AI, DEI and SNAP were among the topics covered for independent grocers as part of an education program that wrapped up the third and final day of the 2024 NGA Show, which boasted a record-setting attendance of 3,600.
“From fresh to tech, from economics to HR and marketing to merchandising, The NGA Show offers a veritable textbook for success for grocery operators and their trading partners,” said Greg Ferrara, president and CEO.
“We’re confident that our attendees will be heading home refreshed, inspired and equipped with a new year’s worth of ideas to propel their businesses forward.”
NGA and Clarion Events hosted the annual gathering March 10-12 at Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The show’s third day began with a general session panel discussion, “Getting Fresh with Your Customer to Drive More In-Store Traffic,” exploring the latest insights and trends in the produce department and overall fresh perimeter. The panel included Brian Framson of Citrus America, Dave Holloway of Busch’s Fresh Foods Market, Jonna Parker of Circana, Dorn Wenninger of UNFI and Matt Williams of Bowery.
Following Tuesday’s general session, the expo hall opened for a second day, with on-floor theater sessions covering topics such as digital promotions, SNAP online, data analytics, store brands, opportunities in RTD coffee and payment technology.
Also in the expo hall, students from the Food Industry University Coalition presented the Student Standout Awards, honoring their choices for the most interesting and valuable products on the expo floor.
This year’s winners included: Amodex in the center store category; Soulful Bee for fresh health and wellness/pharmacy; Retail Data Systems for operational services; Digi America Inc. for sustainability in store design; and Shopic for technology.
Afternoon breakouts featured sessions on sustainability, AI in marketing, reducing theft, trends in insurance and retirement funds, SNAP for e-commerce, in-store technology, DEI programs, training for retention and meat marketing.
The afternoon general session opened with the final round of the Student Case Study Competition, sponsored by UNFI.
A panel of judges declared the team from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, as the winner for its proposed strategy for “Maintaining a Competitive Edge,” working with this year’s case study subject, Illinois-based Niemann Foods. The Cornell team edged out a squad from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.
Closing out the afternoon was “Economic Challenges for Consumers and the Changing Shopper Landscape for Grocery,” presented by John Ross, president and CEO of IGA. Ross offered an examination of the global economy and suggestions for how retailers and brands can keep pace with changing shopper demands. A closing celebratory reception followed.
The 2025 NGA Show is scheduled for Feb. 23-25 in Las Vegas.
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About The NGA Show
For more than 30 years, The NGA Show has been the place where independent grocers gather, connecting supermarket retailers and wholesalers, food manufacturers and service providers to share solutions and best practices that support and strengthen the independent supermarket channel.
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