer trust must be addressed to successfully implement generative AI technologies.

Ahold Delhaize is one of the leading retail companies investing heavily in technology. In its most recent earnings call on August 9, 2023, the company reported that it is doing so to fuel growth, enhance customer experiences and secure industry-leading margins. Initiatives involve embracing transformational changes in the operating model, with a focus on new business models, automation, technology and data. CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA, JJ Fleeman, will deliver a keynote speech on the first day of Groceryshop 2023.

Below, we present notable sessions relevant to this theme.

Time Session Track Speakers/Panelists
Tuesday, September 19
10.40 a.m.–11.00 a.m. Keynote Keynote (Oceanside Ballroom) Rodney McMullen, Chairman & CEO, Kroger

Melissa Repko, Retail & Consumer Reporter, CNBC (Interviewer)

12.45 p.m.–1.05 p.m. Moments that Matter: Delivering Connected Omnichannel Experiences Keynote (Oceanside Ballroom) JJ Fleeman, CEO, Ahold Delhaize USA

Joe Laszlo, VP Content, Groceryshop (Interviewer)

4.55 p.m.–5.35 p.m. Track Keynote: Tapping Generative AI to Elevate Shopping Experiences 1. Creating Outstanding Shopping Experiences Surabhi Pokhriyal, Chief Digital Growth Officer, Church & Dwight

Veeral Shah, Chief Digital & E-Commerce Officer, Nestlé USA

Nick Handrinos, Vice Chairman, Retail & Consumer Products Leader, Deloitte (Interviewer)

Wednesday, September 20
8.45 a.m.–9.25 a.m. Generative AI Tools for Grocery & CPG 3. Technology Solution Spotlight Kathleen Mitford, Corporate VP, Global Industry, Microsoft

Matt Swalley, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, Omneky

Jeff Erickson, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Viable

Graham Hogg, Co-Founder & CEO, see6

Rupal Parekh, Partner, Work & Co (Interviewer)

9.35 a.m.–10.15 a.m. Leveraging Automation Across the Organization 2. Achieving Operational Efficiencies Amitabh Mall, Chief Analytics Officer & Managing Director, wiq, Woolworths Group

Prabash Coswatte, Chief Administrative Officer, Heritage Grocers Group

Alicia LeBeouf, Head of Industry – Retail, Marketplaces, & Grocery, Meta

Sebastian Bak, Partner & Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group (Interviewer)

4.00 p.m.–4.40 p.m. Technologies Transforming Store Operations and Empowering Associates 3. Technology Solution Spotlight David von Laskowski, President & CEO, Picadeli & Greenfood Group

Jacqueline Claudia, CEO, SmarterX

Brad Bogolea, Co-Founder & CEO, Simbe Robotics

Jordan Fisher, Founder & CEO, Standard AI

Tony Ward, Retail Leader, Ernst & Young (Interviewer)

4.50 p.m.–5.30 p.m. Technologies Powering Engaging Shopping Experiences 3. Technology Solution Spotlight Neha Singh, Founder & CEO, Obsess

Devo Harris, Founder & CEO, Adventr

Matt Eichorn, Co-Founder, President & CEO, Freeosk

Shariq Siddiqui, Founder & CEO, Veeve

Bernardine Wu, Executive Managing Director, OSF Digital (Interviewer)

Related Coresight Research reports:

3. New Growth Opportunities

  • Diversification beyond traditional offerings will unlock new revenue streams. Increased focus among stakeholders on sustainability, as well as trends in health-conscious consumption, meal kits and gourmet selections, present opportunities for brands and retailers.
  • Grocery brands and retailers are responding to evolving consumer preferences and lifestyles by changing how they stock and market their products, with many businesses offering new health and wellness products across the edible and non-edible subcategories or implementing clear labeling that highlights a product’s nutritional ingredients or sourcing journey, making it easier for consumers to make informed buying decisions.

Below, we present notable sessions relevant to this theme.

