Schedule

⬤ Registered Retailers Only

After over two years of industry collaboration under the auspices of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture and Food, a Grocery Code of Conduct has now been finalized. The Code was developed out of a recognition that certain practices and behaviours in the Food industry needed to be addressed and corrected. Canada’s new Grocery Code will govern the entire industry and the principles laid out will apply equally to retailers and suppliers. Don’t miss the opportunity to now learn what the Code will mean for your business and how you can ensure it benefits you in the years ahead. Members of the Industry group who constructed the Code will go through key provisions and answer your questions. Panelists: Giancarlo Trimarchi, Vince’s Market; Michael Graydon, FHCP; and Gary Sands, CFIG.

Hear from BMO’s Chief Economist and Managing Director Economics, Douglas Porter about the trends to leverage opportunities looking at the macroeconomic and financial market trends affecting the grocery sector and consumer retailing.

Ethnic Food Trailblazer: The legendary BK Sethi in conversation with Tony Chapman. B.K. Sethi, is a trailblazing figure in Canada’s food industry. With a passion for food and an innate ability to sell, B.K. offers a heartfelt inside look at how his own experience as an immigrant to Canada and his relentless hard work left him perfectly placed to grow a much-needed market for a country with a constant influx of people from around the globe—ethnic foods. Learn what you need to do to meet your consumers in the ethnic food aisle!

Horizon Scanning: Developing Packaging and Plastics Regulations in Canada. An overview of what extended producer responsibility is and global trends of plastics regulations, thresholds for application and implications for their business. Presented by Brandon Seegmiller, RLG Systems Canada.

Independent Grocer Survey Results: Data and insights to benchmark your business. Robert Graybill, FMS

Defending Against Ransomware: Safeguarding Independent Grocers with Proactive Cybersecurity. Kimberly Simon sheds light on the pervasive threat of ransomware, particularly targeting independent grocers. This session is an illuminating guide for businesses, establishing resilient security frameworks in an evolving digital landscape.

Awards will be presented to Master Merchandiser winners; Top 10 in Grocery and Best Booths.

MCs Tony Chapman, Tom Shurrie

Best merchandising displays are awarded and top 10 in grocery winners announced.

Put the In into Independent. In a softening economy there is a flight to price. 5 ideas to make sure the consumer doesn’t fly by you. Presnted by Tony Chapman, Chatter That Matters

Capturing the Ethnic Consumer
Today’s consumers are more diverse than ever. What opportunities are being missed by grocery chains or independent stores when it comes to recognizing special holidays, marketing and advertising opportunities using ethnic media and social channels? What about payment systems such as WeChat Pay, AliPay and OTTPay?

Moderator: Justin Poy, Justin Poy Agency with Gavin Barrett, Barrett and Welsh; Jie Chen, Chen’s Corporation; Loretta Lam, Focus Communications; Don Seo, Galleria/Korea Food Trading

The Next 730 Days: What to Expect in Technology, the Economy, and the Future of Work
History has shown that we can only accurately predict two years ahead, or 730 days. So, while many are sharing their 5, 10, 15, 20-year forecasts, often with conflicting ideas and notions, this keynote is your antidote. A clear, narrow-focused exploration of the forces shaping our near future and how leaders and organizations can better prepare for it.

Presented by Leonard Brody, Multi-Exit Entrepreneur, Business and Technology Visionary

Coffee Break

Hacking international growth with data big and small: Optimizing differentiation and growth with big and small data using innovative technologies to disrupt the competitive landscape. Hear about secrets to success from a former Google International Growth executive, Rachel Loui

Do you have plans and strategies in place to maximize your share of growth with new Canadians?

Retailers and brands must understand the needs and preferences of these consumers and what regions and channels in Canada will likely have the largest opportunity to satisfy those needs. Kevin Lacey, Senior Vice-President of Consulting from Environics Analytics will share multicultural insights, grounded in geography, to inform local activation that will maximize trips, volume and market share.

Understand how digital tools are optimizing stores’ back-end efficiencies, driving engagement, and impacting the shopper journey, presented by Amar Singh, Sr. Director, Kantar

A look at what some of the US independent retailers in that market are doing, where they are finding success, what the challenges are, changing consumer trends, buying habits. Elizabeth Lafontaine, EnsembleIQ Chief Retail Analyst

Flavour Forecast: McCormick’s Chef David Burnett shares the latest trends that influence what we cook and eat from the brand’s Flavour Forecast report.

A look at the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations and what it means for your business. Presented by Audrey Boitson, Environment and Climate Change Canada

The Proof Is in The Pricing: Queen’s Marketing Professor Ken Wong explores how grocers can show they are loyal to consumers; work with consumers to reduce costs; and maintain transparency etc.

State of Cloud Video (surveillance) & AI-Based Analytics:  The session will explore the reality of what is becoming a cluttered market for Grocers and others to sift through when looking for solutions to modern challenges and future opportunities.  AI in Grocery has limitless potential to stop theft, and avoid fraud/lawsuits, but also provide operational insights such as inventory tracking, end-cap analytics, traffic, impressions, and even how the fast-moving consumer goods companies can improve their sales working with Grocers who can quantify the value of placement in the stores. Presented by Jim Farell, Solink VP Sales

MCs Tom Shurrie & Tony Chapman