It’s a Wrap! – Western Grocer

Grocery’s Biggest West Coast Show Continues a Legacy of Excellence

Grocery and Specialty Food West has wrapped up.

The conference began with an important panel discussing the Grocery Code of Conduct featuring Giancarlo Trimarchi (Vince’s Market), Michael Graydon (FHCP) and Gary Sands (CFIG). This was followed by an engaging keynote by Douglas Porter, BMO’s Chief Economist and Managing Director Economics on the topic of macroeconomic and
financial trends affecting the grocery sector and consumer retailing.

The Insights & Innovations Trade Floor Stage Sessions were open to all exhibitors and delegates and included a session with one of the pioneers of ethnic marketplace, BK Sethi, “Horizon Scanning” presented by Brandon Seegmiller (RLG Systems Canada) which covered producer responsibility and the global trends of plastics regulations, the “Independent Grocer Survey Results” presented by Robert Graybill (FMS) and an important session about cybersecurity and ransomware — “Safeguarding Independent Grocers with Proactive Cybersecurity”, presented by Kimberly Simon.

The New Product Showcase (NPS) in the main lobby, featuring the newest innovations in grocery — new food products, non-food products, innovative packaging, sustainable packaging and more. The distinguished panel of industry judges chose the highly anticipated Top Ten in Grocery Award winners from the NPS.

The day wrapped up with a “mix and mingle” networking event, followed by the Awards presentations in the Ballroom. Excited award winners rose to the stage to receive their Top Ten in Grocery Awards and Top Booth Awards, followed by the Merchandising Excellence Awards.

The following morning began with breakfast followed by “IN THE KNOW: What Consumers Are Thinking” hosted by Tony Chapman of “Chatter the Matters”, delving into the research platform Crewasis.ai, that uses AI to unlock game-changing insights about consumer mindsets and how they impact your business.

On the heels of this ground-breaking session were Opening Remarks by CFIG Chair, Jamie Nelson followed by an important panel discussion with panelists Sarah Holt, Bi-Rite Family of Businesses and Lauren Redman of Rudy’s Markets, and moderated by Gina Acosta, Progressive Grocer, examining the TOP U.S. GROCERY TRENDS IN 2024 – technology investments, automating pricing, private brands, fresh perimeter innovation and more! Carman Allison, NielsenIQ hit a home run with VALUE VS. VOLUME: GETTING BACK TO REAL GROWTH — a closer look at how we get back to real growth now that inflationary pressures have subsided, while consumer priorities continue to evolve with uncertainty about their future spending power.

How has the Western Canadian consumer evolved and do we understand them? Following the coffee break were two concurrent workshops: 1) “Innovating as an Independent Grocer” with Amanda Lai, McMillan Doolitte and 2) “Policy Update” with Gary Sands, CFIG. At 10:10AM attendees could choose from another two concurrent workshops: 1) “2024 Economic Outlook” presented by JP Gervais, FCC and 2) “Tech & Grocery” hosted by Rachel Loui, Ex-Googler.

SAVE THE DATES! Grocery Innovations Canada, Canadian Grocery’s LARGEST Meetings, Exhibition and Conference returns October 29 & 30, 2024 at the Toronto Congress Centre, North Building! www.GroceryInnovations.com — MARK YOUR CALENDARS for a World of Opportunities! Grocery Specialty Food West, will return to Vancouver on April 14 & 15, 2025 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, East Building. www.GSFShow.com

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