The NGA Foundation, the educational arm of the National Grocers Association, has revealed the topic for its Student Case Study Competition at The 2026 NGA Show – “Keeping Shelves Relevant and Customers Inspired: Converting Direct-to-Consumer Trends into In-Store Activations.”
The show is set for Feb. 1-3 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Part of the event’s learning and professional development lineup, the competition gives collegiate teams an opportunity to tackle real-world business challenges facing independent grocers.
It pairs them with industry mentors and judges, offering finalists the chance to present their solutions at the conference and compete for cash awards and recognition.
The topic will challenge the teams to explore ways independent retailers can translate fast-growing direct-to-consumer (DTC) behaviors – such as personalization, subscription experiences and digital-first product discovery – into high-impact in-store strategies.
Nugget Markets Inc., a family-owned independent retailer with 16 stores across Northern California, will serve as the featured partner and real-world context for competitors.
The teams will be asked to develop retail strategies that can help Nugget Markets keep shelves relevant, energize consumers and strengthen shopper loyalty amid evolving expectations.
“The Student Case Study Competition gives students a powerful platform to analyze real business challenges and propose actionable solutions that reflect the rapidly changing food retail landscape,” said Kelly Hanson, NGA’s director of education and insights.
“Nugget Markets’ innovative approach provides an ideal environment for students to reimagine how independents can bring DTC inspiration into the store.”
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