Western Grocer Serving the industry since 1916
TORONTO, ON, OCTOBER 26, 2021 — Today marked the kick off of the second virtual GIC Live @ Home Grocery Innovations Canada meetings, exhibition and conference event — a fully immersive experience that built on last year’s success. The exhibits and speaker series will run from October 26 until October 28, 2021. (https://virtual.groceryinnovations.com/); with all sessions available on demand for 27 days.
As a platform that offers “A World of Opportunities”, GIC Live @ Home offers AI-powered matchmaking with more selection and ease of access that rivals any traditional trade show. This is Canada’s ONLY virtual grocery event. As a community that spans from coast to coast, GIC Live @ Home offers an opportunity for retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and service providers to engage one another and network at a level previously unavailable. Valuable key staff could now log in from their office or home and save valuable time, while still exploring the world of opportunities, from grocery suppliers to the industries that support and help businesses run smoothly and efficiently. Exclusive to this event, technology uses AI to identify opportunities for its participants through “Retailer Connect”— a program that identifies and allows connections based on mutual business interests. This is the advantage of using technology to its fullest. (Learn more about Retailer Connect: https://virtual.groceryinnovations.com/retailer-connect/)
DAY ONE kicked off with a keynote from Amar Singh, Kantar — “Redefining experiential retail: exploring the evolving drivers of shopper experience in Canada”. Attendees were treated to workshops on the much anticipated, “Global Post-Pandemic Impact”, where Jeremy Attridge, and Taz Hussain of KraftHeinz took a look at some local and international post-pandemic trends. The INTERAC-TIVE Centre offered such timely topics as FMS’ Annual Financial Survey of Independents (presented by Robert Graybill.) and the repurposing of space using “mini-departments” with a live Q&A with Harold Lloyd.
Attendees were treated to the highly anticipated Master Merchandiser Awards, which honours and recognizes the best point-of-sale merchandising in the industry — excellence in the use of effective displays, promotions and events that stimulate purchases. The final award winners were announced at 5:00PM EST.
Over the next 2 days, there will be plenty of matchmaking, networking, workshops and lectures from the industry’s best speakers. The industry will also find out the Top 10 in Grocery winners — a selection of the top innovative products chosen by show attendees from the New Product Showcase. Explore Canada’s ONLY virtual grocery event. To find out more, CLICK HERE.
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