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:

• BEST at Retail: Experiences—Consumer Centricity Boosts Engagement
• Five Strategies for Success in US Grocery Retail: Leveraging First-Party Data To Offer a Connected Shopping Experience
• How US Consumers Are Shopping for Groceries: Analyzing Traffic, Ticket, E-Commerce and Private Label
• Unified Commerce for the Channel-Agnostic Consumer
• Shifting Payment Infrastructure—The Path to Frictionless Checkout and Decentralized Commerce

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:

• Retail Challenges Drive Edge Technology Investment
• Supply Chain Optimization with Web3: Unlocking the Potential of Intelligent Retail
• Motivating Customer Action and Driving Business Growth with AI-Generated, Personalized Digital Marketing
• The Future of AI in Retail: What Technology Could Make Possible by 2030
• All Coresight Research coverage of emerging technology and generative AI

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:

• Market Navigator: US Grocery Retailing—Exploring Growth, Inflation, Competition, Trends and Strategies
• US Grocery Retail and Recessions. Learnings from the Past and Recommendations for the Future
• RetailTech: How Consumers and Grocery Retailers Can Reduce Food Waste from Field to Fridge

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:

• How Data Sharing and Collaboration Can Accelerate Decision-Making and Enhance Sustainability
• Winning with Retailer-Supplier Collaboration in Grocery and Drug Retail

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:

• 2023 Retail and Technology Outlook: Facing into the Headwinds
• The C-Suite’s Evolution. Embracing Technology and Adapting to Hybrid Working in Retail
• RetailTech: Collaboration Tools for Retailers—Increasing Workplace Productivity

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.