Staying ahead of the curve can mean many things, especially to independent supermarket operators, who have a unique set of challenges and opportunities in the food retail industry.
It’s widely accepted that senior retail executives must have broad experience in marketing, finance, and operations – while relying on a strong relationship with wholesalers and manufacturers and service suppliers.
One area that continues to evolve and profoundly impact the retail grocery business is technology. Virtually every detail of the supermarket industry is being touched by new technology solutions. A great example can be found in how retailers, wholesalers and their suppliers collaborate to deploy new consumer facing technology to make the shopping experience more relevant and productive. In an effort to improve the shopper experience, we are learning a new way to understand how people react to loyalty programs, nutrition labels, online shopping, and dozens of other subjects.
At NGA we believe that technology and collaboration are critical to the success of our independent supermarket operators. Smaller retailers, no less than the large-scale chains, must stay on top of the tech curve and yet continue to develop and strengthen relationships with their trading partners. That’s why we have announced that we are co-locating the annual Financial Management and Technology Conference with the Trading Partner Business Sessions program. It’s an excellent opportunity for independents to study complex technology and financial issues while exploring new opportunities with manufacturers, service suppliers and wholesalers to help independents grow their business. For more information on the NGA Fall Leadership Meetings, visit www.ngafall.com.