Time Session Track Speakers/Panelists
Tuesday, September 19
11.00 a.m.–11.20 a.m. The Joys and Challenges of Scaling Mission-Driven Brands Keynote (Oceanside Ballroom) Seth Goldman, Co-Founder and CEO, Eat the Change

Joe Laszlo, VP Content, Groceryshop (Interviewer)

3.15 p.m.–3.55 p.m. New Industry Research: Consolidation, Inflation and Other Trends Shaping Grocery 2. Thriving in a New Grocery Environment Scott Moses, Partner & Head of Grocery, Pharmacy & Restaurants Investment Banking, Solomon Partners

Karen Short, Managing Director, Credit Suisse

Lorelei Bergin, VP, North American Retail, NielsenIQ

HG O’Connell, Content Director, Groceryshop (Emcee)

4.55 p.m.–5.35 p.m. Track Keynote: Embracing Innovation During Uncertain Times 2. Thriving in a New Grocery Environment Tim Simmons, Chief Product Officer, Sam’s Club

Sarah Engel, President, January Digital (Interviewer)

Kristen Riggs, President, Salty Snacks, The Hershey Company

Melissa Repko, Retail & Consumer Reporter, CNBC (Interviewer)

Wednesday, September 20
4.00 p.m.–4.40 p.m. Sustainability and Purpose-Driven Initiatives Generating Business Value 1. Meeting Ever-Changing Consumer Needs Beatrice Dixon, Founder, CEO & Chief Innovation Officer, The Honey Pot

Brandon Vick, VP, North America Fabric Care, P&G

Ben Eppler, Partner & Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group (Interviewer)

Thursday, September 21
8.45 a.m.–9.25 a.m. Making Grocery Retail a Health and Wellness Destination 2. Unlocking New Growth Opportunities Rhasheda Boyd, VP, Better Choice Snacking Portfolio, Frito-Lay North America

Ron Bonacci, VP of Advertising & Marketing, Rouses Markets

Irina Pelphrey, VP, Health & Managed Care, Albertsons Companies

Gary Hawkins, Founder & CEO, Center for Advancing Retail and Technology (CART) (Interviewer)

12.10 p.m.–12.30 p.m. Unlocking Growth in Grocery: A New Approach Keynote (Oceanside Ballroom) Aaron Wiese, President, Hy-Vee

Donna Tweeten, President, Hy-Vee

Ben Miller, Director of Original Content, Groceryshop (Interviewer)

9.35 a.m.–10.15 a.m. Winning Product Assortment Strategies 2. Unlocking New Growth Opportunities Chad Petersen, SVP, E-Commerce, Lowes Foods/Alex Lee Retail

Jay Owen, Co-Founder & Chairman, Dom’s Kitchen & Market

Jennie Perry, Chief Marketing Officer, Grove Collaborative

Angus McOuat, Partner, McKinsey & Company (Interviewer)

1.50 p.m.–2.50 p.m. Merchandising Innovations that Drive Category Growth 2. Extended Research and Tactical Insights: Growth Opportunities Brandon Yahn, Co-Founder & Partner, Convivialité Ventures (Pernod Ricard)

Jayme Jansky Beck, Head of Field Omni-Shopper Marketing, Unilever

Frances Dillard, VP, Brand & Product Marketing, Driscoll’s

Elizabeth Harris, Chief Strategy Officer, Arc Worldwide (Presenter & Interviewer)

Related Coresight Research reports:

4. Win-Win Relationships

Amid changing market conditions such as fast-developing e-commerce and discount channels, retailers are under immense pressure to fulfill customer needs, forecast category demand, manage supply chain processes and generate growth. In grocery and adjacent sectors, it has become more important than ever for retailers to adapt quickly to changing consumer behavior and market trends. Retailers can achieve this through effective shopper-centric collaboration with their suppliers, but shared goals and a single version of the truth are key. Grocers and suppliers should also work closely to ensure efficient sourcing, sustainable practices and reduced environmental impact, benefiting both parties and addressing growing consumer concerns about ethics and sustainability.

