In this edition of 5 Insightful Minutes, Jennifer Shawgo, Senior Director of Technology Strategy and Programs at FMI, The Food Industry Association, joins Omni Talk’s Chris Walton to discuss findings from FMI’s The State of Technology 2026 report and the future of grocery technology.
Jennifer explains why the industry is shifting from technology adoption to measurable results. While 71% of food retailers plan to increase technology spending, only 29% have a defined change-management plan, highlighting the importance of aligning people, processes, and technology.
She also explores how smaller grocers can compete, why mid-market retailers are seeing success, and where technology is delivering real returns, from AI-powered inventory planning and cybersecurity to data analytics and shrink reduction.
Key Topics Covered:
- What FMI’s The State of Technology 2026 report reveals about grocery technology adoption
- Why 71% of food retailers plan to increase technology spending
- The change-management gap and why only 29% have defined plans
- How smaller grocers can compete through targeted technology investments
- Why mid-market and regional grocers are outperforming expectations
- Where AI and machine learning are delivering measurable results
- How inventory planning, cybersecurity, and data analytics are driving value
- Why 85% of food retailers report at least somewhat successful in-store shrink reduction programs
To learn more and explore FMI’s research, visit: https://www.fmi.org/
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Omni Talk® is the retail blog for retailers, written by retailers. Chris Walton founded Omni Talk® in 2017 and have quickly turned it into one of the fastest growing blogs in retail.