SCHAUMBURG, IL — The International Fresh Produce Association BB #:378962 Retail Conference, June 9-10 in suburban Chicago, was well attended and tackled many vexing challenges for suppliers and grocery stores.
The opening general session, “Fresh Perspectives on Produce Growth” with Joe Watson, IPFA’s vice president of retail, foodservice and wholesale, and Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics, LLC, provided an overview of recent retail trends and the constant change and turbulence.
Quoting Peter Drucker (“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence—it’s to act with yesterday’s logic”), Roerink stressed the need for flexibility and adaptability, with a renewed emphasis on messaging.
Consumers are well aware of inflation and its impact but are still willing to pay more for quality and convenience, she said.
Creative, cross-functional displays will attract shoppers, such as selling sliced peppers and onions alongside meat for grilling or eliciting a good laugh with in-store signage. Both create emotional responses and spur purchases.
The overview also introduced the upcoming six breakout sessions, which covered non-store-based models for selling produce, combatting pressure on unit and volume sales, satisfying impatient consumers, tackling operational challenges, sustainability and social responsibility, and taking back ownership of being “the original plant-based diet.”
The breakouts allowed small groups to deconstruct challenges by point of view, which in turn prompted conversations.
Discussion ranged from soaring freight rates and partnering for full truckloads, the need for flexibility in long-term contracts, recent weather affecting supply and higher prices (and the value of explaining such occurrences to consumers, so they aren’t attributed to stores passing along hikes due to inflation), inconsistencies in what is or isn’t sustainable packaging, and an overall need for more collaboration along the supply chain and to eliminate business silos.
“Silos” were a recurring theme, one that many attendees hope will lead to future discussion.
The topic was also mentioned at the conference’s concluding session, with Watson and three retail panelists: Meghan Diaz, senior category manager of East Coast sourcing for Sprouts Farmers Market; Mimmo Franzone, vice president of merchandising for Longo Brothers Fruit Markets, and Chris Romano, vice president of produce and floral for The Fresh Market.
Other takeaways from the day and panel discussion were tapping technology whenever possible to defray labor and operational costs; a continued emphasis on communication and messaging, both in-store and through social media and apps; and the need for industrywide support—and funding—to help defray the costs associated with sustainable packaging, since not all producers and shippers are able to absorb these expenses.
