AFS Members and Team Share Key Learnings from NGA Show
The 2021 NGA (National Grocers Association) Show, a tradeshow for the independent supermarket industry, occurred recently and some AFS member retailers and team members participated in the three-day event.
The NGA Show featured nearly 50 educational sessions and more than 100 speakers discussing issues facing food retail. 
The show kicked off with a presentation from the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) titled “The Path to Retail 4.0: Get Ready or Get Left Behind,” which explored the ongoing disruption taking place in the industry and how retailers can foster a culture of innovation. Other sessions focused on topics ranging from e-commerce, automation and ransomware to sales trends, diversity and crisis management.
Jodie Drake, AFS member and owner of Davis Food and Drug and Thomas Horne, Sr. ecommerce manager at Associated Food Stores, participated in an ecommerce-focused panel with Rosie. Rosie is AFS’ preferred partner for ecommerce services. The group answered questions about ecommerce shoppers, technology and marketing from show participants.
“For me, the key takeaways from the show are that technology is here to stay and should be embraced, that shopper data is becoming increasingly more valuable for retailers and CPGs and that we must progress toward increased personalization of digital shopping if we are to be successful long term,” said Thomas.