Much like an evolving Metro system, the retail marketplace is witnessing a convergence of new consumer preferences and technologies that are shaping its own landscape.

The grassroots partnership with food retailers is the reason why Common Threads is such an active partner in the FMI Foundation’s National Family Meals Month campaign to encourage families to eat one more meal together every week.

We recognize that our industry will reach digital maturity and saturation more quickly than other industries that went online earlier, and we’re predicting that the grocery industry will reach $100 billion in online sales by 2025. Digital will reach across age groups and the growth curve will accelerate over the next five years, which will require more experimentation, effectively using stores as laboratories to better understand demand and fulfillment.

You may have heard that the USDA is reviewing, and has opened for public comment, a plan to revise the voluntary pork standards in place today. For the fresh pork industry, this is a monumental shift and it may directly impact retail meat cases across the country. From my perspective, it’s a great opportunity to improve the tasting experience for consumers who purchase pork loin cuts.