Milwaukee, WI – The National Grocers Association (NGA), the leading national trade association representing independent supermarket retailers, brought together independent grocery leaders from across the country in Milwaukee for the highly-anticipated NGA Fresh Summit, held June 16-18.
Over two days of expert-led sessions, store tours, and networking, attendees explored strategies to increase profitability in the areas of produce, meat, dairy, deli, bakery, and foodservice.
The summit opened with a deep dive into the future of fresh, featuring sessions on:
AI-Driven Retail: Darren Seifer of Circana outlined how AI is enabling retailers to better understand consumer behavior and customize assortments.
Smarter Assortments: A tech-forward panel moderated by Patrick Kelley explored how automation and AI are reshaping fresh operations—from forecasting to replenishment.
Sustainability in Action: Thought leaders shared how they are cutting shrink, reducing landfill waste, and improving energy efficiency in fresh categories.
Shrink Reduction Strategies: Lipari Foods’ Nick Lenzi offered practical tips to turn small changes into big savings.
Premium Product Promotion: Parmigiano Reggiano experts shared how retailers can elevate customer experience with authentic storytelling and merchandising around artisanal products.
Marketing Mastery: Retailers like Gelson’s, Maurer’s Market, and Dierbergs highlighted successful marketing and merchandising programs that drive loyalty and local engagement.
The day concluded with immersive Milwaukee store tours, providing attendees with a firsthand look at local grocery store favorites like Sendik’s Food Market, Woodman’s Markets, and El Rey Family Market. The day concluded with a networking event sponsored by Palermo’s Pizza.
“The NGA Fresh Summit was a dynamic showcase of how innovation, technology, and community connection are transforming the fresh departments of independent grocers,” said Jonathan Downey, NGA COO & SVP. “From AI-driven insights to hands-on store tours, attendees walked away with actionable strategies to drive growth, reduce shrink, and elevate the fresh experience for today’s evolving shopper.”
Building on the momentum, day two focused on shopper experience, community engagement, and the future of fresh services:
Fresh Trends in Deli & Bakery: David Haaf of International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association shared key influences shaping deli, bakery, and foodservice operations, including digital engagement and evolving shopper expectations.
Service as a Differentiator: A panel led by Tony Mitchell, president of Indianapolis Fruit explored how excellent service in meat, produce, and prepared foods can build loyalty—even amid labor challenges.
Government Programs with Retail Impact: Grocers who have leveraged programs like SNAP Online and Double Up Food Bucks shared how these initiatives have boosted access and sales.
Health & Wellness Strategies: Experts discussed how functional foods, clean labeling, and perimeter-focused merchandising can position fresh departments as health leaders.
Experiential Retail: Retailers from Sendik’s, ShopRite, and North State Grocery offered insight into creating destination experiences with in-store demos, tastings, and engagement events.
