Jun 5, 2014

Perhaps there are no questions that so effectively invite us to probe possibilities, explore options and scan new horizons than those beginning with the simple phrase, "What if?" The very words beacon us to temporarily set aside current perceptions, jettisoning perspectives that may limit our prospects and blind us to potential solutions, and then free us to unbridle the imagination to see something new. I am convinced we spend too much time fretting over the sentences beginning with "We must" and "I ought" and far too little time musing over those with the opportunistic preamble of "What if...?" At the Retail Experience of the Future (RETF) project at FMI Connect, we will seek to remedy that by creating a space where you will be encouraged, invited and inspired to explore new possibilities.

Through RETF you will be given a vision of the emerging realities of our world and urged to begin anticipating what you need to have in place to compete successfully in such a space. Through sight and sound you will be taken to the very edge of current trend trajectories and then asked to take one more step - imagining.


This is no untethered flight into fantasy. Grounded in PwC research you will be introduced to characters personifying the shoppers of the future and given specific information about what they seek in a retail experience.

Walk into the world of RETF and you will learn:

  • What to expect regarding the mobile device’s integral role in future shopping experiences;
  • Consumers' expectations regarding shopping online and their perspectives on the chief obstacles that must be overcome;
  • That the traditional grocery still has a favored role in shopping plans for the future, but there are treasured elements to retain and strengthen and some customs to relegate to the museum;
  • The keys to cultivating faithful shoppers in the future and the rewards consumers want, need and expect from you in return for their loyalty;
  • Details regarding consumer expectations of your staff -and your APP- as Lifestyle Consultants, providing customer guidance to happier, healthier lives;
  • The specific annoyances you must eliminate through a frictionless checkout and personalized shopping experience if you want to retain a shopper’s business;
  • The product choices customers will want and the values they are willing to pay more to attain;
  • Shopper expectations regarding the availability of ethnic choices, international tastes and global flavors;
  • Consumers' high hopes and minimum expectations regarding your social responsibility efforts; and
  • The how, with whom, and for how long customers of the future will share their good and bad food shopping experiences.
I invite you to join me on a trip into the land of "what if" where, thanks to our sponsors – American Express, Coca-Cola, Hershey’s, Hussmann, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, PwC, SAP, Phil Lempert, Supermarket Guru and Tesser - you will find a reality-grounded foretaste of the world to come.
Join me on the show floor at FMI Connect in Chicago for the opportunity to prepare today for the world of tomorrow.

Learn more about FMI Connect and the Retail Experience of the Future here.


Just imagine -- what if you could see the future?