Hundreds of the independent grocery industry’s top leaders have gathered in the nation’s capital this week for three days of data-driven planning, education and networking during the National Grocers Association’s (NGA) annual Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C.
With Election Day looming and control of the nation’s policy agenda on the line, the summit aims to prepare grocery leaders for what the future holds for the independent grocery industry, including technology, marketing and policy.
The summit is unfolding Oct. 28-30 on the front lines of NGA’s advocacy for policies that impact the future of independent community grocers in both rural and urban markets across the country. The association’s priorities include enforcement and strengthening of antitrust regulations, credit card swipe fee reform and federal nutrition programs that recognize the contribution of independent grocers to expand food accessibility and support local economies.
“No matter what the outcome of the election next week, the environment in which businesses will operate will likely change in the coming months. The summit is so incredibly valuable because it’s designed to prepare independent grocers and their trading partners to handle whatever lies ahead,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA’s president and CEO.
Welcome remarks from Ferrara and NGA Board Chairman Manard Lagasse, president and CEO of Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Associated Grocers Inc., kicked off the agenda. Up next was “Navigating the Future: State of the Independent Grocery Industry,” a comprehensive update on the industry landscape and outlook. Moderator Scott Moses of Solomon Partners led a panel that included Joe Kirby, CEO of Imperial Distributors, and Amy McClellan, SVP, CCO, SpartanNash.
The program continued with “Unlocking Insights: Findings from the NGA-FMS Financial Benchmark Report for Independent Grocers,” where FMS Solutions President and CEO Robert Graybill analyzed key findings on profitability, labor costs and sales trends. The report revealed net profit at 1.4 percent, a return to pre-pandemic levels, and an EBITDA decline to 2.77 percent, underscoring challenges in the independent grocery sector.
Graybill’s session was followed by “Consumer Behavior Changes: Are You Ready?” featuring Andrew Henkel, president of retail, SPINS; and Meagan Nelson, VP of retail and distributor growth, SPINS.
Sessions continued with “How Will Consumers Shop for Food in 2030? The Future of Technology in Grocery” led by Craig Rosenblum, principal, Columbus Consulting. The session covered how technology should be viewed as an enhancement or augmentation of personal and business actions.
Closing out the first day was keynote speaker, Peter Cressy, director of executive leadership programs at the George Washington Leadership Institute, with a focus on leadership titled “Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Churchill: A Strategic Approach to Leading Through Crisis and Change.”
A fundraiser supporting the NGA Foundation wrapped up the evening.
For more information about the summit, visit here.
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