Retail is Ready: Recapping the 2026 IFPA Retail Conference

6 days ago
3 min read

Last week at the IFPA Retail Conference, something clicked.

Retail leaders, growers, grower-shippers, business solutions providers, and others from across the fresh produce supply chain spent two days in real conversation about what's working, what's broken, and what we're building together. The Supply Chain of the Future team was right in the middle of it — and the sessions and conversations in Phoenix were some of the most substantive we've been part of.

If you weren’t in the room, here is what unfolded in Phoenix.

Day One: Setting a Bold New Table

CMI kicked off the Retail Issues Forum with a powerful provocation: as America’s 250th anniversary approaches, our industry has a vital story to tell about regenerative agriculture and the true meaning of a "quality shipper." It was a grounding reminder that supply chain excellence begins with the health of the soil.

Innovation took center stage as IFPA debuted its Global Intelligence Engine (GIE). Gina Jones led a live demo of this sophisticated AI platform, which synthesizes Circana POS data and consumer insights from seven countries. It was inspiring to watch retailers test the engine in real-time—drilling down into summer assortment strategies and snacking trends. Even the technical questions were met with depth; Drew Zabrocki pushed the system on supply chain optimization and received sharp, actionable responses on FIFO vs. FEFO routing.

The session with Joe Bischoff of Cornerstone US Government Affairs provided a sobering look at the shifting landscape of international trade. Following the Supreme Court’s strike-down of IEEPA tariffs in February, the administration has pivoted to Section 122 and Section 301 investigations. With USMCA renegotiations looming on July 1, the takeaway was clear: tariffs are becoming permanent fixtures of policy, and resilience must be baked into every supply chain plan.

Once again, we see that harmonized standards and interoperability aren't just efficiency plays — they're resilience plays. When trade policy shifts overnight, supply chains built on open standards adapt faster than those locked into proprietary silos.

Martha King shared the latest findings from our Global Collabathons. With participants from 22 countries, the data is undeniable: shrink, data silos, and "standards fatigue" are universal pain points that demand a unified response.

Read our summary report here.

Real-Time Insights from the Floor

Our live polls revealed a striking truth: the #1 challenge isn't the technology—it’s store-level execution. As one participant put it, "The supply chain delivers, but the stores lose it."

Conversely, when data flows seamlessly, the rewards are immediate: reduced waste, faster decision-making, and enhanced trust between partners, all leading to a better experience for the customer.

We also addressed why initiatives fail. Oftentimes the barrier isn't a lack of data; it's a lack of willingness to share it. Issues of ownership, transparency, and funding remain the hurdles we must clear together.

A Call to Action

The response was immediate and heartening. Hands went up across the room for Technical Working Groups and Steering Committees. This wasn't just polite interest—it was a commitment from retailers to roll up their sleeves and build.

Day Two: The Deep Dive

The second day moved from strategy to substance, exploring next-gen consumer trends and the urgent need for packaging innovation through Extended Producer Responsibility.

A Vision Brought to Life

Our Supply Chain of the Future panel wasn't a pitch—it was a demonstration. We shared the "why" and the "how," backed by the voices of those already in the trenches.

Jack Lagier from Driscoll’s highlighted the power of transparency: "We have quality, temperature, and lot data being generated every minute. Sharing that with our customers in transit helps them optimize their resources. We want to be accountable, and that’s why we’re here."

Liz Sertl from GS1 US looked toward the horizon: "The barcode is 50 years old and has served us well. But by 2027, scanning a 2D barcode will unlock a world of data for retailers. The possibilities are endless."

Tom Pierce from Sobeys provided the essential retailer perspective, proving that this momentum is shared across the entire ecosystem.

The Future is Now

Back in January, our Insights to Infrastructure report laid out a roadmap. Phoenix didn’t just validate that roadmap; it accelerated it.

Our pilots are live, our working groups are active, and our standards are being written as we speak.

We have realized that this isn't a technology problem waiting for a vendor. It is an alignment challenge that only we, as an industry, can solve.

Read the Retail Issues Report and the 2026 Collabathon Report. Three paths to get involved:

Steering Committee — strategic voice, quarterly engagement, influence over direction
Technical Working Groups — shape the standards while they're being written, monthly calls
Pilot Network — run a pilot in your operation, contribute data, learn from results