Dwight Morr

Meijer Media, the retail media arm of Midwest retailer Meijer, is launching new online tools for its CPG advertisers. The company will now offer Pinterest and Online Video (OLV) and Connected TV (CTV) options to help brands better connect with shoppers. #retailmedia #groceryretail

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Reflections from #NRF2025: Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Human Experience After spending three days at the NRF Big Show, I left inspired—and thoughtful. As a retail grocery technologist , I’m constantly on the lookout for how technology can elevate the customer experience, streamline operations, and improve outcomes. The show was packed with innovations powered by AI and machine learning: predictive inventory tools, personalized marketing engines, automated checkout systems, and even advanced robotics. These technologies promise efficiency and personalization at scale, reshaping how we think about the retail experience. Yet, when I wasn’t at the Javits centre, I wandered through Chelsea, exploring local grocery and retail shops. The contrast was striking. In Chelsea Market, stores like Saxelby Cheese shop weren’t driven by algorithms or automation; they thrived on the sensory and human aspects of shopping. The sight of beautifully arranged cheeses, accompanied by the passion for service and product by the Saxelby staff. The unparalleled craftsmanship at Dicksons Farmstand meats, the uniquely New York conversations between staff and customers—all of it created an atmosphere that was deeply personal, authentic, and memorable. If you haven’t been to a Starbucks Reserve Roastery, and you love coffee, I recommend a visit. You get the full experience as they roast the beans onsite and share the end-to-end process with the customers. I’m more of an Earl Grey and #Yorkshire tea person myself but I enjoyed the experience and learned more about coffee! It made me reflect on a fundamental truth: while technology can enrich the customer experience, it cannot replicate the emotional connections and sensory immersion that make #shopping truly delightful. Tools like AI and ML excel at personalization on a screen, but they can’t replicate the feeling of a friendly #grocer recognizing you by name or recommending a favorite product based on past conversations. As #retail leaders, our job is not to chase technology for its own sake but to thoughtfully integrate it in ways that complement the human connection. AI can help us predict demand and reduce waste, but it can’t replicate the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the store or the sense of community fostered by a vibrant grocery store. At #NRFBigshow, I saw the future of retail: a powerful blend of data, automation, and innovation. But walking through those Chelsea stores, I was reminded of our roots and what makes retail special in the first place. The challenge—and the opportunity—for us as leaders is to ensure technology enriches the shopping experience without erasing its humanity. That’s the sweet (or savory) spot where innovation truly thrives. What are your thoughts? How can we better balance tech and touch in retail?

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Yesterday I wrote about handling promotions properly. Adjacent to that topic is the concept of just generally compensating existing team members better. Just as you wouldn't hire someone from the outside & give them the wrong pay and title, you also wouldn't get away with hiring someone well below market rate for their role. Yet this happens internally all too often. Someone has been with the company a while, or maybe they moved laterally into their current role, and now their comp is below the range you'd hire someone new for that same role. Then what makes matters worse: corporate dynamics usually are much more willing to pay up for a new hire than to approve a market adjustment! I've always felt that this is backwards. We should over-value our internal talent that we know, instead of giving outsized budget to new hires. Besides the ROI of investing in known top talent, it helps reduce the high cost of turnover & the risks of a new hire actually being bad. If you agree, let's fight for a cultural sea change & build smarter systems for rewarding talent!

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