Rising from the Aisles: How Forward-Thinking Grocers Are Reinventing the Store Experience

Summary

Rising from the Aisles: How Forward-Thinking Grocers Are Reinventing the Store Experience analyzes the strategic transformation of grocery retail, revealing how physical stores are evolving into integrated omnichannel destinations rather than facing extinction. While media focuses on retail disruption, forward-thinking grocers are reimagining their locations as digital-first hubs, lifestyle destinations, and multi-service convenience centers that deliver competitive advantages pure-play digital retailers cannot replicate.

The report examines how omnichannel shoppers drive significantly higher value than single-channel customers, yet most grocers still operate with disconnected systems across formats. This technology fragmentation creates substantial operational friction that undermines transformation efforts and customer experience consistency.

Despite these challenges, grocers are investing strategically in mobile-first associate empowerment and workforce development programs that amplify human capabilities rather than replacing them. The research reveals critical insights about the role of associates in driving customer loyalty and the measurable business impact of human connection in an increasingly digital retail environment.

The study explores the three-phase roadmap for successful transformation, addressing why the majority of technology projects exceed budgets and timelines, while providing actionable strategies for overcoming legacy system barriers and building unified commerce foundations that make omnichannel promises actually work.

Why should you download this report:

Strategic Store Transformation Insights Discover how 87% of grocery sales still happen in stores and learn why forward-thinking grocers are transforming physical locations into omnichannel powerhouses that generate 1.5x higher customer spending from omnichannel shoppers.

Technology Integration Roadmap Understand why 83% of technology projects exceed budgets and timelines, and access a proven three-phase approach to unified commerce transformation that overcomes the legacy system barriers affecting 77% of grocers today.

Associate Empowerment Strategies Learn how grocers are investing in mobile-first associate tools, with 64% implementing product lookup capabilities while simultaneously increasing workforce development investments by 52% to amplify human capabilities rather than replace them.

Competitive Advantage Through Human Connection Explore how associates drive 3.2x more additional purchases and why 93% of shoppers prefer human assistance for complex issues, revealing the irreplaceable value of human relationships in an increasingly digital world.

Operational Excellence Solutions Discover how to overcome the disconnected systems affecting 77% of grocers and eliminate the friction points that create 65% staff productivity loss and 55% customer experience inconsistencies across multiple formats.

Survey Demographics

This report is based on comprehensive research of grocery retail transformation across the United States.

Grocery executives surveyed: 116

VP level or above: 70%

Companies with revenues of $1B+: 92%

Line of business respondents: 73%

These insights represent senior leaders responsible for store operations, technology, merchandising, marketing, and supply chain across major grocery operations, forming the foundation for the transformation strategies and recommendations presented in this report.