AFS leaders David Rice, Roger White, Wade Judd, and Jason Sokol joined industry peers at the FMI Mid-Winter Meetings to focus on trends shaping grocery’s future.

Here’s what stood out to the leaders in attendance:

Top Trends

  1. Digital Growth:
    • Over half of shoppers use social media or apps to browse/buy groceries.
    • Online sales are surging (+12% annually), while in-store growth stalls (+0.1%).
    • Our Move: Ramping up StoreFront Pro to help retailers compete digitally.
  2. Nostalgia Wins:
    • Shoppers seek comfort (e.g., family meals, familiar brands).
    • Our Move: Boosting meal solutions and promotions that blend tradition with convenience.
  3. Retail Media Boom:
    • A $27B opportunity by 2026. AFS is exploring tools to help stores leverage this.

Challenges Ahead

  • Economic Pressures: Shoppers prioritize value—affordability is key.
  • GLP-1 Medications: Could shift demand toward healthier baskets.
  • Regulations: Farm Bill, SNAP, and PBM debates require agility.

AFS’s Focus

  • Tech Innovation: Partnering with leaders like Instacart and Birdzi to enhance data, marketing, and loyalty tools.
  • Community Strength: Local relevance drives loyalty. We’re deepening CPG partnerships to support stores.
  • Preparing for Change: From tariffs to supply chain risks, we’re building resilient strategies.

The grocery landscape is evolving fast. By staying ahead in digital, data, and community connections, AFS ensures our retailers thrive. As Jason Sokol said, “The future belongs to those who adapt with purpose. Let’s keep leading—together.”