Consumers are embracing food trends ranging from freshness to transparency, but their needs are far from one-size-fits-all. Retailers and suppliers need to better understand changing shopper fresh foods preferences across a wide range of demographics and channels. There’s an opportunity to improve how the fresh industry engages with consumers, and the prize is big for those who crack the code.

The food retail industry is increasingly focusing on emerging technologies, from AI to machine learning. However, even as this focus intensifies, fresh foods stakeholders need to understand how new technologies impact their segment of the business. How will this differ from the impact on Center Store or other segments? How can fresh stakeholders take innovative approaches to technology to solve key business challenges? What are the best test-and-learn roadmaps that the fresh industry can embrace now? 

Enhancing food safety is central to the industry’s goals. However, retailers and suppliers often feel they are playing catch-up in the face of ongoing outbreaks and recalls, especially on the fresh foods side. Stakeholders can make progress by identifying the most promising solutions and mapping steps for the fresh industry to pursue. How can executives address essential topics such as consistent processes and procedures; the roles of government, media and technology; and improved coordination across the supply chain -- from growers to consumers? What are the best opportunities for impactful industry initiatives?

Sustainability a major opportunity on the fresh side, and emerging solutions have the potential to open a new chapter on this topic. These strategies tie into areas such as food waste, packaging, recycling, transportation, and the future of plastics. How will these play out in fresh foods? Will smart packaging accelerate the life of foods and reduce loss? How can promising solutions open the door to new industry-wide efforts?

One-on-One Interview with Stephanie Lundquist, Target’s President, Food and Beverage

This ‘fireside chat’-style interview is an opportunity for Target’s new President of Food and Beverage, Stephanie Lundquist, to communicate the retailer’s food and beverage vision. She will outline how its strategy has evolved, and how Target is prioritizing this segment of its business. As part of this, she will address the unique role that food plays in a multi-category store, the imperative of fresh along with its unique challenges, and the importance of industry collaboration. The result will be an informative and insightful look at Target and the industry’s overall opportunities.