Progressive Grocer Magazine - December 2018

In this issue

It’s that time again: the exciting transition of embarking
on the unknowns of a new year while one reflects on the
accomplishments of the past 12 months.
With competition in the grocery space becoming more fierce than
ever before, retailers will be duking it out over how best to deliver
on shopper need states. Stores are going to be reconfigured,
new services created. From home delivery and meal kits to
prepared foods and in-store experiences, grocers will be focused
on innovating the best means to the shopper’s end. Mergers and
alliances will be less about expanding market share and more
about leveraging complementary competencies to better bring
consumers what they want, how they want it.
The largest traditional grocers and the industry’s usual
pacesetter will be looking more concertedly at the expansion
of private labels, meal kits, digital, home delivery, new stores,
price cuts, new sustainability initiatives, and courting of local
suppliers. They will be relying increasingly on investments in
insights to make their customer-first elements faster and more
aggressive.
As a new year looms ahead, grocery retail has a responsibility
to offer potential products and services that aligns with its
customers’ goals. It’s a surefire way to build trust with your
shoppers that will last, regardless of whether the New Year’s
resolutions are achieved.