An In-Depth look at the current and future states of retail

Last week, the CGA Board and staff traversed the Bay Area, taking a deeper look at the supply chain, workforce, and companies on the vanguard of technology. The tour was part of the Association’s first Retail Tomorrow, California, event and quarterly board of directors meeting, and it brought attendees to the ground level of the macroeconomic issues facing our industry, as well as some of the possible solutions.

“Living in the past and the future at the same time” was how one panelist described the current state of the supply chain and labor pool, and nowhere was this more apparent than in the first leg of Retail Tomorrow. Attendees kicked off Wednesday morning with a tour of Plenty and the Port of Oakland. Plenty, a vertical farming operation, has developed a near-fully automated operation whereby high yields of leafy greens can be generated without soil or by-hand harvesting.

While Plenty offered one vision for the future of retail, attendees also received an on-the-ground picture of the current state of retail — specifically, the functions of the supply chain — when visiting the Port of Oakland. A mid-sized operation, the Port features no automation, and guest speakers shared that there is little productive difference in efficiency between its current workforce and an automated one.

After touring Plenty and the Port of Oakland, the Retail Tomorrow group explored PayPal Park, home of the San Jose Earthquakes soccer team. Oakland Athletics President, and former San Jose Earthquakes President, Dave Kaval led grocers and suppliers on an exploration of how professional sports teams work to engage their customers at the park. In a world powered by digital interactions, Kaval noted the franchise must work to draw fans to an in-person event while utilizing data and digital marketing savvy to keep their attention at games and after.

Following the Association’s Board of Directors meeting, the group visited Google’s new Bay View campus. There, hundreds of employees appeared to be truly flourishing, given plenty of space and modes to express themselves for the benefit of the business. Hearing from Google’s “Food for Good” founder, Emily Ma, you sensed the way Google employees combine the human touch with bleeding edge technology. In Ma’s case it took the form of dumpster diving at five a.m. to track food waste while using AI to detect and predict the growth of mold and defects in strawberries. CGA is extremely excited to begin collaborating with Google to increase equity and sustainability all while reducing food waste in the communities we serve.

If you’d like to learn more about Retail Tomorrow, California, enjoy this sneak peek from the event!

Join Your Independent Grocery Peers for a Timely Retreat on Maui

Like the seasons, life in business requires constant rebirth and reimagining. But as busy operators navigating everything from supply chain disruptions to global inflation, it is harder than ever to carve out the necessary time

With this reality in mind, CGA offers the Independent Operators Symposium at the the beginning of each new year. As its namesake suggests, the Symposium features a congenial atmosphere where grocers can learn, find inspiration, and recharge themselves personally and professionally.

The upcoming Independent Operators Symposium takes place January 7-14, 2023 at the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort on Maui.

Learn more about the event, registration, and Hawaiian travel details here.

CGA catches up with recently-retired Kevin Konkel to gather his insights from 44 years in the grocery industry.

By Kevin Konkel

Former Chief Operations Officer at Raley’s & Former CGA Board Chair

Seek first the most important and meaningful things in life.  Then the trials, tribulations, joys, and victories may be kept in perspective. The eyes of man are never satisfied. If more “stuff” is what we want, we will never have enough, and gratitude will elude us.

Find the right partner. Leadership is hard, and the right relationship at home to ground inspire and challenge makes all the difference.

You are the “goose that lays the golden eggs.”  Take care of yourself and continue to produce golden eggs long-term. Focus on spiritual & physical health; otherwise, it’s difficult to serve others and tend to responsibilities. Neglecting this fact catches up to us more quickly than we realize.

If you want to be a great leader, have the heart of a servant. It’s a life-long journey, and we never fully arrive, so above all else, be humble — lookout not only for your interests but for the interests of others.

Intense competitiveness and kindness can co-exist. I’ve seen and experienced this time and time again in retailing. Daily, we set out to beat the competition yet cheer each other on simultaneously. Go figure.

Learn from those who have done it before us. No matter what we’re going through, someone else has been in our shoes and persevered. Seek them out.

After doing the research, it’s ok to trust our gut/heart. There are tons of cliches out there from “experts” that have never been in our shoes, and at the end of the day, we own our decisions. Seek advice, but question it ruthlessly to ensure it’s a path to go down.

Prevail over self-doubt. Imposter syndrome is often a natural byproduct when we’re persistently leaning against our comfort zone; push through it.

“I’m sorry” and “I forgive you “ are powerful statements for the workplace too. Nothing is more powerful than admitting mistakes, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love. Never take a genuine connection for granted. True friends and trusted colleagues are hard to find. Honest conversations are rare. Moments of vulnerability are special. Soak these up.

We are human beings, not human doings. Love, care and serve, knowing people are not widgets.  People need leaders who provide trust, compassion, stability, and hope to achieve their best and that entails treating others with respect and dignity who are wonderfully and fearfully made individuals.

Be a good steward. Return the business to the owner in better condition than where we found it.  Optimally, much better.

The graveyard is full of indispensable people. We will eventually be replaced. We will move on someday. Don’t be threatened by up-and-coming superstars within our organizations. Build a bench of talent better than us and start today.

This article originally appeared in California Grocer Issue 1. For more Issue 1 content and stories, visit here.

Legislative Briefings and Elected Official Meetings Set Political Agenda for Grocers

Thank you to all who joined us at this week’s Grocers Day event in Sacramento! Grocers Day looked a little different this year. Attendees gathered at the Citizen Hotel and heard from a diverse set of speakers on what to expect in 2022. Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns directly to speakers. Asm. Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-03) shared his party’s priorities for the year ahead, citing PAGA reform, the homelessness crisis, theft and crime, and cost of living as top of mind issues. Christy Wilson (Wilson Public Affairs) provided a comprehensive update on the campaign to reform and replace PAGA and talked about what our industry can do to help get our measure on the November ballot for 2022. Robert Moutrie (CalChamber) shared his insight on what businesses can expect of future CalOSHA workplace safety regulations.   Asm. Phil Ting (D-19) sat down with Louie Brown (Kahn, Soares & Conway LLP) for a fireside chat where they covered the budget surplus, redistricting, and the “Great Resignation” of lawmakers.   Lastly, CGA’s very own Kelly Ash and Michel LeClerc (GR Committee Chair) discussed all things related to the CGA PAC and 2022 elections.  Thank you to our wonderful speakers, sponsors, and attendees for another successful Grocers Day!

Registration is now open for the 2022 Symposium

The 2022 Independent Operators Symposium allows for a much needed break from the screen to power off and renew your creativity. 

The past year has emphasized how adaptable and resilient our industry is in the face of uncertain supply chains and rising prices. We have learned to not take past predictability for granted as we consistently show up as an industry. While our industry continues to provide essential support to our communities through an ever-changing landscape, Symposium gives us the opportunity to take a pause and get inspired to kickstart 2022.

We invite you to join us January 9-16, 2022, at the Four Seasons Resort, O’ahu at Ko Olina to unplug, connect with industry peers and partners, and boot up for the year ahead. Give yourself the space to make the next year a great one.

The Symposium offers a restorative week chock full of enlightening speakers and moderated share group discussions in a transformative setting to reset your mind, invigorate your spirit and bring the best to your business in the new year.

Registration is open. Download your form below.

For questions, please email Beth Wright, Sr. Director, Events & Sponsorship, or call (916) 228-4424. 

In a new interview with Winsight Grocery Business, CGA President and CEO Ron Fong updates the wider grocery community on the California perspective — what issues are keeping grocers up at night, the regulatory landscape, and the supply chain.

Read the full story here.