Progressive Grocer recently reported about new research released during the FMI 2017 Midwinter Executive Conference that outlines the opportunity for grocery stores to increase sales by reconsidering their store’s General Merchandise (GM) and Health and Beauty Care (HBC) categories.

Some recent stories in the media have hypothesized that the grocery checkout clerk and deli associate will be replaced by robots and other emerging technologies. For those working in the food retail industry this might raise some alarms, but if we stop and examine the issue a bit further we’ll see the story isn’t as black and white as it may seem. Here are some grey areas to consider.

In late January, food safety professionals from FMI retail and wholesale member companies gathered in Scottsdale, AZ to discuss the 2017 food safety initiatives. The priority initiatives typically mirror the top issues that the industry is facing in food safety and will be the focus of the committee’s time and resources to develop programs and materials that will make a measurable impact in retail food safety.

Throughout his four+ years directing Google’s global corporate meals program, Michiel Bakker, director of global food services, noted that “food at work really works” – in terms of building culture, happiness and supporting health and wellness among its employees. Mr. Bakker explained during his Midwinter Executive Conference presentation that the 165,000 meals served per day to 110,000 individuals is certainly an investment in the company’s overall mission to incubate creativity and feed talent