Groceryshop 2025 brought together the brightest minds in grocery and CPG to explore how technology, data, and evolving consumer expectations are reshaping the industry.

Here are the four key trends that stood out and how leaders can prepare for what’s next.

1. AI as the New Operating System

Artificial intelligence took center stage, but the conversation has evolved beyond experimentation. The focus is now on embedding AI and agentic systems into the very core of operations.

• Agentic AI: These systems don’t just provide insights; they act on them autonomously. Think of demand forecasts that trigger inventory replenishment automatically or campaigns that adapt in real time based on consumer behavior.
• Personalization at scale: AI is helping retailers deliver product recommendations, promotions, and shopping experiences tailored to each customer’s habits.
• Operational optimization: From reducing shrinkage to streamlining fulfillment, AI is being applied across the supply chain to cut costs and improve agility.

Success requires clean, unified data and strong governance frameworks. Organizations that invest in data readiness today will be best positioned to capitalize on AI’s potential.

2. Retail Media is a Core Growth Engine

Once a niche channel, retail media has gone mainstream. Groceryshop 2025 highlighted how this space is becoming a full-funnel ecosystem.

• Omnichannel reach: Retailers are connecting in-store, digital, and social channels to deliver seamless shopper experiences.
• Measurement and ROI: As spending grows, so does the demand for better attribution and cross-channel visibility. Retailers and CPG brands alike are building internal capabilities to track performance and justify investment.
• Social commerce on the rise: Platforms like TikTok Shop are beginning to disrupt how consumers discover and purchase products, particularly among younger demographics.

The most successful brands are treating retail media as a strategic growth engine, not just ad placements, and using connected data to drive personalization and profitability.

3. Understanding the Value-Conscious Consumer

Economic pressure and evolving health trends are reshaping what “value” means to consumers.

• Value-first mindset: Shoppers are more deliberate, weighing not just price but quality, convenience, and trust.
• Intentional shopping: Consumers are looking for products that align with their personal values, from sustainability to ingredient transparency.

To stand out, brands must balance affordability with authenticity, offering products that promote wellness while reinforcing trust and purpose.

4. Operational Efficiency Under Pressure

Behind the shelves, retailers and CPG companies face mounting challenges: inflation, supply chain volatility, and labor shortages. At this year’s conference, the focus was on efficiency through technology.

• Automation: From electronic shelf labels to autonomous carts, innovation is driving new ways to cut costs and redirect labor toward higher-value activities.
• Resilient supply chains: Diversification, scenario planning, and dynamic pricing are becoming essential strategies for navigating uncertainty.
• Sustainability as efficiency: Waste reduction and packaging innovations are no longer just good for the planet; they’re critical levers for protecting margins.

Quisitive + Board Help Retailers Lead the Change

At Quisitive, we help grocery and CPG organizations turn insights into impact. In partnership with Board, we bring together advanced planning, analytics, and performance management to help companies thrive amid disruption.

• Plan with agility: Use AI-powered forecasting to predict demand shifts, optimize inventory, and reduce waste
• Maximize ROI: Integrate data with financial planning to understand true performance and profitability
• Strengthen supply chains: Build resilience with scenario modeling, dynamic pricing strategies, and end-to-end visibility
• Respond rapidly to consumer trends: Leverage data to align product offerings

We are here to help you take the next step. Connect with us to explore how we can help your organization plan smarter and act faster.