Agenda

The grocery and CPG industries are on the cusp of massive change. Grocery is the last major category in retail to shift online: today just 2-3% of grocery sales in the U.S. come from ecommerce, a percentage that is a small fraction of other retail categories. The percentage of ecommerce grocery sales in the U.S. is also far lower than in other countries such as the U.K. and China.

Groceryshop is designed to meet the needs of the sector as it undergoes widespread disruption. Over the next few years, new omnichannel offerings will emerge which will include new ways to order as well as more convenient delivery and pickup options. The result will be an increase in orders via digital platforms as well as significant changes in physical stores as they become a key part of order fulfillment. At the same time, new technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain will start to transform the supply chain.

We’ll cover these changes and more at Groceryshop, our new event focused on digital transformation in grocery and CPG. Below we provide an overview of the 15 Groceryshop tracks and a preliminary version of the agenda:

1. The Evolution of the Store examines emerging store technologies that help grocery retailers optimize operations like robotics, digital shelves and in-store solutions that provide insights into customer behavior. It also explores changes in store formats and footprints, including the reinvention of the center aisle and new store design that caters to new customer behavior such as in-store pickup.
2. The Future of Brands addresses the rapid changes in how shoppers interact with brands. The track looks at topics such as brands selling direct, CPG-retailer relationships and the growth of private label products. It highlights how new, fast-growing brands are challenging larger, established players and provides perspectives from VCs who are identifying the next generation of grocery and CPG brands.
3. Leading the Digital Transformation looks at some of the most critical areas that CPG brands and grocery retailers need to tackle within their companies in order to become digitally enabled organizations. It tackles key issues such as optimizing organizational structures, hiring and attracting digital talent and building a culture of innovation.
4. Changing Consumer Expectations explores shoppers' desire for healthier, more personalized and more convenient products and experiences. It looks at shifting generational and demographic trends, and dives into changes in consumer preferences that are driving companies to develop new products that meet demands including greater ease of use, transparency and sustainability.
5. Shopping Experiences of the Future addresses the role that new technologies will play in grocery and CPG, including checkout-free store experiences and shopping via voice assistants. It looks at new business models like subscriptions and auto-replenishment, and how companies are using data to build next-generation global businesses.
6. Engaging Customer Experiences explores how CPG companies and grocery retailers are leveraging mobile technologies like augmented reality and digital couponing to foster more interactive relationships with shoppers. It examines best practices for creating seamless omnichannel experiences that meet shoppers' evolving needs, and how experiential stores drive engagement.
7. Innovations in Marketing covers some of the key marketing tactics specific to the CPG and grocery industries. It dives into topics such as new and emerging platforms for CPG marketers and looks at how traditional areas such as trade marketing are evolving in the digital era. The track also dives into artificial intelligence in marketing and showcases how marketers are using data to create more personalized offerings.
8. Innovations in the Supply Chain examines how technologies such as blockchain and IoT are helping to track food from farm to store and how artificial intelligence is being deployed to improve the accuracy of demand forecasts. This track also examines how consumer demand for locally produced food and for smaller, innovative brands is having an impact on product sourcing.
9. Advances in the Last Mile covers the latest developments in curbside and in-store pickup as well as same-day, on-demand and in-home delivery. The track also examines the various technology and infrastructure solutions that retailers are deploying as they look to fulfill online orders from physical stores.
10. Research and Market Insights features presentations by leading market research organizations, consulting firms and industry analysts. Each presenter will highlight new, original research and provide fresh perspectives that help grocery retailers and manufacturers better understand changing consumer behavior and other major industry trends.
11. Deep Dive: Ecommerce Tactics for Grocery provides an in-depth look at how CPG brands and grocery retailers are building out their ecommerce offerings. The track provides insight into the different technologies and solutions that companies are using to power their ecommerce offerings and how they are optimizing online prices and product assortments. It offers guidance on how consumers are discovering CPG products online and which digital platforms brands should be spending on in order to convert shoppers.
12. Deep Dive: Marketing and Loyalty explores new tactics that retailers are deploying to attract shoppers and keep them coming back. The track covers how traditional loyalty programs are evolving and how retailers are using content and social media to win over shoppers. It also looks at how grocery retailers are hiring and training store associates and specialists in areas such as meat and seafood counters to create personalized, engaging in-store experiences.
13. Deep Dive: Supply Chain examines how new and emerging technologies and platforms can improve lead times and cut down on waste in the supply chain. The track looks at cutting-edge transportation technologies that are reducing costs and time to market, and analyzes how packaging and supply chains need to evolve to meet consumer demand given the growth of ecommerce.
14. Disruptive Technologies Transforming the Grocery Industry features 16 innovative companies whose technologies are changing the way consumers discover, shop and buy. The founders and CEOs of each company will present their technology and make an announcement such as a new product or service offering.
15. Startup Pitch features the founders of 15 early-stage companies with pioneering technologies and business models who compete for two $10,000 prizes. One winner is selected by a panel of investors and the other by audience vote.