GMA, NACDS to Host Industry Forum at Conference

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) will host a seminar to improve collaboration between food and consumer product manufacturers and retailers in the drug channel. The seminar, slated to take place at 8 a.m. on June 26 during the NACDS Marketplace Conference at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel, will showcase trading partner collaboration strategies and model practices, with the aim of serving consumers completely and efficiently, particularly those in food deserts.

Todd Hale, SVP, consumer and shopper insights at The Nielsen Company in Schaumburg, Ill., will deliver a keynote address on how food products are performing in drug and dollar channels, after which two in-depth panel discussions will be held. The first will deal with the products, services and other tools trading partners are providing to help consumers pursue healthier lifestyles, while the second will assess the broader landscape of trading partner collaboration opportunities to assist shoppers as they look to drug and other small-format stores for food purchases.

Among the scheduled seminar participants are representatives of General Mills, The Hershey Co., Kraft Foods, Navarro Discount Pharmacies, Rite Aid and Unilever.

“The NACDS Marketplace Conference is an appropriate venue for this seminar as we strive to provide retailers and suppliers with opportunities to grow their businesses and maximize their conference experience,” noted Steven C. Anderson, president of Alexandria, Va.-based NACDS.

“GMA and NACDS members share a common goal of helping consumers lead better lives by delivering high-value products and services in a convenient way,” added Pamela G. Bailey, President and CEO of Washington-based GMA. “Bringing them together in this forum will go a long way towards meeting this goal and speaks to the priority GMA places on facilitating multichannel trading partner collaboration initiatives on behalf of its members.”

For seminar details, visit www.gmaonline.org/events, and for more information about the 2011 Marketplace Conference, visit www.nacdsmarketplace.org. GMA members are eligible for a discounted registration.