In this powerful fireside chat, Southeastern Grocers Chairman and CEO Anthony Hucker reveals how leading with purpose has guided the company through remarkable transformation, disruption and cultural renewal. Drawing on a career that spans ALDI, Walmart, Schnuck Markets, and now SEG, whose cultural transformation has been featured in a Harvard Business School case study, Anthony shares the leadership values that drive resilience and create lasting community impact. Attendees will gain practical insights into the power of empowering teams, building a culture of care, and meeting the evolving needs of customers in a digitally driven, purpose-conscious world. Moderated by PG Editorial Director Gina Acosta, this conversation will inspire leaders to reimagine what’s possible when business success and community well-being go hand in hand. Moderated by PG Editorial Director Gina Acosta.

Rachael Vegas, Chief Commercial Officer, Merchandising, Marketing, Digital at Walgreens, shares her leadership philosophy and how cultivating a strong, inclusive culture empowers teams to drive innovation and resilience. In a rapidly evolving grocery landscape, Vegas discusses how values-based leadership, collaboration, and talent development are essential to navigating complexity and inspiring performance. Attendees will gain insights into how investing in people, fostering agility, and building a mission-driven culture can create lasting impact, within teams and across the customer experience. This session offers practical takeaways for leaders seeking to elevate culture as a competitive advantage in modern grocery retail.

In an intimate fireside chat with PG Managing Editor Bridget Goldschmidt, Ahold Delhaize USA’s recently appointed CIO reflects on her career path, how her organization is differentiating itself through tech, and what the future holds in terms of future technological solutions in the grocery channel.

Where tech meets the grocery aisle, women are leading the charge. This session features tech leaders from grocery chains and suppliers who are using technology to transform everything from store operations to pricing to personalization. Learn how they’re solving real challenges and building the next-gen grocery experience.

Chief Merchant Sonya Gafsi Oblisk discusses how Whole Foods is evolving product standards, sustainability metrics, and customer discovery moments across channels, all while preserving the authenticity that made the brand iconic.

A wide-ranging interview with 99 Ranch Market CEO Alice Chen discussing her business background, leadership style, and plans for expanding the company to the East Coast and beyond.

A dynamic panel featuring Kroger presidents from across the country share how they lead with regional insight, customer intimacy, and operational rigor in America’s most complex grocery ecosystem (Ann Reed, Cincinnati Division; Kendra Doyel, Food 4 Less; and Laura Gump, Houston Division.

Are young consumers really using TikTok and AI to build their lists and buy groceries? Are Millennials seeking out elevated experiences based on travel and restaurant dining interests? Hear from the younger cohorts of Gen Z and young Millennials to learn what’s driving their purchasing behaviors and, in turn, how they use or plan to use generational POVs in their work with grocers and brands.

Today’s consumers expect more than speed; they crave personalization, simplicity, and ease of choice. During this fireside chat, you will hear from Target’s VP of Loyalty, Ryan Butz and Shipt’s Chief Growth and   Strategy Officer, Katie Stratton, as they uncover how Target Circle 360 and Shipt are building a digital shopping center and a one-stop-shop same-day delivery ecosystem. They will share how Target and Shipt are working together to deliver seamless experiences to customers, strengthen their partnerships with beloved retailers and brands, and set a new standard for a high-quality, curated experience in the digital era.

Every year, the global food system loses billions of dollars, with significant economic, environmental and societal consequences. One of the most pivotal battlegrounds against this crisis is the retail floor, where with the right tools, store teams can make a meaningful difference. This session reveals new research on the complex challenges associated with food waste at retail, shining a light on how digital transformation is empowering grocery frontline teams to reduce the amount of unsold food going to waste within their stores. We'll explore how leading grocers like Walmart and Kroger are leveraging pioneering innovation in RFID sensor technology to gain better inventory visibility, arming employees with the tools they need to make smarter data-driven decisions to improve operational efficiency, reduce avoidable food loss and boost sales in fresh categories never possible before. 

Lowes Foods President Tim Lowe believes the grocery industry’s greatest danger isn’t disruption — it’s complacency. In this dynamic keynote, Lowe will share how fierce, unrelenting grit has guided his journey to build one of the most creative and community-driven grocery brands in America. Known for challenging convention and empowering teams to think differently, Lowe will unpack how Lowes Foods has turned routine shopping into theater, elevated store associates into brand storytellers, and proven that retail can be both profitable and deeply human. His message: Leaders who embrace grit, imagination, and courage can transform not only their businesses, but also the lives of the people they serve. Attendees will walk away inspired to reimagine what’s possible — to reject the ordinary, lead with conviction, and change the game in grocery retail and beyond.

From “Impostor Syndrome” to “Fake it Until You Make It,” many women and early-career professionals are met with narratives that can diminish confidence, dilute authenticity, and limit leadership potential. In an industry long shaped by tradition and often male-dominated dynamics, the grocery sector presents unique (yet navigable) barriers to leadership growth. In this powerful panel, executives and rising leaders who’ve faced and transcended these challenges share candid stories and transformational takeaways. Together, we’ll unpack the assumptions that hold us back, explore the real impact of owning your voice, and offer practical strategies to lead with influence and integrity, without compromising your identity. This session is designed to spark reflection, build confidence, and equip participants with tools to redefine what impactful leadership really looks like in the grocery workplace.

How do you create a bold, resilient leadership path for 60,000 associates, keeping them growing, thriving, and ready to deliver for 3,000+ clients in a retail landscape that changes daily? For Acosta Group, the answer is clear - invest in people. Under Brian's leadership, the company has tripled its workforce in just four years. His focus on people development is organization-wide, driving leadership programs for all levels of experience and moving talent from intern to executive. Brian will share how the company's differentiated commitment to training has become a true competitive advantage, and how this focus on people is fueling retail's biggest wins.

