SuperValu will hold fifth-annual National Expo for independent grocers

Eden Prairie, Minn.-based SuperValu is holding its fifth-annual National Expo for independent grocery retailers on July 24-26 at the RiverCentre in St. Paul, Minn. The 2018 National Expo will feature a full schedule of events focused on education, inspiration and innovation to help retailers gain valuable business insights, drive sales and best serve their customers in today’s grocery retail environment, according to a press release.

In addition to a full day of education sessions and workshops on key industry topics and trends, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, best known for serving as captain of US Airways Flight 1549 during what has been called the “Miracle on the Hudson,” will give the keynote speech on July 24.

“As one of the nation’s largest grocery distributors, we are committed to helping independent retailers succeed,” said Mike Stigers, SuperValu’s executive vice president of wholesale, in a statement. “Anyone who owns, manages, or supports any aspect of a grocery retail business will find our National Expo to be the go-to resource to stay on top of new developments and best practices for success today.”

July 24 is Education Day for retailers, which will be able to choose from more than a dozen workshops designed to further enhance their businesses. Sessions will cover a wide range of topics such as digital solutions, consumer shopping habits and behaviors, multicultural trends, business planning, recruiting and coaching employees, as well as merchandising techniques to drive sales and margin growth in departments such as produce, meat, bakery, snack and candy.

Attendees will find more than 133,000 square feet of exhibits featuring new products and services, merchandising solutions and in-store concepts from more than 600 vendors. Also added to the show floor for 2018 is an entire hall dedicated specifically to ethnic, natural, organic and specialty products presented by Supervalu’s Market Centre. 

On the closing day, July 26, SuperValu will present the annual Master Marketer Awards, which recognize the best merchandising, marketing and community relations initiatives from SuperValu's independent retailers across the country over the past year. 

Attendance at the National Expo is by invitation only. For more information on the event, contact SuperValu.