LAS VEGAS — As generative artificial intelligence rapidly gains momentum, the head of one of the nation’s largest groups of independent grocers has a simple message for food retailers who might be unsure of how to react: “Do not be afraid of it.”
Addressing thousands of attendees during a keynote session at the National Grocers Association’s annual conference on Monday, Mike Stigers, president of Wakefern Food Corp., advised grocers to treat the technology as a powerful tool that can help them compete more effectively and not as yet another threat to outwit.
“I remember all this stuff that we’ve done for all these decades, and we were always afraid of this next big thing coming, or this big tool coming, and how are we ever going to compete against that?” Stigers said. “AI is none of that. AI is an enabler and a tool for us to just take our knowledge, our data, our information that’s already out there and help process it.”
Stigers, who joined Wakefern in 2023 from United Natural Foods, Inc., where he served as CEO of retail, advised grocers to embrace AI as a way to free themselves and employees from time-consuming chores that keep them from interacting with shoppers.
“AI just allows you to be more personable with your teammates, to be more personable with the communities you serve, because you have time to do it instead of sitting doing routine rote work,” he said.
Stigers said Wakefern is following that playbook as the grocery cooperative integrates AI systems into its operations. Wakefern comprises about 400 supermarkets under banners including ShopRite, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market and Dearborn Market in nine East Coast states.
“Our AI team does not work for IT,” but is instead under the leadership of Wakefern’s chief sales officer, said Stigers. “We’re a selling organization. We’re a people organization. We need to make sure that we can really take care of our communities and our teammates so we can sell more groceries.”
Kristin Popp, executive vice president of Midwestern supermarket chain Woodman’s Food Markets, who also spoke during the keynote session, advised grocers who might be uncomfortable with technology to tap younger staff members to lead AI adoption.
“This is what they know. This is what they use,” said Popp, whose company runs 20 supermarkets in Wisconsin and Illinois. “Lean into them and give them the opportunity to teach you what’s happening, what you need to be aware of, and how you can use it to be more productive.”
Stigers concluded his remarks by exhorting independent grocers to view AI as a democratizing tool that can empower retailers of all sizes.
“Our future is so, so bright. This isn't something that the big guys have that we don’t. This is something we all have,” he said.
