The NGA Foundation, the educational arm of the National Grocers Association, has unveiled the official topic for its 2026 Student Case Study Competition, part of the learning and professional development lineup at The NGA Show scheduled for Feb. 1-3.
The competition gives collegiate teams an opportunity to tackle real-world business challenges facing independent grocers.
For 2026, the case study focuses on “Keeping Shelves Relevant and Customers Inspired: Converting Direct-to-Consumer Trends into In-Store Activations,” a topic that challenges participating student 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 compelling, high-impact in-store strategies.
This year’s program is anchored by Nugget Markets, Inc., a family-owned independent retailer with 16 stores across Northern California, which will serve as the featured partner and real-world context for competitors. Student teams will be asked to develop actionable retail strategies that 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.”
Hosted annually at The NGA Show, the Student Case Study Competition pairs academic teams with industry mentors and judges, offering finalists the chance to present their solutions live at the conference and compete for cash awards and recognition. The event is designed to strengthen the pipeline of future leaders in the independent grocery sector by pairing classroom learning with real business issues.
As part of the NGA Foundation’s broader student engagement efforts — which also include scholarships and networking opportunities — the case study competition continues to highlight the growing role of strategic thinking, technology and customer engagement in shaping the future of independent grocery retail.
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