Retailers can be our biggest enemy (as it’s evident with the current environment of private labels gaining shelf space over brand names). Or, they can be our biggest friend. At the end of the day, our products get sold off their shelves. Therefore, I have always had a healthy fascination toward the retail industry.

The other day, I visited a local Dillion’s, a Kroger store brand, and was amazed at the level of localization. This particular store was not in Texas, or San Diego. It was in Kansas, but in a Latino neighborhood. I thought I stepped into Mexico in the product assortment and the way the store was merchandised. It shows how sophisticated the art of retailing has become. In fact, today’s retailers have very comprehensive and important information about our consumers at each of their stores. This is why joint business planning has increased in importance. Manufacturers have long conducted extensive consumer researches to understand the consumers. Retailers now are empowered with real time information. Together, we can bring to our consumer exactly the product they want at exactly where they’re looking for it.

I am fortunate to live in a testing ground, somewhat, for retailers. It’s a great place to be for someone who’s fascinated about the industry. Therefore, in the next few weeks, I’d like to bring to you what I see on the transformation that had been unfolding in the last few years on groceries.

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