Kroger announced on August 15, 2023, that it is working with 80 Acres Farms, a global vertical farming company to bring fresh, clean produce to more households. 80 Acres Farms grows pesticide-free produce, including salad blends, herbs and tomatoes. Currently, the company operates production farms in Ohio and Kentucky, as well as research facilities in Arkansas and The Netherlands. Kroger brought 80 Acres Farms’ fresh produce to new geographies, including Georgia, Michigan and Tennessee in early 2023, and is continuing into the Mid-Atlantic and Delta regions in the fall.

Another important pillar of win-win relationships lies in data sharing. Grocers can introduce and expand services such as fulfillment as a service, B2B (business-to-business) e-commerce and data analytics solutions to assist partners in their marketing and e-commerce endeavors while driving growth for their own businesses.

Below, we present notable sessions relevant to this theme.

Time Session Track Speakers/Panelists
Wednesday, September 20
4.50 p.m.–5.30 p.m. Using Omnichannel Data to Fuel Personalization 4. Fresh Research and Tactical Insights: Marketing Channan Sawhney, Head, Global eCommerce, Kenvue

Karin Chu, VP, Data Science & Digital Analytics, Peapod Digital Labs

Sam Tomlinson, EVP of Strategy & Analytics, Warschawski (Presenter & Interviewer)

Thursday, September 21
1.50 p.m.–2.50 p.m. Leveraging Tech and Data Prowess to Cultivate New B2B Partnerships 2. Extended Research and Tactical Insights: Partnerships Chad Fox, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Dollar General

Daniel Lundh, Founder, Lifvs/Storekey

Stewart Samuel, Director of Retail Futures, IGD (Presenter & Interviewer)

3.00 p.m.–4.00 p.m. Brand Perspectives on Effective Retail Media Strategies 1. Extended Research and Tactical Insights: Marketing Jie Cheng, VP & Global Head, Digital Commerce, Mondelēz International

Simon Miles, VP, Global OmniChannel Commercial Strategy, The Coca-Cola Company

Andrew Lipsman, Principal Analyst, Insider Intelligence (Presenter & Interviewer)

Related Coresight Research reports:

5. Organizational Evolution

A culture of adaptability and continuous learning will drive success for grocery retailers: grocers that foster an environment of innovation, empower their workforce and prioritize customer-centricity will be better positioned to navigate industry shifts effectively. We are seeing many businesses restructuring their teams and processes to better share data and insights, unify the organization and equip their workforce with new tools. For example, in March 2023, Kroger announced a more than $770 million incremental investment in its associates during 2023. The company will use this investment to raise average hourly rates, improve healthcare options, and build new training and development opportunities.

Below, we present notable sessions relevant to this theme.

Time Session Track Speakers/Panelists
Tuesday, September 19
4.05 p.m.–4.45 p.m. Winning Organizational and Team Structures for Unified Commerce 1. Creating Outstanding Shopping Experiences Ajay Sharma, VP, E-Commerce & OmniChannel, North America, Bayer Consumer Health

Damian Scott, EVP, Retail Media & Front-End Digital Development, Giant Eagle

Deepak Jose, Global Head of One Demand Data & Analytics Solutions, Mars Wrigley

Elizabeth Mayer, Partner, The Partnering Group (Interviewer)

Wednesday, September 20
8.45 a.m.–9.25 a.m. Hiring and Upskilling Digital Talent 4. Interactive Q&As. Leadership, Diversity and Talent Luke Anderson, Chief Information Officer, Cub

Jennifer Hopper, Chief Information Officer, Save A Lot

Sarah Engel, President, January Digital (Interviewer)

9.35 a.m.–10.15 a.m. Track Keynote. Empowering Women and Diverse Leaders 4. Interactive Q&As. Leadership, Diversity and Talent Nathalie Gerschtein, President, Consumer Products Division, North America, L’Oréal

Anne Mezzenga, Co-CEO, Omni Talk (Interviewer)

Related Coresight Research reports:

Don’t Miss the Startup Pitch Competition!

