The National Grocers Association has partnered with NielsenIQ (NIQ) to develop market insights, educational resources and a student competition aimed at independent grocers.
The two organizations will produce an event guide leading up to the 2027 NGA Show, along with a toolkit on NGA’s website showing how independent grocers can use consumer insights in their business decisions. The toolkit will also connect NGA members with NIQ subject matter experts on data, analytics and consumer trends.
“Independent grocers make important business decisions every day about their customers, their products and their communities, and having access to the right insights can make a meaningful difference,” said Greg Ferrara, president and CEO of NGA. “This strategic partnership with NIQ is about making data more understandable and actionable for our members while also creating new opportunities to bring fresh thinking and emerging talent into our industry.”
Student competition
NGA and NIQ will also launch a student competition that asks university students to develop solutions to business issues independent retailers face. NGA will preview the program at its Executive Conference, Oct. 20-22 in Chicago.
“Independent grocers are navigating rapidly changing consumer behaviors and an increasingly complex marketplace,” said Nicole Collida Davis, managing director of U.S. retail and agencies at NIQ. “Through our work with NGA, we also have an opportunity to give the next generation of leaders hands-on experience using data to identify new opportunities for independent grocers.”
NGA represents the retail and wholesale grocers that make up the independent grocery sector, which the association says generates more than $250 billion in sales and 1.1 million jobs. NIQ operates in more than 90 countries.