The phrase "do more with less" has never been more true, especially in grocery retail IT. And yet, some IT executives are finding ways to lead transformational change for their brands, while still balancing resource allocation and prioritization amid unprecedented market constraints. At the same time, CEOs and CFOs are also contributing more effort towards IT projects linked to broader company goals, which means the time is ripe for digital transformation in fresh. Read on for some key takeaways from a recent webinar hosted by Progressive Grocer, featuring Afresh President Nathan Fenner and Cub CIO Luke Anderson.

Improving efficiency while adapting to new challenges

Grocers need technology that maximizes efficiency for everyone, including IT teams. For Cub, leveraging purpose-built solutions isn’t just about improving operations – it’s a foundation for long-term success. With data-driven technology that's built for flexibility, fresh teams can adapt to whatever challenges and opportunities come their way. With the right tool for the job in place, fresh teams make better decisions and grocery retailers gain significant return on investment.

A lot of what we’ve been doing is setting up the foundational technologies that will enable us to be able to [continue innovating] and meet the customer where they are.
-Luke Anderson, CIO, Cub

Building resilient frameworks for successful integrations

Getting new technology off the ground can be costly and time-consuming, which can make IT leaders hesitant to move on new investments. To earn buy-in from other stakeholders, CIOs must find a collaborative solution provider that demonstrates clear business value and reduces the workload required for onboarding, training, data management, and ongoing maintenance.

One monolithic solution just doesn’t work as well [in fresh and] we can’t think of working with SaaS vendors as a distraction. If we think about [identifying best-in-class tech] then we can go about finding those purpose-built solutions that work a little bit better for their niche.
-Luke Anderson, CIO, Cub

Achieving better outcomes at every level

Decisions about which technologies to integrate are made at the highest levels – and those choices have an outsized impact for store teams and customers. When CIOs implement new solutions that improve operations, it affects all parts of the business, including customer experience.

We know we can’t predict the future [and] we know that change is happening extremely rapidly. All we can do is prepare for any kind of change.
-Luke Anderson, CIO, Cub

Fresh workflows everyone can use

As labor shortages continue across the industry, CIOs are looking to introduce new solutions that alleviate the loss of employee expertise in fresh. To fill the growing knowledge gap left behind by the Great Resignation, fresh teams need technology that is easy and delightful for team members to use, regardless of their level of experience.

Historically, Cub has been dominated by people who have worked here 20, 30, or 40 years and have a wealth of grocery knowledge. [This is] where AI comes in.
-Luke Anderson, CIO, Cub

Navigating an ever-changing supply chain requires an innovative mindset. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, CIOs can deliver profits back to the business by leveraging purpose-built solutions that drive efficiency without requiring additional resources. IT teams that implement agile technology deliver capabilities that empower store associates, address employee turnover, and improve customer experiences in fresh departments.