We're delighted to welcome as our guest for this episode Brian Numainville, a longtime grocery retail veteran, consumer research expert, and the principal of The Feedback Group. Before founding that organization, he worked for nearly two decades at the Nash Finch Company, which merged with Spartan Stores in 2013 to become SpartanNash. In this conversation, Brian covers The Feedback Group's latest research on the online grocery shopping experience, how it differs across channels (supermarkets, mass merchandisers, discounters, Amazon, etc.), and what the implications of those results are for produce. Brian and The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle discussed whether online purchasing of produce has plateaued, what factors could drive it up in the coming years, what barriers still remain to more produce being purchased through online channels, and what grocers could change to create a better online experience. Brian and Ashley also explored a fascinating rabbit trail — AI in grocery and what it could mean for online grocery and produce. If you're looking for a bird's-eye perspective on grocery, produce, online shopping and AI, this conversation with Brian is one you won't want to miss. Enjoy!
For more episodes featuring marketing and merchandising perspective, check out this curated playlist for plenty of thought-provoking discussion.
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Podcast Background
This podcast is designed to cover all things produce retail: strategy, partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising and beyond. Scroll through our episodes list to find conversations with vice presidents and directors of produce, merchandisers, produce managers, retail dietitians and more.
Get Involved
The Produce Retail Podcast is hosted by Ashley Nickle, a former trade journalist turned consultant. Have an idea for a topic or a guest? Give her a shout on LinkedIn.

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