Las Vegas, NV – The Nationwide Grocers Affiliation Basis has introduced Cal Poly San Luis Obispo because the winner of the NGA Basis Scholar Case Examine Competitors, following a aggressive and galvanizing conclusion to this 12 months’s program throughout The NGA Present.
This 12 months’s case research, “Preserving Cabinets Related and Prospects Impressed,” challenged college students to develop revolutionary, sensible options for Nugget Markets, a trendsetting unbiased grocer with 16 areas throughout Northern California. Recognized for its European market setting, Nugget Markets presents an expansive assortment of high-quality perishables, chef-prepared meals, natural and specialty grocery objects, and standard merchandise designed to satisfy a variety of buyer existence, from natural and vegan to premium proteins and freshly ready meals.
College students have been tasked with addressing how Nugget Markets can proceed to maintain their cabinets partaking and related whereas inspiring prospects in an more and more dynamic grocery surroundings.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo prevailed towards an impressive group of competing universities, together with:
– College of Findlay
– Niagara College
– Kansas State College
– Fresno State College
– Saint Joseph’s College
– Auburn College
– College of Kansas
– Arizona State College
– Central Michigan College
– Cornell College
– Michigan State College
– Cal Poly Pomona
“The NGA Basis Scholar Case Examine Competitors showcases the distinctive expertise and future management inside our business,” stated Kelly Hanson, Director of Training & Insights. “The options introduced this 12 months demonstrated a robust grasp of innovation, buyer expertise, and the evolving function of unbiased grocers like Nugget Markets. I congratulate Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on their spectacular efficiency and stay up for seeing their influence on our business within the years to come back.”
The NGA Basis scholar case research competitors brings college students from throughout the nation to the NGA Present the place they current options to a problem at present impacting the unbiased grocery business. This system permits scholar groups to work together with an unbiased grocer and floor their training with real-life expertise. Members transfer by way of three rounds of judging from meals business professionals. The winners and their faculties obtain a money prize. Every year, an unbiased retailer is chosen as the topic of the competitors, offering a price range and related particulars to help in college students’ presentation. You may be taught extra in regards to the competitors right here.
###
In regards to the Nationwide Grocers Affiliation
NGA is the nationwide commerce affiliation representing the retail and wholesale neighborhood grocers that comprise the unbiased sector of the meals distribution business. An unbiased retailer is a privately owned or managed meals retail firm working quite a lot of codecs. The unbiased grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 p.c of the nation’s general financial system and is accountable for producing greater than $250 billion in gross sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members embrace retail and wholesale grocers situated in each congressional district throughout the nation, in addition to state grocers’ associations, producers and repair suppliers.
About The NGA Present
Because the premier occasion for the unbiased grocery business, The NGA Present brings collectively grocery retailers, wholesalers, producers, and suppliers from throughout the nation for 3 days of studying, networking, and product discovery in Las Vegas. For 2026, we’re excited to host the occasion on the MGM Grand Convention Middle – permitting all attendees to collect beneath one roof for a extra linked and handy expertise. Whether or not you’re launching your first retailer or main a multi-generational grocery enterprise, The NGA Present presents the insights, improvements, and relationships that assist unbiased grocers thrive.
