Page 9 - NSA GALA JOURNAL 2022

Nallely de Jesus
VICE PRESIDENT
I am delighted to welcome you to the National Supermarket Association's thirty-third anniversary gala. I want to start by thanking you all for being here tonight in this celebration which has become the biggest networking event in our industry. Thank you to our NSA members, sponsors and partners because we would not be here today without your support.
The NSA celebrates yet another successful year! We began the year celebrating our first-ever Women's Forum, where we recognized Generational Trailblazers Mrs. Iris Benzan-Diaz, Ursula Jorge, and Sixta Bueno. Thank you for your contribution to the NSA and the industry. We also recognized two Industry Leaders, Mrs. Mayra Linares-Garcia, VP of Public Affairs for Liberty Coke, and Mrs. Zulema Wiscovitch, Co-president and CEO of Associated Supermarket Group. Thank you, ladies, for your contribution and dedication to the NSA and the industry. The NSA celebrated the Scholarship Golf outing and dinner, which provides scholarships to underprivileged students in the neighborhoods where our supermarkets are located. We have granted these students over three million dollars in scholarships through the NSA foundation. We celebrated for the first time our Three-day Trade show—a successful event filled with information, Technology, and deals for our members. Last, our legislative committee is more vital than ever and is determined to comply with our mission statement, which is to defend and protect the interest of our members—advocating for our members at a local, state, and federal level. The NSA is positioned for a successful 2023 and is ready to continue Breaking Barriers.
We must now look ahead to our future. The supermarket Industry is changing drastically, looking at technology and market trends which are very much connected. Operating an independent supermarket today is quite different from how a supermarket was operated in the past, even going back five or ten years ago. It is vastly different from when the wave of independent
supermarket owners first opened their doors in the late sixties and the early seventies. I will not discuss whether it's better or worse. One thing is certain in today's environment; we have no choice but to adapt to the ever-changing times. It is imperative to be much more informed and connected to all aspects of our business.
Today's success depends on the use of Technology to perform numerous duties, from making our store operations run more efficiently to measuring trends to acquiring new customers and becoming informed of market needs. Technology helps us perform operationally to our highest level, from inventory management, purchasing goods, and customer service standpoint. We need the integration of Technology to assist us in being better operators. It is no longer a choice; it is a necessity.
We must also address the big elephant in the room: the fast-growing e-commerce segment. The segment has been growing for the past decade, and the consumer has slowly embraced online shopping. During the pandemic, the online shopping segment took off. Online grocery sales grew incredibly. The trend is going to be around for a while. This year it is expected that shoppers will return to stores, but retailers must offer a combination of digital and physical shopping experiences. We must offer many digital tools, from online shopping and curbside pickup to digital payment. We as an industry must figure out a way to make that part of our short- and long-term growth. The National Supermarket Association members will always keep their identity as the local neighborhood supermarket. Our member stores will be the ones to continue providing that stellar customer service. I'm looking forward to a great 2023.
I hope you enjoy the evening. I wish you all happy holidays.