Progressive Grocer Magazine - April 2019

In this issue

Retailers are increasingly serving “phytigal” shoppers, who browse
and buy in the physical and virtual worlds as their needs require.
Consumers have shown an eagerness to cherry-pick more formats
more frequently, and the trend of regularly buying groceries online
is bound to pick up with time. Within 10 years, 20 per cent of all
food would be sold online, it is being predicted.
Connecting with shoppers is the key. Experience continues
to emerge as a key point of differentiation for traditional grocers
facing digital upstarts, which have conquered convenience,
selection and price. Grocers no longer just sell food — they barter
in experience and information. Retailers have to become more
comfortable talking science, technology and nutrition... and in
preparing consumers for the next golden era of retail.
To thrive in this new retail world, innovation has to be pervasive
in an organization. Players must experiment, learn and make
changes on the 􀃁 y. Adapting to digital retail is more about mindset
than organizational structure; collaboration models need to shift,
and retailers must hire digital talent.
One industry study has identi􀃀 ed 􀃀 ve key issues facing the
industry: emerging new consumerism, arti􀃀 cial intelligence and
technology, workforce, the new marketplace, and food production.
Over the years, the industry has seen trends come and go, but
never before has lasting change come on so strong. The truth is
that we have not seen before an industry changing as quickly and
violently as food retail is changing today.