We strongly urge attendees to join the “Shark Reef” Startup Pitch competition, which will span three sessions on September 19 in Track 3, beginning at 3.15 p.m. and concluding at 5.35 p.m. The event will comprise presentations from and Q&A with early-stage startups whose technologies are addressing challenges in retail. The judges and audience will rate each company, to determine Judges’ Choice and Audience Choice winners.

Deborah Weinswig, CEO and Founder of Coresight Research, will emcee the competition, in addition to participating as one of the judging panel. The other judges are:

  • Ashley Hartman, Managing Partner, Bluestein Ventures
  • Matt Nichols, General Partner, Commerce Ventures
  • Carle Stenmark, General Partner, VMG Partners

Representatives from the participating innovators that will compete in the Startup Pitch are:

  • Tom Borgers, Founder and CEO, 3mint
  • Tomás Gazmuri, Co-Founder and CEO, AndesML
  • Jason Vego, Co-Founder and CEO, Bevz
  • Sarah Nesheim, Co-Founder, Crafted
  • Khuldoon Bukhari, Co-Founder and CEO, Envelope
  • Euro Wang, Co-Founder and CEO, Guac
  • Yegor Anchyshkin, Co-Founder and CEO, Instock.com
  • Tanvi Surti, Co-Founder and CEO, Luca
  • Julia Cohen, Co-Founder and CEO, Mammoth
  • Frank Pica, Co-Founder and CEO, Native AI
  • Adam Stave, Founder and CEO, Swish Brand Experiences
  • Kathy Silva, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, TAINR

Look out for our upcoming preview report on the Startup Pitch competition.

What We Think

Groceryshop 2023 will present a key opportunity for brands, retailers and technology providers to gain insights into the evolving grocery landscape and how to best position themselves for sustainable growth and success.

Implications for Brands/Retailers

  • Brands and retailers should focus on creating a unified, convenient and frictionless shopping journey to meet evolving customer expectations. Brands and retailers can leverage data to improve personalization with the aim of increasing customer engagement and loyalty.
  • Brands and retailers must embrace and implement advanced technologies to modernize their operations. Investment in AI, generative AI and automation can improve efficiency and customer service while lowering operational costs.
  • Brands and retailers should analyze consumer trends and preferences to diversify their product offerings. This could involve introducing health-conscious options, meal kits and gourmet selections.
  • Brands and retailers must cultivate strong relationships with suppliers, focusing on transparency, sustainability and ethical practices throughout the supply chain.
  • A culture of adaptability and continuous learning will drive success. Grocers that foster an environment of innovation, empower their workforce with digital skills, and prioritize customer-centricity will be best positioned to navigate industry shifts effectively.

Brands or Retailers Poised To Gain Advantage

  • Brands and retailers such as Kroger and Kellogg’s that successfully integrate their online and offline operations will gain a competitive edge by providing convenience, flexibility and a consistent shopping journey that can enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction.
  • Brands and retailers such as Ahold Delhaize, Nestlé and PepsiCo that are investing in game-changing technologies will enhance their operational agility, resulting in improved customer service and a more profitable bottom line.
  • Grocers that embrace innovative product offerings aligned with changing consumer behavior will attract a broader customer base, boost sales and solidify their position in an evolving market. Some successful examples include Eat the Change, The Hershey Company and Mars.

Brands or Retailers That Risk Losing Advantage

  • Customers may find it frustrating to have a different experience in-store and online while shopping from traditional grocers, leading to decreased loyalty and satisfaction. A grocery chain that is not open to new technologies and instead sticks to manual processes and outdated systems may fail.

Implications for Technology Vendors

  • We see opportunities for technology vendors that provide solutions for brands and retailers to seamlessly integrate online and offline touchpoints. Vendors can also offer robust data analytics and personalization solutions, helping brands and retailers gather customer insights, deliver tailored experiences and optimize post-purchase interactions.
  • Generative AI promises enormous boosts in capabilities and productivity for retailers, presenting a key opportunity for application and platform providers. Generative AI could help grocers draft product descriptions, find insights in customer data and improve operational efficiency.

Notes

Groceryshop 2023 agenda details accurate as of September 11, 2023.