Join Valerie Jabbar, Senior Vice President of Operations at Kroger, for an inspiring conversation on leadership, resilience, and the future of retail. From her start as a clerk at Fry’s in 1987 to leading nine divisions today, Valerie will share lessons on navigating career growth, balancing operational excellence with people leadership, and fostering diverse, inclusive workplaces. Known as a “people champion,” she will discuss mentoring high-potential talent, embedding DEI in everyday operations, and sustaining personal resilience across nearly four decades in retail.

Free time for lunch: Take time to enjoy the restaurants the resort has to offer.

Discover how open and modular technology platforms—enhanced by integrated AI capabilities—are transforming the grocery retail landscape by improving the everyday experiences of store employees. This session dives into how openness, intelligent automation, predictive insights, and seamless workflows are being harnessed to eliminate operational friction, simplify repetitive tasks, and enable staff to focus on delivering outstanding customer service. Learn how shop floor technology solutions are not only redefining the in-store journey for shoppers but also cultivating a more efficient, engaging, and rewarding environment for retail teams.

When you hear “organics,” you might think of produce displays or a label on your favorite foods. But organics are so much more—and they’re reshaping the role of unconsumed food in sustainability. Discover the surprising types of food that can be easily recycled, and how doing this fits seamlessly into store operations. Walk away with a new perspective on the hidden potential of organics and actionable strategies to apply this sustainable practice in your organization.

Join Christina Minardi, Executive Vice President of Growth and Development for Whole Foods Market and 2025 Top Women in Grocery Trailblazer winner, for an insightful conversation on leadership, culture, and innovation. A lifelong grocer who rose from her family’s store to the executive suite, Christina has broken barriers in real estate, development, and operations while building teams defined by purpose and authenticity. She shares how mentorship, design thinking, and community engagement shape Whole Foods Market’s growth — and how leaders can inspire people and progress at the same time.

Progressive Grocer honors the 2025 GenNext Award Winners, celebrating the young innovators and changemakers taking exceptional action to keep the essential industry of grocery thriving.

As the grocery industry faces converging forces, from evolving consumer expectations to digital disruption and supply chain fragility, UNFI is leaning into innovation, collaboration, and purpose. In this candid fireside chat, CEO Sandy Douglas shares how one of North America’s largest grocery distributors is adapting its strategy for a more resilient, sustainable, and customer-focused future. Attendees will gain insights into shopper trends, supplier, retailer dynamics, sustainability commitments, and how technology is reshaping the grocery supply chain.

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the grocery industry, not just through smarter operations, but by empowering your workforce with digital tools that enhance efficiency and decision-making. In this session, we’ll explore how AI is enabling grocery teams—whether in-store or behind the scenes—to perform at their best. From AI-driven training systems and workforce optimization tools to automating repetitive tasks and improving employee engagement, discover how technology is helping grocery businesses create more agile, skilled, and empowered teams. Learn actionable strategies for integrating AI solutions that support both your employees and your bottom line, no matter the size of your operation. Leave with practical insights to drive growth, enhance your workforce’s capabilities, and foster a culture of innovation within your store.

Today’s grocery leaders must do more than deliver great products, they must inspire teams, educate shoppers, and partner with retailers to create sustainable growth. In this session, two dynamic executives from very different beverage companies share how leadership and category strategy intersect to shape the future of grocery. Dana Miglorin, Senior Director of National Grocery at Red Bull, brings insights from a global energy powerhouse known for performance, culture and innovation at scale. Julie Smolyansky, President & CEO of Lifeway Foods, offers her perspective as a trailblazing leader who transformed a family kefir business into a wellness brand at the center of the probiotic movement. Together, they’ll explore how energy and wellness trends are reshaping the beverage aisle, the leadership lessons that drive brand resilience, and what it takes to grow categories in an increasingly competitive retail landscape. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on leadership, shopper engagement, and building teams and brands that last.

In today’s fast-moving world, uncertainty isn’t the exception — it’s the normal environment. How can leaders stay grounded or get ahead when the world around them is constantly shifting? SpartanNash CEO Tony Sarsam shares how a “prepared mind” enables us to navigate disruption, turning volatility into opportunity and building teams that are resilient, adaptable and future-ready. This session invites you to rethink your relationship with change so that you can lead boldly and thrive in the unknown.

Walmart USA and Avidbots have partnered to automate floor cleaning in Walmart stores through the deployment of Kas—Avidbots’ purpose-built autonomous floor scrubbing robot designed specifically for retail environments. Co-presented by JJ Ethridge, CEO of Avidbots, and James Shefchik, Senior Manager of Facilities Services at Walmart USA, this session details how Walmart and Avidbots went about automating the floor cleaning at Walmart retail stores.

Grocers have long served as community hubs and sources for community support. That’s true across national, regional and independent banners, who share their time, talent and resources with a wide variety of local and national organizations. In this session, three different types of food retailers – the national ALDI chain, regional Meijer can and indie Kowalski’s Market -- share some of community outreach programs that are near and dear to their respective organizations.

The grocery industry is at a turning point, with leading retailers investing heavily in AI, automation and new fulfillment models. From reimagined supply chains and immersive shopping experiences to drone delivery and global AI leadership, the priorities are clear: improve efficiency, personalize the customer journey and future-proof operations. This panel will explore how these innovations are reshaping grocery and where leaders should focus next.

For TWIG Gala registrants only.

For TWIG Gala registrants only.

For TWIG Gala registrants only.